FAQs
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
All trade specific knowledge I have gained through hands-on experience, and reading product literature. With everything else, I have taken a course to gain insight. Early on I understood that there’s more to it than just applying paint on a wall. Before the work begins, for example, there are calculations to make to determine how much paint will be needed. Of course, I do not want to spend too much time on basic calculations myself, when I can just automate that using software. When it comes to finishing on time, time management is very important. From experience I know roughly how much time each task should take, but l had to learn, from those dedicated to the field, the skills on how to deal with prioritization. It is a wonderful feeling to have everything running smoothly. I find all those subjects very interesting, and I’m always on the look out for ways to further optimize our process to get better results.
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
I started when I was 15 yrs old. On the weekends and on my summer vacations in high school, I would help my Father and Uncle with their projects. No special treatment, unfortunately. But I appreciate it now because it taught me the value of hard work and to earn everything for myself. At first, I was in charged with picking up trash, and moving equipment or material around. If a painter needed tape or gallon of paint, it was my job to bring it to him. Then I moved up to covering the windows with plastic, masking off trim, removing hardware, etc. Some time later, sand paper, respirator masks, and caulking gun came into my world. I still remember the time I complained to my dad about my calloused hands, gained from preparing trim; he showed me his, and asked: Are you proud of your work? I was and I am. Finally came painting and spraying. Little by little, I’ve learned the trade. With the money I saved up, I took some classes at a local junior college – management, economics, mathematics, and also some trade specific classes. To learn more about the industry, I worked in large painting companies, as well as in small ones for a few years. There, I honed my skills and learned about what it takes to refinish cabinets, how to coordinate projects, do dry-wall repairs, and plastering. More importantly, I learned what I could improve when it was time to do my own thing. You can say house painting has been my life, my source of independence, and the sole thing I have put my knowledge into practice. I enjoy seeing the reaction my clients have when they see how I managed to bring back to life their weather beaten house. I love that every day there is something new to learn and improve.
- What types of customers have you worked with?
I have worked with Apartment Managers, Home Owners, Theater Coordinator, General Contractors, Business Managers, and Project Managers. I have had the good fortune to be involved in projects ranging from apartment renovations / new construction, home repaint, and hotel renovation. My Dad and I have worked on beautifying national pet stores, hotels, food chains, and clothing boutiques.