2023 Three more years or bust

Just days away from the start of a new year and the routine has always been the same when it comes to closing out the year. Moving files from the past year to my past work hard drive, making sure all the photos of talent are as current as they can be for the start of 2024, updating our company branding efforts across multiple platforms across the web, and emailing those company owners to see if our services will be needed next year or not.

This year was no different

With that being said let’s take a look back at 2023 The Good The Bad and The Ugly

The Good: We started the year strong in January and February with an appearance on the Windy City Podcast (Thanks Mike Pankow) and The Everett Lee Podcast (Thanks Everett Lee ) We also took part as a vendor at Warrior Wrestling and RCW in South Bend, IN. In March we were once again in the house creating exclusive pro wrestling content at C2E2. Huge thanks to the C2E2 staff for once again providing us with professional passes, let’s run it back in 2024. For the most part from April until August, things were pretty quiet. Just the normal workload and client project that you have come to love and expect from me and the CJD Crew. In September we introduced the world to our new company mascot “Mark da Promoter” and threw our work with Great Lakes Championship Wrestling were able to connect and provide graphics for many of the Ohio Valley Wrestling superstars featured in the Netflix series “Wrestlers”. In October we were asked to take part in an episode of “ Tea with Gary Vee “ and got to ask Gary a question about marketing our new mascot “Mark da Promoter”. Anyone who knows me knows what a big deal this was personally for me and a real bucket list type moment. A huge shout-out to Team Gary for making this happen. November was a busy month as we once again provided, not only our normal monthly graphics but also the marketing for GLCW BlizzardBrawl 2023. Weather permitting we ended the work year on December 2nd by attending GLCW BlizzardBrawl and have laid low gearing up for 2024.

The Bad: In January, I applied to AEW for a Graphic Design and Producer opening but never heard anything thing back. I knew I had no shot at it because I didn’t meet the school requirements but I was hoping to get some type of feedback. In June we moved. While It was not as bad as it could have been. I only consider it “Bad” because we have a strong Chicago following threw our work with both Freelance and Freelance Underground wrestling and attended events throughout the years and catching up with clients and friends is a lot harder when you are a little more than 7 hours away.

The Ugly: it’s always hard when you lose a client or two throughout the year, but in the last 2 weeks I have had a hard time with the loss of not one or two but five monthly clients. Is this it? After 12 years is this finally the point where I’m no longer needed? I don’t believe it’s so, but it’s crazy what kinda reasons one might come up with when only 3 of the 5 come to you like a professional and explain their decisions. BTW I am not one to name names but I enjoyed our time with each of them and the trust that was given with the look and feel of their live events.

By now I’m sure you asking yourself Derek what's up with the “Three more years or bust “ blog title? Well as of 1-1-24 we (CJD) enter our 12th year as a company and I fully believe that there is no such thing as an overnight success,” so I’m giving it all we have and then some for the next three years. If after that nothing more comes of all this then I might be moving on. Moving on to what? I have no clue but until that time let’s buckle up and enjoy the ride with me

Untill next time - Derek