CONTEXT Studios preserves family and business legacies
November 13, 2024 — Visit Retail Insider for the full article
CONTEXT Studios, led by founder and CEO Andrea Lekushoff, is transforming how families and businesses preserve their legacies. The Toronto-based studio creates high-end, feature-length film and podcast documentaries that document life stories, business milestones, and personal histories, making them accessible to future generations.
A Personal Inspiration to Preserve Family Legacies
The idea for CONTEXT Studios began with a personal need. As her parents aged, Lekushoff realized the importance of preserving their stories. “My parents are in their mid-eighties, and I saw how friends and family struggled with losing loved ones without anything left of their voices and stories,” she shared. “I knew we needed a way to preserve not just the memories, but the essence of who they were.”
This deeply personal mission evolved into CONTEXT Studios, which has since become a pioneering force in legacy preservation. “I wanted my kids to know who I was before I became their mother,” Lekushoff said, recalling a poignant moment with her children. Her son’s disinterest in photo albums emphasized a growing reality—today’s generation engages more with digital media than with traditional formats. CONTEXT Studios provides an innovative solution to this: a way to preserve legacy stories in an accessible, timeless format.
Preserving Context: Going Beyond Social Media Soundbites
CONTEXT Studios emphasizes the value of “context” in storytelling. Unlike social media snippets, CONTEXT documentaries offer a comprehensive view of a person’s life or a business’s growth, with each chapter captured in dedicated episodes. “Social media gives small clips, but our goal is to capture as many stories as possible,” said Lekushoff. “We believe it’s important to preserve the full context—because those stories shape who we are.”
The name “CONTEXT” reflects the studio’s dedication to providing a full, engaging picture of each subject. Whether it’s a personal story or a business’s journey, the aim is to preserve a legacy that future generations can truly connect with. “You can’t cut corners on a family’s history or a business’s story,” Lekushoff added. “Every detail matters, and every memory has a place.”
A Day of Filming to Capture a Lifetime of Memories
CONTEXT’s streamlined, one-day filming process ensures that subjects are comfortable sharing their stories without an overwhelming time commitment. “We spend a full day interviewing the main subject along with up to three additional family members or colleagues,” said Lekushoff. “We guide the entire process, so our clients can simply focus on sharing their stories.”
CONTEXT Studios works with award-winning filmmakers, editors, and sound engineers to deliver cinema-quality productions. “It’s like creating a Netflix series of someone’s life or business journey,” Lekushoff explained. “Our goal is to make these stories engaging, accessible, and deeply meaningful.”
Documentaries for Families and Businesses Alike
CONTEXT Studios isn’t only for individuals. The studio’s offerings appeal to entrepreneurs and family businesses looking to document their histories. Gillian Stein, former CEO of Henry’s, recently used CONTEXT Studios to document her family’s four-generation journey in the iconic photography and electronics retail business. “I’ve always wanted my parents to write down their history, but this made it easy,” Stein said. “Now, my kids and future generations can know where they came from.”
Stein emphasized the emotional impact of the experience. “It captures the important milestones of our family’s journey and the history of Henry’s,” she said. “We didn’t just document the business—we documented the people who made it what it is. It’s powerful and deeply personal.”
An Emotional and Therapeutic Process
Many clients find the documentary process therapeutic. “Capturing family history offers a sense of relief and peace of mind,” Lekushoff shared. “Families know they’re preserving a part of their loved ones that will be passed down, ensuring that their stories are never forgotten.”
For Stein, this sentiment resonated deeply. “My parents’ stories are now all in one place, and I can reference them anytime,” she said. “It brings me comfort knowing my kids, grandkids, and future generations will truly understand our family’s journey.”
Meeting the Demand for Modern Legacy Preservation
CONTEXT Studios’ offerings come at a time when Canada is undergoing the largest generational wealth transfer in history, with approximately $1 trillion in assets expected to shift from baby boomers to younger generations. CONTEXT sees this “Great Wealth Transfer” as an ideal opportunity for families to pass down not only financial assets but also stories, traditions, and values.
“There’s an increasing recognition that people want more than just material assets; they want the stories that connect them to their past,” said Lekushoff. “This is about creating a meaningful legacy that extends beyond financial wealth.”
Adaptability and Long-Term Vision
Although CONTEXT Studios is based in Toronto, it has a network of professionals available to travel across North America to document stories. CONTEXT also recently joined Family Enterprise Canada, expanding its reach within the family business sector and strengthening its support for legacy preservation nationwide.
In addition to future plans for international expansion, CONTEXT Studios is exploring new formats and product offerings. “We have different products in the works and look forward to sharing more as they develop,” said Lekushoff. “We’re committed to evolving with the needs of our clients and providing modern, meaningful ways to preserve their stories.”
