Meet Your New Best Friends

RAFFERTY

THE ONES WHO ARE CRAZY ENOUGH TO THINK THAT THEY CAN CHANGE THE WORLD, ARE THE ONES WHO DO.
– STEVE JOBS

BETWEEN SCUBA DIVING, THE EXPLORERS CLUB AND WORKING ON NASA PROJECTS (SERIOUSLY!), STUDIO98 FOUNDER RAFFERTY HOPS OFF HIS MOTORCYCLE TO DEVELOP SELLING SOLUTIONS AND SAAS THAT HELP BUSINESS OWNERS MAKE MONEY ONLINE. MONEY ISN’T THE MOTIVE: IT’S ABOUT SETTING AN EXAMPLE THAT MOTIVATES OTHERS TO HELP ANOTHER HUMAN BEING. RAFFY AND HIS ÜBER-TALENTED AND SUPER CUTE WIFE, HANA-LI, VALUE HIGH ETHICS AND INTEGRITY IN THEIR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS.

MICHAEL

The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
– Walt Disney

MICHAEL FINDS GREAT JOY IN ORG CHARTS. SERIOUSLY. HIS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN ADMINISTRATIVE TECHNOLOGY AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE FEED HIS PASSION FOR HELPING OTHERS FULFILL THEIR DREAMS THROUGH THE CREATION AND GROWTH OF COOL COMPANIES. MICHAEL SOLVES PEOPLE PROBLEMS AND BOOSTS PRODUCTIVITY WITH TECHNOLOGY. HIS MUSICIAN WIFE, MARISSA’S ARTISTIC PURSUITS BALANCE HIS BRAININESS (HE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL AT AGE 15) AND TOGETHER THEY ENJOY READING, MOVIES, MUSIC, PHOTOGRAPHY, SPORTS, BIKE RIDING, HIKING AND THE BEACH NEAR THEIR HOME IN CLEARWATER.

ETHAN

“HERE’S TO THE CRAZY ONES. THE MISFITS. THE REBELS. THE TROUBLEMAKERS. THE ROUND PEGS IN THE SQUARE HOLES. THE ONES WHO SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY. THEY’RE NOT FOND OF RULES, AND THEY HAVE NO RESPECT FOR THE STATUS QUO. YOU CAN QUOTE THEM, DISAGREE WITH THEM, GLORIFY AND VILIFY THEM. ABOUT THE ONLY THING YOU CAN’T DO IS IGNORE THEM BECAUSE THEY CHANGE THINGS. THEY PUSH THE HUMAN RACE FORWARD. AND WHILE SOME MAY SEE THEM AS CRAZY, WE SEE GENIUS.” – STEVE JOBS

HAVING STARTED HIS CAREER YOUNG, ETHAN BRINGS MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF EXECUTIVE AND SALES EXPERIENCE TO STUDIO98. WHEN NOT BEING THE D/CEO EXTRAORDINAIRE, ETHAN ENJOYS CATCHING A TAMPA BAY LIGHTENING GAME AND SPENDING TIME WITH HIS LOVELY FAMILY AND 2 YEAR OLD SON. HE CAN ALSO WALK ON THE WILD SIDE OF LIFE, BEING A CAR-RACING ENTHUSIAST AND A LOVER OF ALL THINGS FUN! ABOVE ALL, ETHAN IS HAPPIEST WHEN HE GETS TO SEE OTHERS SUCCEEDING.

ZACH

Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.” ~Albert Einstein

Zach loves to solve problems and that is what makes him a great fit as the President of Studio98. He works with our clients to help them solve the problems of their business and he has been doing it for years. He has a unique skill set that he brings to the table that each of our clients can benefit from.

When Zach is not spending his time with our clients he is spending time with his wife and daughter. He is an avid Tampa Bay Lighting Fan and takes in an occasional golf game. He also spend time doing charity events though out the year.

JOANNE

“MANAGEMENT IS ABOUT PERSUADING PEOPLE TO DO THINGS THEY DO NOT WANT TO DO, WHILE LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT INSPIRING PEOPLE TO DO THINGS THEY NEVER THOUGHT THEY COULD.” – STEVE JOBS

WHEN JOANNE ISN’T CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’ING, SHE ENJOYS HOCKEY AND SPENDING TIME WITH HER FAMILY. SHE LIKES KEEPING UP WITH FASHION AND ENJOYS A GOOD DOSE OF RETAIL THERAPY FROM TIME TO TIME (WHO DOESN’T?!). HAVING STARTED HER CAREER YOUNG, JOANNE BRINGS 20+ YEARS OF HR AND SALES EXPERIENCE TO THE PROVERBIAL STUDIO98 TABLE!

