Maxwell Men Business

[treemom]

The name fits the kinda hip names of interactive/digital agencies. But I think they might be a one trick pony and just always think magneto! An otter is quick, agile and smart. It's the most unique thing I have ever heard

[nokidsmom]

The name fits the kinda hip names of interactive/digital agencies. But I think they might be a one trick pony and just always think magneto! An otter is quick, agile and smart. It's the most unique thing I have ever heard

The name is hip sounding that I agree but hip and Maxwell together is something that does not compute, no pun intended. I guess that what I meant when I said I didn't get the name.

Their businesses always seem to be one trick ponies, very limiting and with their rules for clients such as Christopher's photography business, it's even more so. I can only imagine what their rules for web design and clients would be. And Joseph's client interaction? Does he begin with: where are you going when you die?

[Dru]

What an odd name for them to pick.

Didn't he have another website that he made relating something similar to this? It was made with someone else?

I wonder if these websites are him testing skills out.

Yeah, I can't remember if it was a different incarnation of swift otter or something else, but we've definitely seen a web design "business" by the Max boys at one point. For some reason I'm thinking it was red something.

[sparkles]

Went to the site and don't get the name but I like the logo with the otter mainly because I am partial to otters.

Anyhoo, I gotta ask why being active on stackoverflow is being presented as if it's a qualification. And why would he link to his answers presumably for the same reason? Personally I would expect that a programmer would be active on such a community as a matter of course, not something that would have to be a selling point.

Also and while I know that he's trying to attract the right guilible client but I would think advertising his faith as another type of qualification would come off as offputting and/or irrelevant to a lot of others. Especially in a tech oriented service.

I definitely think he puts the whole Jesus thing front and center because he DOES want it to be offputting. There are definitely Christians who only want to patronize other Christians so having a statement of faith as your first qualification would probably be a plus. Win for Joseph. Those who find it offputting and would pass him by are the kinds of clients Joseph wouldn't want anyway. Another win for Joseph. He's a bit smarter than your average bear, I'd say, (or at least smarter than Christopher who originally could have been accused of discriminatory practices by stating so firmly who he would and would not consider working with) since he's making is so that his potential customers disqualify themselves. Passive-aggressive discrimination. GENIUS!

[Palimpsest]

Do you think the reason Christopher modified his criteria and changed his website to hide them better was because he was actually accused of discriminatory practices? That would be interesting.

[anjulibai]

Do you think the reason Christopher modified his criteria and changed his website to hide them better was because he was actually accused of discriminatory practices? That would be interesting.

Now that is an interesting question. He could get sued at some point.

[nokidsmom]

I definitely think he puts the whole Jesus thing front and center because he DOES want it to be offputting. There are definitely Christians who only want to patronize other Christians so having a statement of faith as your first qualification would probably be a plus. Win for Joseph. Those who find it offputting and would pass him by are the kinds of clients Joseph wouldn't want anyway. Another win for Joseph. He's a bit smarter than your average bear, I'd say, (or at least smarter than Christopher who originally could have been accused of discriminatory practices by stating so firmly who he would and would not consider working with) since he's making is so that his potential customers disqualify themselves. Passive-aggressive discrimination. GENIUS!

Good point. This saves him the trouble of weeding out those undesirables and avoiding any possible trouble Christopher may have had with his "rules".

However, there's been speculation that their various businesses have not been doing particularly well, including their conferences. There's a number of closed businesses under their name. It seems they are doing the same ol stuff different day when it comes to their approach and if the Christian clients are not beating a path to their door with one business, it's probably not going to be different with another.

[salex]

The name fits the kinda hip names of interactive/digital agencies. But I think they might be a one trick pony and just always think magneto! An otter is quick, agile and smart. It's the most unique thing I have ever heard

writeups.org/fiche.php?id=5277

Swift Otter - Pre-Crisis DC Comics - Navy diver

Swift Otter is a US Navy combat swimmer and underwater demolition specialist with extensive combat experience. As such he’s adept at swimming discreetly into enemy ports to blow up warships, clear underwater obstacles and mines, sneak onto beaches at night to reconnoitre and check for mines, etc. He’s a very fit man and a superior hand-to-hand fighter, once taking on three trained soldiers in a melee and winning. . . .

