We Built This for Real People
Back in early 2023, a few of us were sitting around talking about how career advice had gotten... weird. Everything felt scripted. Generic templates that didn't account for actual industries or platforms. So we started Makgrab with one question: what if career development actually matched how people work today?
How We Got Here
Three people who'd spent years navigating different career paths kept bumping into the same problem. Traditional advice wasn't cutting it anymore. LinkedIn strategies don't work on GitHub. What works in creative portfolios falls flat in technical documentation.
We started testing platform-specific approaches in late 2023. Ran small workshops. Talked to people stuck between industries. And honestly? The results surprised us. When you match strategy to the actual platform someone's using, things click faster.
By mid-2024, we'd developed a framework that people could actually use. Not theory. Just practical steps based on where someone actually wanted to be seen.
What Actually Matters to Us
Platform Reality
We don't pretend every platform works the same way. Because they don't. What gets you noticed on Behance won't help on Stack Overflow. We match strategies to where you're actually building your presence.
Honest Timelines
Building a solid professional presence takes time. Usually six months to see real traction. Sometimes longer. We're upfront about that because setting false expectations helps nobody.
Adapt as You Go
Your career path isn't linear. Neither is our approach. We adjust strategies based on what's working for you, not what worked for someone else three years ago.
The People Behind This
Vernon Katz
Head of Program DevelopmentVernon spent eight years watching career programs miss the mark. He'd seen too many people follow generic advice that led nowhere. So he started building curricula that matched actual industry needs. His programs focus on platform-specific skills that employers actually look for.
Elaine Rosewood
Career Strategy DirectorElaine came from recruitment. She'd reviewed thousands of profiles across different platforms and noticed patterns most people miss. Now she helps professionals position themselves where it actually matters. Her approach combines platform algorithms with human decision-making because both influence who gets noticed.
Our Method
We don't do one-size-fits-all. Each program runs for eight to twelve months because building genuine career momentum takes time. Here's what you can expect:
- Platform analysis specific to your industry and target role
- Content strategies that match how your field actually communicates
- Profile optimization based on what recruiters and collaborators look for
- Network building approaches that feel natural, not forced
- Regular check-ins to adjust strategy based on what's working
We start with where you are now and build toward where you want to be. No pretending you're someone you're not. Just strategic positioning that highlights what you actually bring.
Our next cohort opens in September 2025. Most participants see meaningful profile improvement within the first four months, with stronger results developing through month eight.
Want to Talk Strategy?
We're based in Nanaimo but work with professionals across Canada. If you're tired of generic career advice and want approaches built for your specific platform and industry, let's talk. No pressure. Just honest conversation about what might actually help.
Get in Touch