Jim Mitte, CEO and Founder, Turtlehut Internet Marketing
As a growing digital marketing agency, every minute counts. When you’re juggling client campaigns, sales calls, and daily operations, time spent managing the phones can quickly add up.
We’ve been doing internet marketing for over 15 years, working primarily in the multi-location and franchise space from our base in Detroit, Michigan. Like most founders, I’ve worn just about every hat imaginable. Everything from chief coffee maker to strategist and business developer. What I love most about Turtlehut is helping small businesses grow. That’s always been my passion, and I’ve built a company that lets me live that passion every day.
Watch the full Turtlehut customer story
The challenge: missed calls and wasted time
Before AnswerConnect, we had a full-time receptionist whose primary job was to sit at the front desk and handle incoming calls. But even then, calls often went unanswered.
When that happened, they would be routed to the rest of the team, disrupting their work. Many of those calls weren’t even useful: wrong numbers, telemarketers, or solicitation calls.
We were spending time and money handling calls that didn’t add value. It was frustrating. I realized something had to change when I was paying hundreds of dollars a month for a phone system nobody used, while calls were still being missed.
The switch: a lightbulb moment
At that point, I had what I like to call a double epiphany. I could reallocate resources internally and get rid of a phone system that was a constant headache.
When I spoke with Karen from AnswerConnect, she helped me understand how the service could evolve with our business. It wasn’t just an answering service; it was a smarter, more cost-effective way to handle communication.
The relationship with Karen and AnswerConnect’s strong reputation in the franchise space made the choice simple. The service was also cost-effective, fully onshore, and staffed by American-first receptionists. I didn’t like that our auto attendant made us sound impersonal. I wanted real people on the line.
The difference: every call handled, every minute saved
Now with AnswerConnect, things run smoothly. They take all those junk calls, and honestly, I have no idea how they handle them because we never even see them.
When a caller asks for me, my phone rings and a friendly voice says, “Hi Jim, this is Bob from your answering service. I have so and so for you. Would you like to take that call?”
If it’s someone I’m waiting for, I take the call. If not, I just ask them to leave a message. Within seconds, I have a clear summary in my inbox with who called and why.
That small shift has been huge for us. It completely saves my time and makes far more efficient use of everyone’s time across the organization.
The impact: better focus, better service
Since switching, the quality of our phone support has improved dramatically. Clients now reach a real human being right away, someone who can escalate the call when needed.
Just as importantly, my team isn’t being interrupted throughout the day. They know who’s calling before they pick up, so they can prepare or delegate properly.
Having that front-end layer of support means we’re not scrambling to answer random calls or giving half-baked responses. We can focus on the work that really matters: strategy, clients, and growth.
My advice to other business owners
The business landscape has changed a lot since COVID. Calls still matter, but how you handle them matters more.
We were wasting precious resources answering calls that weren’t qualified or relevant. Now, every caller gets an instant human response, handled by someone professional, knowledgeable, and fluent.
If your business depends on calls, having a real team ready to answer 24/7 is essential. For us, AnswerConnect has become that team.
Discover more
Visit Turtlehut Internet Marketing to explore their work. Contact AnswerConnect to see how a human-led answering service can help your business save time, reduce costs, and focus on growth.
