We were lucky to catch up with Michael Cocce recently and have shared our conversation below.

Michael, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

At MJC Agency, we take web design beyond just delivering a website—we build lasting partnerships with our clients. One of the biggest ways we stand out is our completely “hands-off” monthly website package, which takes care of everything: your Wix website design, domain, hosting, and even unlimited redesigns as long as you’re on the plan. No more worrying about outdated designs or extra costs for changes—your site evolves as your business does.

For clients who choose a one-time web design package, we don’t just hand off the site and disappear. We provide lifetime support to help them confidently edit and manage their website, troubleshoot any issues, and keep things running smoothly. As a Wix Partner with priority 24/7 support, we also have a direct line to Wix, so we can resolve tech problems faster than most agencies can.

Beyond that, our relationship with Wix isn’t just as a partner—we’ve actually influenced the platform itself. As the #1 Wix Partner in the world, we’ve had Wix roll out new features based on our specific requests around the needs of our clients. That means working with MJC Agency isn’t just about getting a great website—it’s about having a team that’s actively shaping the future of Wix to benefit your business.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Michael Cocce is a dedicated husband and father of three, and for over a decade, he has been passionate about helping businesses establish and grow their digital presence. What started as a one-man side hustle has since grown into MJC Agency, a close-knit team of talented designers trained on Wix Studio, one of the most powerful website platforms available today.

In just a few short years, MJC Agency has climbed the ranks to become the #1 Wix Partner worldwide, with more live Wix Studio websites than any other agency. But for Michael, it’s not just about building websites—it’s about building communities. That’s why a percentage of all proceeds from MJC Agency goes directly to nonprofits that serve and strengthen our community, helping to create opportunities beyond the digital space.

From small family-run side hustles to restaurants, hotels, consulting firms, and real estate agencies, all the way to TV producers, actors, and major entertainment industry websites, MJC Agency has built a reputation for crafting stunning, functional, and high-converting digital experiences.

Beyond web design, Michael’s dedication to entrepreneurship and giving back led him to launch a nonprofit that helps veterans start their own businesses. And when he’s not designing or mentoring, you can find him tending to his small egg and honey farm in New Hampshire—a reminder that sometimes, the best things in life are built from the ground up.

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

Certainly, every business faces challenges—slow periods, setbacks, and inevitable mistakes. While I wouldn’t say we’ve experienced true near-death moments, we’ve certainly had our share of growing pains along the way. In the early days, there were many weeks when I had to forgo my own paycheck to ensure my team was paid. Balancing that with a growing family and financial responsibilities wasn’t easy, but I knew that without the health of the business, there would be no long-term security for any of those things.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that protecting the financial health of the business must come first, even above my own short-term comfort. There have been moments when I had to personally invest family funds to keep things running or even make incredibly tough staffing decisions—including parting ways with close friends or family members—simply because the numbers no longer made sense. These decisions are never easy, and they impact more than just the business; they affect relationships, emotions, and personal life.

Over time, I’ve developed a more level-headed approach to navigating challenges, and those experiences have shaped how I lead. The difficult moments teach resilience, and ultimately, they reinforce the long-term vision—ensuring the business remains strong so that it can continue providing opportunities for everyone involved.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

Five years ago, I was working full-time as a Marketing Director for a large company, but on the side, I had started dabbling in Wix website design. At first, it was just a small side hustle—something I enjoyed doing after hours. But little by little, the projects started piling up. Before I knew it, I was squeezing in client work during lunch breaks, staying up late to finish websites, and finding myself more passionate about my side business than my actual job.

I reached a tipping point where I knew something had to give. The website work was getting in the way of my 9-to-5, and I was nearly ready to take the leap—to leave my job and go all in on my business. Then, the COVID shutdown hit.

Instead of making the jump on my own terms, I was laid off. Suddenly, I wasn’t easing into full-time entrepreneurship—I was thrown into it, ready or not. It was terrifying, but looking back, it was the push I needed. With nothing to fall back on, I poured everything into growing the business, refining our services, and building a reputation as a top-tier Wix design agency.

Now, five years later, I wouldn’t change a thing. We’ve reached #1 on the platform we’re using, and we have no plan to slow down. That unexpected moment of uncertainty turned into the best decision of my career. I’ll never look back.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mjcagency.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjc.agency/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjcagency/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mjcagency
• Youtube: https://www.facebook.com/mjcagency/

Image Credits

Family photos with kids – Allie Kelley Photography
Photo in Suit – Kelli Wagner Photography