50 facts about the Backslash team

At Backslash Creative, we’re not just about pixels and print; we’re a blend of personalities as vibrant and varied as the designs we create. In fact, balance, teamwork, and relationships are three of our six core values. Each of our team members has their own quirky characteristics, personal passions, and even idiosyncratic interests.

Okay, that got a little alliterative there at the end.

Let’s take a look behind the curtain, introduce you to some of the team behind Backslash Creative, and what makes us, well, creative!

Michela Owen – Digital Marketing Strategist and Collector of Quirky Experiences

Michela is our strategy sorceress, weaving magic into each day with a dash of the unexpected, much like her collection of vinyl and keychains.

1. Visionary with Limited Vision: Despite Michela’s lack of peripheral vision, her strategic foresight is 20/20. No, really, she has no peripheral vision. Really think about it before you let her give you a ride somewhere.
2. Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth: One Christmas, Michela (along with her siblings) unexpectedly got a horse for Christmas.
3. Vinyl and Keychains, Oh My: From the grooves of vinyl to the jingles of keychains, Michela’s collections are her treasure trove of memories. Her vinyl collection is small but growing, while her keychain collection has been going strong since she was in middle school.
4. The Wedding Planner: Two weddings in one year? Michela didn’t just survive; she thrived, turning bridal visions into reality for two different weddings in 2023. What a side gig!
5. Epicurean Enthusiast: Choosing a favorite food for Michela? That’s like asking her to pick a favorite child. Impossible! She loves food.
6. Beta Fish Bonanza: Gifting beta fish named Beyonce and Blue Ivy to her best friend in high school proves Michela’s gifting game is as strong as her strategy game.
7. Life Unplugged: Michela ditched her TV for two years. Of course, that really meant she just streamed shows on her computer. But she’s finally back in the TV game now.
8. Painter Extraordinaire: Michela loves to paint. She actually painted the artwork in our video studio.
9. Low Effort, High Impact: Jumpsuits are her secret weapon. Sure, she looks great in them, but really she buys them to avoid having to pick out both pants and a top for each outfit. Life hack!
10. Delivery Service Devotee: If it can be delivered, Michela’s already on it. Her husband hates going in stores, but if she goes in, she’s likely to come out with something shiny they didn’t budget on. So delivery it is!

Dana Bosley – Editor, Literature Lover, and Adventure Seeker

While Leann and I have known Dana for over 25 years, she’s actually one of the newest members of our team, helping us out with editing and more.

11. An English Major: Dana majored in English Literature and regularly rereads Hary Potter, The Hunger Games, and Pride and Prejudice. Her English professors would probably only approve of one of those.
12. Guitar Hero Origins: Dana won her first guitar through a YouTube contest with her ukulele. She’s the musical hero we all need!
13. Green Thumb Wannabe: Dana’s garden might be a work in progress, but her enthusiasm? That’s in full bloom. She follows multiple gardening YouTubers.
14. OKC Thunder’s Unofficial Mascot: What started as an effort to bond with her son has grown into a full-blown obsession with the OKC Thunder. Thunder up!!
15. Love at Second Date?: After her first date with her now-husband, he and Dana didn’t go on another date for two years. Talk about playing hard to get!
16. Emoji Aficionado: Dana’s texts come emoji-approved to ensure her sarcasm lands just right.
17. Toddler Whisperer: With a decade in preschool education, Dana’s patience is practically superheroic. She taught toddlers at a mother’s-day-out program for 10 years, and has taught toddlers in Bible class with her sister for 20+ years and counting.
18. Mountain Biker at Heart: Oklahoma’s flatlands can’t dampen Dana’s mountain biking spirits. Although maybe she should really call it trail riding.
19. Introvert and Proud: The pandemic taught Dana that solitude can be blissful.
20. Proudest Mom Ever: Did we mention her daughter is a state champion four times over? Not technically a Dana fact, but she insisted we include it. What a proud mom!

Leann Priebe – Operational Guru and Sonic Diet Coke Aficionado

As the operational backbone of Backslash Creative, Leann ensures everything runs smoother than a fresh jar of Skippy. She’s the financial expert and the unofficial guardian of Sonic Diet Coke.

21. The Cash Conductor: Handing money to me? That’s a good joke. Many of our clients even know the first time they bring a check in that Leann needs to get the money. Leann is where every penny stops, ensuring we stay on track.
22. Diet Coke Devotee: Leann’s love affair with Sonic Diet Coke is the stuff of legends. It’s her fuel, turning every operational challenge into a walk in the park.
23. Disney Dreamer: When she’s not making magic happen at work, she’s daydreaming about our next family adventure to Disney. The Magic Kingdom is our most frequent destination.
24. Pride Parade: Whether it’s celebrating Jacob’s new tech venture, Jack’s latest feat of sheer will, or Josh’s volunteering at church, Leann leads the pride parade, cheering the loudest and beaming the brightest.
25. Community Cheerleader: Leann’s heart is as big as her efficiency spreadsheet, always ready to lend a hand to those in need. She loves to volunteer at nonprofits and donates everything from loft beds to Apple computers to those who could use them.
26. Summit Seeker: The Sandler Summit is Leann’s version of the Super Bowl. Learning, networking, and coming back with a ton of new ideas each year.
27. License Plate Legend: Inspired by the television show “Dallas,” her “Priebe1” license plate isn’t just cool; it’s a nod to a childhood favorite and a bit of fun that makes the daily commute a bit more interesting.

