This is my introduction to my new venture: Glyph Creative Strategy. After many years of freelancing for amazing clients, it is time for me to spread my wings and take the opportunity and the risk of launching a formal business. Here’s the scoop:
Why now?
I was getting too comfortable. I’ve developed great relationships with a few clients that I’m very proud of, but I was limiting myself from other opportunities. My career path has not been traditional. I went straight from post-secondary into a management role with an economic development agency. From there, I began a series of contracted consulting jobs that ultimately led to a freelancing model. I have consistently created my own job. I had to ask myself – why have I always bucked at the notion of traditional employment? The answer? I’m an entrepreneur and it’s time to own it.
What am I offering?
On a basic level I’m offering me – my time, my experience, my expertise. The word consultant can have negative connotations but it shouldn’t. A consultant improves the condition of the client. That is the core of the profession. That is what I’m called to do. In my opinion, it is a noble calling that should be respected by its practitioners.
O.K., but what am I really offering?
This was the most difficult part of developing my business strategy. I have never subscribed to the old ‘specialize or die’ mantra, rather my personal success comes from a genuine, almost obsessive need to learn as many skills and to gather as much knowledge as I can. This has led me to performing a wide, no make that wild, variety of different tasks professionally. I’ve worked on agricultural processing strategies, developed tourism products and executed marketing campaigns, designed ads, books, billboards and websites, written policy on land development, managed media conferences, formed partnerships, developed infrastructure funding proposals, and the list continues. This is not me bragging, it’s just how I work. Of course the ‘everything to everyone’ model is not going to work from a business perspective. I had to narrow my focus. I had to figure out what I am most passionate about.
I’m passionate about designing identity and brands, I’m passionate about creating products and experiences that flow from identity and brand, and I’m passionate about developing strategies to bring it all to market. I’ve worked in many sectors, but I am personally drawn to the potential in the tourism sector and Indigenous tourism in particular. This is my focus, although I am open to working on projects of a different nature too.
I am continuing my relationship with my existing clients but I am officially ready for new challenges. If you have a project you would like to discuss, email me at christian@glyphcreative.ca, follow me on Twitter (@glyphcreative), and connect with me on LinkedIn.
A sincere thank you to everyone I have worked with and learned from over the years. I did not get to this point without the help of hundreds of teachers and mentors.