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Meet Your New Best Friends
Here at Studio98 we’ve assembled a team of rockstars! Each team member is a specialist in their respective position, providing YOU with the level of service you deserve. Our focus and common purpose is to help our customers create better lives for themselves and their entire staff by improving their sales and profit. There’s a reason other firms come to us for help: We’re able to get projects done right – EVERY TIME and in LESS TIME.
We pride ourselves in being friendly and easy to understand without bombarding you with all the technical mumbo-jumbo. We’re here to help you rise to greater heights!
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Executive Team
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Establishment
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Marketing
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Finance
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Rave Retailer
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GrandCentr.al
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Custom Development
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Support
“The ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” – Steve Jobs
Rafferty Pendery
Rafferty was born in Los Angeles, California and now resides in the tropical paradise of Clearwater, Florida. Between scuba diving, the prestigious Explorers Club and working on NASA projects (seriously!), Studio98 founder, Rafferty Pendery, hops off his motorcycle to develop selling solutions and SaaS that help business owners SELL more and PROFIT more! But money isn’t the motive…14 years ago, Studio98 was built with the intention of helping people. Period.
Serving thousands of companies across many industries, we believe that helping a business owner sell more not only makes their life better but also improves the lives of their families and their staff. It’s all about setting an example that inspires and motivates others to help their fellow human beings. It’s that ripple effect.
Rafferty and his uber-talented wife and business partner, Hana-li, value high ethics and integrity in their personal and professional relationships. Through these relationships and globe-trotting public speaking engagements, they’ve helped generate over a billion dollars in retail sales to date and have helped thousands of people improve their business and personal lives.
And by extension, and the ripples we may never personally see, that’s how we change the world.
Favorite song
Legend by The Score
Favorite movie
Top Gun
Favorite food
Mexican
Hobby
Scuba diving, skydiving and anything business
Hidden talent
Drumming and magic
“You’ve gotta let it simmer.” – Michael Jackson
Hana-li Pendery
Hana-li was born in Manhattan, New York and grew up traveling the world with her mother. She now lives in the beach haven of Clearwater, FL with her husband and business partner, Rafferty.
In an ever changing landscape of culture, art and technology, Hana-li looks for the universal specificity that unites us in being human. Reminding people to stay true to themselves amid the constant bombardment to fit in, she believes that being unique is what makes us whole and what ultimately unites us.
As an internationally acclaimed artist, public speaker and co-owner of Studio98, her passion lies in inspiring and helping clients (and all people) to achieve their full potential in all areas of their lives. “We can always change our destiny and the world around us…sometimes we just need to be reminded.”
With so many people fighting for a spot in the world, Hana-li and Rafferty have simply made their own.
Favorite song
Earth Song by Michael Jackson
Favorite movie
Avatar
Favorite food
Fruit, sushi, and potatoes in most forms
Hobby
Working out – more specifically, hand balancing and partner acrobatics
Hidden talent
Interior design, animal whisperer and I can fit anything into a suitcase!
“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” – St. Catherine of Siena
David Lively
David hails from Ohio and currently resides in the sky-high mountains of Colorado & the flatlands of Florida when Colorado snows him out.
He is the epitome of an entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience owning, running and selling companies and helping others do the same.
In addition, he serves on 13 business and non-profit boards of directors.
He built the 23rd largest retail home furnishings company in the USA, and sold it to a publicly traded company in 2001.
He then founded a Software as a Service (SaaS) ecommerce company with partner Rafferty Pendery and together they’ve grown it to over 3000 customers in 46 states and 6 countries globally.
While he is passionate about business, the most important work in his life is his incredible and happy 31 year marriage to wife, Amy, and the raising of their daughter Emma.
Favorite song
I Should Have Been a Cowboy by Toby Keith
Favorite movie
A River Runs
Through It
Favorite food
Street food in Naples
Hobby
Fly fishing and all things “backcountry”
Hidden talent
Interior design
“No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Anson Ashby
I’ve been in the direct sales space for over 10 years as a Field member, consultant, and strategist. My biggest passion in business is rolling up my sleeves and working alongside business owners to help them achieve their goals. I have a lot of admiration for those that take the risk to start a business and I am very aware of the many challenges they face. I’m a husband of 17 years and father of 3 boys and enjoy immensely spending time with family.
Favorite song
I tend to go from artist to artist and genre to genre but if I had to pick I would say Metalica
Favorite movie
Star Wars will need to be up there
Favorite food
My own cooking
Hobby
I enjoy cooking, mountain biking, and playing outside with my kids
Hidden talent
Hmmm… I speak Spanish
“I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse” – Vito Corleone from The Godfather
Kaeio Alberto Gloria
Favorite song
Cough Syrup by Young the Giant
Favorite movie
Whiplash (2014)
Favorite food
Pesto pasta
Hobby
Playing video games
Hidden talent
I can run really fast
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going” – Billy Ocean
Bianca Jansen
Although most of Bianca’s upbringing was in the inner city, she has a deep love for the coast and countryside. She is happily married and the mother of a beautiful little boy. If you were to ask any of her friends or family how they perceive her, they would say, “She is the mother of the group.”
