Joe Howard, founder of WP Buffs and host of the WPMRR podcast, shares his journey from high school math teacher to successful entrepreneur in the WordPress space. Learn how Joe built a thriving business by providing 24/7 website management services and empowering others through educational resources.
Getting to Know Joe Howard
Hi, I’m Joe Howard! Born and raised in Washington, DC, I now live there with my wife, Sterling, and our dog, Marvin. I’m passionate about technology, business, and sci-fi books. My company, WP Buffs, provides around-the-clock website management services to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and WordPress agencies. We also run WPMRR, a training course and podcast focused on building monthly recurring revenue (MRR) for WordPress professionals.
What is WP Buffs?
WP Buffs was founded in 2015 with a mission to deliver comprehensive 24/7 WordPress website management services. We cater to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and offer a white-label program for agencies and freelancers. The white-label program allows our partners to provide their clients with 24/7 maintenance while we handle the heavy lifting behind the scenes.
The Path to WP Buffs
After a career that included teaching high school math and working in digital marketing startups, I discovered my passion for WordPress. I initially built websites as a freelancer, but struggled to scale the business. Shifting to a subscription-based model for ongoing website maintenance allowed me to offer unlimited support for a flat monthly fee, laying the foundation for WP Buffs.
WPMRR: Empowering WordPress Professionals
WPMRR, an offshoot of WP Buffs, offers a video course that teaches agencies and freelancers how to sell WordPress care plans and increase monthly recurring revenue. We started WPMRR after realizing some professionals wanted to manage their clients’ websites in-house rather than partner with us. Our resources include a course, webinars (in collaboration with partners like Liquid Web), and the WPMRR podcast featuring industry leaders from companies such as HubSpot, GoDaddy, and more.
Why Joe Loves His Work
For me, the best part of running WP Buffs is working with an amazing team. Transitioning from daily operations to big-picture management was daunting, but I found joy in helping my team grow and become their most productive selves. Our distributed team continues to thrive, with regular meetups in cities like Berlin and a strong commitment to creating a supportive workplace.
Career Highlights
One of my proudest accomplishments is growing WP Buffs to support a team of 10+ people. Knowing that our work provides for our team members’ livelihoods—enabling them to buy homes, afford healthcare, and achieve financial security—brings me immense satisfaction. Building a company that supports its employees while maintaining a remote-first culture is something I never thought I could achieve without working for a large corporation.
Joe’s Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Building a business is challenging, but surrounding yourself with smart, driven, and friendly people can make all the difference. Networking and fostering relationships with others in your industry provide valuable support when you encounter obstacles. Remember, you can’t do it alone—lean on your community, stay resilient, and keep moving forward.
Stay Connected
For more on Joe Howard and WP Buffs, visit WP Buffs or check out the WPMRR podcast. Joe’s insights and the company’s services offer valuable guidance for anyone interested in website management or growing their MRR.
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Further Reading: If you enjoyed this, don’t miss our interview with Raleigh, another young professional excelling in partnerships and affiliate marketing.
