Tag Archives: WHAT I’VE LEARNED

Contractor Q&A: Annie Newton on the No. 1 Thing You Can Do To Build Your Business

Annie Newton is part of a brother-sister team that owns and operates 4 Seasons Color, Inc., a painting and restoration company based in Walla Walla, Washington. 4 Seasons Color has painted a number of local landmarks, including the Dayton Historic Depot, the Old Walla Walla Depot and the Ritz Mansion, along with many other historic homes and churches. Annie is the company’s controller, and brother Matt Nagin is the president of the firm.

Annie is also an active member of the PDCA (Painting and Decorating Contractors of America) national trade association. We sat down to talk shop with her at a recent PDCA Expo.
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Contractor Q&A: Ron Adderley on 50 Years of Taking Care of Customers and Why Quality Beats Quantity Every Time

Ron Adderley has been working as a professional painter since 1968. He is the owner of Prism Painting in Bellingham, Washington, running a three-generation crew that includes his son Ben and grandson Nick. PPC sat down with Ron to find out a little bit of what he’s learned in his 50 years in the painting business.
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Contractor Q&A: Nick Slavik on Being a Master Craftsman and Hiring Right to Grow Your Company

Nick Slavik is a firm believer in the value of master craftsmanship, and he has carved out a profitable niche using “traditional finishing methods to create the best finishes for modern applications.” He’s also a savvy marketer and hosts a popular weekly Facebook Live show called Ask A Painter. PPC had a chance to sit down and talk shop with the owner of Nick Slavik Painting & Restoration Co. in New Prague, Minnesota. Here are some excerpts from our conversation:
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Contractor Q&A: The Rossi Brothers on How They Meet the Challenges of Large-Scale, Multi-Million Dollar Projects

Run by three brothers, Triad Coatings & Sandblasting, LLC is a painting contracting company based in Morristown, New Jersey. PPC sat down with Nick, Jeff and Taylor Rossi to find out what makes their company a success. Continue reading Contractor Q&A: The Rossi Brothers on How They Meet the Challenges of Large-Scale, Multi-Million Dollar Projects

Contractor Q&A: Sean Kennedy on Learning How to Structure, Delegate and Let Go

Sean Kennedy has been working as a professional painter since 1993. He is the owner of Kennedy Painting, a residential painting contracting firm in St. Louis, Missouri.
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Contractor Q&A: Dan Petrulak on Staying Small to Keep Customers Happy

Dan Petrulak is the owner of DP Ready 2 Paint, a painting contractor based in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania and serving the Mid Mon Valley and surrounding areas of southwest Pennsylvania. Continue reading Contractor Q&A: Dan Petrulak on Staying Small to Keep Customers Happy

Contractor Q&A: Rodrigo Vasconcellos on Growth, Communication and Community Service

In 2009, Rodrigo Vasconcellos founded Palette Pro Painting and Renovation in White Plains, New York, about 30 minutes from New York City. The company specializes in residential repaint and remodeling. PPC sat down with Rodrigo at the PDCA Expo, an annual industry education and networking event to learn about the secrets of his company’s success. Continue reading Contractor Q&A: Rodrigo Vasconcellos on Growth, Communication and Community Service

Contractor Q&A: Chris Gardner on the Costs and Rewards of Being an Entrepreneur

Chris Gardner started working in the painting industry in 2009. He is the owner of PaintRite Pros based in Elk Grove, a city of 168,000 just south of Sacramento, California. According to census records, it was the fastest-growing city in the U.S. between July 1, 2004, and July 1, 2005. Continue reading Contractor Q&A: Chris Gardner on the Costs and Rewards of Being an Entrepreneur

Contractor Q&A: Dave Theobald on How to Compete from Multiple Locations

Dave Theobald spent 17 years as a general contractor before joining his father-in-law’s company, Turman Commercial Painters. Founded in 1972, the company has grown under Theobald’s leadership into a nationwide firm that has completed more than 10,000 locations across the U.S. Continue reading Contractor Q&A: Dave Theobald on How to Compete from Multiple Locations

Contractor Q&A with Dan Ross: Know Your Goals, Focus on Quality and Enjoy Your Work

Born in Atlanta, Dan Ross grew up in San Diego and graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is the owner of Ross Painting in San Rafael, California. He believes exceptional materials and execution are critical to an outstanding result. Continue reading Contractor Q&A with Dan Ross: Know Your Goals, Focus on Quality and Enjoy Your Work

Contractor Q&A: Luis Inclan’s Leap of Faith

Luis Inclan is the owner of Inclan Painting and Waterproofing. Founded in 1981 in Elizabeth, N.J. under the name of Inclan Color, the company was established in South Florida in 1995. PPC sat down with Luis to learn about his company’s success secrets. Continue reading Contractor Q&A: Luis Inclan’s Leap of Faith

Contractor Q&A: Jason Fitzgerald

Originally from New Orleans, Jason Fitzgerald spent nine years as an outfielder and first baseman with a number of AAA and other minor league baseball teams before embarking on a second career as a painting contractor. He owns the King Paint Company in Charlotte, North Carolina. Continue reading Contractor Q&A: Jason Fitzgerald

Contractor Q&A: Dan Cavagnaro

Dan Cavagnaro began his painting career at the age of 19 from a master painter who based his craft on customer satisfaction, hard work and precise attention to details. More than 15 years later, he maintains those principles as a master painter at the helm of his own company, Golden Boys Painting in Rochester, New York. Continue reading Contractor Q&A: Dan Cavagnaro