Story & Lesson Highlights with Janae Peterson

Janae Peterson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Janae, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
Oh boy, where do I start? The biggest misunderstanding is that all website design and hosting companies are created equal. Spoiler alert: they’re not. I can’t even count on both hands how many businesses have switched to BPetersonDesign just in 2025 alone because their previous provider left them hanging. And I’m talking horror stories—expired domain, unanswered emails, being on hold for hours, updates taking weeks (or never happening), and zero accountability.

Unfortunately, the web design industry gets a bad rap—and honestly, sometimes it’s deserved. By the time clients find us, they usually have trust issues… for good reason. That’s why we go all-in on integrity, real communication, and fast turnarounds.

Here’s the coolest part: when you work with us, you get a real human who knows your account inside and out—usually that’s me! I’m your go-to person, so you’re not getting bounced around to five different strangers every time you need something. Over time, we build genuine partnerships. We earn back that trust, eventually.

It’s like website therapy… but with fewer tears and more high-fives.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Janae Peterson, and I wear a lot of hats at BPetersonDesign—but my favorite one is being the person who makes your website dreams come true (and keeps the process from feeling like a nightmare). My husband, Benjamin, is the founder and CEO, so you’ll meet him first during your consultation, but once you decide to work with us, you’re stuck with me—in the best way possible!

I lead the website design process from start to finish, making sure your site not only looks amazing but also aligns with your goals and drives results. I keep the project moving forward, guide you on what content we need, and handle all the details so you can keep running your business. Once your site is ready for the big reveal, we’ll hop on a virtual meeting together, and I’ll walk you through everything before launch. And here’s the kicker: I don’t disappear after that! I’m your ongoing point of contact for website updates, managed hosting, and anything else you need down the road.

On any given day, I’m usually juggling up to ten websites at once—working with everyone from small businesses and e-commerce shops to non-profits and local service providers. I get to meet some seriously inspiring people, and that’s my favorite part of the job.

And speaking of non-profits, if you’re a registered 501(c)(3), we do something pretty special: we give you 50% off the development fee—and we cover the other half. Good work deserves a great website, and we’re passionate about helping organizations that make a difference.

At the end of the day, BPetersonDesign isn’t just about building websites. We’re about building relationships—and making sure your online presence works as hard as you do.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
Honestly? Our clients. Working with so many different businesses and personalities has been the ultimate classroom. Every project teaches me something new about communication, expectations, and what “great service” truly means in the real world.

When you’re handling websites for everyone from small startups to established organizations, you quickly learn how to adapt, problem-solve, and deliver results that matter. I always say our clients make us better because they keep us on our toes—and I’m genuinely grateful for that.

The opportunities I’ve had through BPetersonDesign have been such a blessing. Not only do I get to help businesses grow, but I also learn from some of the most passionate, driven people out there every single day.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Oh, absolutely—more than once! There’s a saying I love: “If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.” And another favorite: “Business owners are the only people who work 80+ hours a week just to avoid working 40 hours a week.” Both are painfully true.

We work exclusively in the B2B world, so our clients are business owners too—and guess what? We all share the same war stories. There have definitely been times where throwing in the towel seemed tempting, but when you’ve poured your blood, sweat, and tears into something, quitting isn’t as simple as it sounds.

For me, the only scenario where I would truly give up is if the bank account hit zero and I was forced to live in a box with no Wi-Fi and no computer. (At that point, it’s game over.)

Business ownership is tough, but it builds resilience like nothing else. We joke that business owners are some of the most stubborn people on the planet—and I say that with love because I’m one of them. We don’t quit. We pivot, adapt, hustle, and keep pushing because the reward of seeing your vision succeed is worth every late night and gray hair.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
When we first started back in 2008, I honestly believed running a successful business was black and white—you either knew everything or you didn’t, and if you didn’t, you were doomed. I thought I had to have every answer, every skill, and every process figured out from day one. Spoiler alert: that’s not how it works.

Almost two decades later, I’ve learned that success isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about adaptability. It’s about using the tools you have, tapping into the talents of people around you, and truly listening to your clients. The market changes, technology changes, and client needs evolve, so the ability to pivot and adjust is what keeps a business thriving.

In short: perfection is overrated. Progress, flexibility, and strong relationships—that’s where the magic happens.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
I love this question because it highlights how different businesses approach growth. For us at BPetersonDesign, though, the idea of doing something that won’t pay off for 7–10 years doesn’t really fit. In a fast-paced industry like ours, we can’t afford to invest a decade into something with no return—we have to be both strategic and practical.

That said, what we are doing is laying groundwork that creates both immediate wins and compounding benefits over time. For example, improving SEO today helps a client rank better in a few months, but it also builds visibility that strengthens year after year. The same goes for investing in better systems or building authentic relationships with our clients—it pays off now in efficiency and trust, but it also creates loyalty and momentum that last far beyond the short term.

So while we don’t have projects sitting idle waiting for a decade to pay off, everything we do is intentional, stacking today’s efforts into tomorrow’s success.

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Image Credits
Abrar Khalid

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