The Josh & Jer Interview: Introduction
Welcome to the Josh & Jer (Jer rhymes with hair, it’s pronounced Jair) Show where we answer interview questions about 120 Web Design, why the business is important to us, and what we enjoy doing in our spare time. You’ll get to know us on a professional and personal level. Go get a cup of coffee. After you read about us, please introduce yourself through our contact page. We are here for it. We would love to get to know you! So let’s gets started with the interview, shall we?
*Who you are and what are some of your interests?
Jer: I am Jeremiah, a local west Michigan kid that loves Michigan…. The actual state and Michigan the team…. U of M. I spent my teen years on a farm, so from a young age I learned how to work. It turns out that comes in pretty handy when you’re starting a business. I love fun…. Traveling, camping, and my family. Speaking of family, I’ve been married to my best friend for 13 years, and we have two kids. A boy and a girl. I think they call that the All-American family. My local church is really important to me. There are also some local non-profits I am a part of that are important to me, too.
Josh: I’m Josh Stephens, and I’m interested in music, outdoors, and food. I enjoy running and spending time with my family. I’m a Christian.
*What made you want to start 120 Web Design?
Jer: We noticed people knew there business really well, but they didn’t know their website at all. When your website is a direct reflection of you and your brand, that’s not good. Also, I noticed most folks felt overwhelmed. The unknown can be burdensome; it’s a natural human reaction. After seeing their need, 120 was born.
Josh: I wanted to help local businesses improve their online footprint in order to increase their sales and visibility while also simplifying their lives and giving them their time back.
*How did you come up with the name of your company?
Jer: In the Bible, Daniel 1:20 says that when they brought Daniel before the king he was “10 times fairer” aka better, than the rest. Our goal is to be 10 times better than the competition and ultimately like Daniel, give God the glory.
Josh: 120 comes from Daniel chapter 1 vs 20, where Daniel and his men were observed to be 10 times better than the rest of the men. Our goal is to be 10 times better than any other website design and hosting companies around.
*How would you describe your company’s workplace culture?
Jer: Empowering, exciting, and liberating. At 120, we celebrate ideas and serving people. If your idea does that and can be Implemented, we’re all ears.
Josh: Customer focused, family friendly, and highly collaborative.
*How does your business give back to your community?
Jer: Josh and I and our families are both active in serving and giving in our local church, investing time into teens interested in web design and are considering scholarships for graduates at the moment.
Josh: We participate in a number of local events through our chamber and various business associations. Our clients are local businesses, so getting these businesses more visibility online helps local customers find the products and services they need.
*What are some of the hardest struggles you’ve faced personally or professionally that have made starting a business difficult?
Jer: Patience. “They say”, whoever they are…. that the 3 rules of business are: 1. It takes twice as long as you think. 2. It costs twice as much as you thought. And 3. You’re not the exception to the rule. We run 120 debt free, but rules 1 and 3 certainly are true.
Josh: It’s hard to start a business. You want customers to walk in the door immediately and start buying your products and services, but it rarely happens that way. It takes a long time to build credibility and trust in the community. So I think waiting is one of my biggest challenges.
*How do you come up with new ideas for your business?
Jer: First, pray and ask God to bring you someone to serve. You’d be amazed at “who shows up” in your day. Second, brainstorm about problems that real people need solved.
Josh: We ask our customers, and we look at the needs of our own business to identify what would be most helpful. Collaboration is important to us.
*What is your dream vacation?
Jer: Probably to hike Mt. Everest. That’s more work than a vacation, but it’s a bucket list item for sure. A close second would be a western France to Moscow WWll tour.
Josh: Anywhere with my family. I would love to take my family on an international vacation to Europe for 10 days. Someday I hope we can make that happen.
*What are your long-term goals for 120 Web Design?
Jer: Woah…. That’s a loaded question… the obvious answer for any business owner is financial stability and long-term income that is risk averse. Very diversified. When you have hundreds of individual clients that’s pretty diversified. Waaaaay out there though…. One of my American hero’s is JC Penney. Dude lived on a reverse tithe. Gave 90% to God. That’d be sweet.
Josh: We want to be the no-brainer option for web design, hosting, and branding for local and regional businesses in West Michigan. We want to be able to demonstrate for our customers that the cost of our services is significantly lower than the revenue we enable them to bring in. Additionally, I’d like to be able to invest in a location as we grow, and to hire and train locals to staff and grow the business.
*Write down one of your favorite dad jokes.
Jer: It’s harsh, lol…. When someone says, “Knock, knock,” you never reply with, “Who’s there?” because you’ll hear 25 more Knock Knock jokes. When they say, “Knock knock,” you simply reply with “No soliciting.” It turns their joke into your joke every time.
Josh: Two peanuts were walking down the street. One was a salted.
*What motivates you to make sure that 120 Web Design is a success?
Jer: I want to steward well what’s been entrusted to me. I know we can serve our customers for way less money than our competition, so that’s pretty motivating.
Josh: Who we represent to our customers and to the community is the primary driver. Obviously we represent our own credibility, which is huge for us. We strive to be trustworthy in all our business dealings, acting in integrity and putting our customers first. But more important than that, we are Christians. We want to make sure we represent God to our customers and our community. On a less heavy note, I really love puzzles, and starting any business is a complex puzzle to try to solve. And I’m not sure it’s ever solved.
*What is your favorite dessert?
Jer: I am an equal opportunity dessert lover. Its all good. If I had to pick one….. white on white cake. Buttercream frosting! No whipped!
Josh: Chocolate Cake.
*Where do you see yourself five years from now, personally, and professionally?
Jer: Professionally, I see myself doing this, just serving 10x the clients…. Personally, growing as a husband, dad, leader.
Josh: Hopefully a co-owner of a hugely successful web design and hosting company. But I’m open to whatever God wants to do with me.
*What is one important idea you want to communicate to your customers at 120 Web Design?
Jer: You can do it! I grew up in a tough home and the statistics towards those kids aren’t very favorable in America. However, with a couple influential people in my life, hard work, and God’s goodness of course, I am a business owner in the greatest country on the planet. Whatever you’re trying to accomplish, you can do it!
Josh: If your business is not represented well online, you will really struggle to grow. While the idea of shop-local is a noble idea, the fact of the matter is that locals, especially the Millenials and Gen-Z ers, are more focused on simple, at-home, and transparent commerce, which a brick and mortar store with no website, just doesn’t provide. Market share is moving fast to Amazon and other online retailers that offer competitive prices and same-day delivery.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading The Josh and Jer Interview!! Hope you enjoyed that cup of coffee. We would love to get to know you, so please introduce yourselves. Who are you? What brought you here? And what is one thing that resonated with you in the interview?
