Advertise on podcast: The Commercial Painting Podcast

In this episode of the Commercial Painting Podcast, host David Chism welcomes back Mike Green, VP of Sales at Ironhead Roofing and a commercial sales coach. If you missed Mike’s first appearance, catch up on Episode 43. Mike shares how he went from recruiter with no sales experience to out-generating three veteran reps in a single winter competition, and how that launched a career built on self-generated, non-referral commercial deals. He breaks down what a strong business development plan looks like for commercial painting contractors: a finite target list of 50 to 100 accounts, practiced messaging, and a defined outreach cadence. Throughout the conversation, Mike and David explore why execution is where most sales plans fall apart. Mike explains that reps can have phenomenal scripts and detailed plans, but the real challenge is doing the activity every day. They discuss the role of sales managers and coaches in creating accountability, even for self-motivated high performers. They also cover what to look for when hiring salespeople, including a competitive spirit, comfort with hearing “no,” and a self-starter drive, whether the candidate comes from athletics, the military, or outside the trades. CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTIronhead [email protected] CONNECT WITH USPodcast websiteRequest a FREE 1-Hour Consultation with David Chism EPISODE SPONSORSThe Wooster Brush CompanyThe Commercial Painting Industry Associate (CPIA)DC Marketing Group If you enjoyed this episode, remember to like, share, and subscribe!

In this episode, Aaron sits down with Chris Kiefer, founder of Boolean Automation and the PaintOS platform. Chris is an engineer by training who spent three years as marketing director at Webfoot Painting, where the company doubled from $10M to $20M in revenue. After other painting companies kept asking him to set up the systems he’d built, he started working as a “software integrator” for the industry. He helps owners cut through the noise of competing tools and build a tech stack around their business goals. Aaron and Chris dig into what a good tech stack looks like, which tools to buy and which to build, why integration capability matters more than any single platform, and how to use AI without trusting it blindly. They also compare CRMs and project management tools, talk through software costs, and discuss why owners need to learn AI themselves rather than hand it off. Key Takeaways Why a good tech stack starts with your vision for the business, not a software demoHow to decide what to buy off the shelf (email, CRM, accounting) and what to build (estimating tools that capture your proprietary process)Why APIs, MCPs, and integration capability should be the first question you ask any software vendorThe case for “the fewest tools possible, as many as necessary” over an all-in-one systemA benchmark for technology spending (2-3% of gross revenue) and how to avoid being over-sold by software repsWhy learning AI is today’s equivalent of learning to type, and how owners can build the skill Connect with Our GuestChris on LinkedInEmail: [email protected]: PaintOS Connect with UsPodcast websiteRequest a FREE 1-Hour Consultation with David Chism Episode SponsorsThe Wooster Brush CompanyThe Commercial Painting Industry Associate (CPIA)DC Marketing Group If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, share and subscribe!

In this episode, Aaron sits down with Mike Barrett and Bill Curtindale, co-founders of Pro Paint Solutions in the Seattle metro area. Both Mike and Bill spent years as employees and eventually senior leaders at another commercial painting company before striking out on their own in March 2021. Now five years in, they share how they built a profitable, debt-free business, kept their 50/50 partnership strong, and set a plan to step back from day-to-day operations over the next five years. This conversation is especially relevant for painting company owners worried about key employees leaving to start competing businesses, and for employees weighing whether to make the leap into ownership themselves. Key Takeaways How Mike and Bill's decade-plus at a former employer shaped their approach to ownershipWhy it only took about three months to go from "we should consider this" to launch dayThe cultural commitments they made to avoid repeating their former employer's mistakesHow they built a debt-free, self-funded company from year oneWhat they track weekly to stay fiscally disciplined and catch problems earlyHow a 50/50 partnership survives disagreements without a tiebreakerTheir 10-year plan to grow to $15M in revenue and step back from daily operationsConnect with Our Guests Bill on LinkedIn Mike on LinkedIn Website: Pro Paint Solutions Connect with Us ⁠⁠⁠Podcast website⁠⁠⁠ Request a FREE 1-Hour Consultation with David Chism Episode Sponsors ⁠The Wooster Brush Company⁠ ⁠⁠⁠The Commercial Painting Industry Associate⁠⁠⁠ (CPIA) DC Marketing Group If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, share and subscribe!

