Meet the Thencan Team

Are You Ready to Join the Thencan Fam?

We’re in the business of learning about your business, because we want to see you succeed.

Sure, showing up higher on Google is important. But what do you really want? More jobs in the pipeline. Enough work that you can finally hire the help you need and take a step back from doing everything yourself. We’ve built our business with that same goal in mind. Here’s a little more about us; see why Thencan is different.
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Why Clients Choose us After Trying the ‘other guys’

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We Lead with Strategy

We build a real strategy from day one and follow through on it, no “set it and forget it” here. We keep communication open so you always know what’s happening, and we’re constantly watching your competitors and search trends to spot new opportunities.

We’ll Never Ghost You

We’ll never ghost you. We believe in open communication and educating our clients about the SEO process, what we’re doing, and why it matters. When you send a message, you’ll hear back from real human beings who actually know your business and care about your success.

We Work Our Butts Off For You

Here’s the honest truth: We don’t work for Google, and we can’t guarantee specific rankings. But we can promise this, we’ll be in your corner every step of the way, working hard to get your business showing up where it matters. When you win, we win. We’re on the same team.

Clients Stay With Us

Most clients continue working with us long after their initial contract ends; into month 13, 15, 18, year 2,3, and beyond. Why? They choose to stay because they’re seeing results and they know we’ve got their back.

When You Work With Thencan
A Win For Your Business is a Win for US

Thencan Founder:
Sam Sarsten

Thencan: Origin word of “thoughtful.”

I started Thencan Designs for the same reason you probably started your business: freedom. I wanted to spend more time with my family, go skiing in beautiful Bend, Oregon, and build a life I actually enjoyed. And let’s be honest, I needed to make enough money to afford living here (Bend isn’t cheap). But beyond that, I wanted to do something meaningful.

A person wearing a red jacket, ski helmet, and goggles stands outside on a snowy landscape holding ski poles, with trees in the background.
Snow-capped mountain under a clear blue sky, surrounded by dense evergreen forest with sunlight illuminating the treetops.
Sam Sarsten

Service has always been one of my core values, and I knew I wanted to help people in a tangible way. I started by building thoughtful websites, but I quickly realized that business owners don’t just need a nice-looking website, they need people to see it to get results. That realization led me to local SEO. Now we help contractors, plumbers, roofers, and other service businesses show up when customers are searching, book more jobs, and build businesses that give them their lives back.

“When it comes to SEO,
Sam is THE Pro you want.”

Maggie P.

Late 2022

Text reads: “Sam has built a few websites and starts toying with the idea of starting his own business.”.

January 2023

Logo for Thencan Designs above the text "Thencan Designs LLC is officially registed." The word "registed" appears to be a misspelling of "registered.
Sam announces the launch of Thencan Designs’ YouTube channel, featuring a video introduction and the YouTube logo.

February 2023

Screenshot announcing the launch of the first Thencan Designs website, showing the URL oldthencan.thencandesigns.com and a website preview.

Spring 2023

May 2023

Text reads: "Sam leaves his 9-5 job and launches his first paid website!" Next to it is a badge labeled "UpCity Best of Oregon Winner 2023.

December 2023

Text "First local SEO packages offered to clients." appears beside a blue "Top SEO Company 2023" award badge.

January 2024

Text reads: "Sam hires the first and second Thencan Contractors (Including Rehana!) to support the already growing business.

April 2024

Portrait of a man in a white shirt and tie next to text that reads, "Sam hires Bend-based SEO assistant Gabe.

June 2024

Local SEO Academy logo with tagline "Get results for clients. Get results for you." Text below states Sam starts teaching local SEO delivery to clients.

July 2024

Profile photo of a man with short hair next to text stating Sam hires Bangladesh-based SEO strategist Sajib to support ongoing SEO work.

November 2024

A graphic announces Thencan Designs reaching 10 ongoing SEO clients, marking a new milestone, with a bold "10" illustrated on the right.

March 2025

Spring 2025

Text graphic announcing Thencan Designs has reached 20 ongoing SEO clients, describing it as a new milestone, with a large hand-drawn number 20.

November 2025

A woman in a plaid shirt stands outdoors next to text announcing her hiring as Bend-based Client Success Manager Laura to support Thencan’s clients.
Text announcement stating "Thencan Designs now serves 30+ clients across the country. New milestone!" with a large, hand-drawn number 30 and underline.

