We were lucky to catch up with Josh Wilhelm recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Josh thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

JW Creates as a business was officially started late 2019, but its origins date all the way back to 2015. In 2015 I was 4 years into a job I hated, and honestly I had no idea what I really wanted to do. I was stuck in the comfort zone of the familiar, but too scared to admit that I might be talented enough to do what I wanted to do…create!

Those days, I found myself spending most of my free time creating music, and then creating visuals for said music so I could post it anonymously online under the moniker Dj JDub. I also started creating some branding elements for my Dj persona, and for another side project I kicked off around the same time. What started as something that I enjoyed doing on the side, turned into me discovering that I loved creating custom album covers, and the visual identity pieces that went into creating a brand.

Fast forward to 2019, I found myself in a brand new city, and outside my comfort zone. Again, I was stuck in a job that I didn’t love, and through the help of my wife, and an amazing support group of friends, I decided it was time for me to actually try this creative thing. I did not go to school for graphic design, and aside from a single design course I took in college, the rest I had to learn as I went. Thank God for YouTube, and for the countless designers online that helped provide the knowledge I needed to use the professional design tools I needed to be successful. I’m also grateful for all the people that trusted me in those early days, and with those first few projects.

Not only was I learning how to use design tools like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, I also had to learn how to run a business. The creative side comes easy, but tracking expenses, networking, marketing, etc…those things do not come easy to me.

In July of 2022 I took the plunge and quit my full time job, and started pursing JW Creates full time. At this point I have had the opportunity to work with multiple artist and bands to create custom cover art for singles and full albums. I have also been able to help quite a few different small business owners and entrepreneurs develop the logos, branding and websites for their projects. I never realized how much I would enjoy partnering with so many amazing people, and how I could play a small role in helping them achieve their dreams. I knew I wanted to create, but I didn’t realize how fulfilling it would be to help others chase their dream, by going after my own.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

You can call me Josh, JW, or even JDub. I am a creative that works with small businesses, musicians, non-profits and more to create custom designed branding, album covers, and websites to promote their work. As a musician, I fell in love with album covers, and this fueled a passion to visually tell stories and promote branding through the art of graphic design.

I realized that there wasn’t full graphic design services in my area focusing on bands, artists, small businesses and solo entrepreneurs, that were providing services at an affordable rate. My goal is to give these artists and small business owners the best chance, with the best visual identity pieces, to pursue their dreams and goals. If I can make others look good, I think that’s the best chance I have at being successful.

I’m especially proud of my custom album cover designs for the band Eightball, and for Brent Crowe’s song I Never Knew. You should also check out the logo’s and branding work I have done for singer/songwriter Phil Hyland, The Margarita Gal, and for Kyle with Land of the Dad.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I would have understood the reason, and the power behind having a blog for your website. I was the snobby guy that always snickered at the idea of someone starting a blog, or having a blog on their website, because I didn’t get it. I wish I would have know sooner how big of an impact it could have on my online visibility, and how it can escalate your ranking on search sites like google. In a highly saturated market like graphic design, the biggest challenge I have faced is people knowing I exist. In the short 2-3 months of starting my blog, I have seen my website stats trending up faster than I have in the last 2 years.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

My #1 source for new clients has been referrals and networking. I wouldn’t be where I am at today if it wasn’t for friends, family, and past clients sharing my work within their circles of influence. With minimal funds put into traditional marketing tactics, I’ve forced myself to find opportunities to build relationships with those who may need my services now or in the future.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jwcreates.com
• Instagram: @jdubcreates
• Facebook: @jdubcreates
• Other: Podcast – Judged by the Cover podcast – www.jwcreates.com/judgedbythecoverpodcast or www.jwcreates.com/notes/categories/judged-by-the-cover

Image Credits
Any of the photos of me, in the white tee shirt, were taken by Emily with Simply Emily Lifestyle.