Episode Summary Two years after American Industrial Partners (AIP) acquired PPG's architectural coatings business and launched Pittsburgh Paint Company, Todd Gatesy and John Moore join the show to clear up the confusion contractors have been running into in the field. They discuss why some stores, trucks, and labels still say PPG, what's actually changed versus what hasn't, and how the distribution and dealer network works now. The conversation also gets into the private equity ownership timeline, rising raw material and paint prices, product quality, and where Todd and John see the biggest growth opportunities for commercial painting contractors over the next several years. Key Takeaways The AIP acquisition and the move from PPG to Pittsburgh Paint CompanyPPG vs. Pittsburgh Paint: what's still PPG-branded and whyStore footprint (500+ stores, 2,500 independent dealers) and how the dealer network fills coverage gapsThe rebrand: timeline, what's changing and why product formulas aren't changingPrivate equity ownership and what a future sale could mean for the companyWhy paint prices went up and why price increases don't come back downConnect with Our Guests Todd Gatesy: [email protected] | 239-270-4621 John Moore: [email protected] | 724-683-1807 Connect with Us ⁠⁠⁠Podcast website⁠⁠⁠ Request a FREE 1-Hour Consultation with David Chism Episode Sponsors ⁠The Wooster Brush Company⁠ ⁠⁠⁠The Commercial Painting Industry Associate⁠⁠⁠ (CPIA) DC Marketing Group If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, share and subscribe!

Episode Summary After over 50 episodes of Aaron interviewing others, David flips the script in this special episode. From his multi-generational upbringing in Chicago to building a multi-city commercial painting business and co-founding the Commercial Painting Industry Association (CPIA), Aaron opens up about the decisions, planned and unplanned, that shaped his career and led to building the CPIA. Key Takeaways Why Aaron relocated his family out of Illinois, and how he restructured the business to run it remotely over several yearsThe frustration that led Aaron and co-founder Steve Hester to start their own peer-group association (CPIA), and how it differs from typical "guru-led" mastermindsAn honest conversation about how Aaron and his wife have approached traditional roles, and how their kids have adjusted to his travel scheduleWhat’s next for the CPIA Connect with Aaron Aaron Moore on LinkedIn Connect with Us ⁠⁠⁠Podcast website⁠⁠⁠ Request a FREE 1-Hour Consultation with David Chism Episode Sponsors ⁠The Wooster Brush Company⁠ ⁠⁠⁠The Commercial Painting Industry Associate⁠⁠⁠ (CPIA) DC Marketing Group If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, share and subscribe!

Episode Summary In this episode, Emily Howard shares her journey from being an editor in the painting industry to exploring organic farming. She discusses the importance of storytelling in marketing, the impact of leadership styles on business success, and the role of AI in content creation. Emily highlights the need for authenticity in storytelling and the value of personal experiences in shaping business narratives. Key Takeaways Leadership styles significantly impact employee motivation and business success.Storytelling is crucial for marketing in the painting industry and elsewhere.AI can assist in content creation but should not replace authenticity.Building a brand requires consistent and authentic communication.Connect with Our Guest Emily Howard on LinkedIn Connect with Us ⁠⁠⁠Podcast website⁠⁠⁠ Request a FREE 1-Hour Consultation with David Chism Episode Sponsors ⁠The Wooster Brush Company⁠ ⁠⁠⁠The Commercial Painting Industry Associate⁠⁠⁠ (CPIA) DC Marketing Group If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, share and subscribe!

In this two-part episode of the Commercial Painting Podcast, we talk to Kathy Slowinski about her journey from family manufacturing roots to leading AI-driven business transformations. Discover practical insights on implementing AI in small and large organizations, managing drift, and fostering innovation.   Key Takeaways Where should usersstart with AI toolsHow should leadersbring AI to their companiesHow to form AIpolicies Connect with Our Guest Kathy Slowinski on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠The AI Boss⁠ ⁠Trilogy⁠   Connect with Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast website⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Request a FREE 1-Hour Consultation with David Chism⁠   Episode Sponsors ⁠⁠The Wooster Brush Company⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Commercial Painting Industry Associate⁠⁠⁠⁠ (CPIA) ⁠DC Marketing Group⁠   If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, shareand subscribe!

In this two-part episode of the Commercial Painting Podcast, we talk to Kathy Slowinski about her journey from family manufacturing roots to leading AI-driven business transformations. Discover practical insights on implementing AI in small and large organizations, managing drift, and fostering innovation.   Key Takeaways The value of hosting a AI HackathonHow to use agents to do admin workUsing AI to handle contract renewals Connect with Our Guest Kathy Slowinski on LinkedIn The AI Boss Trilogy   Connect with Us ⁠⁠⁠Podcast website⁠⁠⁠ Request a FREE 1-Hour Consultation with David Chism   Episode Sponsors ⁠The Wooster Brush Company⁠ ⁠⁠⁠The Commercial Painting Industry Associate⁠⁠⁠ (CPIA) DC Marketing Group   If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, shareand subscribe!

