Conor Olstad ’15

Film & Media Arts

Biography

I have always been a person who is interested in the details. Whether it was understanding why roads are numbered the way they are to examining scripture and diving into the context of when it was written, my desire to learn has been constant. After graduating from Taylor, I thought I would pursue graduate studies in Information and Communication Sciences. It did not take long for me to realize that video, marketing, photography, and everything encompassing visual storytelling is where I was meant to be. I moved back home to Minnesota and nineteen days later, I was a producer at a local media agency that specialized in the outdoor industry–hunting, fishing, and camping. As a hunter and avid outdoorsman myself, I never thought it was possible to make a living doing the stuff I did for fun as a kid. After a year and a half working for that company and leading production for a hunter safety course that we developed for the NRA, I decided to go out on my own and start my own company. Initially, I focused on drone videography and acquired clients while working part-time at a local sporting goods store. After that chain of stores declared bankruptcy, I got a part time job at Apple as a sales specialist and held that job for 4.5 years as I built my company. By the end of my time at Apple, I had worked my way up to a "Technical Expert" (still part-time), bought a house, hired a full time employee, and doubled revenue every year. It was a hard job to leave because they were very flexible with me and the position provided healthcare, but in the end, it was time to take the next step. My company has grown to take on bigger projects for brands like Remington Ammunition, Kuiu, and Burris Optics. During the COVID pandemic, my project was to manufacture a board game and sell it on Amazon. I ended the project a year or so later, but in the process I learned a lot about e-commerce and product sales. Now I am hoping to invest in property or rental units so that I can diversify my investments and set up my family for a better future.

What were some of your most valuable experiences at Taylor?

Before Taylor, it seemed like the Christians I interacted with were not serving the same God I was. However, everyone at Taylor just seemed to get it. I had found my people. This led me to life-changing experiences on two Daytona mission trips that I still talk about on a weekly basis. I even went back to my High School as their chapel speaker to share stories from my time in Daytona. The feeling of belonging also led me to stay in the dorms through my senior year and pour into several guys that I still talk to regularly.

How did your classes or interactions with professors at Taylor impact your growth?

It amazes me how much was covered in my time at Taylor and how much I was able to retain. In the working world I have often been able to solve problems based on something a professor said 10 years ago. At Taylor, I had the freedom to fail, and that brought about a fearless creativity that has pushed my limits and taken me places I never thought it would.

How can Taylor graduates use their unique Taylor education and its liberal arts foundational core as an asset in your discipline?

Media as a whole (I don't mean the news) in the world today can be very manipulative. Making things look a certain way or changing an image to evoke a certain feeling is not an uncommon practice. As storytellers and the people that create those pieces of content, we need to hold the foundation of Jesus Christ, listen to the Spirit and follow the calling of the Lord. You are not only equipped to do this with your education, you are equipped to help others do this as well.

What advice or encouragement could you provide for Taylor students in your vocational discipline?

Professionally, my advice would be to represent your Savior well. Be the hardest worker, maintain humility, and never stop learning. If you do this, you will go far. Christians should be the best workers in the world because they are doing what they are called to do. Personally, spend time with your Savior and spend time with others who spend time with your Savior. Christians are far too timid. It is hard to find people that will listen to the calling of the Holy Spirit and talk about it, too. Don't be hard to find. If you see someone repping your Savior well, tell them. And when others see the joy of your Savior flowing out of you, they will ask about it.