Creative duo excels in marketing

Depending on the day, Lara Dobson, Class of 2001, could either be consulting on a project, serving as a sales rep, taking orders, coordinating project installations, or working reception.

“Solving problems and assisting others is what I do all day,” says Lara, with a laugh. And as owner/operator of Ironjet Promotions with her husband Christopher, Class of 2001, she excels at it.

“We’re very much a team in this,” she says, noting Christopher – a nationally awarded salesperson – takes care of his share of the operation too, including sales, installation, production and bookkeeping, among other tasks. Before this energetic duo opened Ironjet’s doors in downtown Lloydminster in 2009, they started their career path as teachers. In fact, they met while studying to become teachers in Lakeland College’s university transfer program.

“I really enjoyed my Lakeland experience. Because of the smaller campus environment, you actually get to know people. Whereas when you’re at a larger university, you lose that community feel,” says Lara.

For Lara, enrolling at Lakeland was an opportunity to get a good education in her community and it proved to be an inspiring decision in the end. “There were a lot of great instructors at Lakeland who pushed us into being more than we thought we could be. You weren’t there to just show up to class, they challenged our minds and that’s what an institution should do,” she says. “I really think Lakeland brings so much to the community and I hope the community sees how important it is.”

After studying at Lakeland’s Lloydminster campus, both Lara and Chris transferred to the University of Alberta to complete their bachelor of education degrees, and both were quick to secure teaching positions afterwards. However, after five years of teaching students from Grade 2 to Grade 9 in rural communities, including Lashburn and Hillmond, Lara and Chris were ready to see the world.

But, the best laid plans can go awry, and they did for the Dobsons; in this case, the economy crashed. Plans to travel were put on hold and with no teaching positions to return to, they decided to focus on developing Chris’s freelance graphic design business, which he’d operated on the side over the years.

“In a downturn economy, we decided to go into business and people thought we were crazy,” says Lara. “We were very fortunate to have such great community support from the start, which really helped. We had a lot to learn and the company grew so fast. We’re grateful to have Lloydminster’s support.”

Providing clients with turnkey solutions for their marketing needs is at the heart of what Ironjet Promotions offers. Whether it’s print products, decals or banners, signage, logos or other promotional items, Lara and Chris – and their Ironjet team – work hard for their clients.

“Our whole team really takes pride in what we do,” says Lara. “On a day-to-day basis, what I really love is seeing people proud of their business. We’re selling someone’s image for their business, creating something they are proud of and something that helps connect them to their market. I love helping people do that. To see them grow their business because of what we do, it’s so wonderful to be part of.”

Being part of large-scale events, including Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada, helping Lakeland celebrate its centennial and working with local businesses are among the highlights Lara lists for Ironjet.

“Building community relationships and being part of something bigger than yourself is what keeps me inspired every day.”

Photo: Lara and Chris Dobson took the first step to starting their degree at Lakeland College. Together, they now run Ironjet Promotions.