My name is Chad, from Louisiana. Started painting with my mother who has her own business when I was 13. Im 24 now so its safe to say i've been painting for 11 years.
We worked together until about 4 years ago when i decided to branch off on my own. We still team up often on bigger jobs. We do stictly residential re-paint jobs except on a few occasions: Faux finished a nail salon, went behind a new constuction job that the owner tried to do himself.
Being so young in the business, you can imagine how often i get turned down for jobs. But, I love my job, and am sticking to my guns.
My business philosophy: I'm well worth my price, trustworthy, honest, meticulous, do one job at a time until the customer is completely satisfied, throw in a little lagniape (that means something extra here in Louisiana), give back if I have over charged.
Advertising: Only by word of mouth, wouldnt have it any other way.
In Conclusion: I've used this site for advice in the past and its nice to be able to come here for opinions and advice. Looking forward to learning more and giving advice where I can.
Hey I'm Mike, 21, and have been painting with my father since i was about 13. I feel you man, I can't get taken seriously out here in the PA/DE area. I have tried pursuing some of my own work, but very unsuccessful. Age is a real put off to people. Most of what I have done is repaints and largely interior, but don't doubt my exterior stain! I would like to think in anal on perfection, and it can slow me down sometimes. Just yesterday a customer wanted me to cut in to some children's hand prints that were on the wall as a chronological record...it was a pain, but it sure stroked my ego!
I still work with my father for now, but we are getting closer and closer to a partnership. Theres just many things he cant do anymore at his age. Fine cut-ins, prolonged rolling, and lifting are slowly moving away from his repitour. Have I got stories to tell about customers good, bad, and what SOME of us in the company may or may not have done to them, depending on who is reading this.
Favorite products: Ok, I'll admit im mostly a SW junkie for their paints. I also like MAB (local company) Wall Shield for those cheap customers, glides pretty well and nice coverage. My go-to brush is actually usually a 3" straight instead of angled. They can be pretty interchangeable, but the Purdy ones that are extra-wide over like Wooster hold so much more material. If its alot of corners of course i gotta break out the Wooster 2 1/2" then. For trim I can be even more quirky, I prefer the Pro-Val 1 1/2" for its stiffer bristles. They are what help allow me to get that extra fine detail where it does not matter to anyone but me (anyone else every feel that way?).
Well I'm getting to think that this post is long-winded so I think ill stop now. Nice meeting you all and glad i stumbled on this forum.