Sam White

Hi! Meet Sam. I’m doing this intro for a couple reasons. One, Sam is one of the most bad ass designers here in Charlotte. Everything I’ve ever seen that she’s had a hand in is incredibly thoughtful and unique. Have you seen the OrthoCarolina broken billboard campaign? Yup, that’s Sam and the team at Adams Outdoor Advertising spreading all the awesome around Charlotte.

The other reason for the intro is Sam and I are kicking off an awesome new collaboration as a part of #WeLoveCLT. Have you seen the new main image on our homepage? See below.

Awesome, right? Sam did that. See, I told ya! Awesome. This is the first of many why do you love Charlotte quotes by Charlotteans. If you’re interested in participating go here and tell us in 3-5 words why you love Charlotte. Each week we will showcase one Charlottean and the reason they love CLT on our awesomely handwritten homepage.

Let’s get to it. I asked Sam six questions. Here’s what she had to say.

What are you most passionate about?

That’s a big question. A lot of things. I’m going to say learning. This is probably why I am so eager to meet people. Everyone has something interesting to talk about, a story to tell or something to learn from. I love teaching myself new things, like calligraphy, or reading about ideas and theories, trying new workouts. You name it, I probably want to learn more about it.

What is your greatest indulgence?

Wine? I indulge everyday if that’s the case.

If you could go back in time 10 years and give yourself one piece of advice what would it be?

Don’t pretend like you know everything and always ask more questions. This has only benefitted me. It is an amazing way to meet anyone, just ask them about themselves. No one really gains anything from pretending like they know everything, that’s just no fun. Ask how things work, ask why people do what they do, ask how you can help. More times than not, this will lead to something “awesome.”

Who do you look up to and why? admire?

I love this quote :”Nothing of me is original. I am the combined effort of everyone I’ve ever known” -Chuck Palahnuik

There is absolute truth in that. Surround yourself with incredible people. There are so many people I look up to.

Momma takes the cake on this one though. She taught me to be confident, bold and to work my ass off but to be humble and caring in the process. She defines grace. I hope that one day I can be a fraction of the woman she is. If you ever have the chance to meet my mom, don’t miss it. She’s the real deal.

If you had ear a public official in Charlotte, what would have them change?

I don’t know that I have would have them change anything immediately. I’m very nomadic and yet have no plans of leaving Charlotte. I love this city and the progress it is making. However, I would say that CLT is attracting a lot of young, ambitious talented people and this city needs to have a plan to keep them here. Through investing both with money and human resources, in the innovative spirit that many of these young people embody, this city has the potential to become a viable destination and home for startups and entrepreneurs.

What is your favorite story behind a bruise or scar on your body?

I am one of the most accident prone people you will meet, seriously. At any given time I have some sort of new bruise or scar. One of the most recent came from me flipping over the handle bars of my bike after hitting a pot hole on Queens (be careful out there). Ironically, I had just finished a designing a billboard campaign in which OrthoCarolina helped fix a bunch of orange broken billboards. I had the great opportunity of being a live case study. OrthoCarolina really will fix you.

Ally wants to know if you had to be a Disney Princess, who would you be and why?

Ariel. No Question. She’s got spunk.

You can find Sam on Twitter @iamsamwhite or check out here portfolio here.