Painter's Business Podcast

Most painting contractors struggle with hiring—either they grow too fast and lose quality, or they can't find reliable people who will stick around. But Brooke Clanton, Owner & CEO of Venture Painting, shows that you can scale your crews, protect quality, and build a loyal team—no matter how unpredictable the market gets. With a family legacy dating back to 1978, Brooke has lived every season of the industry: rapid expansions, painful downturns, rebuilding from scratch, managing large new-construction pipelines, and leading crews through shifting market conditions. Today, she runs a thriving business rooted in reliability, relationships, and long-term loyalty—without playing the low-bid game. In this episode of the Painter's Business Podcast, Brooke joins host Stephanie Stover to share the real-world hiring, management, and retention strategies that help painting companies grow sustainably while keeping standards high. 🎧 In this episode, you'll learn: How to hire for reliability—not just skill—and spot long-term employees during interviews Why painting experience can sometimes be a red flag, and how to screen for the right mindset How to keep crews busy year-round by diversifying work (builders, HOAs, realtors, repaints) The simple quality-control system Venture Painting uses to prevent corner-cutting on job sites What makes a great crew leader and why people skills matter as much as production skills How Brooke pays her team well and still stays competitive in new construction The biggest red flags when someone applies—and how to avoid costly hiring mistakes What keeps painters loyal in an industry known for high turnover How to navigate unpredictable construction cycles without losing team stability This episode is for painters who want to build strong teams, reduce turnover, protect their reputation, and scale their business without sacrificing workmanship or client trust. 👉 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a painter who needs to build a better crew. Connect with Venture Painting: Website: https://venturepaintinginc.com And if you're doing $1M+ a year and want help scaling, go to: https://www.passionatemediamarketing.com/

Most painting contractors think they need to offer the lowest bid to win a job, but Stephen Rutherford, franchise owner at Five Star Painting, proves that clarity, professionalism, and process beat cheap pricing every single time. After nearly two decades in the paint industry — from working inside a major paint manufacturer to running a fast-growing franchise with his business partner Michael — Stephen has mastered how to stand out in both residential and commercial markets without racing to the bottom. In this episode of the Painter's Business Podcast, Stephen joins host Stephanie Stover to reveal how smart painting companies escape price wars, earn trust fast, and consistently win premium contracts. 🎧 In this episode, you'll learn: The biggest myth stopping painters from landing better jobs (and what to do instead) Why process, clarity, and clean contracts instantly separate you from competitors How to write proposals that make clients say "yes" even when your price is higher The surprising pain points property managers care about that most painters ignore A $400K case study where attention to detail won the client's trust When (and how) to tighten your pricing strategically without lowballing Why clients struggle to understand price differences and how to explain your value The real reasons premium paint jobs cost more in today's market Three simple steps to escape the race to the bottom — ethically and sustainably The mindset every contractor needs to win bigger, better, more profitable work This episode is for painters who want to raise their prices, win quality clients, and build a business rooted in trust, professionalism, and long-term success. 👉 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a painter who needs to stop undercharging. Connect with Stephen Rutherford & Five Star Painting: Website: https://www.fivestarpainting.com/charlottesville/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fivestarpainting_cville/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/FiveStarPaintingCharlottesville And if you're doing $1M+ a year and want help scaling, go to: https://www.passionatemediamarketing.com/

Most painting companies try to win work by racing to the bottom on price — but Kyle Koelble has proven that decision-makers will happily pay more when they understand the value behind the quote. As a franchise owner with Everline Coatings — a brand trusted by Walmart, Home Depot, Tim Hortons, Costco, and backed by a Dragon's Den appearance — Kyle has mastered how to win over busy property managers and business owners who care about speed, clarity, and reliability more than anything else. In this episode of the Painter's Business Podcast, Kyle joins host Stephanie Stover to break down exactly how to position your services so clients say yes even when your quote is 20–30% higher. 🎧 In this episode, you'll learn: What property managers really care about (hint: it's not price) Why showing up on time instantly sets you apart How fast, itemized quotes create trust and justify higher pricing The little-known value add that makes your proposal feel "safer" Why warranties and premium products change the conversation The right way to slow clients down and compare apples to apples How to handle "you're too expensive" without discounting A real success story where a client chose them despite a 30% price gap Why communication and transparency beat low bids every time One no-BS mindset shift every painter needs to win bigger contracts This is the episode for painters who want to raise their prices, elevate their brand, and stop attracting clients who only shop for the lowest bidder. 👉 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a contractor who needs to stop undercharging for great work. You can find Kyle Koelble and Everline Coatings at: Website: https://everlinecoatings.com/us/fl/southwest/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-koelble-b95117bb/  And if you're doing over $1M a year and want help scaling, go to https://passionatemediamarketing.com/ 