After her matriculation she completed a degree in Educational Psychology and stepped into the educational field where she specialised in Additional Language Application for six years. It was during this time that she familiarized herself with various graphic design platforms and it became evident that she had an eye for design. She now loves bringing people’s vision into a virtual reality here at Studio98!
Favorite song
Sleep on the Floor by The Lumineers
Favorite movie
Any movie with Bradley Cooper
Favorite food
Tacos and sushi
Hobby
Photography, design and content creation for social media
Hidden talent
I make a killer Mexican meal – tacos, quesadillas, nachos…you name it – I can cook it!
“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep” – Scott Adams
Bret Storey
Favorite song
Shakedown – At Night (Kid Crème Mix)
Favorite movie
Tron Legacy
Favorite food
Home cooked food
Hobby
Playing video games with my Daughter
Hidden talent
Randomly twirling various objects on my finger
“It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war” – Unknown
Rickus Jansen
As a qualified educator and semi-professional cricketer, Rickus is passionate about knowledge and always strives to learn new skills and disciplines in life. He dove into Web Design and Development while working on a personal project and the bug bit immediately. He continued to enhance his skills and decided to take it on as a full-time career.
With his love of knowledge and care for helping people, he found a perfect home here at Studio98. “My time with Studio98 has been life-changing, the skills, knowledge, and experience have been invaluable and there is still so much left to discover with an absolutely amazing team wanting to make a difference!”
Rickus and his beautiful wife recently welcomed a newborn son into their family.
Favorite song
Don’t Mind Me by Walking on Cars
Favorite Series
Ozark
Favorite food
Sushi!
Hobby
Anything active, mostly playing cricket!
Hidden talent
I am actually a great chef!
“No one is you and that is your power.” – Dave Grohl
Challan Jarrett
Challan is a completely self-taught graphics and web designer. His talent and tenacity led him to work in the design field for 8 years until making the switch to project management 4 years ago.
His combined background of design and management along with his communication skills and teamwork make him the perfect fit here at Studio98. He brings these crucial elements together, seamlessly, to care for clients and ensure their projects are carried out with the utmost attention to detail.
Favorite song
My Hero by Foo Fighters
Favorite movie
Fight Club
Favorite food
Mexican
Hobby
Digital and 3D art, cartoon drawing, creative writing and mountain hiking
Hidden talent
I can whistle like a bird.
“Positive anything is better than negative nothing” – Elbert Hubbard
Danielle du Bruyn
Favorite song
Beautiful things – Benson Boone
Favorite movie
Forrest Gump
Favorite food
Sushi
Hobby
Exploring
Hidden talent
I can cook really well
“Weak Gravity Will Make You A Softy” – Hannes du Bruyn
Hannes du Bruyn
Favorite song
Poison – Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Favorite movie
Midway
Favorite food
Lamb Chop
Hobby
Golfing
Hidden talent
I’ve Competed in 9 Track And Field Events In School
“I don’t chase, I attract. What belongs to me will simply come find me” – Unknown
Melissa Klidies
Favorite song
Something In the Orange by Zach Bryan
Favorite movie
Count of Monte Cristo
Favorite Series
Fleabag
Hobby
Reading
Hidden talent
Pretty good competitive swimmer back in the day
“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching” – C.S. Lewis
Robyn Lauranzon
Favorite song
Thank God I Do by Lauren Daigle
Favorite movie
Cinderella (the live action version)
Favorite food
Healthy, but still good food!
Hobby
What’s a hobby – I’m a mom!
Hidden talent
Singing
“If you’re working on something that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you” – Steve Jobs
Angela Lucero
Favorite song
My heart will go on
Favorite movie
Titanic
Favorite food
Tuna Pesto Pasta
Hobby
Travelling, Watching K-dramas and Netflix
Hidden talent
Singing
“Your life is ultimately measured by your outcomes, not your intentions. It’s not about what you wanted to or would have done. It’s not about why you thought you couldn’t. Its just whether or not you eventually did” – Brianna Wiest
Emma Lively
As the President of Rave Retailer, I have the pleasure of coordinating all of our wonderful staff to ensure we exceed the goals and expectations of our clients. I am always looking to our future to find the best assortment of services to help our clients sell more, do more & be more.
