brian garside

BalanceDo was an online invoicing system for small business that made getting paid quick and painless. I was responsible for guiding the team through product design, marketing, and business planning. I occasionally broke out my design skills and rolled up some Ruby on Rails code when the need ariose. Technical Environment: Ruby, Ruby on Rails, MySQL, jQuery, Javascript, Node.js, HTML 5, CSS 3, Bootstrap, Git, Github, Digital Ocean Hosting, Wordpress, PHP, Campaign Monitor, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Basecamp, Adobe CS Suite, Microsoft Office Use of Time: 20% Customer Service, 20% Content Marketing, 20% Design, 20% Code, 20% Business Development

I built the initial All New Comics website, and managed the technical aspects of a project to build out an e-commerce shopping cart, and create modifications for both subscriptions and Canadian taxes to create an online comics store. I created and executed on a marketing strategy, creating the SEO, SEM, email, and social media capabilities of the company to build out All New Comics as Canada's Premiere Online Comics store, and went from zero to six figures in revenue over just eighteen months, all while entirely bootstrapping the business. After selling the business to my partner, I continue to consult on email marketing strategies, server, database, and domain management. Technical Environment: ASP, VBScript, Paypal API, IIS, jQuery, XHTML, CSS 3, Git, Bitbucket, Mailchimp, Facebook, Twitter, Basecamp, Adobe CS Suite, Microsoft Office Use of Time: 50% Marketing, 20% Customer Service, 20% Systems Maintenance, 10% Design/Code

In addition to building a high functioning team of developers and designers, I was instrumental in the launch of TSNMax, Bell Globe-Media's first paid sports website, and spearheaded the integration of TSNMax into TSN.ca when Bell GlobeMedia folded. I improved video quality, and introduced user-created highlight reels to TSN.ca. Additionally I was called on to help CTV, the Globe and Mail, and Discovery Channel in relaunches and revamps of their sites. Technical Environment: ASP.net, C#, Java, Javascript, XHTML, CSS, IIS, SVN, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Matrox NLE Editing, Anystream, Use of Time: 30% Code/Design, 20% Business Analysis, 20% Creative Direction, 20% Sales Support, 10% People Management

* In the six months I spent at Alliance Atlantis, I redesigned all of their broadcast web properties, and built websites for a feature film, a TV movie of the week, and a major Canadian TV series. * Technical Environment: * ASP, VBScript, Paypal API, IIS, jQuery, XHTML, CSS, Adobe CS Suite, Microsoft Office * Use of Time: * 80% Code/Design, 20% Business Analysis

I was Activate Canada (now StreamLogics) sole web developer from January 2000-January 2001. In addition to developing web pages, standardizing templates, and creating some pretty cool code, I also went on assignment to several webcasts where I helped with set-up and operation during live events. Technical Environment: ASP, VBScript, Paypal API, IIS, jQuery, XHTML, CSS, Adobe CS Suite, Microsoft Office Use of Time: 80% Code/Design, 20% Business Analysis

Initially hired on to proof read wire copy and update sports scores and statistics, I quickly found a niche of updating and improving our video content. During our relaunch in 1999, I learned ASP, and helped rebuild the site as a dynamic, semi-automated sports site. I created and maintained some of TSN.ca's most popular areas of the site during my time there, including the wrestling section, and several sponsored sections of the site. Technical Environment: ASP, VBScript, IIS, jQuery, HTML, CSS, Adobe CS Suite, Windows Media Encoder, Non-Linear Editing Tools, Microsoft Office Use of Time: 50% Editorial Writing, 30% HTML Code/Design, 20% Video Editing

Manage Comics is a subscription service for comic stores that lets them manage their subscriptions, pull comics for their customers, make it easy for customers to see what is available to them, what titles they are following, and what their current bill is. Stores that use Manage Comics sell more comics to their subscribers, and have happier customers. I was a comics retailer during the 90's boom, and I ran my own online shop for half a decade, so I understand the space like few other people. Combined with my expertise in web technologies, I can help you reach the next level for your business. Get in touch with me today to find out how Manage Comics can make your comic store more money.