Carson Samson

Staying the course
It is impossible to look ahead without first looking back. Like every year before it, 2013 had its ups and downs. Professionally, I am making a slow but steady climb back up from a devastating 2011 and a disappointing 2012

I have come to learn that the road to success is long and not always smoothly paved. I am gaining the patience to see the big picture and to expect incremental–not sudden–changes in the growth of SamsonStudios. Building a successful business is a long-term investment of time, sweat and energy.

Relationships, old and new
I have been fortunate to continue working with a handful of loyal clients. The folks at CFOT provided a slew of projects throughout the Spring and Summer. As did the Manitoba Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. It was a pleasure to develop a new (responsive) website for Send The Fire, The Salvation Army’s national youth initiative. Salvationist.ca is the communication hub for Salvation Army church members, staff persons and other affiliates. In the Spring of 2014, their Editorial department they hired SamsonStudios to provide a facelift for desktop and mobile.

These are but a few highlights. I am no doubt overlooking other collaborations, and offer an apology to anyone I have left out.

After several years (and over 160 projects), SamsonStudios severed professional ties with Booth University College. We are still on good terms (nothing scintillating or juicy about the break up to report), and will certainly do business together again in the future. Booth has moved the majority of their design/communications projects to another designer via retainer. This business model suits both of us well, so everyone wins.

In the past couple months I have taken on work for new clients Manitoba First Nations Educational Resource Centre (MFNERC), and The University of Manitoba (UM). New relationships are exciting, and I can report that MFNERC and UM are terrific people to work for. I am especially stoked to be handling some outsourced design for UM. After working with Canadian Mennonite University (CMU), and Booth UC, the University of Manitoba feels like a natural (read huge) step in the right direction.

I am also excited to announce that I will be starting a part-time position with the Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba (MBCM) on January 2, 2014. I will be assuming the position of Communications & Church Resource Coordinator, taking on a wide range of responsibilities that will not only stretch my creative muscle, but introduce me to a wider network of church leaders and non-profits. The team at MBCM is focused and keen to collaborate. My hope is that together, we will inspire one another to do great things.

Goals and opportunities for growth
Professionally my goal is to stay the course of incremental growth. I strive to learn more about day-to-day operations and best-practices, cash-flow management, positive client and vendor relations – all the nuts and bolts of running a business. These things are boring to most, but provide me with endless motivation for improvement.

Personally I hope to remain open to whatever direction God chooses to take me in. This past May, I had the opportunity to travel to Tanzania on a mission trip. I am not sure if further mission trips are in my future, but I want to leave myself open to such opportunities. I want to have the courage to accept any challenge I may face. As there will be more along the way. Challenges aren’t meant to knock us down by the way, they’re meant to bring us up. Just so you know.

I am grateful to–and for–the people that have walked alongside me this year. Both professionally and personally. For great clients, loving friends and family I give many thanks. Cheers to you! Here’s to a fantastic new year!

C.