Reel Story Communications was born out of Ruth Wiart’s love of storytelling. She enjoys diving deeper into the passion, motivation, and emotion that drives people and organizations to achieve the impossible. So it’s fitting that Ruth’s own story is filled with all of the above.
After a career filled with chasing news stories, producing television segments, and handling diverse corporate communications, Ruth transitioned almost naturally into entrepreneurship – a leap her clients are grateful she made. Now, Ruth leads a diverse team of professionals in producing brand-focused marketing videos for corporations, as well as personal life legacy videos for individual clients. The impact she’s making for clients is easy to grasp when you watch her videos (find her most recent videos here), but for Ruth, it’s their impact on her life and work that makes all the difference for Reel Story Communications.
Ruth’s Early Career & Transition to Entrepreneurship
Ruth started her career as a journalist after attending Ryerson University. She’d already tried her hand at archaeology, but it quickly became clear to her that jumping into moving, present-tense stories offered her more opportunities for variety and creativity. It also gave her the chance to work directly with the people driving the stories.
After starting her career at CTV National News in Toronto, Ruth worked as the associate producer and fill-in co-host of A-Channel’s morning show in Edmonton. The bridge to building her own business occurred when she shifted into a corporate communications role at NAIT, Edmonton’s leading polytechnic school. Here, she began producing and directing commercials, program and student features, general marketing videos, donor and alumni features, and an award-winning brand video.
In her time at NAIT, Ruth had the opportunity to meet and work with many of the school’s partners, from local businesses and corporations to various government branches. For these organizations, there was a great demand for high-quality story-based videos that offered a professional look, without costly studio budgets. Ruth was often asked about whether she would be willing to produce videos on the side, but at the time, she was focused on her career. However, these questions soon had her considering a question of her own: was it time to fill the niche she’d discovered and start her own business?
Reel Story Communications
Leaving her “cushy” job with a competitive salary and benefits package wasn’t an easy choice, but for Ruth, it was the right one. In 2016, she left the NAIT team to form her own company, Reel Story Communications.
It wasn’t long before the clients started coming in. When you’re capturing people’s real stories, the connection goes far deeper than your typical business transaction. Ruth has been focused on building relationships right from the start, which is evident when you discover her very first client is still a regular client. For the most part, this connection is possible because she takes the time to get to know her clients from the beginning, diving deep into their stories, but also into their personal and professional goals. It’s important to Ruth and her clients that the videos they create together have real purpose and impact. This is partially why Ruth has recently opened up the business to a new type of production: life legacy videos.
Created when a family member hits a milestone birthday, anniversary, or life event (or sadly, when a family member has a terminal diagnosis), life legacy videos offer clients the opportunity to share their stories, experiences, and advice with their loved ones. It’s an emotional experience for everyone involved, including Ruth. She considers herself lucky to be trusted with crafting these powerful commemorative projects for families.
And while it might be tempting to assume that corporate marketing videos aren’t as interesting or impactful, Ruth says the opposite is true. She chooses to work with corporate clients who are invested in creating positive change, both in the work they do and in their communities. These range from small local businesses such as Fit and Fierce in St. Albert to well-known organizations such as Norquest, Covenant Health, Great Canadian Solar, and the Edmonton Police Foundation.
Community involvement often features heavily in the videos Reel Story Communications produces. RE/MAX in St. Albert asked Ruth and her team to produce a video showcasing their realtors’ community involvement, from coaching sports teams to volunteering at local charity organizations. Meanwhile, Chandos Construction recently supported one of their employees in a fundraising campaign for PTSD. This completely non-promotional video gave the employee a chance to push his fundraising capabilities through the roof. Ruth says initiatives like this allow her to develop a deeper relationship with her clients as they work together to demonstrate how business can be a force for good.
Outgrowing Her Home Office
For the past three years, Ruth has worked primarily from her home. She directs a team of talented contract professionals to help with large-scale videos, but since shoots are usually held on-site for clients, her team can be decentralized.
However, distractions pile up quickly, and the business has been on a steady growth curve for the past three years. That’s why earlier this year, Ruth started searching for a unique “home-base” for Reel Story Communications – one that was not also her personal home. In June, Ruth connected with the NABI team and took a tour. Since then, she’s moved the business to a cozy office with a window overlooking Seven Hills at NABI’s Mission location. Although she often travels to clients for meetings, consultations, and shoots (she has both a hard hat and a business jacket in her trunk at all times), Ruth is grateful to have a central location to sit down and focus when she’s in the final production phase of a video. For an extrovert with an easygoing and friendly personality, it’s the perfect place to meet other entrepreneurs and share ideas, stories, and conversations.
The NABI team is excited to follow Ruth’s story as she continues to grow Reel Story Communications. If you’d like to connect with Ruth to share a story, inquire about a project, or learn more about her business, see her website for full contact details.
Looking for professional office space?
Get in touch with NABI’s staff to schedule a tour or learn more.