Would Steve have read DC Comics as a kid?

[nokidsmom]

writeups.org/fiche.php?id=5277

Would Steve have read DC Comics as a kid?

Interesting, I will have to ask Mr. No, aka the Resident Comics Geek about this.

[nelliebelle1197]

Now that is an interesting question. He could get sued at some point.

He could only get sued if he was discriminating against a protected class. He could not get sued because someone wants to have a bar at a wedding and immodest dresses, and he refuses to shoot it. That is why that bakery in the PNW could not be sued by the lesbians for whom they refused service; sexual identity is not currently protected. Strapless dresses are not a protected class. Frankly, if someone sued Christopher for turning them down because his religious beliefs precluded them from his customer base, he is the one with the protection. If he refused an Orthodox Jewish wedding, though, or a Mormon wedding, both of which would likely meet his standard, because he is discriminating. However, he could claim it was religious refusal as well. So I doubt there could be a legitimate suit filed.

[Justme]

What happened to Communications Concepts (or whatever the heck the "family" business name was)??? Did that go out of business or are they running both? :shrug:

Does anybody else ever have a desire to print out their copy, edit it, and snail mail it back to them??? :whistle:

[Palimpsest]

He could only get sued if he was discriminating against a protected class. He could not get sued because someone wants to have a bar at a wedding and immodest dresses, and he refuses to shoot it. That is why that bakery in the PNW could not be sued by the lesbians for whom they refused service; sexual identity is not currently protected. Strapless dresses are not a protected class. Frankly, if someone sued Christopher for turning them down because his religious beliefs precluded them from his customer base, he is the one with the protection. If he refused an Orthodox Jewish wedding, though, or a Mormon wedding, both of which would likely meet his standard, because he is discriminating. However, he could claim it was religious refusal as well. So I doubt there could be a legitimate suit filed.

Oh, I wasn't thinking of a successful law suit necessarily. Just that he got scared by other wedding cases (like the cake-maker and wedding dress ones). I can't remember, did he ever state he'd only photograph one man and one woman weddings? He'd claim religious refusal but he might have got nervous that someone might set him up for a discrimination case.

The stuff I do remember him editing out was about only photographing first marriages, apparently widow(ers) need not apply.

To my joy, he is still willing to photograph immodestly dressed grooms and groomsmen. They could turn up stark nekkid and be within his criteria. :D

[salex]

What happened to Communications Concepts (or whatever the heck the "family" business name was)??? Did that go out of business or are they running both? :shrug:

Does anybody else ever have a desire to print out their copy, edit it, and snail mail it back to them??? :whistle:

Here you go.

.we-communicate.com/

Links to

IT Support via Nathan Maxwell

Mentor-based IT Training via ITOnRamp.com

Photography via ChristopherMaxwell.com

[Coco]

I definitely think he puts the whole Jesus thing front and center because he DOES want it to be offputting. There are definitely Christians who only want to patronize other Christians so having a statement of faith as your first qualification would probably be a plus. Win for Joseph. Those who find it offputting and would pass him by are the kinds of clients Joseph wouldn't want anyway. Another win for Joseph. He's a bit smarter than your average bear, I'd say, (or at least smarter than Christopher who originally could have been accused of discriminatory practices by stating so firmly who he would and would not consider working with) since he's making is so that his potential customers disqualify themselves. Passive-aggressive discrimination. GENIUS!

That makes a lot of sense. At the same time telling customers that religion is the business owners' #1 priority can be done with grace. The way it's written is incredibly confrontational. I self-identify as a Christian, as far as following the peaceful (honestly, liberal) teachings of Jesus -- i wouldn't mind using another believer's business. BUT i would not use the Maxwell business even if I had never heard of them from FJ. Something seems off about them. Something seems insecure and professionally lacking. It's not just the terrible writing. And they're so fun to joke about. :lol: i deleted my earlier snarky comments because i was too mean.

Joseph's defensive way of proclaiming his white-fisted grip on religion just smacks of insecurity. It really seems like their businesses are suffering for being awkwardly religious but they still believe they have to be forceful about proclaiming it the #1 thing or risk offending their God.

