Welcome to another episode of the Business Leaders of America podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Johnathan Grzybowski, the CMO and co-founder of Penji — a creative subscription platform that’s changing the way businesses access top-tier design talent.
From bootstrapping Penji into an Inc. 5000 company serving clients like Uber and Reebok, to building a remote team of elite creatives, Johnathan shares key lessons from his entrepreneurial journey.
We also dig into what makes Penji’s customer experience stand out in a crowded market, and how Johnathan's content platforms like Dear Dads and Free Ideas are creating deeper connections beyond business.
If you’re an entrepreneur, creative leader, or just someone navigating growth, this conversation is packed with valuable perspective.
Notable Awards and Recognitions
• Co-founder and CMO of Penji, an Inc. 5000 company
• Built Penji from the ground up with no outside funding, serving thousands of clients worldwide, including brands like Reebok, Uber, Pep Boys, Kohl’s, and 1-800-Flowers.
• Developed an on-demand, unlimited design service that eliminates the need for hiring or long-term contracts, while leading a fully remote team comprised of the top 2% of creative talent.
• Host of two content platforms: Dear Dads, sharing fatherhood stories, and Free Ideas, offering daily business strategies
• Frequently featured speaker and guest on podcasts and events focused on entrepreneurship, branding, and leadership
• Recognized for championing accessibility in creative services and building strong, human-centered brand experiences
How to connect with Johnathan Grzybowski
• Email: johnathan@penji.co
• https://penji.co/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/grzybowskij/
• https://www.instagram.com/penji.co/
• https://www.instagram.com/grzybowskij/
• https://www.youtube.com/@dotpenji
• https://getfreeideas.com/
Show Notes
[1:31] Johnathan shares the origin story of Penji. What sparked the idea, how the early challenges shaped the company, and what it took to grow it into an Inc. 5000 brand serving clients like Reebok and Uber.
[7:23] We explore what it’s like managing a mostly remote team—how Johnathan leads from a distance, builds trust, and maintains a strong company culture
[9:20] Johnathan offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Penji operates, detailing the customer experience, creative workflow, and what sets their process apart in the world of on-demand design.
[16:39] Johnathan discusses his approach to attracting and retaining some of the top 2% of creative talent, and how he’s built a high-performance team culture that drives exceptional results.
[20:08] How Penji consistently delivers on its bold promise of unlimited design, without hiring hassles, long-term contracts, or missed deadlines, and the systems behind that reliability.
[22:41] Johnathan dives into the inspiration behind personal passion projects like Dear Dads and Free Ideas, and how they’ve allowed him to build deeper, more human connections beyond the business world.
[26:04] Johnathan reflects on the challenges of maintaining work-life balance as a new father, and how he’s learning to navigate the demands of entrepreneurship while being present for his growing family.
[30:54] How listeners can connect with him, learn more about Penji’s services, and explore his personal platforms like Dear Dads and Free Ideas.
[31:31] Advice to early-stage entrepreneurs on what it really takes to build something from the ground up and how to stay focused when the path gets tough.
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