Favorite song
Burn, Burn, Burn by Zach Bryan
Favorite movie
10 Things I Hate About You
Favorite food
Italian
Hobby
Reading
Hidden talent
Can deadlift 255 lbs
“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out” – Robert Collier
Claudio Machiné
Claudio, his artist and comic-book-loving wife and their quirky Yorkie, Layla, live in sunny South Africa. He’s the son of Italian and Portuguese immigrants and, thus, speaks fluent Portuguese. He is a voracious reader and loves history and amateur archaeology and has even been on several dig sites around Southern Africa.
Working most of his life in customer service and retail management, he considers himself a real people’s person and is always interested in the journeys and stories of people’s lives and the lessons they can bring us. “I believe we cross paths with every individual for a reason.” His super power? – The ability to strike up a conversation with anybody! He’s currently completing his education in International Supply Chain management.
Since he was a young boy, he’s been fascinated with the stars in the night sky, leading to an interest in astronomy and a love of all things tech-based. “It is our ability to adapt that will one day take us to the final frontier!” Claudio loves anything with the word “star” in front of it – Star Wars, StarGate, Star Trek, you name it – even Starbucks! As such, he’s a true coffee lover and has become a connoisseur of the delicious beverage in all its shapes and forms.
And last but not least…he holds a brown belt in Shotokan Karate!
Favorite song
Suspicious Minds by Elvis Presley
Favorite movie
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Favorite food
I swear by the 3 P’s. Pasta. Pizza. Popcorn!
Hobby
Reading, playing tennis and squash, spending time with family and friends
Hidden talent
I consider myself not too shabby with a pen and paper and like to write when my muse comes knocking
“Where there is no Struggle, There is no Strength” – Oprah Winfrey
Yolene Heenen
Favorite song
I don’t have a favorite song – I listen to songs depending on my mood
Favorite movie
P.S. I love you
Favorite food
Seafood
Hobby
I have 2 kids (there’s no time for Hobbies)
Hidden talent
Singing
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” – Confucius
Louise Ackermann
Favorite song
Beautiful day by U2
Favorite movie
Deadpool
Favorite food
Seafood
Hobby
Documentaries
Hidden talent
Being creative
“Never Take Advice From Someone You would’nt Trade Places with.” – Kelly Clarkson
Jaen Saunders
Favorite song
Nervous by Shawn Mendes
Favorite movie
Forrest Gump
Favorite food
Melkos
Hobby
Paddleball
Hidden talent
This Remains Hidden
“Learning never exhausts the mind” – Leonardo da Vinci
Sarmad Makhdoom
Sarmad lives in Lahore, Pakistan, and has done a master’s in Computer Science. He is a born programmer, started very early with computers, and was curious about how things work under the hood. He wrote his first program in 1998 in school and since then he is crazy about it. His passion, study, and job revolve around the same thing after that.
He is working in the industry for the last 14 years during the time of his studies and since then he is continuously learning new skills unfolding new adventures in his life and expanding his vision about the domain. He is a loving father of two and after work, his life just spins around them.
He considers himself a person with a hunger for knowledge and always looking for new ideas to improve his skills and help people around him to outgrow in their areas.
Favorite song
Fairytale by Alexander Rybak
Favorite movie
Sherlock
Favorite food
Streaky Cream Pasta
Hobby
Watching comedy
Hidden talent
Always put the USB in the right way on the first try
“Don’t watch the clock, do what it does. Keep going” – Sam Levenson
Juan Jansen
Favorite song
Reminder – Mumford and Sons
Favorite movie
Free Guy
Favorite food
Pizza
Hobby
Making Music and working on Cars
Hidden talent
Can make great food
“Feed the hungry, Visit the sick, Set free captives” – Prophet Muhammad
Abdul Jamal
Favorite song
Don’t Let Me Be The Last To Know – Britney Spears
Favorite series
Friends
Favorite food
Chicken Rotti & Spices
Hobby
Gardening, Cricket & Swiming
Hidden talent
Pioneer of every adventure in my company of friends
“Anyone can make the simple complicated. Creativity is making the complicated simple” – Saad Ali
Saad Ali
Favorite song
I’m rider
Favorite movie
The Conjuring 2
Favorite food
Biryani
Hobby
Playing and watching Cricket
“I’m goint to make him an offer, he can’t refuse” – Al Pacino
Hayder Ali
Favorite song
Rap God – Eminem
Favorite series
Friends & Big Bang Theory
Favorite food
Steamy Mixed Veg and Spices
Hobby
Cricket
Hidden talent
Beat Boxing
“The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits” – Albert Einstein
Arham Saqib
Favorite song
Another Love – Tom Odell
Favorite movie
The Godfather
Favorite food
Beef Steak
Hobby
Badminton/Gym
Hidden talent
Cooking
“Always do what you are afraid to do” – Ralph Waldo
Nabeel Ahmed
Favorite song
Starboy – The Weeknd
Favorite movie
The Grey Man
Favorite food
Lamb Nihari with naan breed
Hobby
He likes to play snooker with his friends on weekends
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery and today is a gift” – KungFu Panda
Hanan Zahid Dar
“Change will not come if we wait for another person or another time.” – Barack Obama
Nidhi Srivastava
Nidhi lives in Vancover, Canada and has a deep-seated passion for agile project management. Her journey as a Scrum Master began with a desire to create collaborative, empowered teams. From the start, she was drawn to the role of a facilitator—someone who could guide the team, clear obstacles, and help bring projects to life smoothly.
