Celebrating 10 Years of Envol: Built on People. Driven by Possibility.
Ten years. It’s incredible to think about how much can happen in a decade.
Businesses evolve. Teams grow. Challenges test us. Opportunities surprise us. And somewhere along the way, what begins as an idea becomes something far greater than we could have imagined.
As Envol celebrates its 10th anniversary, I’ve found myself reflecting not just on how far we’ve come, but on the people, relationships, and experiences that have made this journey so meaningful.
And that story begins with our founder, Brianna Blaney.
Ten years ago, Brianna had a vision for a different kind of HR company. One that would challenge traditional approaches, put people at the centre of business decisions, and demonstrate that investing in people isn’t separate from business success. It’s fundamental to it.
Turning that vision into reality took an extraordinary amount of courage, determination, and hard work.
There were late nights, countless conversations, big ideas scribbled down and reimagined, and more than a few moments where we had to figure things out as we went. There was the excitement of welcoming new clients, building and scaling our team, expanding our services, and discovering just how much of an impact we could make.
I have had the privilege of sharing many of those moments with Brianna. The conversations that stretched well beyond the workday. The ambitious plans. The difficult decisions. The laughter, the lessons, and the unwavering belief that we were building something that mattered.
And, of course, there were challenges we never could have anticipated.
When COVID-19 changed the world, it fundamentally changed the way organizations operated and how employers supported their people. Almost overnight, businesses were navigating unprecedented uncertainty, rapidly changing employment requirements, difficult workforce decisions, and an entirely new understanding of what employees needed from their workplaces.
Our team was right there alongside them.
We worked through the uncertainty, helped leaders make incredibly difficult decisions, adapted as new information emerged, and supported organizations in finding their footing when the path forward was anything but clear.
Those experiences reinforced something I’ve always believed: the true strength of a business isn’t measured only by how it performs when things are going well, but by how it responds when things get difficult.
Over the past decade, we’ve had the opportunity to support organizations through virtually every stage of their journey.
We’ve helped businesses scale, build leadership capacity, strengthen their cultures, navigate complex workforce challenges, and create healthier, more resilient teams. We’ve partnered with organizations as they’ve pursued ambitious growth goals, celebrated major milestones, navigated transitions, and reimagined what their future could look like.
And we’ve been there for the harder moments, too. The restructurings, the uncertainty, the difficult conversations, and the decisions that don’t come with easy answers.
That is the work I’m particularly proud of.
Because behind every business decision are people. People with aspirations, responsibilities, families, challenges, and incredible potential. Our role has always been to help organizations recognize that reality while building businesses that are stronger, more sustainable, and better positioned for the future.
Along the way, we’ve also had the opportunity to celebrate some extraordinary entrepreneurial milestones of our own.
Watching Brianna build Pocketed, successfully sell the business, and take the next step in her journey with Deloitte has been an incredible reminder of what vision, persistence, and a willingness to take risks can make possible.
It’s a journey worth celebrating, not just because of the business achievement itself, but because of what it represents: the courage to build something from the ground up, the determination to see it through, and the confidence to embrace new opportunities as they emerge.
As I’ve stepped into the role of President at Envol, I’ve felt both an immense sense of pride in what we’ve built and a deep responsibility to honour the foundation that Brianna created.
But I also recognize that no business reaches a milestone like this because of one person alone.
To every team member who has contributed their expertise, creativity, care, and commitment over the years: thank you. You’ve shaped our culture, challenged our thinking, supported one another, and helped us deliver work that makes a meaningful difference.
To our clients and partners: thank you for trusting us with your businesses and, more importantly, your people. Some of you have been with us for years, and we’ve had the privilege of growing alongside you. Others have joined us more recently, bringing new perspectives, challenges, and opportunities. Every relationship has contributed to who we are today.
And to Brianna: thank you for having the courage to start, the determination to keep building, and the generosity to create opportunities for others to grow alongside you. What began as your vision has created a lasting impact on so many people, myself included.
Ten years in, I believe the opportunity ahead of us is just as exciting as the journey behind us.
The world of work will continue to evolve. Employers will face new challenges. Teams will need to adapt. Leaders will be asked to think differently about how they attract, develop, and retain great people.
And Envol will continue to evolve alongside them.
We’ll keep challenging conventional thinking, bringing practical and thoughtful solutions to complex people challenges, and helping organizations build workplaces where both people and businesses can thrive.
Because after ten years, one thing hasn’t changed: our belief that people are at the heart of every successful organization.
Here’s to the late nights, the big ideas, the lessons learned, the relationships built, and the milestones still to come.
Here’s to the next chapter of Envol.
With gratitude,
Rikka Bouseh
President, Envol Strategies