[salex]

One thing I've seen over the years of having a variety of employees, contractors, partners and clients in business. When a business person makes a point of introducing faith into the business discussion before the business in the business discussion, BEWARE! Either they are just all around religious nuts, which will get old soon, OR they are relying on you hiring them because you share their faith, which means they may or may not be competent but if you find they are not then, how could a brother in christ fire them OR they are planning to screw you to the wall as hard as they can.

Some of the most vocally "Christian" business people we've known have 1) set up their company in their wife's name and only worked as a contractor, never an employee to avoid liens and garnishment from previous "christian business" they had done. 2) when they accidentally received 35000 dollars instead of 3500 dollars as a distribution from our 401K managing company (we had a 3rd party manage all that) cashed the check and used it for day trading. When contacted about the overage, said, yes, they would pay it back (and eventually did) but that they had felt no compulsion to report the overpayment because they felt God wanted them to use the money until the managing company noticed their error. 3) "neglected" to deposit 401 deductions from checks because the language said "must be deposited in a reasonable time" or some such, which this manager decided meant within the quarter, or so. When employees noticed in their statements, was angry and amazed that they were upset he had not deposited their withholding amounts and wanted that plus lost earnings, but wanted to fire the 3 employees who first noticed and complained for not being "team players." After all, he was a christian and how dare they think he was being dishonest. (he never understood how close he came to losing everything on that move). 4) Allowed a young realtor to show office space and declined it, then 6 months later went back to the same property, which was owned by a fellow church member and cut a deal directly that meant paying d 30-40 percent more than the realtor could have got the property for the company. I will never know if this Christian was getting a kick back or not... but it was certainly putting himself and his fellow "christian" friend ahead of both the company and his agreement with the realtor.

Then there is my observation .

It is always the people who are most adamant about how important Christ is to their salvation, how He paid the ultimate price, how he is the most critical figure in the universe because of his suffering, death and Resurrection which is the only thing that saves them from eternal hell who are the fastest to use Jesus, their lord and saviour, as a marketing Gimmick.

:?

[fundiefan]

Bolding is mine.

Everyone, raise your hands if you think Sarah wrote this.

Sarah probably but regardless it has Maxwell stamped all over it.

And the whole Christian thing is first because that is who they cater to. They know they can't compete in the real world so they get the people who look for Christian businesses to support. Just like all their other 'verntures'. Hell, look at Chris and his 'photography'. His skills are terrible yet he travels the country to take pictures at Christian weddings. What, these people have no local photographers? I don't think that's it. It's all in the Christian label.

They are marketing Christianity and making money off it.

[rural juror]

Interesting! I wonder why this business is not promoted on the Titus2 website. Or John's business, for that matter. Especially since they take every opportunity to promote 1TonRamp, Chris's photography business and all their other endeavors....

[anjulibai]

Interesting! I wonder why this business is not promoted on the Titus2 website. Or John's business, for that matter. Especially since they take every opportunity to promote 1TonRamp, Chris's photography business and all their other endeavors....

That's a good question. It does seem odd that they don't mention either.

[Palimpsest]

That's a good question. It does seem odd that they don't mention either.

Communication Concepts is the umbrella corporation controlled by, guess who, Stevehovah.

Pretty much everything Maxwell links back to it if you look at the small print, with the possible exception of some of Nathan's free lance work. 1Tonramp, Chris Maxwell Photography, Maxwell and Sons Construction, the Maxwell publications (including Sarah's Moody books), and any other small business ideas that they float periodically all link back to it. I doubt that swiftotter is an exception to this rule.

They don't promote it because Steve wants to pretend that the boys are all independent, debt-free, house purchasing, small business owners. Nah. Again, with the possible exception of "some" of Nathan's contracts, the adult "children" are still subservient to Steve's spiritual and financial control.

[Tangy Bee]

I'm sorry but I still don't see how the Maxwell sons are making enough to support a family plus utilities. Joe must have started saving his money when he was "very" young to buy a house debt free.Steve must have been paying them money for helping out with all those conferences over the years. It's just hard to believe Chris can support his GROWING family by just taking pictures. I know plenty of photographers who make a good living...but they aren't picky about who or what they photograph. Oh and what does John do for a living?? He has a nice truck!

[Rosie]

I noticed the writing was disjointed as well. It says Chris does the client interactions, does that mean he prostelyzes to them? And Jesse is the Frontend person. I wonder what their clients would think if they knew Jesse has to run to his mommy and have her unblock a website he needs access to.

