Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Justin Jankus. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Justin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

I am happier.

Flat-out; full-stop; no bones about it; hold a gun to my head and I’ll give you the same answer. I have worked for some wonderful organizations and worked with some even greater people in the varying jobs that make up my career (I’ve done everything from photographing people on Boston Duck Boat Tours to supporting students with their behavioral, mental, and social health needs).

The decision wasn’t an easy one in the slightest, but looking back on it it was the only decision I could have made to make me and my family happy and secure. Without the flexibility of working when I need to/want to I really cannot fathom what my life would look like right now. I started my business after leaving my last “job” due to a change in management, a change in my responsibilities, and expectations that lay outside of my conception of the position, and what I had agreed to so I had to leave. Did I mention that it was 2021- so full-on pandemic mode – and I had a one-year-old at home? It was scary, and things took their sweet time to get really off the ground, but it meant that I could see my amazing daughter take her first steps in person, that I could spend lunches with my wife, that I could do things around the house, that I could take control of how I wanted to spend my time.

Given another chance, I’d do it all over again. Just perhaps with a better understanding of the power and necessity of a well-defined agreement/contract haha!

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?

I’m a Vermont based photographer, graphic designer and website designer living in central Vermont with my wife Abbey, a dog, a lovely precocious daughter, Lucy, and a delightfully joyous son, Michael.

When we moved to Vermont in 2015, it was because we wanted a different life than we were living in Boston. This would be a life where we could prioritize things other than a given career track, prioritize time with each other, prioritize time with our friends, and with this beautiful state. This path I find myself on is a continuation of those priorities – an opportunity to help others share their story as I hone mine.

I bring a consistent standard of professionalism to all of my work. I also understand that each project is unique, and will bring flexibility to respond to your needs. I love working with a client to capture the singular essence of their business and show them how to stand out.

In my spare time, I enjoy growing vegetables, jaunting, building things, riding my motorcycle, and learning way too much about cars.

I am available on retainer or on a project-by-project basis.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think in the end, I really enjoy learning. Learning about the organizations I work with, learning about who they serve, and the individuals themselves. I love jumping into new systems, learning different ways to approach things visually, and I love collaboration. One of my favorite things to do as a designer is do a live chat with someone where I can tweak the visuals I have been creating for them in that moment. Finding that point where two minds can start thinking on the same wavelength, I chase that feeling with every person I work with.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Word of mouth. Especially in the non-profit world, where I find the majority of my business, word of mouth is everything. You want to be THE person that someone suggests or comes to mind in a conversation. I find you can develop that by being kind, setting clear expectations, and really listening to your client’s needs.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://justinjankus.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jjank/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jjcsllc/

Image Credits

All images (c) Justin Jankus, Justin Jankus Creative Services