In this episode of the Commercial Painting Podcast, we talk to Ben Maibach and Michael Stephens from the Wooster Brush Company, discussing the company's rich history, employee-centric culture, and innovative products. They explore how Wooster Brush maintains its manufacturing in the USA, the importance of community engagement, and the balance between profitability and employee care. The conversation also touches on future trends in the painting industry and the leadership principles that guide the company.   Key Takeaways ·       Wooster Brush has been in operation for 175 years, emphasizing quality and community. ·       The company employs around 600 people, primarily from the local area in Wooster, Ohio. ·       The company has not laid off any employees since 1954, showcasing job security. ·       Wooster Brush focuses on long-term employee relationships and community involvement. ·       Product innovation is driven by feedback from contractors and end-users. ·       Labor savings are achieved through efficient product design and quality tools. ·       The majority of Wooster Brush products are manufactured in the USA. ·       Automation and robotics are used to enhance efficiency in manufacturing. Connect with Our Guests Ben Maibach on LinkedIn Michael Stephens on LinkedIn ⁠The Wooster Brush Company⁠   Connect with Us ⁠⁠⁠Podcast website⁠⁠⁠ Request a FREE 1-Hour Consultation with David Chism   Episode Sponsors ⁠The Wooster Brush Company⁠ ⁠⁠⁠The Commercial Painting Industry Associate⁠⁠⁠ (CPIA) DC Marketing Group   If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, share and subscribe!

ABOUT In this episode, David and Aaron talk to Luke Reinhart about `the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, exploring its origins, benefits, and the personal journey of Luke as a martial artist and business owner. They discuss how Jiu-Jitsu can empower individuals, particularly women, and how the discipline learned on the mat translates into valuable skills in business. Luke shares insights on building a successful martial arts academy, the importance of faith in personal growth, and the parallels between martial arts and entrepreneurship. Takeaways Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu originated from mixed martial arts and gained popularity through the UFC.Luke started martial arts at five years old, influenced by his father's teachings.Consistency and intentionality are key to success in both Jiu-Jitsu and business.Failure is a necessary part of the learning process in Jiu-Jitsu and business.Building a strong curriculum and systems is essential for running a successful martial arts academy.Conflict in Jiu-Jitsu mirrors challenges in life and business, providing growth opportunities.Hiring individuals with a martial arts background can bring discipline and resilience to a business.CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST Luke Rinehart CONNECT WITH US ⁠⁠⁠Podcast website⁠⁠⁠ Request a FREE 1-Hour Consultation with David Chism EPISODE SPONSORS ⁠The Wooster Brush Company⁠ ⁠⁠⁠The Commercial Painting Industry Associate⁠⁠⁠ (CPIA) DC Marketing Group If you enjoyed this episode, remember to like, share, and subscribe!

ABOUT In this conversation, Aaron, Julie Zamski, and Paul Trautmann discuss the pivotal role of Sherwin-Williams in the commercial painting industry, the current market trends, and the opportunities available for contractors. They discuss various sectors such as water and power, public works, and the importance of business development for smaller contractors. The discussion also covers challenges and opportunities in floor and roof coatings, the significance of networking and trade shows, and predictions for growth in various sectors including healthcare and hospitality. The conversation concludes with insights on upcoming opportunities related to the Olympics and stadium projects. Key Takeaways 50% of projects in the commercial sector are renovations.Data centers are a major growth driver for the future.Understanding product applications is crucial for contractors.Networking at trade shows is essential for business growth.The flooring business presents significant opportunities.Roof coatings can be a viable entry point for contractors.Education and training are vital for entering new markets.The upcoming Olympics will create new investment opportunities.CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST Julie Zamski Paul Trautmann Sherwin-Williams CONNECT WITH US ⁠⁠⁠Podcast website⁠⁠⁠ Request a FREE 1-Hour Consultation with David Chism EPISODE SPONSORS ⁠The Wooster Brush Company⁠ ⁠⁠⁠The Commercial Painting Industry Associate⁠⁠⁠ (CPIA) DC Marketing Group If you enjoyed this episode, remember to like, share, and subscribe!

