This month, we’re excited to spotlight Ryan Blake, the founder of The ROVE Agency, a Bend-based brand strategy and growth agency helping businesses turn great ideas into brands people want to be part of.
Tell us a little about what you do.
We work with businesses to figure out what makes them interesting, how to tell that story, and then how to turn it into actual growth. That can mean developing a brand from the ground up, creating content, building websites, managing social media, or running paid advertising and measuring whether it’s actually producing revenue.
A lot of our work is in tourism, hospitality, lifestyle, and local businesses. I spent the last three years living and working on Maui before recently moving back to Bend, so I still work closely with several Hawaii brands while also growing ROVE’s presence here in Central Oregon.
The fun part is that no two days look exactly the same. One day I might be developing a brand strategy, the next I’m shooting content from a helicopter, building an ad campaign, or helping a company figure out an entirely new revenue stream.
At the end of the day, the mission is pretty simple: help good businesses become brands people actually want to be part of, and make sure the marketing we create does something meaningful for the business.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, I’m happiest doing something that gets me outside or lets me be creative. I’m really into music, snowboarding, motorcycles, and pretty much anything involving water. I also love cooking, especially when I have the time to make a whole experience out of it. If there’s a mountain, an ocean, a motorcycle, good music, or something cooking, I’m probably pretty happy.
What’s your favorite thing about being a Work Collective member?
My favorite thing about being a Work Collective member is definitely the people. I love meeting new people, hearing what they’re working on, and being around so many different kinds of businesses and creative minds. There’s a really natural sense of community without it ever feeling forced. I love the activities, the atmosphere, and honestly just having a place where going to work feels social and energizing. It’s become one of my favorite parts of being back in Bend.
And finally… your favorite Work Collective perk?
It’s a toss up between Brian and Nate (the members of my pod of desks), the breakfast burritos, the coffee setup, and the No Regerts pastries. And the patio. And Junction Roastery next door. Ok, I can’t decide.
I’m one of those people who’s almost always curious about something. My family and I recently moved back to Central Oregon after spending about three years living on Maui, so right now I’m really enjoying rediscovering Bend and this whole area with a fresh perspective. I tend to collect hobbies and interests along the way, whether that’s motorcycles, photography, music, cooking, snowboarding, or whatever rabbit hole has my attention that week. I really just like learning things, meeting interesting people, and saying yes to experiences that make life a little more fun.