Every successful business has a story. For RunCMDCreate, that story begins with an eight-year-old kid in Grand Rapids who was absolutely fascinated by computers. That kid was me, and today I'm living proof that passion, persistence, and purpose can transform a hobby into a thriving business.
👨💻 Why I Do This
"I started RunCMDCreate not just to build websites, but to show my three kids that with dedication and hard work, you can turn your passion into your profession. Every business I help grow is proof that dreams become reality when you refuse to give up."
Where It All Started: Grand Rapids Born and Raised
I've called West Michigan home my entire life. Growing up in Grand Rapids, I was that kid who was always tinkering with something. While other kids were playing outside, I was inside figuring out how our family computer worked. By age eight or nine, I was already learning the basics of how computers operated.
🏒 The Athletic Side
Despite my love for computers, I wasn't just glued to a screen. I played ice hockey throughout high school, which taught me teamwork, discipline, and how to perform under pressure. Today, one of my favorite activities is taking my son ice skating—passing on both the love of the sport and the values it taught me.
"Hockey taught me that success comes from practice, persistence, and never giving up when you're behind."
🎨 The Creative Journey
Art has always been my outlet. I've explored painting, repurposed furniture with artistic designs, tried my hand at airbrushing, and experimented with block printing. This creative foundation deeply influences how I approach web design—every website should be both functional and beautiful.
"Every pixel on a website is a brushstroke. Both art and code require vision, patience, and attention to detail."
My Journey from Hobby to Business
Age 8-9: First Computer Experience
Fell in love with computers and started learning how they worked. Spent countless hours exploring every menu and program I could find.
Age 14: First Lines of Code
Started building my first websites using HTML and CSS. Created terrible-looking sites that I was incredibly proud of at the time.
High School & Beyond: Photography Era
Spent several years doing photography for concerts and DJs around Grand Rapids. This taught me about working with clients, deadlines, and capturing the perfect moment.
Past 3 Years: Intensive Learning
Dedicated myself to studying web development constantly. Self-taught advanced coding techniques, modern frameworks, and business skills needed to serve clients professionally.
2024: RunCMDCreate is Born
Turned my passion into a business with a mission: help West Michigan businesses succeed online while showing my kids that dreams are achievable with hard work.
Family First: The Real Motivation
At 36, I'm a proud father of three amazing kids—two boys and a girl. Everything I do is ultimately for them. Starting RunCMDCreate isn't just about building a business; it's about showing my children that you can turn your passion into your profession with enough dedication and hard work.
🎯 Lessons I Want to Teach My Kids:
Self-Taught and Proud: Three Years of Intensive Study
People often ask how I learned to build modern, professional websites. The answer is simple: relentless dedication to learning. For the past three years, I've been studying constantly—evenings, weekends, any spare moment I could find.
Years of Passion
From that first HTML page at 14 to today's modern web applications
Years Intensive
Dedicated daily study to master professional-level development
Self-Taught
No formal computer science degree—just pure determination
📚 What I've Mastered:
Technical Skills:
- • Modern HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript
- • Responsive design and mobile optimization
- • Search engine optimization (SEO)
- • Website performance optimization
- • Content management systems
- • E-commerce integration
Business Skills:
- • Client communication and project management
- • Digital marketing strategy
- • Brand development and design
- • Analytics and performance tracking
- • Direct mail campaign integration
- • Local business optimization
My Mission: Helping West Michigan Businesses Thrive
RunCMDCreate exists for one purpose: to help small, local West Michigan businesses grow and succeed online. Having lived here my whole life, I understand our community. I know that behind every small business is a family working hard to build something meaningful.
🤝 Why I Work Within Your Budget
I remember what it's like to start small. That's why I'm willing to work within your budget rather than sticking to rigid pricing. I'm building my portfolio and gaining experience, which means you get professional results at prices that make sense for your business.
🎯 My Commitment to You
When you work with me, you're not just getting a website—you're getting a partner who genuinely cares about your success. I treat every project like it's my own business because, in a way, your success becomes part of my story too.
🌟 Growing Together
I'm not looking to just build a website and disappear. I want to build lasting relationships with West Michigan businesses. As you grow, I grow. As I improve my skills, you benefit from those improvements.
West Michigan Roots Run Deep
Living in West Michigan my entire life has given me a deep understanding of our business community. From Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, from Holland to Battle Creek, I know what makes local businesses successful here.
🏘️ Local Understanding:
- I understand seasonal business patterns in Michigan
- I know how locals search for businesses online
- I can meet in person for consultations and support
- I have a genuine investment in our community's success
🎸 Creative Background Benefits:
- Photography experience helps with visual design
- Art background brings creative solutions to problems
- Concert photography taught me about branding and energy
- Working with artists developed my client collaboration skills
Let's Build Something Great Together
My story is still being written, and I'd love for your business success to be part of it. Whether you need a simple website or a complete digital marketing strategy, let's talk about how we can work together.
📞 (616) 379-9146 • ✉️ ceo@runcmdcreate.com
Based in Hudsonville, serving all of West Michigan