In the second episode of Spectruss Speakeasy, Sam sat down with Zach Etengoff to share the raw, unfiltered story of how Spectruss came to life. The story is equal parts chaos, hustle, and unexpected opportunity, told the only way Sam knows how: with brutal honesty and a few laughs along the way.
Dropping Out and Getting Dropped
Before Spectruss, there was a 6’3” cyclist weighing 149 lbs and chasing dreams of going pro. Sam dropped out of college in the early 2000s to pursue racing full-time, only to get him at the Tour of Virginia. But that setback didn’t stop him.
He kept racing. Kept learning. Kept pushing.
From racing national and international events to landing front-row call-ups at Athens Twilight, Sam gave it everything until a bad crash left him in a neck brace for six months. It was the final straw.
Back to the Keyboard
With his racing career on pause, Sam pivoted back to something he had always been drawn to: computers. He had studied computer science at UTC and loved learning how to build systems. So he started freelancing. The first gig? A $750 website for a local coffee shop, half paid in food and drink credits.
That early hustle planted the seeds for what would become Spectruss.
Chainsaws, Coffee Shops, and Cheap Rent
Still living lean, Sam took on any work he could find. One of the most pivotal moments came after a tornado hit a friend’s property. Sam and two others bid $75,000 to clear 225 trees. They finished the job in just over a month and walked away with $25,000 each.
Sam used his cut to buy a computer, camera gear, desks, paint, and moved into the back of the new office, sleeping on a futon for six months.
Naming the Beast: Where “Spectruss” Came From
Before Spectruss was Spectruss, it was Silvey Development. Then, Silvey Huffaker Creative. Finally, in 2015, Sam decided to make up a name that actually meant something.
“Spectruss” is a mashup:
- Spectrum: A wide range of light (or capabilities)
- Truss: The structural beam that holds a roof together
Together, they reflect the agency’s belief that successful marketing isn’t just about doing one thing well, it’s about having a strong, cohesive strategy across a wide range of services.
Built From the Ground Up
From building websites in a coffee shop to cutting trees for office funds, every chapter of Sam’s journey shaped the spirit of Spectruss. It’s not corporate. It’s not polished. It’s built on grit, relationships, and a willingness to learn the hard way.
And that’s exactly why it works.
Learn more about spectruss here!
Want to hear it straight from Sam? Episode 2 of Spectruss Speakeasy is now streaming on all platforms.
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