Meet the PureButtons Staff, Jeff Nemecek-Owner
Jeff, how are you today?
I’m not bad.. could be better. It just got done raining here all morning.
Tell me about yourself.
I’m 5’11” average build, brown hair… Is that how you answer this question? (Great interview so far).
What is your typical day like?
It varies, but most of the time it is very hectic. A lot of emails, phone calls, etc. But, I try to be as personable with my employees as I can be. I want this to be as fun and laid back of a company as possible. Sometimes, we stop working a little early and play some Guitar Hero. (If we have time)
How did you start Pure Buttons?
By accident. In all honesty, it was a “pure” coincidence and is a really long story. I will try to condense it as much as possible. I had started a clothing line when I was in high school. A client of mine purchased band t-shirts from me and asked me if I knew a place where they could get buttons cheap. I decided to get a machine and make them myself, to make a few extra bucks. I had been taking classes for web design and development, and figured I would put them to good use and make a website to sell custom buttons. Next thing you know, a few large clients ordered, and it just exploded from there.
Why buttons?
Everyone loves buttons, so why not. It was a niche, cheap band buttons. That was how we started. We try to keep the same backbone that we started on, cheap, amazing buttons for everyone. Everyone loves ‘em and we figure they will love them more once they get a PUREbutton, especially at our cheap rates.
Just a random question, dealing with buttons all day long, do you every dream or have nightmares about buttons?
No, not yet. I hope I never do.
Well, you really seem to enjoy it, what do you love the most about it?
I love being able to provide a service people find useful and affordable. That in itself is rewarding.
What do you dislike about it?
Tough question, I’d have to say, the stress. Sometimes it just eats away at you after a while but, eventually you learn how to manage it. (So I hear).
In a few years, where do you see yourself and Pure Buttons?
Me Personally:
Working at my home office in the next year and coming into the office randomly throughout the week to check up on production. As for now, I’ll continue to pass out at my desk on extremely long days.
For the Company:
I see us as the top custom button provider. With only being in the business for 3 years we’ve slowly begun taking the top rank. It’s just a matter of time before it happens.
As the brains behind the company, why do you offer such an excellent product for so cheap? I mean, if you charged what your competition charged, you could probably make double.
This is a question I get asked all the time. I just put the customer in mind before we figure any pricing structure. Why pay more for something when you don’t have to? I say that to myself all the time. Money isn’t the answer to everything. With that in mind, having the cheapest prices and best quality is more rewarding then anything else. I know our customers feel the same way.
If you had to sum up Pure Buttons in a sentence or two, what would it be?
Custom Promotional Pinback Buttons (thanks google)
If there was one thing you could have done differently with your company, what would that be?
I wish we would have figured out our innovative ways of production 3 years ago. We finally have our new production facility tweaked and ready to handle anything anyone throws at us. With the least amount of staff.
Do you have any words of advice for anyone interested in starting their own company?
The single most important advice I could say would be to start using QuickBooks immediately. Start your book keeping off on the right track. This way you’ll stay more organized with your finances and you’ll stay away from the financial surprises. (Or at least encounter them less). I can vouch for this personally as will most other small business owners out there.
I would also recommend setting up your business the legal way. Meaning, get a sole prop, an LLC or S-Corp. and pay taxes! I’ve heard horror stories of companies starting off on the wrong foot and it only bites them in the butt later on.
Last Modified: July 22nd, 2008