Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brian Denny, owner of Fresh Coat Painters of South Dayton, located in Dayton, OH, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a residential and commercial painting contractor servicing Dayton, OH, and surrounding cities. We do interior painting and exterior painting, among other services like drywall repair and light wood repairs. We service a variety of residential customers in the Dayton area and also have commercial travel crews that service several national accounts throughout the eastern half of the country.
Tell us about yourself
I kind of fell into the painting industry through an old college classmate who introduced me to one of her customers who was looking to fill a commercial marketing and sales role. I didn't know anything about the industry at the time, but I took it one day at a time and always challenged myself to learn something new every day. I love being in the industry because it's fun working with people to help beautify their properties.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our biggest single accomplishment was being named Franchise of the Year in 2021. In that year, we set franchise records for the largest single-month income and largest year-end revenue.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest thing about owning a business is knowing how and when to shut things down (for the day). The painting industry is a very busy industry, and if you wanted to work 24/7, you definitely could. At some point, you just have to shut things down for the day and be present in the other, more important parts of your life. It's also hard not to let business issues affect you personally. We do a great job at keeping our customers happy overall, but when things don't go precisely the way they're expected, and a customer is unhappy, it can really be hard not to take it personally and let the frustration or disappointment spill into your personal life.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't let fear of failure stop you from starting your business. Let it motivate you to push hard every day toward success.
- Take care of your customers and your employees above all else. Profits will follow.
- Make sure your product or service provides value to people, and then act with urgency. Pick up the phone on the first ring, and respond to texts, emails, and orders immediately. Try to go above and beyond with every transaction so you are exceeding their expectations and earning their business for life.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/south-dayton/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FCPofSouthDayton/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshcoatpaintersofsouthdayton/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-denny-14a37422/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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