Sara Payne – The Project Whisperer Who’s Secretly Controlled by Cats

Sara Payne, our project management guru, keeps our projects on track and our team in line, all while bowing to the whims of her feline overlords.

28. Animal Kingdom Ruler: From nurturing a black-footed ferret to serving her cats, Sara’s heart is a zoo of love and care. Did we mention she has a Patas monkey named after her in the Rosamond Gifford Zoo?
29. Global Teacher and Learner: Teaching English to Bantu refugees and having a monkey named after her, Sara’s experiences enrich our team with global perspectives and stories.
30. Flightless Bird Aficionado: Penguins, ostriches, you name it. If it’s a bird that waddles more than it flies, Sara’s all about it.
31. Peak Performer: Climbing mountains isn’t just a hobby; it’s a metaphor for how Sara tackles project challenges – one summit at a time.
32. Cellist and Leaf Peeper: Whether she’s playing the cello or admiring autumn leaves, Sara finds beauty and rhythm in life’s varied melodies.
33. Traveling Time Capsule: Not having flown since 1999, Sara prefers her adventures grounded, literally. Road trips over airways, always.

Crystal Oakes – Visual Virtuoso and Pinterest Enthusiast

Crystal, from Oakes Creative House, is our go-to for making everything look effortlessly cool. She’s the one behind the stunning visuals and has a knack for turning “oops” into “oohs.”

34. Pinterest Cooking Chronicles: Crystal and her husband once embarked on a culinary adventure, experimenting with new recipes for a week solid, guided solely by Pinterest. The result? A newfound appreciation for local pizza delivery. It’s the thought that counts, right?
35. Dad’s Words of Wisdom: “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” is the motto she lives by, courtesy of her dad. It’s her secret sauce for staying calm in the creative chaos.
36. Inspiration in the Closet: Believe it or not, one of her brand colors was inspired by her favorite emerald green sweater. If only finding inspiration was always that cozy!
37. Residential Daydreamer: When traveling, Crystal and her husband love to explore residential neighborhoods, imagining life in different homes. It’s their unique way of soaking in the local architecture and dreaming up future possibilities.
38. The Ultimate Catalog Sprint: Once, Crystal stayed away for 72 hours straight to finish a client’s catalog. Fueled by coffee and sheer will, she photographed, edited, and designed the whole thing, all right before the deadline.
39. Cultural Collaborator: She was recently honored to work with Mahota Textiles, bringing the beauty of Native American blankets to the forefront through photography. What an honor!
40. Shallot Whisperer: In Crystal’s kitchen, shallots are the MVP. Their subtle yet rich flavor is her secret ingredient to culinary magic – and to life, really.

Sara Graybill – Technical Maestro with a Wanderer’s Heart

Sara, steering the ship at Graybill Creative, is our tech guru and the person who makes sure our digital dreams don’t crash and burn. She’s all about bytes and breathtaking views.

41. Broadcast Dreams: Sara kicked off her career with dreams of the broadcast life, ready to dive into video work post-graduation. She ended up swapping video feeds for code lines and marketing campaigns.
42. International Screen Star: Before she became our tech guru, Sara graced TV screens across Europe and the US.
43. Family and Fur Adventures: At the heart of Sara’s world are her husband, their two kids, and two mischief-making cats. It’s a full house where love and laughter are never in short supply, and every day is an adventure.
44. Outdoor Enthusiast: If there’s a moment to spare, Sara and her clan are off exploring the great outdoors. Whether it’s hunting, fishing, camping by the lake, or plotting their next travel destination, they’re all about making memories in the wild.
45. RV Dreaming: Sara’s ultimate dream? Hitting the road in an RV with her family. Imagine swapping morning emails for morning views of the mountains or the desert. For Sara, it’s not a matter of if, but when.

And Finally, Me – Tim Priebe, Leading with Laughter and (hopefully) Vision

Leading the brilliant crew at Backslash Creative, I try to channel all the creativity, dedication, and outright zaniness into something resembling a digital marketing agency.

46. Movie Fan with Credit: I’m a huge movie fan, and recently discovered someone made an IMDB page for me. I’m finally someone!
47. A Man of Many Screens: On a related note, I have more TVs in my house than people. I consider it essential preparation for any movie marathon, sci-fi binging, or the occasional video game battle.
48. Early Bird Gets The Worm: Born three months premature in late June, my early start in life set the stage for one of its greatest adventures – meeting my wife. Had I arrived on my due date, she would have graduated college by the time I arrived, and we likely never would have crossed paths.
49. Trek over Wars, but Why Choose?: While the force is strong with me, it’s the final frontier that captures my imagination first and foremost. I’m a devoted fan of both Star Trek and Star Wars, but Star Trek always comes first.
50. A Thousand Miles and Counting: For the last few years, I’ve walked over 1,000 miles each year. Walking 500 miles and then 500 more isn’t just a catchy tune by The Proclaimers; it’s my annual habit, with slightly less falling down at the end.

So there you have it, a behind-the-scenes look at the folks who make Backslash Creative tick. We’re a motley crew of dreamers, doers, and die-hard Sonic Diet Coke fans, each bringing our unique flavor to the mix. Together, we navigate the wilds of digital marketing with creativity, a bit of humor, and a whole lot of heart.