March 15, 2023

A growing full-service marketing firm soon will have an expanded downtown space.

The Sampson House is tripling in size as it adds adjoining space at 522 N. Main Ave., which most recently was a chiropractic office.

Growth over the past eight years has been “steady over time,” CEO and creative director Valerie Sampson said. “When COVID hit, I feel like a lot of people (felt). There was a quarter where things were scary and everything halted, and we were really nervous. Do we not have a business, or what’s happening? So it was quiet second quarter of 2020, and by third and fourth quarter, that’s where it really picked up. It felt like it just boomed after that.”

Businesses either realized they needed to be on a digital platform or decided to invest in updating their websites and social media, she said.

“People knew they needed to refresh … and from there, it just kind of snowballed, and our accounts grew.”

The Sampson House recently became a full-service firm by adding a media strategist. Its 10-person team handles largely brand work — from logos to animation — and digital strategy, creating campaigns and “figuring out people’s digital road map to whatever their goals are,” Sampson said. “Website building. Lots of social media. Ambassador programs have been something that’s taken off. We’ve done a big influencer campaign for several clients.”

Clients represent a variety of industries from agriculture and financial services to law and health care.

The expanded office is “going to be on brand for The Sampson House,” she added. “It’s going to be modern. Our brand logo has always been black and white, so we’re going to stick with that for the most part.”

For a team that has worked for years out of a space that began as a photography studio, extras such as multiple conference rooms and a large kitchen will be welcome additions, she said.

The team works in the office three days a week.

“So those three days, we know we’ll be in the office together, so we can plan meetings and touch base, and Tuesday and Friday are work from home, (although) it’s dependent on clients and shoots,” Sampson said.

The plan is to move into the expanded office this spring.