Josh, a self-described “connector”, always wanted to be his own boss. Even in college, he never held a traditional job – instead, he and his brother Seth (CESJDS Class of ’88) converted an old post office truck into an ice cream truck and sold treats around the University of Wisconsin, Madison campus and neighborhoods.Unsatisfied with the job prospects directly out of college, Josh continued to pursue his dream of owning his own company. In 1994, he created Granny’s Goodies, a company that delivered care packages and gifts full of delicacies to any address in the U.S. Then, in 2004, Josh started On Sale Promos and became a full time, self-described “tchochke peddler”, selling promotional products, awards and uniforms to businesses and organizations looking to buy personalized promotional materials. His motto, “We Hook our People Up”, extends into both his professional and personal life, from mentoring business students and start-up entrepreneurs to being a resource to family and friends in connecting them with his business contacts both in DC and globally.
Josh is often invited to speak to business school students at the George Washington University and the University of Maryland who participate in entrepreneurship classes and to judge business plan competitions. He also creates opportunities for young business owners by employing interns. As the President of the Washington, D.C., chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, Josh works with leading entrepreneurs in the DC Metro area to help bring in successful business and community leaders to speak to his EO chapter to help his members learn from some of the most successful people in our country.
“JDS gave me a lot of social confidence,” Josh says. “The small environment gave me the ability to understand people, and relationships are crucial in business. My senior trip to Israel made for a great foundation of being comfortable with myself, which has helped me succeed in so many ways.”
Josh lives in DC Metro area with his wife Kathy, children Maxwell and Delilah, and his doggie Foxy Frey.