Category Archives: WHAT I’VE LEARNED

Pro to Pro with Phil Schoen: Don’t Leave ‘Em Hangin’

For more than 30 years, PPC magazine has been on job sites throughout the U.S. and Canada asking residential and commercial paint pros to share their stories. In our Pro to Pro column, we recap some of the best advice contractors have received and passed on over the last three decades.

THIS TIME: Phil Schoen, Schoen’s Painting & Decorating, Inc., Sheboygan, Wisconsin: Continue reading Pro to Pro with Phil Schoen: Don’t Leave ‘Em Hangin’

Pro to Pro with Paul Gallo: Don’t Avoid Adversity

For more than 30 years, PPC magazine has been on job sites throughout the U.S. and Canada asking residential and commercial paint pros to share their stories. In our Pro to Pro column, we recap some of the best advice contractors have received and passed on over the last three decades.

THIS TIME: Paul Gallo, Magic Brush Painting, Rutland, Vermont: Continue reading Pro to Pro with Paul Gallo: Don’t Avoid Adversity

Contractor Q&A: Aideline Amarán on Finding Her Niche in the Miami Market

Founded in January 2016, Amaran Group LLC specializes in painting, paving and freshening up condo apartment buildings in Miami communities such as Hialeah, Doral, Fontainebleau, Kendall and North Miami Beach. We sat down with owner Aideline Amarán to learn some of the secrets of her success in the multi-family painting segment. Continue reading Contractor Q&A: Aideline Amarán on Finding Her Niche in the Miami Market

Pro to Pro with Jonathan Zawacki: Do Only What You Do Well

For 30 years, PPC magazine has been on job sites throughout the U.S. and Canada asking residential and commercial paint pros to share their stories. In our Pro to Pro column, we recap some of the best advice contractors have received and passed on over the last three decades.

THIS TIME: Jonathan Zawacki, Hands On Painters, Baltimore, Maryland: Continue reading Pro to Pro with Jonathan Zawacki: Do Only What You Do Well

Contractor Q&A: Jason Phillips on Building a Team and the Benefits of Adding Roofing and Gutter Services

Jason Phillips is the owner of Phillips Home Improvements. Based in Plano, Texas, the company has been refreshing and rehabilitating homes for more than 20 years to build a quality reputation in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. They hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and were awarded the 2019 Torch Award for Ethics. PPC editor Mike Starling sat down with Jason to learn more about how he grew his business into the success story it is today. Continue reading Contractor Q&A: Jason Phillips on Building a Team and the Benefits of Adding Roofing and Gutter Services

Pro to Pro with Garret Abeyta: Put Down the Brush!

For more than 30 years, PPC magazine has been on job sites throughout the U.S. and Canada asking residential and commercial paint pros to share their stories. In our Pro to Pro column, we recap some of the best advice contractors have received and passed on over the last three decades.

This time: Garret Abeyta, Abeyta Painting, LLC, Tucson, Arizona. Continue reading Pro to Pro with Garret Abeyta: Put Down the Brush!

Contractor Q&A: Rob Waller on Passion, Pride and the Challenges of the Painting Trade

Rob Waller has been a professional painter for more than 30 years. He lives in the Charleston, South Carolina area, where he owns and operates Waller Painting. The company employs 24 painters. Continue reading Contractor Q&A: Rob Waller on Passion, Pride and the Challenges of the Painting Trade

Pro to Pro with Allen Pinchot: Know When to Fold ‘Em

For 30 years, PPC magazine has been on job sites throughout the U.S. and Canada asking residential and commercial paint pros to share their stories. In our Pro to Pro column, we recap some of the best advice contractors have received and passed on over the last three decades. This time: Allen Pinchot, Frank Novak & Sons, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio. Continue reading Pro to Pro with Allen Pinchot: Know When to Fold ‘Em

What We’re Doing to Stay Safe and Productive During COVID-19, with Colorado Painter Dave Barry

