Originally from New Orleans, Jason Fitzgerald spent nine years as an outfielder and first baseman with a number of AAA and other minor league baseball teams before embarking on a second career as a painting contractor. He owns the King Paint Company in Charlotte, North Carolina.

What was the biggest turning point in the success of your business?

When I created the team of painters I currently have working with me. Having played a number of years of professional baseball, I understand what it takes to work together as a team. These guys continue to impress people daily with their skills and level of professionalism.

What’s the biggest challenge of running your own company?

It’s relinquishing control and totally relying on my team to complete every job to my standards. They do an amazing job; however, I’m still learning how to allow them to do the job I’ve put them in place to do. I want perfection.

What’s your favorite part about running your own painting business?

I enjoy people and tell my team to treat clients as new friends. One of the biggest compliments I received was about my team. They said: “Your team was such a pleasure to have at my house and we are going to miss having them around.”

What’s the best business advice you ever got?

It was from my father. He told me if you are going to take the time to do something, then do it right the first time. We set a goal as a team for each job to have zero items pointed out by the homeowner during the final walk-through. This really helps us pay attention to detail.

This article was originally published in the Summer 2015 issue of PPC magazine. Jason Fitzgerald was interviewed by Mike Starling, PPC Editor. Read more about what pro painters have discovered on the job in the PPC What I’ve Learned archive.