TODAY

If You've Found Us, You Probably Know Sam—

Whether from YouTube, a local Bend event, or maybe you worked your way through the 30-Day Local SEO Playbook. And while he’s involved in strategy and staying on the cutting edge of SEO, the real work happens with this team. These are the people who’ll be supporting your business, implementing your SEO strategy, and making sure you show up when customers search for you and your services.

Sam Sarsten

Client Success Manager:
Laura McFaden

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Based in: Bend Oregon USA

Laura McFaden is a creative and detail-oriented professional specializing in SEO-based content and operations management. Her background includes over fourteen years as a copywriter, where she built lasting client relationships and delivered results-driven marketing campaigns. She’s written for a myriad of industries including indie publishing companies, self-storage, multifamily housing, and senior living. Laura grew up in Central Oregon and attended Southern Oregon University, she currently resides in Bend with her pup, Winifred. She enjoys getting lost in a good fantasy novel and taking long walks through Shevlin Park. Laura combines strategic thinking with creativity to deliver measurable impact to clients.

Laura McFaden
Eleanor Harper-Dutt

Operations Manager: Eleanor Harper-Dutt

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Based in: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA

Eleanor manages operations and delivery at Thencan Designs, turning complex processes into simple, repeatable systems that keep the SEO team running like a well-oiled machine. With a background in art and website design, plus her past life as a professional ballerina she brings precision, creativity, and discipline to everything she does. (Sometimes she designs websites for Thencan too!)

Eleanor loves the challenge of SEO and watching optimization efforts pay off for clients. Based in Michigan, she’s a total movie nerd who shares her family home with two dogs, Cora and Chewbacca. When operations run smoothly, everyone wins, and that’s exactly what Eleanor strives to deliver.

SEO Strategist:
Muhaiminul Islam Sajib

An orange eight-pointed star inside a circle on a white background.

Based in: Khulna, Bangladesh

Muhaiminul Islam Sajib entered the SEO industry in 2022, right after leaving the military. His goal is not only to serve his country but also to support businesses worldwide by helping them grow through effective local SEO strategies.

His academic journey began at A. C. Law Pilot High School and concluded at Bangladesh Open University (BOU).

In the early ages, Sajib dreamed of being an artist, then an engineer, and later a cricketer. Now, he is dedicated to SEO, working with hundreds of local business owners across the globe. He still enjoys playing cricket and has a love for pizza!!

Muhaiminul Islam Sajib
Alexia Lynn

Design + Marketing Strategist: Alexia Lynn

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Based in: Rogers, Arkansas USA

Alexia is the marketing strategist behind our entire ecosystem, bridging the gap between Sam’s big-picture vision and the strategy + execution needed to bring it to life. With a background in brand strategy and web design, she blends creativity and strategy seamlessly (usually with an energy drink in hand). Based in Northwest Arkansas, Alexia’s all about creating an entire vibe that connects, converts, and fuels sustainable growth. She thrives on bringing ambitious, out-of-the-box thinking to every strategy she touches.

Web Dev & Video Editor:
Rehana Ela

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Based in: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Rehana is a passionate Web Developer and Video Editor at Thencan Designs, with years of experience building websites and growing expertise in video editing. Based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, she’s endlessly curious, loves learning new things and tools, and quietly lets her work speak for itself. An introvert by nature, she focuses on creating seamless digital experiences that delight clients and users alike. When she’s away from the screen, you’ll usually find her reading thriller novels, it’s her favorite way to recharge, spark new ideas, and bring fresh perspectives into her work. She also loves traveling to new places.

Rehana Ela

Rooted in Bend

I’m committed to Central Oregon; I’ve lived in Oregon since I was 5 years old. As a proud member of the local business community, I believe in showing up, building relationships, and helping our businesses grow together. And yes, I’m a huge Beavers fan, Go Beavs!

You May Find Me At:

The Redmond Chamber of Commerce

TEAM Referral Network (Redmond)

Communicators Plus Toastmasters (Bend)

After Hours Networking (Bend)

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A man stands in front of a laptop giving a presentation, with a TV and electronic equipment mounted on the wall in the background.

You May Find Me At:

The Redmond Chamber of Commerce

TEAM Referral Network (Redmond)

Communicators Plus Toastmasters (Bend)

After Hours Networking (Bend)

A man stands in front of a laptop giving a presentation, with a TV and electronic equipment mounted on the wall in the background.

Let’s Get Your Phone Ringing

Work with a local SEO team that’ll never ghost you, build SEO authority that delivers data-driven, long-term results and treats you and your business like it matters… because it does.