Since taking on the role, she has found fulfillment in helping her team follow agile methodologies and best practices that keep them focused and on track. She finds joy in supporting the team’s growth, whether by resolving issues that could slow their progress or fostering an environment where everyone feels heard and valued.
After years in the industry, she still sees each project as a new adventure, and her commitment to continuous improvement has only grown stronger.
Favorite song
2 Times by Ann Lee
Favorite series
Grey’s Anatomy
Favorite food
Beans with Rice
Hobby
I love traveling, trekking, and camping.
Hidden talent
I have a knack for cooking. I can whip up a variety of traditional Indian dishes.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Shahrukh Fazal
Favorite song
before you go by Lewis Calpaldi
Favorite movie
Art of Love
Favorite food
Chicken Fried Steak
Hobby
Cricket
Hidden talent
Singing
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts” – Winston S. Churchill
Shayan Shahid
Favorite movie
Money Heist
Favorite food
Pakistani Food
“Sometimes you’ve gotta run before you can walk” – Ironman
Hannes Van Den Berg
Favorite song
No Longer Slaves By Jonathan David Helser
Favorite movie
Avengers End Game
Favorite food
Traditional South African Braai (Barbecue)
Hobby
Cooking, Gardening and Gaming
Hidden talent
I can hear a song once and play it on guitar
“Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do. Don’t wish it were easier; wish you were better.” – Jim Rohn
Victor Caparas
Victor is self-driven, extremely hard working and has a passion for helping people. He always looks for ways to improve service with a deep care factor.
Before finding a home at Studio98 he worked as a call center agent for 5 years, working his way up to become a quality analyst for another 5 years.
Now, as our ninja Support Manager, he ensures all Support Reps are always giving 110% on every call to assist our customers.
Favorite song
Can’t help falling in love by Elvis Presley
Favorite movie
Inception
Favorite food
Chicken Biryani
Hobby
Playing video games
Hidden talent
I am always good at every video game that I play
“I never learned anything while I was talking” – Larry King
Marvi Hermano
Marvi strongly believes in the power of empathetic listening. The patience to listen to others without preconceived ideas or pre-decided outcomes and to genuinely try to understand where they’re coming from and work out a solution that benefits everyone.
Because of this mindset, Marvi has become an incredible leader. She puts people first and always strives to learn, embrace, help and grow together. This is why we love her!
She also highly values family and is a mother of two handsome boys.
Favorite song
Dreams by The Cranberries
Favorite movie
About Time Directed by Richard Curtis
Favorite food
Fried Chicken
Hobby
Nail Art
Hidden talent
Hair styling and drawing
“There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread” – Mother Teresa
Jyoti Bora
Jyoti is a passionate and dedicated software developer with a thirst for knowledge and exploration. His passion for learning and exploring new ideas led them to specialize in web development, continuously expanding their skills and knowledge since 2010. Jyoti is committed to developing elegant, secure, and high-performing web applications, always seeking out the latest technologies and techniques to achieve this goal.
When not working on web development projects, Jyoti loves to spend his free time reading, learning new languages, and indulging in creative pursuits such as writing and art. His natural curiosity and willingness to explore new areas of interest continuously inform and inspire his work, helping him stay ahead of the curve and deliver exceptional results.
Favorite song
Dil Hum Hum Kare – Bhupen Hazarika
Favorite movie
All Marvel Films
Favorite food
Boiled Chicken Salad
Hobby
Playing Musical Instruments
Hidden talent
I can fix all things software
“Life is a journey. Make the best of it” – Unknown
Dao Borkakati
Favorite song
Akhiyan Udeek Diyan by Ustad Nusrat fateh Ali Khan
Favorite Series
Squid Game
Favorite food
Mom’s Cooking
Hobby
Traveling around and tasting the food of different Tribes and Communities
Hidden talent
Cooking
“Dream it, believe it, achieve it” – Tony Robbins
Ron Seel
Ron Seel is a self-taught Web Developer with a passion for nature and music! With a specialization in WordPress, Ron has been developing websites since 2017. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the great outdoors, practicing musical instruments, and exploring the city by bike. With his unique blend of technical expertise and creativity, Ron brings a fresh perspective to every project he works on.
Favorite song
Durr – Strings
Favorite movie
The Martian
Favorite food
Mom’s Cooking, Veggies and Herbs
Hobby
Playing Musical Instruments
Hidden talent
I can speak with two different voices