Jeff’s agency started in 2020, but before that, Jeff spent years in enterprise IT, which has given him a deep technical foundation.
But Jeff’s business isn’t just about tech—it’s about impact. Whether it’s creating high-performance websites, giving back to his community, or honoring the legacy of his parents, everything he does is rooted in a bigger purpose. Running his own business means more than just making a living; it’s about building something meaningful and lasting.
In our chat, Jeff shared how he went from corporate IT to running his own agency, the hard lessons he’s learned about working on the business instead of just in it, and why scaling efficiently without sacrificing quality is his next big challenge.
What kind of work did you do before your current business and what did you bring with you into this career?
In my “former life,” I worked in Enterprise/Corporate-Level IT and IS, wearing a lot of different hats – server and network administration, software engineering, troubleshooting, project management, and everything else that comes with managing complex IT environments. That experience gave me a deep technical foundation, but more importantly, it taught me how to approach problems strategically and build scalable, secure systems.
When I transitioned into web design and development, I brought that mindset and problem-solving skill with me. I don’t just create websites; I engineer digital experiences that are functional, fast, and future-proof. My background in IT means I understand how things work under the hood – performance optimization, security, integrations, and infrastructure. That allows me to build not just visually appealing sites, but ones that are robust, efficient, and designed to grow with a business.
I also took with me the ability to adapt. In IT, you’re constantly learning new technologies and solving unexpected problems. That same flexibility applies to web development and digital marketing – staying ahead of trends, evolving with new tools, and making sure the solutions I create don’t just meet today’s needs, but tomorrow’s as well.
What motivated you to start your own business, and what keeps you going when things get tough?
I’ve always known that I wanted to build something of my own – something that wasn’t just a job, but a legacy that makes a deep and lasting impact. I never really fit into the traditional corporate mold, and I knew I wouldn’t be truly happy unless I was creating something for myself, on my own terms. There’s a different kind of fulfillment that comes from building something from the ground up, from taking an idea and turning it into something real that helps other businesses and individuals grow and thrive.
A big part of what drives me is making my family proud, especially my parents, who are no longer with me. I carry that with me every day – the lessons they taught me, the values they instilled, and the desire to build something meaningful in their honor. This isn’t just a career for me; it’s a passion, a calling, and something I take great pride in. It’s also why I try to involve myself with community efforts as much as possible. Giving back is rewarding in so many ways; there’s nothing quite like the feeling of, well, giving back!
When things get tough, I remind myself why I started. The challenges are just part of the journey, and every obstacle is a lesson in resilience. I’ve built this from the ground up, and I’ll keep pushing forward because this isn’t just about me—it’s about creating something lasting, something that makes an impact, and something that reflects the passion and dedication I’ve poured into it.
What’s a hard lesson you learned running your business that’s changed the way you operate?
One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that just because you can do everything yourself doesn’t mean you should. When I first started, I had the mindset that I needed to handle everything – sales, development, design, client management, troubleshooting – because I wanted things done right; Perfect, if you will. But over time, I realized that trying to do it all was actually limiting my growth.
Now, I approach my business with a mindset of scalability. Instead of thinking, How can I do this?, I ask, What process or system can we put in place to make this easier, more repeatable; scalable? That shift has not only helped me grow the business, but it’s also helped me build a better work-life balance, making the work more sustainable and fulfilling in the long run.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten and how has it affected your business?
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is:
“Work *on* your business, not just *in* your business.”
Early on, I wasn’t taking the time to step back and think strategically about the business itself. I was essentially working as an employee in my own company rather than as the owner of something bigger.
Once I really embraced this advice, everything changed. I started focusing on processes, automation, delegation, and long-term growth instead of just grinding through daily tasks. I put systems in place and streamlined workflows so that I could focus on higher-level strategy and business development.
This shift has helped me scale, work with better clients, and create a business that doesn’t rely on me being available 24/7. Now, I approach decisions with a mindset of growth and sustainability – making sure I’m not just *busy*, but actually building something that lasts.
If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your business, what would it be and why?
If I could snap my fingers and change one thing in my business, it would be eliminating bottlenecks in scaling the business without sacrificing quality.
Growth is great, but it comes with challenges – especially in a service-based business where quality and personalization matter. As demand increases, so does the workload, and finding the balance between scaling efficiently while maintaining the high standards I set for my work is a constant challenge.
If I could instantly solve this, I’d have the perfect balance of automation, delegation, and streamlined processes so that growth doesn’t mean overwhelm. I’d have a seamless system where the business scales effortlessly, without bottlenecks, delays, or the need to work crazy hours just to keep up; Work-life balance is important after all.
It’s something I’m actively working on – refining workflows, hiring the right people, and leveraging technology to automate where possible. But if I could snap my fingers and have a system in place that allows for rapid, stress-free growth while still delivering top-tier results? That would be the ultimate game-changer; The real answer would be, a cloning machine. But that requires a time machine first.
What’s a book every agency owner should read?
For Business: Company of One by Paul Jarvis
For Personal: The New Art of Coffee by Ryan Castelaz
What’s your favorite podcast to listen to?
For Business/WordPress: The WP Minute
For Music: The Anjunadeep Edition
What’s a WordPress plugin everyone should know about?
Code Snippets – It’s a refreshing and innovative way to manage code snippets and the likes.
Patchstack – They do so much for the security and development community.
Crocoblock (the suite of plugins for WP/Elementor/Bricks) – Woman-Run, Ukrainian company with an amazing CEO.
What’s your favorite non-WordPress tool or software?
Notion. It’s the ultimate workspace for organizing everything – client projects, content planning, internal documentation… anything. It’s one of those tools that, once you get into it, you can’t imagine working without.
What’s your favorite tool, accessory, or gadget on your desk?
I’d have to say my standing desk (Fully) and ergonomic chair (UPLIFT) are the silent champions of my workspace.
