Josh Belcher is a wonderful man that has been here in the area for 16 years. He currently resides in Gulf Breeze with his wife. His business office in Downtown Pensacola across from the Wine Bar. He specializes in credit card processing and has been a part of that industry for 15 years.

Josh decided to go on his own in 2015. He took everything that he has seen done wrong over the time he worked there, such as contracts and leases, and got rid of them. He earns his client’s business 30 days at a time. Customer service is very important to Josh, and he prides himself on that. Josh offers customer support 24/7, 365 days a year.

 

What inspired you or led you to your current career/owning your business?

Well, basically, the Suntrust in Gulf Breeze closed down and I was a branch manager. I had a choice between taking a banker position or waiting for a branch manager position became available. I was in merchant services at that time as well and I decided to go out on a leap of faith and open my business. It’s something I was passionate about.

It was scary, my wife and I were both scared. We were used to 401k match and corporate benefits. We got through it though.

 

How long have you lived or worked in the Pensacola area?

I started living here in 2004. That’s when I got my first beach house. But then we had the hurricane and I moved to Pensacola. I’ve moved back and forth from the beach and Pensacola. I moved to Navarre in 2012. Then I bought my house over in Santa Rosa Shores a year ago in May.

 

Who is the most interesting person/business owner you’ve met here in Pensacola?  Who would you like to see nominated as a Face of Pensacola?

I’m gonna have to say James Dabney. The reason is he has his hands in every business under the sun is what it seems like. He works nonstop. I don’t know how he does it, but at the same time, he’s smart about his money, his investments, and manages his time really well. Seeing everything he can get done in a day is amazing. I kind of follow what he’s doing, and hopefully one day I’ll be as successful as him.

 

What advice would you give a crowd of people? (Or someone starting their own business?)

Take the leap. By all means, take that leap. It’s going to be scary at first, however, it’s going to pay off in the long run or it’s not going to pay off and you can start another business venture, or go back to the corporate lifestyle. It’s awesome once you own your own business.

 

What makes you the most nostalgic about (or what is most iconic in) Pensacola?

Seville Quarter. It’s just a great place to have good food. You can go across the street to the District too. On top of that, they have piano bars, music, trivia on Tuesdays, it’s just fun. I love it.

 

Where do you see yourself (and your career/business) in 5 or 10 years?

Expanding of course. At the same time, still working in Pensacola, but hopefully I can get more locations. Right now, I have 17 employees and they’re all over the United States. I only have 4 of them that are local. So, just expanding to different offices, I think the next one will be Atlanta. There are so many businesses there and it would be a great place for a location. If not there, then somewhere, maybe California.

 

What is your favorite restaurant in Pensacola, and what do you love there? (What is your favorite dish, and where do you get it?)

Hands down, Global Grill; New York Strip with crab-andouille sausage, with soft shell crab on top, along with some Yukon mashed potatoes, it’s just amazing. I get the same thing every time.

 

If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?

Europe is actually on our bucket list. It was actually on our list for our anniversary this year.

 

What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?

It’s gonna sound cheesy, but How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. It’s one of my favorites. Matthew McConaughey is one of my favorite actors. When I worked at the bank, my team name was the Diamonds and our little slogan was “go frost yourself”, from the movie, but you were frosting your customers with diamonds, by giving them what they need.

 

What is something on your bucket list?

Truthfully, we’ve been pretty much everywhere but Europe. I would like to check out South Africa though.

 

What is your favorite thing or something unique about Pensacola? 

I love the beach. It’s my friend. Why do we even go on vacation? We have it all here.

 

Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Where in Pensacola would you have lunch?

I’d like to pick Quint Studer’s mind actually. I would take him anywhere he wants to go. But, I do love Global.

 

What is your favorite music/ 3 bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?

I like Luke Bryan. The original Journey would be awesome. Another I ‘d love to see is Bob Marley.

 

(Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

My grandparents raised me. My grandma is awesome. She’s a Sunday school coordinator at 82 years old and just got her bachelors degree. On top of that, she wrote a book called “Dying Would Have Been Easier”, and she sold quite a few copies. She’s still driving around doing everything. My Papa was an electrical engineer. They raised me right and taught me so many things.

 

What words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?

Pensacola Beach and my grandparent’s house.

 

If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?

Matthew McConoghey, he’s just so great. He’s genuine and actually gives back to people.

 

If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose?

Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?

I would have to choose a life coach.

 

Who was your childhood hero? 

It goes back to my Mema. She raised me and kept me in line. I have the right morals and values because of her.

 

To learn more about Josh Belcher’s company, Panhandle Merchant Services, here are some ways to get ahold of him!

Address: 13 Palafox Pl , Pensacola, Florida 32502

Phone:    (850) 565-4727

(850) 982-3399

Website: Panhandle Merchant Services

 

Be sure to check out what our other nominees have to say!