John’s Appearance on the Joseph Graham Show
In this episode, Joe sits down with John de Jong, a man whose life blends old‑school grit, modern marketing mastery, and a deep commitment to family and community. John and his wife Barbara have been married for 39 years, and for the last 16 they’ve built and run Alley Kat Signs and Marketing, a company known for exceptional service, creativity, and a staggering 900+ five‑star reviews across Google and Facebook.
With 45 years of sales and marketing experience, John has taught and spoken across the world—from Canada and the U.S. to Veracruz, Mexico and St. Petersburg, Russia. His insights come from decades of real‑world business building, not theory. This year, Alley Kat earned the Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Silver Award, a testament to the impact they’ve made in their community.
But John’s story goes far beyond business. He’s a father of three sons (all of whom have worked in the family business) and a proud grandfather. He’s also an adventurer at heart—touring tens of thousands of miles across western North America by motorcycle and even learning to paramotor and paraglide at age 57.
This conversation is equal parts business wisdom, life philosophy, and pure inspiration.
How John and Barbara built a thriving marketing and signage company with a reputation for excellence
The mindset behind earning 900+ five‑star reviews and creating lifelong customers
Lessons from 45 years in sales and marketing across multiple countries and cultures
What it takes to run a successful family business for nearly two decades
How adventure—motorcycles, paramotoring, paragliding—shapes John’s approach to risk and growth
Why community recognition like the Chamber of Commerce Silver Award matters
How John helps businesses grow through practical, proven marketing strategies
John represents a rare blend of experience, humility, and relentless curiosity. He’s lived the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, built a business with his spouse, raised a family inside that business, and still finds time to chase adventure in the sky and on the open road.
For anyone building a business, leading a team, or trying to understand what long‑term success really looks like, this episode is a masterclass.
John is the co‑owner of Alley Kat Signs and Marketing, a high‑impact marketing and signage company known for its customer obsession and award‑winning service. With 45 years of experience, he has taught and spoken internationally on marketing and business growth. He’s a husband, father, grandfather, adventurer, and a passionate supporter of small business success.
He also actively helps businesses grow through his marketing insights—to his engaged list of 1,500 business owners seeking practical growth strategies.
