Building a Tech Company: A Musical Approach with Jonathon Shepeard
From Music to Business: Dover Founder Sees Similarities in Tech Company
Jonathon Shepeard, the founder of business service provider the Payments Plug, sees founding a tech company as a lot like making music. A graduate of Delaware State University with a major in the music industry and a minor in business administration, Shepeard has been composing and recording R&B and hip-hop music for over 15 years.
Shepeard’s music journey started with technology, using a digital MIDI keyboard and software programs to create his music. He realized that the process of putting together different elements in a song was similar to building a business, which led him to found the Payments Plug in September 2023.
The Payments Plug offers affordable multi-service solutions for small businesses, allowing them to save money by bundling services from a variety of strategic partners, including business banking, marketing, IT services, and electric vehicle charging. Shepeard describes the company’s website as a “future-proof superstore” where companies can find all their business needs in one place.
A Personal Approach to Brand Building
Shepeard has been working on building the infrastructure of the Payments Plug over the past ten months and is now preparing to sign clients and pursue funding with the help of resources from the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce and Tech Council of Delaware. He has also been featured at the Tech Startup Symposium last month.
While the Payments Plug already has strategic partnerships with AI-driven companies, Shepeard plans to further automate the platform to customize client experiences. He emphasizes the importance of implementing AI into the business process as a catalyst for growth.
Shepeard takes a personal approach to brand building, sharing vulnerable moments and struggles on LinkedIn to give the brand a human touch. This aligns with his mission of mental health advocacy and allows people to connect with him on a personal level.
As Shepeard continues to expand the Payments Plug and implement AI into the business, he remains focused on building a strong and authentic brand that resonates with customers.