It’s not often that I get truly personal online, but today I feel compelled to open up about something that’s been weighing on me. As someone deeply committed to my work and clients, hearing phrases like ‘your company might be too busy for us’ or ‘we might be too small for you’ truly resonates with me. It’s a perception that couldn’t be further from the truth, and it’s something I want to address head-on.

Firstly, let me be clear: there is no client too small, but sometimes there are projects that just don’t make sense financially or logistically. Each inquiry and potential collaboration is viewed through the same lens of opportunity and excitement. The chance to help someone grow, to see an entrepreneur or business take that next step because of our work together—that’s what drives me.

However, the reality of running a business, especially one as hands-on as mine, is that there are physical limits to what can be achieved in a given timeframe. And yes, sometimes the turnaround times people hope for just aren’t feasible without compromising the quality—something I’m consistently focusing on avoiding. Quality and consistency are the backbones of this industry, from print to design, from development to marketing.

I also want to touch on the fact that sometimes, it feels like everything comes all at once. Projects overlap, deadlines rush up, and in these moments, my availability might wane. It’s not a lack of interest or a disregard for new projects; it’s simply a bottleneck effect that many businesses experience.

And here lies another hard truth: the growth of a business isn’t something one can always control to precision. I wish I could hire a team large enough to have someone always waiting in the wings, ready to jump on the next project. But that’s not practical, nor is it sustainable. Recruitment is challenging. Finding loyal, talented individuals who fit the company culture and then training them to meet specific standards takes time and resources.

So, what am I trying to say with all this? Simply that my door is always open. If I can’t answer a call immediately or if a project needs to be scheduled a bit further out than hoped for, it’s not for lack of care or interest. My team and I are ready to work, ready to help brands grow. It’s just about finding the right timing – for both of us.

Admitting Mistakes, Embracing Growth

I’ve always been someone who says “yes” and strives to jump as high as necessary to meet the needs of my clients. But, in that eagerness to serve, there are valuable lessons to be learned. At J&R, we’re constantly teaching and sharing knowledge, but perhaps more importantly, we’re also always learning. I’m not one to shy away from admitting a mistake. If something goes awry, I’m committed to acknowledging it and working to rectify the situation.

Over the past decade, we’ve worked with thousands of clients. While the vast majority of these interactions have been overwhelmingly positive, there have been a few – I’m guessing about less than two hands worth – where I feel we fell short. Whether it was a delay in delivery, or the final product not meeting our usual high standards, these instances stick with me. They’re the exceptions that prove the rule, and yet, they’re the ones I find myself revisiting time and again.

It’s these rare cases that drive me to ask tough questions: What could we have done better? Is there a competitor who handles similar situations more effectively, and if so, how? This introspection and willingness to learn from each situation have been crucial in shaping both the growth of J&R and my personal development as a leader.

For those instances that were within our control and didn’t go as planned, I focus intensely on improvement. We analyze every angle – was it a planning issue, employee quality issue, or something else entirely? Learning from these experiences is not just about making incremental changes; it’s about taking big, transformative steps to ensure we do better.

And yes, there are times when a client might not be the right fit, or their expectations are beyond what we can reasonably meet. Recognizing this mismatch early and communicating directly is part of how we’ve refined our approach to client relationships. It’s about honesty and setting realistic expectations—qualities that not only define good business practices but are also central to building lasting, trust-filled relationships.

Reflecting on these moments, the ones that bother me, I see them not as failures but as powerful motivators. They remind me why I started this journey and reinforce my commitment to not just meet, but exceed, the high standards we set at J&R. It’s a commitment to every client, no matter the size of their project, and a promise to keep learning, keep improving, and keep pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve together.

As I drive through Rhode Island, every logo, piece of apparel, sign, and advertisement we’ve created whispers, ‘We did that’—a proud testament to overcoming doubts and, occasionally, our own hurdles.