JILL

“THE ONES WHO ARE CRAZY ENOUGH TO THINK THAT THEY CAN CHANGE THE WORLD, ARE THE ONES WHO DO.” – STEVE JOBS

THE MARKETING UNIVERSE IS ASTRONOMICAL AND JILL HAS TRAVERSED THE FAR REACHES OF IT. HER NUMEROUS YEARS OF MARKETING EXPERIENCE COUPLED WITH AN INNATE ABILITY TO MAKE THINGS GO RIGHT MAKE HER AN UNSTOPPABLE ASSET FOR STUDIO98 AND OUR CUSTOMERS. WHEN SHE ISN’T AT THE CONTROLS OF HER PROVERBIAL MARKETING ROCKETSHIP, SHE ENJOYS DIY CRAFTING, KEEPING UP WITH THE LATEST CINEMATIC RELEASES, AND SPENDING TIME WITH HER FAMILY (INCLUDING 4 OF THE CUTEST DOGS).

KAY

“WHY, SOMETIMES I’VE BELIEVED AS MANY AS SIX IMPOSSIBLE THINGS
BEFORE BREAKFAST.” -LEWIS CARROLL

DAVIE

IF YOU PROVIDE ENOUGH VALUE, THEN YOU EARN THE RIGHT TO PROMOTE YOUR COMPANY IN ORDER TO RECRUIT NEW CUSTOMERS. THE KEY IS TO ALWAYS PROVIDE VALUE. – GUY KAWASAKI

BRANDON

WE ARE STUCK WITH TECHNOLOGY WHEN WHAT WE REALLY WANT IS JUST STUFF THAT WORKS.” ― DOUGLAS ADAMS*

YOU’LL TYPICALLY FIND BRANDON SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINS OF TECH, ASSIDUOUSLY DIGGING FOR CREATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR STUDIO98 AND OUR CUSTOMERS. ONE CAN MAKE A FAIRLY ACCURATE GUESS AT HOW INVOLVED HE IS IN ANY GIVEN PROJECT BY GAUGING HOW DISHEVELED HIS HAIR IS. WHEN HE ISN’T TACKLING THE GREAT WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY, YOU CAN FIND HIM ENJOYING DOWNTIME WITH HIS SOON-TO-BE WIFE, JILL, AND THEIR 4 DOGS.

David

MARTINO

“BEVICI SU – IL BAR NON PORTA I RICORDI. SONO I RICORDI CHE PORTANO AL BAR.”

RODRIGO

THE DUMBEST MISTAKE IS VIEWING DESIGN AS SOMETHING YOU DO AT THE END OF THE PROCESS TO ‘TIDY UP’ THE MESS, AS OPPOSED TO UNDERSTANDING IT’S A ‘DAY ONE’ ISSUE AND PART OF EVERYTHING. – TOM PETERS

IT’S ALMOST CREEPY HOW RODRIGO GETS INSIDE OUR CUSTOMERS’ HEADS. AS STUDIO98’S LEAD DESIGNER, RODRIGO MAKES IDEAS, CONCEPTS, FEELINGS AND DREAMS MATERIALIZE INTO GRAPHICS THAT MOVE THE SOUL. HE HAS THE UNCANNY ABILITY TO LISTEN YOUR VISION, RAMBLING AND RANDOM AS IT MAY BE, AND TURN IT INTO A STUNNING VISUAL YOU CAN USE FOR YOUR BRANDING, LOGO, WEB OR PRINT MEDIA. RODRIGO MAKES HIS HOME IN CHILE, WHERE HE LOVES OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ESPECIALLY ROCK CLIMBING, RAPPELLING AND TREKKING, WHILE YOGA KEEPS HIM BALANCED AND READY TO HANDLE ALL NEW CHALLENGES.

