Story & Lesson Highlights with Jon Cunningham of Atlanta

We recently had the chance to connect with Jon Cunningham and have shared our conversation below.

Jon, 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?
My father was a very successful businessman, and he always emphasized one principle above all else: integrity. His motto was, “Always do what you say you’re going to do.” Intelligence and energy are important, but for me, integrity will always stand above the rest. It’s a value I’ve carried into my own business — making sure that every commitment to a client, partner, or team member is one they can count on.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As a business owner, I’d describe myself as detail-oriented and forward-thinking, but always grounded in integrity. I believe in being reliable, clear, and approachable, so clients and partners know they can count on me to deliver what I promise.

My drafting business, Innerwall Company, focuses on producing high-quality shop drawings for architectural metal projects — from metal roofing and ACM to insulated panels, fiber-cement, and other cladding systems. What sets us apart is accuracy and dependability. Architects, contractors, and manufacturers trust us because we make their jobs easier with drawings that are precise, practical, and delivered on time.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
It’s funny — I could easily say my parents, since my dad ran a large corporation and my mom owned a successful restaurant. But the person who taught me the most about hard work was my grandfather.

Starting around age 12, I spent summers with my grandparents in Panama City, Florida, where my grandfather ran a thriving electrical contracting business. Times were different then, so I’d tag along on job sites — running tools, cleaning the shop, learning how to assemble ceiling fans, and even starting to read blueprints. Most importantly, I learned discipline: being up at 5 a.m., often with one of his fried bologna sandwiches, ready to put in a full day’s work. Those summers shaped my work ethic in a way I’ve carried with me ever since.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I’ve tried my hand at several businesses over the years and spent time in corporate roles within the industry, but nothing compares to running your own company. Owning a business can be both exciting and scary — at times it feels like walking across a bridge where the planks are being laid just as you step forward. Mistakes are inevitable, but they’re also the best teachers.

We recently celebrated Innerwall Company’s 20th anniversary, and looking back, I see how those “hard knock” moments became stepping stones to real success. Today, those lessons have turned into big wins — not just for us, but for the wonderful clients we’re proud to serve.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
I’m the same person with my clients as I am with my wife, friends, or even strangers I meet on the street, and I think that’s the only way to be. One of my longest clients has been with us since day one, 20 years ago, and we’ve become close friends. Many others have been with us nearly as long. At the end of the day, it’s not just business to business. It all comes down to people and the relationships you build.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
Other than the shop drawings, my favorite part is the in-between moments of catching up with clients. Even if I retired tomorrow, I’d still keep in touch with many of them because the relationships go far beyond the work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://innerwallcompany.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/innerwallcompany
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@innerwallcompany