Call Me Crazy- New Business Tips Anyone?

Jennelle

As of today, my husband and I are now officially painting contractors. We are young (23) and crazy because we have basically no experience painting. We have very good business sense. We started and ran a coffee shop for a few years and then decided to sell the business and move closer to my family. We also have a lot of connections to general contractors and real estate agents which is why we decided to start in on painting in the first place. I work full time and we can live off my salary without any additional income from the business. A lot of people start in with their own business because they having been painting for several years and have no business know-how (I would call that crazy) so we are basically doing the opposite.

We have business know-how but no specific painting skills- yet! One of my husband's friends has 3+ years of painting experience and he is our first employee. We are relying on him to show my husband the trade, but we have also been reading a lot on painting tips and techniques. I'm posting because you all started out painting at some time or another and probably have some good tips to share based on past mistakes, etc. Please share!

Chris Johnson

Good luck and buy insurance

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Chris

Frankawitz

You had better check out your State Licensing for painting, in Michigan any paint job over $600.00 you need a License. as for learning Painting well it takes allot of gallons and practise. Hope you know how some paints work cause if you don't you could be pulling your hair out if you paint over something and it don't cover, have fun good luck

www.frankawitz.net

genecarp

work with integrity and pride, good luck

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Any Season

Holy crapola. This is a tough one bc one the one hand I commend the entrepreneurial spirit, but on the other, without any experience in painting whatsoever, or contracting for that matter, you have at least 5 years before you will even have a foundation for an efficient painting company. Plus, I think this is a very slippery slope to rely on employees to train the owner. I know for a fact, because I only hire guys and girls in their 20's, that younger people who have their **** together and want to work for me ask almost as many questions as I do of them in the interview. If you clearly don't know what you are doing you have already lost them. Then it becomes a stand off as to how long it will be before you fire them vs. how much they can take advantage of you. My suggestion to you is to read as many business, marketing, and painting related threads on here, join the PDCA bc they will provide you (especially you) with education and even training in estimating, set yourself up as an LLC, and make sure you have the proper insurance. Good luck, I think.

Any Season

(p.s. I can't wait until some of the really inspiring people on here read this thread)

CaptainAmerica

One employee, with 3 years experience? Might make a good goffer on my crew. Keep in mind that when someone "pays" you to paint, they usually expect to be "paying" a professional... otherwise they'd do it themselves.

I'm no mechanic but I know alot of people that own cars, so I think I'll open a shop.

Frankawitz

Oh maybe you heard the term "Anybody can paint!" Well I tell people my dog can paint as long as I keep his tail wet with paint and he stays happy and that tail is moving" More to painting then slapping it on the walls and ceiling.

JBBS

I refuse to comment until you post a pic of yourself.

jking09

you've got alot of guts to just up and try painting..
that's a tough one, really... but i do wish you the best of luck!!
i hope it all turns out well for you and your husband.

rservices

I would pour your self some of that coffee,

My guess is the only one who's going to make any money is the painter, you'll be cover for all of the bad bids, wrong products, damages, etc.

Steve Richards

Jennelle..you're crazy

Steve Richards

oops...my business tip:

On your business cards...include the words "crazy painters"

RCPainting

Go to painttalk.com, read every post,and the ones here! Join your local Homebuilders Association, PDCA, etc. Look for a group like SCORE that advises new businesses. You say you have business know how, have you looked at your states license requirements? Talked to an Acct? Set up business entity? Federal EIN? WC?
Good luck!

Danahy

This is so hard to reply to; It's so open to interpretation. Try asking more specific questions:
Like:
1. Where do I start? Who do I call? What accounting program should I use? How much should I pay the employee? How much does a room cost?....

Of the three person's involved, who is in charge of the estimates? That person is the most important in my opinion. You are a silent partner? still working full time? Well if your income can support the 2 of you for now... Then you have a nice advantage at this point....

Best of Luck to your new venture, i'm eager to see/hear some follow up to how you make out

CaptainAmerica

Wait, I thought business was the part they knew?

Danahy

after re-reading the title, this became really funny lol

ModernStyle

a guy with only 3 years experience is gonna teach you the ropes .........
OK ..........
I have been painting for 15 years and I learn new things everyday, when I was 3 years in I barely knew how to lace up my boots.
I wont sugar coat it for you, you dont stand a snowballs chance in hell. Your work will be slow and low quality, you will have no idea about surface preperation or what materials to use. Your quality will be too low to compete with real contractors, and the illegals will beat or match your prices and more then likely still beat your quality.
You are doomed

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lornmastro

However it is a great resource for information also painttalk.com. I too started without any professional experience but have learned alot in the last 7 yrs. First I would make a point of getting accounts with some of the local paint stores... like Sherwin williams or Benjamin Moore. Not only will you get contractor discounts but you will also be able to call them from a job with questions you might have. As far as writen info the best thing I have found so far is Wheels of learning painting by pearson education. Use good rollers, brushes and paint be reliable, honest and proud of your work. Oh also SW,BM and pratt and lambert offer cases with paint samples of all there colors, they will also send color samples to your customer at no cost to you. As a woman you can offer color consultations...this is a real plus since sooo many people are clueless to color. Woman are for the most part the decision makers in the home...I would try and be the one who is the one making customer contacts. woman like to deal with woman. PM me if you have any questions.

George Z

I have been painting for over 20 years,
being a painter was the reason I couldn't be a good business person.
We are running a thriving business now, that grows as much as we are able to catch up with it.
It started growing when I stopped seeing myself as a painter.
You need good business practices first.
Some basic knowledge about the trade.
Some good painters and some great employees.

This comment I have a problem with:

Define very good.
You obviously have good sense, but business knowledge is what you are after.
You must know what you don't know.
Asking here is a good start, join NAPP and the PDCA and use their resourses.
And despite what most will tell you here, your approach is better.

These boards are very valuable.
Good luck!

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