BONNIE

IF YOU WANT TO VIEW PARADISE, SIMPLY LOOK AROUND AND VIEW IT. – GENE WILDER

WHETHER ITS WITH A MOUSE OR A PEN IN HAND, BONNIE IS AN ARTIST THROUGH AND THROUGH. HER UNCANNY ABILITY TO TRANSLATE A CUSTOMER’S WORDS INTO DIGITAL AWESOMENESS HAS ENABLED HER TO ADVANCE QUICKLY IN THE DESIGN WORLD IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. A 2011 GRADUATE OF TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY, BONNIE CURRENTLY RESIDES IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, WHERE SHE ENJOYS (SURPRISE) DRAWING AND DESIGNING IN HER SPARE TIME. ON RARE OCCASIONS WHEN SHE PUTS DOWN THE TOOLS OF HER TRADE, BONNIE CAN BE FOUND HAVING ADVENTURES WITH HER TWO CATS, AND OCCASIONALLY HER HUSBAND, KEVIN.

ANDY

IF AT FIRST THE IDEA IS NOT ABSURD, THEN THERE IS NO HOPE FOR IT. – ALBERT EINSTEIN

BORN AND RAISED IN PORTLAND, OR. ANDY LOVES ORGANIZATION, MODERN TECH TRENDS AND THE GREAT OUTDOORS. YOU’LL FIND HIM ORGANIZING HIS FILES, RESEARCHING THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN TECHNOLOGY, IN A FITNESS CLASS OR STROLLING ONE OF FLORIDA’S BEAUTIFUL BEACHES WITH HIS WIFE AND THEIR LONG-HAIRED CHIHUAHUA, TITAN.

BRITTANY

I’M NOT GOING IF I CAN’T BRING MY DOG
– UNKNOWN

BORN AND RAISED IN TAMPA, FL. BRITTANY LOVES ART, EXPLORATION, HER DOG AND HER FAMILY. ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND YOU’LL FIND HER AT THE BEACH, ON THE ROAD TO SOME LOCATION SHE HAS YET TO SEE OR TAKING HER DOG AND HUSBAND FOR A WALK AT THE PARK.

BRYAN

TOO WEIRD TO LIVE, AND TOO RARE TO DIE – HUNTER S. THOMPSON

I GUESS YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU COULD FALL IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE BY JUST LOOKING
AT HIS PICTURE. NOW YOU’VE MET BRYAN. IF HE LOOKS LIKE THE NEXT PETE WENTZ,
THAT’S BECAUSE HE IS. WHEN NOT HANDLING SUPPORT TICKETS, YOU’LL FIND BRYAN
DRIVING FANS CRAZY FROM A STAGE WITH HIS ROCK STAR FLAIR AND HIS
PUNKY-FUNK-ROCK MAD GUITAR SKILLS.

LAUREN

ANY PROBLEM CAN BE SOLVED WITH A LITTLE INGENUITY.
– MACGYVER

DON’T LET HIS PYROMANIAC TENDENCIES SCARE YOU. LAUREN LOVED BLOWING STUFF UP AS A KID LIVING IN THE MIDWEST, NORTHWEST AND SOUTHEAST, BUT HE’S COOLED OFF NOW (WE HOPE). LAUREN MAKES BEAUTIFUL MUSIC, LITERALLY: HE’S A SELF-TAUGHT GUITARIST AND PIANIST. LAUREN IS ALSO INTO MOTORCYCLES, CARS AND BASICALLY ANYTHING WITH A MOTOR AND MOVING PARTS. AS STUDIO98’S SUPPORT DIRECTOR, LAUREN IS EXCITED ABOUT WORKING FOR A COMPANY THAT DOES EVERYTHING “ON PURPOSE” WHILE HAVING FUN AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE…

SHERRI

TAKE THE RISK OR LOSE THE CHANCE – UNKNOWN

WENT NOT BEING A MARKETING NINJA, SHERRI ENJOYS HELPING PEOPLE IMPROVE THERE HEALTH THROUGH FITNESS AND HEALTHY EATING. SHE HAS 3 FEARLESS BOYS WHO KEEP HER ON TOES. SHE RECENTLY RELOCATED HERE FROM CT AND HAS A FUN PASSION WITH HOUSE PROJECTS AND FINDING NEW FRUIT TREES TO PLANT.

MICHAELA

“As soon as I saw you I knew an adventure was about to happen” Winnie the Pooh.

