Meet Joshua “Jay” Stevens

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joshua “Jay” Stevens and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joshua “Jay”, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
It’s intriguing to think about risk in the context of picture framing, but starting your own business is one of the riskiest ventures you can undertake. We all know the statistics; 20.4% of businesses fail in their first year after opening, 49.4% fail in their first 5 years, and 65.3% fail in their first 10 years. and You never know if you’ll succeed or be a statistic, if your customers will come, or if they’ll come back. The uncertainty is immense. Will the industry hold up? What happens if your hard work and relentless promotion create a demand so massive that it becomes an uncontrollable beast? It sounds like a dream, right? But what if you can’t keep up with that demand, no matter how hard you work or how many 20-hour days you put in?

That’s when you face the challenge of scaling. Scaling is often an afterthought, but it’s a critical consideration from the start. Starting without planning for scale is a rookie mistake that can bite you later if your business turns into a monster success.

Imagine cutting frames out of a parking garage in the East End and suddenly needing to operate at the level of a corporation. It’s a wild thought, but it’s a reality you must be ready for.

Every day is a risk. Hiring new employees, taking on unfamiliar projects, and pushing through busy periods by accepting new clients all carry risks. As paradoxical as it sounds, you can go out of business from having too much business. Embracing risk is about navigating these uncertainties and being prepared for whatever comes your way.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My relentless drive to be the best and my unwavering commitment to innovation set my business apart from the competition. I’m constantly pushing to offer unique solutions and elevate customer service, ensuring that my business stays ahead of the curve. This competitive spirit has been crucial in maintaining our leadership in the industry.

I’m incredibly excited about the next chapter, both for myself and for those who will experience our new product line. We are launching an entirely eco-friendly, customizable, and versatile DIY line of picture and art frames. This innovation is designed to meet the modern demands for expediency without sacrificing the handcrafted quality and American-made pride that our customers cherish.

This new line addresses the challenges that have plagued local frame shops across the country, putting many out of business. Alongside this, we are introducing a revolutionary app that combines frame shop production, CRM, POS, automated updates, and real-time order tracking. This app has been in development for two years and is set to transform how small frame shops operate, providing solutions they need but often don’t have the time to develop themselves.

The journey to where I am today has been anything but easy. It required resilience, creativity, and relentless problem-solving. I had to listen to those with experience and learn from their mistakes to save time, energy, and money. This approach has been instrumental in overcoming numerous challenges along the way.

A significant milestone for me is the donation of my business to a local school of performing arts. This initiative will establish a new department where kids can gain real-world experience in photography, printing, and custom framing. I’m thrilled to help provide these opportunities, as it has always been my dream to equip children with practical skills and financial intelligence—lessons not typically taught in schools.

This isn’t the end for me; it’s just the beginning. As I close this chapter, I eagerly anticipate the next, where I’ll continue to take risks and face new challenges. I’m looking forward to future interviews where I can share the successes of my next venture, Frame Art Smart, and continue to inspire others with my story.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Some of my favorite spots in Houston are Cantina Barba, MKT Square, Burger joint in the Heights, Johnny’s Gold, brick, And taco Nazo food truck on Fulton. These spots have been consistent in producing quality, food, and drinks. Highly recommended.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a heartfelt shoutout to Bruce Stein of Triple-S Steel. He saw potential in me when I was framing for a corporation at $13 an hour. Bruce told me I was going to be his head salesperson within 12 months, despite HR denying me the position due to my honest disclosure about my troubled past. His belief in me was a turning point, igniting a fire that fueled my relentless pursuit of what was then just a dream.

I also want to acknowledge my ex-girlfriend, whose departure due to my financial struggles became a catalyst for my determination to succeed. Her leaving was painful, but it pushed me to relentlessly chase my aspirations.

A huge shoutout to my best friends, Ryan Sarfati and Robert Donatoni, for letting me use their commercial space in Hollywood to secure my wholesale accounts. Over the past 15 years, every single one of my friends has helped me out of genuine care and support, and for that, I am profoundly grateful.

I also want to give a huge shoutout to Guadalupe Teran, and my current girlfriend Brittney Locke. Their support in critical moments helped me seize opportunities and propel my ventures forward.

Lastly, I owe a special thanks to all my loyal clients who stuck with me from the beginning, trusting me to deliver and protect their artwork as if it were my own. Your trust and faith in me, even when I was delivering frames to your homes because I didn’t have a storefront, have been instrumental in my journey. To everyone who told me, “Jay, you’re the only person I trust to frame my Picassos,” and “Jay, I come to you because you do it right. If it takes longer, don’t sweat it; I know it’s in good hands,” your loyalty and confidence have been invaluable.

Website: Jaysframes.com

Instagram: Jaysframes

Linkedin: Jaysframes

Twitter: Jaysframes

Facebook: Jaysframes

Yelp: Jays Frames LLC

Youtube: Jay’s Frames

Other: Jays Frames LLC

Image Credits
N/a