When Sam Bell set out to solve a simple municipal problem, he didn't just fix a workflow — he reinvented an industry. As president and co-founder of RoadPrintz, Sam has built a patented robotic pavement-marking system that keeps workers safe, cuts labour costs, and brings modern tech into one of the oldest trades on earth. In this episode of the Painters Business Podcast, Sam joins host Stephanie Stover to unpack how a road-diet project gone wrong sparked an innovation that's transforming how municipalities and contractors paint complex road markings — and why the industry is finally ready for a change. 🎧 In this episode, you'll learn: How one cancelled city project turned into a breakthrough idea Why traditional stenciling is costing companies time, labour, and safety The hidden dangers of traffic-zone work — and how RoadPrintz solves them How municipalities can reduce liability with real-time marking inventories Why a two-person crew can now outperform a nine-person team The mindset shift needed to adopt new tech in a 40,000-year-old process One no-BS action every painter can take today to grow their business It's a powerful conversation about innovation, safety, and breaking old habits — and what it really takes to bring new technology into a trade built on tradition. 👉 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a contractor who's ready to work smarter, safer, and more profitably. You can find Sam Bell and RoadPrintz at: Website: https://roadprintz.com YouTube: RoadPrintz Email: sam@roadprintz.com

When Blake Cockrum walked away from a steady corporate career in finance, he traded spreadsheets for paint sprayers — and built Royal Painting KC from the ground up. In this episode of the Painters Business Podcast, Blake joins host Stephanie Stover to share how he scaled his company from a one-man operation to a thriving local brand — without burning out or sacrificing quality. 🎧 In this episode, you'll learn: How to scale a painting business sustainably — without losing your sanity The hiring strategy that turned exhaustion into efficiency Why paying above market is an investment, not an expense The mindset shift that helped Blake finally "let go" and trust his team How strong leadership creates loyalty, longevity, and lasting results It's a candid conversation about control, courage, and what it really takes to grow a company that works for you — not the other way around. 👉 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow business owner ready to build smarter, not harder. You can find Blake Cockrum and Royal Painting KC at: Website: https://royalpaintingkc.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/royalpaintingkc  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/royalpaintingkc 

When Tila Lee started Pretty in Paint, she was a one-woman show — just a roller, a van, and a big vision. Today, that vision has grown into a national brand helping women across North America build profitable painting businesses on their own terms. In this episode, Tila joins host Stephanie Stover to share how she went from burnout to breakthrough, transforming bias in a male-dominated industry into the backbone of her success. 🎧 In this episode, you'll learn: How to scale your painting business without losing your purpose The mindset shift that turned bias into opportunity Why visibility and authenticity are key to building a powerful brand The "Respect Model" Tila uses to turn skepticism into trust How Pretty in Paint became a movement, not just a business It's a story of grit, growth, and proving that leadership looks different when women take the brush. 👉 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a business owner ready to think bigger. You can find Tila Lee from Pretty in Paint at:  Website: https://goprettyinpaint.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettyinpaint/ Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@prettyinpaintschool  