SUMMARY In this conversation, David and Aaron talk to Aaron Cote about the intersection of AI and SEO, discussing how AI is transforming digital marketing strategies, particularly for commercial painting companies. They delve into the importance of authenticity in content creation, the role of Google Business Profile, and best practices for leveraging AI tools effectively. The discussion emphasizes the need for a learning mindset in SEO and the significance of quality over quantity in content and reviews. Key Takeaways AI has significantly changed the landscape of SEO and content creation.Commercial painting companies can benefit from understanding their audience's problems.Authenticity in content is crucial for SEO success.Google Business Profile enhances credibility and trust for businesses.Quality of reviews is more important than quantity in today's market.AI can assist in content creation but should not replace human touch.CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST avisualglitch.com CONNECT WITH US ⁠⁠⁠Podcast website⁠⁠⁠ Request a FREE 1-Hour Consultation with David Chism EPISODE SPONSORS ⁠The Wooster Brush Company⁠ ⁠⁠⁠The Commercial Painting Industry Associate⁠⁠⁠ (CPIA) DC Marketing Group If you enjoyed this episode, remember to like, share, and subscribe!

ABOUT In this episode of the Commercial Painting Podcast, host Aaron turns the mic and interviews co-host David Chism, a fifth-generation painter and marketing expert. They discuss David's journey from San Diego to Maryland, the influence of faith on his business practices, and the evolution of marketing strategies in the painting industry. David shares success stories from his marketing firm, the impact of AI on marketing, and resources for contractors to enhance their marketing knowledge. The conversation concludes with insights into the growth of Chism Brothers Painting from retail to commercial painting. CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTS ⁠DC Marketing Group⁠ CONNECT WITH US ⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast website⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Request a FREE 1-Hour Consultation with David Chism⁠ EPISODE SPONSORS ⁠⁠The Wooster Brush Company⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Commercial Painting Industry Associate⁠⁠⁠⁠ (CPIA) ⁠DC Marketing Group⁠ If you enjoyed this episode, remember to like, share, and subscribe!

ABOUT In this episode of the Commercial Painting Podcast, host David Chism welcomes Mike Green, a seasoned sales professional with a unique journey from college basketball to the commercial painting industry. Mike shares his story of transitioning from a potential career in professional sports to a successful role in sales and business development. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of self-generating leads, the importance of maintaining a consistent prospecting routine, and the value of building a strong referral network. Mike emphasizes the significance of having a structured sales process and the impact it can have on closing rates and overall business success. Throughout the conversation, Mike and David explore the dynamics of sales roles in the painting industry, highlighting the benefits of a hybrid model where sales reps are trained in both business development and estimating. They discuss the importance of hiring individuals with a competitive spirit and a proven track record, regardless of their prior experience in the trades. Mike shares insights on how to motivate sales teams to take initiative and generate their own leads, especially during slower seasons. The episode also touches on Mike's recent transition to the roofing industry, where he applies his sales expertise to train and lead a team at Ironhead Roofing. He reflects on the similarities between the two industries and the importance of having a system in place to ensure success. CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTS Ironhead Roofing [email protected] CONNECT WITH US ⁠⁠⁠Podcast website⁠⁠⁠ Request a FREE 1-Hour Consultation with David Chism EPISODE SPONSORS ⁠The Wooster Brush Company⁠ ⁠⁠⁠The Commercial Painting Industry Associate⁠⁠⁠ (CPIA) DC Marketing Group If you enjoyed this episode, remember to like, share, and subscribe!

ABOUT In this episode of the Commercial Painting Podcast, hosts David and Aaron discuss the recent events surrounding Charlie Kirk, exploring their personal reactions, the impact of his death, and the broader implications for free speech and faith in society. They reflect on the importance of civil discourse, the need for open conversations, and the lessons learned from Kirk's life and legacy. The discussion emphasizes the significance of standing up for one's beliefs while fostering understanding and respect among differing viewpoints. You’ll also hear: Why understanding the influence of public figures like Charlie Kirk is essential.Why the impact of Charlie Kirk's death has resonated deeply with many.How we are leading our businesses and families in light of this tragedy.The need for civility and respectful discourse in political discussions.Family discussions about values and beliefs are important for growth. CONNECT WITH US ⁠⁠⁠Podcast website⁠⁠⁠ Request a FREE 1-Hour Consultation with David Chism EPISODE SPONSORS ⁠The Wooster Brush Company⁠ ⁠⁠⁠The Commercial Painting Industry Associate⁠⁠⁠ (CPIA) ⁠DC Marketing Group⁠ If you enjoyed this episode, remember to like, share, and subscribe!