Dave Barry started painting at age 14 in Boston. He moved to the mountains of Colorado in 1996 and started his own company, Barry Painting Inc. Over the years he has painted everything from small homes to some of the most exclusive residential properties in the Boulder, Colorado area, as well as commercial and multifamily properties. He recently started a new business called Rocky Mountain Finishing LLC, with a spray booth that helps him expand into finishing cabinets, metal, furniture, trim packs, doors and more. PPC editor Mike Starling caught up with Dave to ask him about the challenges he’s facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading What We’re Doing to Stay Safe and Productive During COVID-19, with Colorado Painter Dave Barry

Pro to Pro with Jason McCool: Strive for Balance

For more than 30 years, PPC magazine has been on job sites throughout the U.S. and Canada asking residential and commercial paint pros to share their stories. In our Pro to Pro column, we recap some of the best advice contractors have received and passed on over the last three decades.

THIS TIME: Jason McCool, President, Executive Coatings & Contracting, Inc., Denver, Colorado. Continue reading Pro to Pro with Jason McCool: Strive for Balance

The New Generation of Paint Pros: Meet Noah Kanter of Nth Degree Painting in Vermont

Noah Kanter worked on a paint crew over summers and breaks to help pay for college. Now it has turned into his chosen career.

The owner of Nth Degree Painting in Burlington, Vermont hired his first employees this summer, and is launching a new podcast in December 2019. PPC sat down with Noah this summer to talk about his work, the current state of the industry, and what fuels his success.
Continue reading The New Generation of Paint Pros: Meet Noah Kanter of Nth Degree Painting in Vermont

Noah Kanter on the Challenges and Benefits of Hiring His First Employees

This summer, PPC hit the road for two days with Noah Kanter, a contractor serving residential customers in northern Vermont. In this article, we talk with him about his decision to hire his first employees and the challenges and benefits it has brought to him and his company.
Continue reading Noah Kanter on the Challenges and Benefits of Hiring His First Employees

Noah Kanter on Why He Chose a Career in Painting and Why College and the Trades Aren’t Mutually Exclusive

This summer, PPC hit the road for two days with Noah Kanter, a contractor serving residential customers in northern Vermont. In this article, we talk with him about why he chose a career in painting, why it’s important for contractors to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and why college and the skilled trades do not need to be mutually exclusive.
Continue reading Noah Kanter on Why He Chose a Career in Painting and Why College and the Trades Aren’t Mutually Exclusive

Noah Kanter on His Go-To Coatings and How Your Paint Supplier Can Help You Succeed

This summer, PPC hit the road for two days with Noah Kanter, a contractor serving residential customers in northern Vermont. In this article, we talk with him about his go-to coatings and the role his paint supplier plays in his success.
Continue reading Noah Kanter on His Go-To Coatings and How Your Paint Supplier Can Help You Succeed

Contractor Q&A: Joe Ferrera on Building a Good Team, Keeping Up with Technology and Painting Some of Hawaii’s Biggest Jobs

Painting was going to just be a temporary job for Joe Ferrera (third from right above), but it became his lifelong career. We sat down with the owner of Consolidated Painting, LLC in Kapolei, Hawaii, to find out what he’s learned over his long career in the trade.
Continue reading Contractor Q&A: Joe Ferrera on Building a Good Team, Keeping Up with Technology and Painting Some of Hawaii’s Biggest Jobs

Contractor Q&A: Chuck Kocinski on Training, Turning Points and Video Marketing

Based in Parma, Ohio, Paint Medics Inc. specializes in residential and commercial repaints, aluminum/vinyl siding refinishing, and deck and fence staining. PPC sat down with owner Chuck Kocinski to find out a little bit of what he’s learned as a professional painting contractor over the past 30 years. Continue reading Contractor Q&A: Chuck Kocinski on Training, Turning Points and Video Marketing

Contractor Q&A: Reaching New Heights with Carlos Devora

Carlos Devora, 28, is the founder and owner of Pro Painting Services, a painting company that has quickly reached professional success in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico. Emigrating to the United States at age 13 from Durango, Mexico, Carlos was 15 when entered the painting industry. Continue reading Contractor Q&A: Reaching New Heights with Carlos Devora