Hidden Gems: Meet Eric Vaughn of One Eleven Web Design™

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Vaughn.

Hi Eric, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
The story of One Eleven Web Design kicked off on January 11, 2012, when I launched my first-ever website for Century Christian School in Lodi, California. At the time, I wasn’t a web guy—I was a construction industry sales manager with 15 years of experience and a side project building an iPhone app.

When the school couldn’t find a local web developer willing to maintain their site at a reasonable cost, a good friend (and CCS Vice Principal), Chris Finch, asked me to give it a shot. With zero experience but a lot of grit, I rolled up my sleeves and taught myself HTML & CSS to bring the site to life. The site ended up being one of the first responsive web designs in the area—mobile-friendly and forward-thinking, just like the school’s vision.

After it launched, word started to spread. Chris kept asking, “So, what’s your company called?” I shrugged it off—I wasn’t planning to start a business. But Chris wasn’t having it. He just smiled and said, “You don’t know the plans that God has for you.”

Meanwhile, my wife, Tracy, was encouraging me to lean into web design, too. I resisted at first, but eventually gave in with a reluctant laugh: “Fine… the name’s Red Truck Studios.”

The name came from my 1963 VW Crewcab I had to sell during the 2007 crash just to keep the mortgage paid. As the brand took shape, the name evolved into Red Truck Designs, and with it came the first tagline: “Go out and surf the web…”

I stamped the bottom of that first website with “Built by Red Truck”, and sure enough—people started reaching out. By 2014, I had a full business plan and a goal to go solo in four years. But momentum had its own timeline. Within a year, the side hustle outgrew nights and weekends. I walked into my boss’s office and made it official—Red Truck became a full-time business.

Then came a new chapter—and a new name.

On January 11, 2018, exactly six years after that first website launched, we rebranded as One Eleven Web Design—a name that honors not just the day the business began, but something even more personal. I met my wife, Tracy, on January 11, 1996. So for us, one-eleven is more than just a date—it’s a symbol of new beginnings, bold choices, and the unexpected turns that lead to something great.

One year later, I cruised down to Huntington Beach to pick up another VW bus, bringing the story full circle. We’ve been wrenching on that little bus ever since.

Just like our web design business, it’s a work in progress—built with passion, care, and a drive to keep moving forward.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all — it’s definitely been a challenge at times. The hardest part of entrepreneurship isn’t the work — it’s the responsibility. Every challenge has shaped the leader I needed to become. There have been months where everything felt like the waves were rolling in our favor, and other months where it felt like I was getting tossed around just trying to stay upright.

Learning to code, working with clients, and having the drive to work for myself was actually the easy part. The harder lessons came from learning how to truly run a business — carrying the stress of payroll, making sure there’s money in the bank, and building something stable enough to get through the slow months.

In the beginning, I was building websites for $3–5k per project, but the cash flow was always unpredictable. Some months we were doing great, and other months it was tight. And as soon as one project wrapped up, I was immediately focused on finding the next one just to keep things moving.

That experience is what led us to shift into a subscription model. It leveled out the cash flow, allowed us to build long-term relationships, and most importantly, aligned our goals with our customers — because when they grow, we grow too.

We’ve been impressed with One Eleven Web Design™, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
One Eleven Web Design™ is a web design and development agency based in Stockton, California, with an office location in El Segundo in the South Bay. We build custom-coded websites for service-based businesses and organizations that want a site that looks great, loads fast, ranks well on Google, and is built to be accessible for everyone.

What we’re known for is taking the “overwhelming” parts of having a website — design, updates, ADA compliance, SEO, hosting, and ongoing support — and making it simple and dependable. A lot of business owners get stuck with a website that looks nice but doesn’t perform, or they’re afraid to touch it because every small change turns into an expensive bill. I built One Eleven to solve that.

One of the biggest things that sets us apart is our subscription model. Instead of charging a large upfront fee and disappearing after launch, we stay involved. Our clients get unlimited updates, ongoing support, and a long-term partner who’s invested in their growth — not just a one-time project.

We also take accessibility seriously. ADA compliance isn’t just a checkbox for us — it’s part of building a better web, and it protects businesses while making their sites usable for more people. Pair that with strong local SEO and performance-focused development, and it creates a website that actually works as a business tool.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud that I’ve built a company that’s both creative and consistent — a team that cares about the details, shows up for our clients, and helps businesses grow without the stress and confusion that usually comes with having a website.

If readers take anything from our story, I’d want them to know this: a website shouldn’t feel like a headache or a mystery. It should feel like a foundation you can build on — and a partner you can trust behind it.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My best advice is to be intentional and consistent. Networking isn’t about collecting contacts, it’s about building real relationships over time.

For me, what worked best was joining groups where people met regularly and held each other accountable. I was part of BNI for years, and it taught me how to clearly communicate what I do, build trust, and create long-term referral relationships. I’ve also been involved in local Chambers of Commerce, which helped me connect with business owners and community leaders outside of my immediate industry.

When it comes to finding a mentor, I’ve learned it’s important to seek out people who are genuinely ahead of you — people who have already built what you’re trying to build. The best mentors are the ones who are willing to be honest with you, challenge you, and share what they’ve learned. Sometimes they aren’t even in your industry, but they can still push your thinking and strengthen your decision-making.

I also think mentorship changes as you grow. The person who helps you get from zero to one may not be the same person who helps you scale to the next level — so you have to stay open to learning from different mentors at different stages.

When you find someone like that, take it seriously: show up, ask good questions, and follow through. If you consistently take action on the advice you’re given, people naturally want to invest more time in helping you.

And I always try to network with a mindset of giving first. If you focus on being helpful, making introductions, and supporting other people’s goals, the relationships grow naturally — and the business follows.

Pricing:

• La Jolla (ADA-compliant website plan): $350/month + a one-time setup fee
• Surfrider (La Jolla + Local SEO): $600/month + a one-time setup fee
• Mavericks (Surfrider + Social Media): $1,850/month + a one-time setup fee
• Larger websites (30+ pages): custom pricing available.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://oneeleven.surf
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneelevenwebdesign/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oneelevenwebdesign/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oneelevenwebdesign/
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oneelevenwebdesign/

Image Credits
Adelsperger Photography, Hawthorne, CA