James Lanham of Lima on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to James Lanham. Check out our conversation below.

James, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
While I believe intelligence, energy, and integrity all play essential roles in success, I place the highest importance on integrity. The reason is simple: intelligence and energy without integrity can be dangerous. Someone can be brilliant and work tirelessly, but if their motives or actions lack honesty and accountability, those qualities can quickly lead to harm rather than progress.

Integrity is the foundation of trust. It’s what ensures that intelligence is used to solve real problems instead of cutting corners, and that energy is directed toward building something sustainable instead of chasing shortcuts. With integrity as the compass, intelligence becomes sharper and more impactful, and energy becomes more purposeful.

I’ve learned in both business and life that people remember how you treat them and whether your word holds weight. Integrity is what earns long-term partnerships, repeat customers, and loyal teams. Energy fuels the journey, intelligence shapes the strategy, but integrity ensures the destination is one worth arriving at.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is James Lanham, and at my core, I’m an entrepreneur who thrives on building businesses that solve real problems and create long-term value. Over the years, I’ve founded and grown multiple companies across very different industries—from garage door services with Ohio Garage Door Guru, to digital marketing with Position Punisher Agency, and transformational coaching to help other business owners reach their full potential.

What makes my work unique is that I don’t just talk about growth strategies—I prove them in my own companies first. I treat each business as both a service to the community and a live case study, where I can test strategies, refine systems, and then pass on what works. This ‘practice what you preach’ approach ensures my team and I aren’t just offering theories; we’re offering solutions that have already delivered results.

At Position Punisher Agency, for example, we specialize in helping businesses dominate their markets through SEO, creative branding, and innovative ad placements, such as digital billboards. Meanwhile, my service brands, like Garage Door Guru, demonstrate how those same strategies can be applied on the ground to build trust, attract customers, and scale locally.

What excites me most right now is the intersection between technology, marketing, and service. I’m constantly working on ways to bridge those worlds so that small and mid-sized businesses can compete at the same level as much larger corporations. My story is really about proving that with the right strategy, relentless execution, and integrity at the center, you can build companies that not only succeed but also leave a positive impact on customers, employees, and communities alike.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that has served its purpose and must now be released is the tendency to try and carry everything on my own shoulders. In the early stages of building businesses, that mindset was necessary—I had to be the strategist, the technician, the marketer, and the problem-solver all at once. That level of control and self-reliance taught me resilience, resourcefulness, and an incredible work ethic.

But as I’ve grown as a leader and entrepreneur, I’ve realized that same mindset can become a bottleneck. If you don’t let go of control and learn to trust others, you not only limit your business’s growth, you limit your own. Holding on to the ‘I’ll do it myself’ attitude can keep you stuck in the trenches instead of creating the vision and leading from the front.

Now, I’m learning to release that part of myself—to embrace delegation, collaboration, and trust. Instead of being the one who does it all, I want to be the one who empowers others to shine. By letting go of the old survival-driven approach, I create space for a new phase of growth—one where my energy goes toward strategy, mentorship, and impact, rather than micromanagement.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there have been moments where I came close to giving up. Entrepreneurship isn’t a straight path upward—it’s full of setbacks, financial stress, long nights, and times when it feels like the odds are stacked against you. One of the hardest times for me was when I was trying to balance building multiple businesses at once. There were days when the pressure of cash flow, client demands, and the responsibility of leading teams made me question if it was all worth it.

What kept me from walking away was remembering why I started in the first place. I didn’t get into business to make money—I got into it to create freedom, to provide real value to people, and to prove that you can build something lasting from scratch. In those low moments, I reminded myself that the struggle is part of the process—that no meaningful success comes without adversity.

Looking back, I see those ‘almost gave up’ moments as turning points. They forced me to get sharper with my strategy, more disciplined with my time, and more focused on building systems instead of burning myself out. Instead of breaking me, they became the fuel for growth. I wouldn’t be where I am today without those moments of doubt, because they taught me resilience, humility, and the ability to push forward even when it would have been easier to quit.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I’ve worked in both the service industry and the marketing world, and I’ve noticed that both like to tell themselves lies to make business sound easier than it really is.

In marketing, the biggest lie is that there are ‘secret hacks’ or magic tricks that will deliver overnight success. Agencies love to dangle instant results, but sustainable growth has never been about shortcuts—it’s about strategy, execution, and consistency. Another lie is that more traffic automatically means more success. If you can’t convert visitors into customers, or if the business isn’t ready to handle the demand, all that traffic is meaningless.

In the service industry, the common lie is that customers only care about the cheapest price. Companies cut corners, race to the bottom, and justify poor workmanship by saying ‘that’s what people want.’ The truth is, most customers care about reliability, honesty, and getting the job done right. Another false belief is that speed is everything. People want fast service, yes, but not at the expense of safety, transparency, or long-term quality.

The reason I run my businesses differently is because I’ve seen what happens when companies lean on those lies—they might make a quick sale, but they never build loyalty. My philosophy is simple: tell the truth, deliver the value you promise, and earn trust through results. Whether it’s through Position Punisher Agency helping businesses dominate online, or Garage Door Guru serving families in Ohio, the mission is the same—no gimmicks, no shortcuts, just real solutions that last

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What pain do you resist facing directly?
The pain I’ve often resisted facing directly is the fear of letting people down—especially those who depend on me in business and in life. As someone who has built multiple companies from the ground up, there’s an internal pressure to always have the answers, always deliver results, and always protect the people and teams who rely on me. That can make it tempting to avoid confronting mistakes, weaknesses, or difficult conversations because I worry about the impact on others.

But over time, I’ve learned that resisting this pain only creates bigger problems. Avoiding tough conversations or sweeping challenges under the rug doesn’t protect anyone—it delays growth and erodes trust. The lesson has been to face that discomfort head-on, to admit when I don’t have all the answers, and to tackle problems honestly and openly. It’s painful, yes, but those moments are where real leadership and real growth happen. By confronting the fear instead of avoiding it, I’ve been able to build stronger teams, stronger businesses, and a stronger sense of integrity in everything I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.samedaygaragedoorlimaohio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samedaygaragedoorlima.ohio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576820225446
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/same-day-garage-door-lima
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PositionPunisherAgency
• Other: https://www.columbusdailytribune.com/article/844420154-entrepreneur-james-lanham-builds-multiple-ohio-businesses-while-proving-seo-power-through-his-position-punisher-agency

Image Credits
James Lanham