When not in the office. Michaela loves to enjoy quality time with her 3 cats and future family on the way. She loves to travel where ever there is a beach and hiking. A big Disney fanatic; she has been going to Disney since she was 2. She has lived all over the State of Florida, although she is originally from Miami. She loves to read books and learn new information everyday.

MARISSA

“ALL OUR DREAMS CAN COME TRUE, IF WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO PURSUE THEM.” -WALT DISNEY

WITH MARISSA’S YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE SALES AND MARKETING FIELD AND HER LOVE OF HELPING PEOPLE SUCCEED, SHE IS A GREAT FIT FOR STUDIO98. WHEN SHE ISN’T HELPING COMPANIES SUCCEED, SHE IS ACTIVELY LIVING HER LIFE AS A MUSICIAN, SPENDING ALL OF HER FREE TIME WRITING/RECORDING/REHEARSING AND TOURING AROUND THE US WITH HER BAND. SHE LOOKS AT ALL THINGS IN LIFE AS A FORM OF ART AND LOVES TO IMBUE THE CREATIVITY SHE PUTS INTO HER MUSIC INTO EVERY ASPECT OF HER LIFE. HER OTHER HOBBIES INCLUDE GOING TO LOCAL MUSIC SHOWS, HIKING, RUNNING, OBSESSING OVER GOOD COFFEE, PLAYING WITH HER BEAGLES, DRESSING AS A HIPPIE, FINDING SECRET BEACHES ALONG THE WEST COAST AND EMBARKING ON TRAVELING ADVENTURES WITH HER HUSBAND.

KODYLEE

“EMPTY YOUR MIND, BE FORMLESS, SHAPELESS — LIKE WATER. NOW YOU PUT WATER IN A CUP, IT BECOMES THE CUP; YOU PUT WATER INTO A BOTTLE IT BECOMES THE BOTTLE; YOU PUT IT IN A TEAPOT IT BECOMES THE TEAPOT. NOW WATER CAN FLOW OR IT CAN CRASH. BE WATER MY FRIEND.”
-BRUCE LEE

BORN AND RAISED IN CLEARWATER, FL, FAVORITE HOBBIES ARE BASKETBALL, WATCHING SHARK TANK AND EATING SUSHI. WHEN I AM NOT DESIGNING WEBSITES I AM BUSY TEACHING TAEKWONDO, WATCHING THE UFC FIGHTS OR TRAVELING.

JOHAN

“TO LOVE IN SPITE OF ALL IS THE SECRET OF GREATNESS”. – L RON HUBBARD

JOHAN IS ORIGINALLY FROM SOUTH AFRICA AND GREW UP IN THE SUGARCANE FIELDS AND ROLLING HILLS OF ZULULAND. EVER SINCE HIS DAD BROUGHT THEIR FIRST COMPUTER HOME AND HE WORKED OUT HOW TO PLAY POLICE QUEST ON DOS, HE HAS BEEN OBSESSED WITH THEM AND SPENT THE LAST 13 YEARS WORKING IN VARIOUS ROLES IN THE IT INDUSTRY. JOHAN LIKES TO SPEND HIS LEISURE TIME WITH HIS WIFE AND KIDS, AS WELL AS SINGING, PLAYING GUITAR, SKATEBOARDING, FISHING, SCUBA DIVING, SKYDIVING AND MORE. 

GAGE

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

When not studying code/tech or handling your support tickets, you’ll typically find Gage either on the drag strip destroying what’s left of his 21 year old motorcycle or at a hole in the wall coffee shop playing the blues. Gage is crazy about the tech world and is always striving to learn more about his field.

Jhett

“WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IS NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT YOU CAN DO” – GRANT CARDONE

WHEN JHETT ISN’T JUMPING OUT OF PLANES, RIVER RAFTING OR BUNGEE JUMPING, HE LOVES USING HIS LONG HISTORY AND EXPERIENCE IN MANAGEMENT, STRATEGY, MARKETING AND DESIGN TO HELP ENSURE CLIENTS GET PERFECTLY EXECUTED PROJECTS THAT CAN BE UTILIZED TO HELP DRIVE IN MORE SALES AND REVENUE. HIS PHILOSOPHY IS THAT SUCCESS IS NOT JUST A GOAL TO WORK TOWARDS, BUT PART OF HIS DUTY TO ACHIEVE FOR ANY COMPANY HE WORKS WITH.