About

The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.

Babe Ruth

Building a relationship and supporting you is really big for us. We are invested in you, and want to see your brand succeed and your business thrive. Our team, (who are based out of Burlington, Ontario), will dive deep into your brand and really get to know you and what your brand’s message is. 

Combined, we have started, managed, and successfully run multiple businesses, from product-based businesses to influential personal brands, to this service-based business. We love to use our experience and knowledge to build brands, teach others and bring communities together. 

We can make your dream a reality and help your business not just survive, but thrive in this unpredictable world we are living in.

Welcome to The Water Cooler.

Joanna Fowler

Co-Founder & CEO

Dream big and then go for it. That’s Joanna’s motto in life and it’s worked for her so far. After switching her Interior Design Business, Nesting Story to a personal blog after having surprise twins, (that makes four kids), she wanted to take her blogging hobby and monetize it. After some research she found out that 7,000 views a month would do the trick, so she set her mind to it and was able to destroy that goal with a whopping 2 million views in a few hours. From that point on Nesting Story gained worldwide recognition and a community was born. Since then Joanna expanded Nesting Story into a large YouTube channel and it became her full time career. Now Joanna is taking what she knows about online storytelling, branding and digital marketing and is helping other businesses realize their dream and support their journey by Co-Founding The Water Cooler.

Benjamin Johnston

Co-Founder & President

You know that person you meet, and you think to yourself, “if I believed in past lives then for sure this person has had a few.” That’s Ben. He is wise and wildly organized yet knows how to be adventurous and young at heart. Ben is a dad and has a pup sidekick named Jackson and when he’s not tending to his garden and many plants or cooking, he’s probably running, playing baseball, watching baseball or reading a book with Jackson by his side. Ben has extensive experience in management and operations and he’s the steady rock that quietly keeps The Water Cooler running smoothly from behind the scenes.

Samantha Statham

Creative Lead & Graphic Designer

Samantha is your partner for all things digital and design. With a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing Management from the University of Guelph, and two post-grad certificates in Graphic Design from Humber College and Sport and Event Marketing from George Brown College, Sami brings a well-rounded and highly specialized skill set to the table.
With a passion for transforming businesses into online powerhouses, Sami specializes in striking graphic design, comprehensive social media management, and content creation. Also based in Burlington, Ontario, Sami has spent over a decade creating engaging digital stories that truly connect within our local community.
Outside of shaping online identities, Sami is dog-obsessed and a self-proclaimed sushi aficionado. When not immersed in pixels and palettes, Sami is always thinking about the next travel adventure.

Jess Rickus

Creative Lead

Jess is a mom of two who loves creating content and telling brand stories. She grew up in Etobicoke and Oakville, and now lives in Burlington, right where The Water Cooler is based. Jess studied Kinesiology at McMaster and worked in the field until she became a mom. That's when her creative side evolved. She believes in doing what you love and being proud of the path you choose. Motherhood changed her perspective and led her to a career in creativity. She started her own clothing company, making customized pieces, while building a strong online community, as well. She is now using her expertise to support and guide others, as a Creative Lead at The Water Cooler. Jess is highly skilled in content design & brand storytelling, and has a head full of great ideas. Jess, at some point of her journey, has likely been where you are, and she is eager to support you in any way that she can.

Grace Hunt

Social Media Manager

Grace is passionate about all things social media and film. She grew up in Burlington Ontario. Grace studied Video Production at Toronto Film School. Grace spends a lot of time creating content for Instagram and TikTok. She has a creative eye for video editing. Grace is also very passionate about fitness and living a healthy lifestyle. In her free time, you will find her at the gym lifting weights, hiking, travelling, watching Netflix or out with friends.

Emma Lindeman

Social Media Manager

Emma, a content creator from Hamilton, Ontario, specializes in crafting compelling content for brands drawing on years of experience. After losing her job during the pandemic, Emma noticed how many businesses were suffering. Inspired to lend a hand, Emma started what has become her passion, a successful social media account to showcase local businesses. When she’s not working on client projects, you can find her exploring the local food scene, networking with fellow entrepreneurs and attending local events

Gayle Malone

Executive Assistant

Hi, my name is Gayle. I love helping people in so many different capacities. Taking their ideas, struggles, hardships and making life easier in a way that suits them. My husband and I have been together for 20 years and married for 10 of them, we have 2 kids and love living in Ottawa. I started doing my Freelance work in 2019 and haven't looked back since, only growing and connecting with so many people all across Canada and the US.
In my spare time you'll find me reading, knitting, going for a walk, working out or enjoying a cup of tea to name a few.