We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michelle Jones. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michelle below.
Michelle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
Growing up, my parents profoundly influenced my personal and professional development. My mom was a stay-at-home mom and always emphasized the importance of following through. She ensured that if I started something, I would see it through to the end. This instilled in me a sense of commitment and perseverance that has been invaluable in both my personal life and career.
One particular instance that stands out was in the 5th grade when I wanted to quit my competition dance team. It was a lot of time commitment and took me away from my friends with all of the practice time and traveling. But because it’s something I had asked to do and my parents had paid for, my mom reminded me that quitting wasn’t an option and the importance of finishing what I started. This experience taught me the value of perseverance, which I carry with me in my business today. Whether it’s a challenging project or a difficult client situation, I know the value of seeing it through.
My father owned an auto body shop, and from him, I learned the significance of work ethic and customer service. He always stressed the importance of treating customers with respect and delivering on my promises. My dad often stayed late to ensure cars were delivered back to his clients when they were promised. This left a lasting impression on me about the importance of dedication and customer satisfaction.
These lessons from my parents have been foundational in my career. My mom’s insistence on following through has helped me maintain a high level of commitment to my clients and projects and my dad’s example of work ethic and customer service is something I strive for every day in my business. Together, these principles have shaped my approach to running my web design agency, ensuring that we deliver quality work and exceptional service to our clients.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
How I Got Into the Industry
My journey into the web design industry is a bit unconventional. In 2008, I started a fashion blog on the WordPress platform as a creative outlet. At the time, I was pursuing a career in urban design and planning and working for the government, but I quickly discovered that I was far more passionate about computer codes than zoning codes through my blogging journey. I found immense joy in designing and building my blog, which sparked a new interest which I decided to pursue professionally as a side gig. This pivotal moment led me to transition from urban design to web design over the course of the next few years and I launched my agency M|J Creative in late 2014.
What We Provide
At M|J Creative, we specialize in custom website designs for corporate and B2B clients. Our services range from full website design and development to ongoing website maintenance and hosting plans. We pride ourselves on creating visually stunning and highly converting websites tailored to meet each client’s unique needs. Our average website investment ranges from $12,000 to $20,000, reflecting the quality and custom nature of our work.
Problems We Solve for Our Clients
We understand that a website is often the first point of contact between a business and its potential clients. Therefore, we focus on solving several key problems for our clients:
Professional Online Presence: We help businesses establish a professional and credible online presence that resonates with their target audience.
User Experience: By optimizing the user experience, we ensure that visitors can easily navigate the site and find the information they need.
Performance and Security: We provide secure and high-performing websites, giving our clients peace of mind regarding their online operations.
Ongoing Support: Through our maintenance plans, we offer continuous support and updates, ensuring that our clients’ websites remain current and effective.
What Sets Us Apart
What sets M|J Creative apart from other web design agencies is our personalized approach. We take the time to understand our clients’ businesses, goals, and challenges. Our team collaborates closely with each client throughout the entire process, from initial concept to final launch and beyond. This commitment to collaboration and customization ensures that each website we create is truly unique and aligned with our clients’ long-term visions.
What We Are Most Proud Of
One of the things I am most proud of is our long-standing relationships with our clients. Many of our clients have been with us for years, relying on us for their initial website design and ongoing support and enhancements throughout the course of their business journey. This speaks to our clients’ trust and satisfaction in our work and our dedication to their success.
Key Things to Know About Us
Commitment to Quality: We are committed to delivering top-notch quality in every project we undertake. From design to functionality, we ensure that every aspect of our websites meet the highest standards.
Customer-Centric Approach: Our clients’ needs and goals are at the forefront of everything we do. We tailor our services to meet their specific requirements, ensuring they receive a website that truly serves their business for the long term.
Innovative Solutions: We stay educated on the latest trends and technologies in web design and development, allowing us to offer innovative solutions that keep our clients ahead of the curve.
Ongoing Partnership: We view our relationships with clients as ongoing partnerships. We provide continuous support and are always available to help them navigate the evolving digital landscape.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
“Start with Why” by Simon Sinek
Sinek’s concept of the “Golden Circle” and the importance of understanding and communicating the “why” behind a business has helped me clarify my purpose and vision for M|J Creative. This has been essential in aligning my partners and connecting with clients on a deeper level.
“The Power of Vulnerability” TED Talk by Brené Brown:
Brené Brown’s insights on vulnerability and authenticity have impacted my leadership style. Embracing vulnerability has allowed me to build stronger connections with my partners and clients, fostering a culture of trust and openness.
“Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara
This book by Will Guidara, a renowned restaurateur, discusses the concept of going above and beyond to provide exceptional service and create memorable experiences. This was incredibly impactful for me as a small business owner and entrepreneur, offering insights into ways to foster a culture of generosity and exceptional service in my own business. (also fun fact: he is a co-producer on the popular tv show “The Bear”)
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One significant lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that success is achieved only if I do everything alone. When I started my web design agency, I felt I had to handle everything myself to ensure success. From client communication and project management to design and coding, I was deeply involved in every aspect of the business. My initial approach was rooted in a belief that maintaining control over every detail was the only way to deliver high-quality work and achieve my goals. I should also mention I am a recovering perfectionist.
As the business has grown, this mindset has become increasingly unsustainable. I found myself overwhelmed and burned out, constantly working late hours and weekends, struggling to keep up with the demands of a growing client roster. Despite my best efforts, the quality of work and customer satisfaction started to suffer because I was stretched too thin.
The turning point came during a particularly busy period when we simultaneously took on several large projects. I was exhausted and stressed, and it was clear that I couldn’t continue managing everything on my own. It was then that I realized the importance of building a solid team and trusting others to handle key responsibilities.
I had to unlearn the belief that my individual effort and control were the keys to success. Instead, I learned that collaboration, delegation, and trust in my partners and team members were essential for sustainable growth and delivering high-quality work. This shift in mindset has allowed me to focus on strategic aspects of the business while empowering others to take ownership of their responsibilities.
Unlearning this belief that success required my control has been a challenging but necessary shift for sustainable business growth. Embracing collaboration, delegation, and trust in my partners and team members has been transformative. This experience taught me that true success comes from working together and leveraging the strengths and support of those you surround yourself with.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michellejonescreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjcreativeclt
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/michelle-jones-creative/
Image Credits
Julia Fay Photography – https://www.juliafayphotography.com/