What happens when your painting business starts running you instead of the other way around? In this episode, Kevin Schramm opens up about what owner fatigue really feels like — those days where you shut down, turn on Netflix, and wonder if all the hard work is even worth it. It's not about working too many hours. It's about losing direction. Losing clarity. Losing the fire that got you started in the first place. Kevin shares how he hit that wall — mentally drained, overwhelmed, and unsure of his next move — and the exact shift that helped him rebuild his focus, motivation, and purpose as a business owner. If you've ever felt stuck, tired, or disconnected from your own business, this one's for you. 🎧 In this episode, you'll learn: How to tell when you're not just tired — you're mentally done The signs your painting business is running you (not the other way around) What to do when motivation disappears — and how to get it back fast The exact mindset shift Kevin used to fall back in love with his business How to build systems so your crew, clients, and cash flow don't rely on you being everywhere at once No fluff. Just real talk from people who've lived it. 👉 If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another painting business owner who's ready to grow! You can find Kevin Schramm from Lime Painting of Boise at: Website: https://limepainting.com/boise-id Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/limepaintingboise  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limepaintingofboise  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@limepainting 

In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Patrick Dew, owner of Fresh Coat Painters of Beaumont, to talk about how smart painting contractors can rise above low-price competition and win more premium jobs. Patrick shares his journey from lean manufacturing to successful painting business owner, and the mindset shifts that helped him scale quickly — from creating a professional client experience to mastering in-home sales presentations, local marketing, and follow-up systems that convert. You'll learn: ✅ Why competing on price is the fastest way to lose profits and burn out ✅ How to use "leave-behind" folders, professional branding, and fast quoting to build instant trust ✅ The #1 most valuable thing you can do as a business owner to grow your painting company ✅ How to win repeat business and referrals by focusing on client experience — not just paint quality ✅ Why marketing and presentation separate pros from the "chuck in a truck" crowd Whether you're just starting out or already running a six-figure operation, this episode gives you actionable strategies to help you scale smarter, close faster, and dominate your local market. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another painting business owner who's ready to grow! #PainterPodcast #PaintingBusiness #ContractorGrowth #FreshCoatPainters #PainterMarketing #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship

In this episode of The Painter's Business Podcast, host Stephanie Stover sits down with Robert Dahlstrom, CEO and Founder of Apellix — the company that's revolutionizing the industrial coatings industry with robotic drones that paint, clean, and protect massive structures. Robert shares how a near accident on a scaffold led to a world-changing idea: drones that could safely and efficiently handle painting, pressure washing, and corrosion protection for everything from bridges to skyscrapers — even U.S. military facilities. You'll learn: ✅ How the "war on corrosion" costs the U.S. economy 3% of GDP every year  ✅ How Apellix drones deliver outsized ROI by replacing scaffolding with safer, faster tech ✅ What industrial and commercial painters can expect as aerial robotics go mainstream ✅ Why drones won't replace painters — they'll multiply profits and create new opportunities If you've ever wondered where technology and the painting industry collide, this episode will blow your mind. 👉 Watch, learn, and share this with another growth-minded painting contractor.

You're losing because you're fighting in a red ocean. Everyone's bidding on the same Google Ads. Chasing the same realtors. Begging HomeAdvisor for scraps. And wondering why their close rates suck and their margins are getting crushed. Here's the truth: The best leads aren't where everyone's looking. In this episode, Stephanie reveals 5 lead sources that sound boring as hell—but print money once you tap into them. We're talking repeat work, predictable revenue, and zero competition. You'll discover: • The client type that needs you every single month (and most painters never call them) • Why divorce attorneys and estate sales are goldmines hiding in plain sight • The pre-listing hack that gets you jobs BEFORE the paint is even requested • How to position yourself so clients chase YOU instead of shopping your price No ads. No discounts. Just smart outreach to the right people. Stop competing on price in crowded markets. Start dominating where nobody else is playing. The riches are in the niches—especially the weird ones. Listen now.

Most painters are broke because they're playing the wrong game. They chase homeowners. Beg for referrals. Pray the phone rings next month. Meanwhile, there's a market of clients who need you 4-6 times per year... and nobody's talking to them. In this episode, Stephanie breaks down the exact strategy you can use to go from feast-or-famine chaos to 58 units painted per year—with the SAME clients buying over and over again. You'll discover: • The client type that has higher frequency, faster decisions, and bigger lifetime value than any homeowner • The 12-contract model that turns your painting business into a subscription (yes, really) • Why you don't need more clients—you need better clients who buy more often • The real numbers: how small jobs and fast turnarounds print more profit than you think Stop trading time for money on one-off jobs. Start building a machine that pays you monthly. This is how you win. Listen now.