Yes.

Is "frontend" one word?

Also, Memo to Joseph: The possessive for the pronoun it is "its," not "it's." The latter is a conjunction for "it is."

[thoughtful]

I noticed the writing was disjointed as well. It says Chris does the client interactions, does that mean he prostelyzes to them? And Jesse is the Frontend person. I wonder what their clients would think if they knew Jesse has to run to his mommy and have her unblock a website he needs access to.

Like all of the Maxwell men . . .

[twin2]

I'm sorry but I still don't see how the Maxwell sons are making enough to support a family plus utilities. Joe must have started saving his money when he was "very" young to buy a house debt free.Steve must have been paying them money for helping out with all those conferences over the years. It's just hard to believe Chris can support his GROWING family by just taking pictures. I know plenty of photographers who make a good living...but they aren't picky about who or what they photograph. Oh and what does John do for a living?? He has a nice truck!

Is he the one who claims he can design irrigation systems since he read a book on the matter and, because Jesus?

[gardenvarietycitizen]

They make e-commerce websites (sites for selling stuff online).

As to only having 3 websites in their portfolio - my husband said that isn't really indicative of anything. He doesn't have any type of portfolio on his website. A lot of the time there isn't anything in it for the client to let you use their name on your website so they won't allow it.

Although, as nutty as they are, it's very possible they've only had 3 clients and 1 is their Dad...

It always looks bad to have only three websites in your portfolio, though. If you've only got that few (even if the reason is because you're so amazing that all of your super rich high powered influential clients don't want you to use their names for fear your brilliance will outshine them) it's better to just not have a portfolio listing at all, because at least then it looks like you left it out on purpose.

Their old construction site had the same problem - they put a blog on it, and then didn't maintain the blog, so that it had a whopping total of maybe 4 projects, all of which were in-house jobs, and the last one being years in the past. Did they have more jobs than that? Quite possibly (and I'll say that the work they show off on the main Tits2 blog on Joseph's house looks plenty fine and quality to me). But having a dead blog like that is just bad for your image, and bad for business.

No website is better than a DEAD website, same story. The dead websites or blogs with 4 old stale entries or portfolios with 3 projects just look like you scraped together all you could and you think this is good.

After reading their site, I do have to ask. Who writes my copy if they create the site? Because after reading this, it can't be them.

Also very much this. With the construction biz, a crappy website still hurts business but at least you can think "well, maybe their building skills are good, even if their website is horribly written." When your business IS making websites? Your own website should be best of breed, and this... isn't.

Hell, I can't write to save my life, and I work so far on the back end (or "rear end" I guess - ha!) I can't even see the front end from here. If *I* find your web site to be stilted and weirdly dead, that's bad news!

Interesting! I wonder why this business is not promoted on the Titus2 website. Or John's business, for that matter.

Makes me wonder if this and John's business are more officially dead than the others? I don't know.

Though given the general quality of their main site, they might just not even notice the inconsistency. They have inconsistencies ALL OVER, from the slightly changing name of their businesses vs. the websites, onward. "Communications Concepts" vs "we-communicate.com," the dead websites where every other page on the same site has a different CSS, it's just... very scattered.

They all give off that strong whiff of "works for Dad, not a real job."

[Palimpsest]

I think the Maxwell Communication Concepts empire is a family business that survives on the proceeds of the books, chore packs, love offerings at conferences, and flogging their computer stuff to Christians who only want to be taught by special Christians and don't realize they could get the same information more cheaply elsewhere. Daddy controls the pay and doles out extra money if a suitable bride comes along and we need to pretend manly man supports wifey debt-free? Nathan may have found a tiny bit of independence through free lance work, and Chris some pocket money from his wedding photos, but the others all seem complete failures.

I'm far from an expert on this stuff but Steve is very shrewd. What are the chances that John's Irrigation Business, Maxwell Construction, and SwiftOtter are just fake starter businesses (perhaps based on a couple of contracted projects) but designed to fail for the tax write-off? In all cases they look like high school projects on the "design your imaginary business website for credit" type. They really don't look like going concerns and Maxwell Construction has already officially folded.

Given dwindling interest in all the Maxwell products (they are really getting so stale) this can't last for ever.