The Day We Shifted to Thrive (and Pitched a Microwavable Plate)
There’s something about getting out of the office that makes you see things differently. Maybe it’s the light streaming through the windows at Telaya Winery, or the fact that the wine feels even buzzier when you’re surrounded by smart, creative people you genuinely like.
Either way, our Fall 2025 offsite was one of those days that reminded me why I came back to Stoltz, the energy, the laughter, the shared drive to do great work together.
From Evolve to Thrive
Every year, Stoltz picks a word to rally around. Last year’s theme was Evolve. And evolve we did. But for 2026, the word that rose to the top was Thrive.
During the kickoff, Jaime (our President & CEO) said, “Growth isn’t about avoiding friction. It’s about learning to move through it smarter each time.”
That line stuck with me. Thrive isn’t about being perfect. It’s about forward motion. It’s about joy in the doing. And it’s about finding energy in the challenges, not running from them.
Building the 2026 Playbook
We started the day reviewing Q4 and cracking open the 2026 Playbook — our game plan for what’s ahead. It’s built around eight pillars that touch everything we do: organic growth, positioning, new business, operational efficiency, brand and reputation, culture and talent, innovation, and insights and performance.
It sounds like a lot, but it’s really about one thing: working together with more intention. Our account, creative, and leadership teams are dividing and conquering so the Playbook reflects everyone’s ideas and strengths. Because thrive doesn’t happen in silos.
The Art of the Pitch (from Scratch Paper)
After all that strategy talk, we needed a creative reset. Enter The Art of the Pitch from Scratch Paper.
The assignment? Create and pitch a full-blown campaign for a mystery product found in a thrift store: the Micro Browner Grill — a 1970s ceramic plate still in its original packaging.
We didn’t know exactly what it was, but the box said it “browns food in the microwave.” And that was enough.
What followed was pure Stoltz chaos: luxury branding for a microwavable plate, a mascot named Milton (the face of the “Microchef Revolution”), and taglines that will never see the light of day but will live forever as inside jokes. Even our CFO got in on it.
It was ridiculous. It was brilliant. And it was precisely the kind of exercise that reminds you how fun creative work can be when everyone dives in without hesitation.
Pass the Mic
Our afternoon was filled with storytelling as unique as the individuals behind each presentation. It was one of those moments that remind you why Stoltz works so well. We’re a group of people who see the world through wildly different lenses, yet always manage to find the same thread of curiosity and craft.
Out of all the amazing presentations, two in particular stuck with me. Cam (our newest graphic designer) kicked things off with a deep dive into The History of Bootlegging, Counterfeits, and Stolen Art, tracing the blurred lines between imitation and innovation and challenging us to think about how creativity is borrowed, reshaped, and reborn. And Bond (our Director of Accounts) shared What Japan Taught Me About Advertising, an insightful look at the quiet power of restraint and the art of precision, lessons that transcend design and reach into how we communicate and connect.
Each talk was completely different, but both were rooted in the same idea: that thriving creatively means staying curious — about history, about culture, and about the stories that shape how we see the world.
Clifton Strengths and Shared Wins
To round out the day, Tracy (our COO) led us through a Clifton Strengths Deep Dive, the kind of exercise that could easily feel like “corporate homework” but somehow turned into one of the most energizing sessions of the day.
It wasn’t about personality tests or labels. It was about seeing how our strengths fuel better work. Balance, momentum, collaboration — that’s where the growth happens.
Thriving Together
As we packed up and a few of us wandered out in search of happy hour, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for this team, for the laughter, and for the sense that 2026 is going to be something special.
Thrive isn’t just a word of the year. It’s a reminder of who we are when we’re at our best: curious, creative, and entirely in it together.
Here’s to thriving. Smarter, braver, and side by side.
