Today we’d like to introduce you to Joel Lewallen.
Hi Joel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
First of all, thank you for having me here. So looking back, I have had the entrepreneurial spirit going back to 2006 when I had a little B2B & B2C business. My business partner and I started performing yacht inspections for insurances and banks. Trouble shooting problems customers had while taking their yachts out in the harbor. When the recession came in 2008, We had to close our doors. But the sales and marketing was always tugging on my soul. Something I really enjoyed. Fast Forward to the year of 2020, when the world started to shut down, My wife and I had a friend who owned a small restaurant outside of Raleigh. The restaurant owner was about to close her doors because she had not had any foot traffic in awhile. When my family and I were their, she asked me if I new anyone that I can bring to her restaurant, so she could keep her doors open just a little while longer. That weekend, I asked my friends from church if they wanted to join us for lunch. We had about 4-5 families that came by to join us. The owner was in tears and was very grateful. This was my ah ah moment, that I should get back into having my own business. I love marketing and decided that I was going to start a business helping business owners find customers. Fast forward to today, it was the best decision I have ever made. And this year, 2025, AI has exploded. The workflows we are able to create to streamline businesses to be more efficient, is just mind blowing. For example, this year we had launched an AI appointment setter in March to answer questions, and book appointments. Now in the month of August, we now have added AI Voice inbound/outbound sales/receptionist to handle objection handling, Generating custom quotes & estimates, Locating nearest stores, hours, and business info, Searching internal knowledge bases, Answering FAQs with 24/7 accuracy, Creating tickets directly in your support system, Managing inventory and availability just to name a few. We have grown specializing in SEO + AI. I personally wanted to incorporate Ai into my business transparency. A key item that helps develop trust. When we can pull back the curtain and show the customers what we are doing, show them how there money is being spent, they will naturally form a trust. A trust that will endure a relationship for years to come.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road hasn’t always been smooth. Initially when we were starting, we believed that taking on every customer meant we were making progress. We quickly learned, that wasn’t true. Taking on clients who didn’t align with our values or vision created more challenges than opportunities. Over time, we became intentional about who we work with, making sure we understood their goals and weather we were the right fit to help them grow and succeed. That shift was difficult, but it taught us the importance of clarity, alignment, and having the mind set to say “no, were not a good fit” when necessary.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
These are all great questions. My company Ephrata Solutions, we specialize in two areas we love: SEO and AI Automation. Our reputation is built not only on delivering results, but also on the way we do business, with transparency and integrity. As a Christian based company, we believe trust is the foundation of every client relationship.
What truly sets us apart is how openly we work with our clients. Every customer receives access to a personal back office dashboard, where they can log in anytime and see exactly what’s happening with the services they’ve invested in. Unlike most agencies that keep their process behind closed doors, we show you the steps along the way.
When it comes to SEO, for example, we recommend two meetings per month:
-One meeting is to review performance. What we accomplished, hurdles we overcame, and how we’re moving your business closer to page one of Google.
-A second meeting focused on alignment, checking in on your vision, understanding any changes your facing, and ensuring our strategy stays locked in on your goals.
In short, we don’t just say “trust me”, We show you how your money is being used to grow your business.
What I am most proud of goes beyond business. We’ve been blessed with opportunities to support non-profits and children’s organizations, giving back to the communities were part of. And on the business side, nothing is more rewarding than helping B2B companies grow. Watching their goals turn into measurable results.
At the end of the day, our mission is simple: to use technology and strategy to make a real difference, weather that’s helping a child or helping a company break through in their market.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding a mentor has been one of the most valuable decisions in my entrepreneurial journey. A good mentor not only shares the lessons they’ve learned but also helps you avoid costly mistakes in time, money, and energy. Their experiences can shorten your learning curve and accelerate your growth. I personally have four mentors, and each one has played a key role in shaping how I operate. The key is to invest in yourself. Be coachable, stay humble, and remain hungry. You might stumble and fall along the way, but if you stay diligent and refuse to quit, you’ll eventually win.
Networking is awesome and equally important. Success requires stepping out of your comfort zone and meeting new people. Not everyone you meet will need your product or service, but almost everyone knows someone who might. That’s why I always ask. Because the right introduction often comes from an unexpected place. If you don’t ask, you will miss out on the opportunities waiting for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ephratasolutions.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084691762878&sk=photos
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-lewallen-a52693222/
Image Credits
I would like to give credit to my wife for supporting me through the ups and downs. For helping me trust the Lord and stay focus on what really matters. And for the members at my local church. Saying the right words when I needed to hear them and always giving glory to God.
