The Commercial Painting Podcast

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...

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 tools How should leadersbring AI to their co...

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 Hackathon How to use agents to do admin work Using...

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 conver...

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...

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...

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 emphasize...

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,...

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-...

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....

FEATURED GUEST Yale Rosen ABOUT Insurance is one of those topics every contractor needs but few want to dig into. In this episode, Aaron sits down with Yale Rosen, Risk Advisor at Risk Strategies , to break down the insurance essentials that commercial painting contractors should understand. Yale explains what matters, what to watch for, and how to work with a broker who actually adds value (inste...

FEATURED GUEST Annie Newton ABOUT In this episode of the  Commercial Painting Podcast , Annie Newton shares her journey from running a successful painting company in Washington to leading  ProfitWorks , a firm that helps painting and service-based businesses grow through fractional CFO services and remote staffing solutions. With over two decades of experience in the trades, Annie offers profound...

FEATURED GUEST Glenn Williamson ABOUT In this episode, Glenn Williamson, founder of New Haven Painting , shares his journey from humble beginnings to running a respected painting business known for its integrity, precision, and customer care. Glenn opens up about how he built New Haven Painting from the ground up, the importance of relationships in the trades, and how word-of-mouth marketing conti...

FEATURED GUEST Zach Kenney ABOUT Is social media just a thing the kids do these days? Not for Zach Kenney with ZK Painting. He's sold over $9 million in painting jobs on Instagram alone without spending a dollar on ads. He's known for his high-end residential work, but his methods apply to any painting contractor who wants to grow their business without blowing their budget. What started o...

FEATURED GUEST Linnea Blair ABOUT Linnea Blair has influenced and improved the health of several business owners, including your hosts David and Aaron. In this episode, Linnea Blair shares her journey of working with painting contractors, starting in 2002 when she created a coaching program for members of the PDCA (Painting and Decorating Contractors of America), where she immediately got 18 sign-...

FEATURED GUESTS Brian Jurgens and Tim Kenney ABOUT Boston is known for its unique architecture and rich history; today we get to meet the family that’s spent the last half century painting it all! The legendary Tim Kenney and Brian Jurgens. This fourth-generation company started by selling paint door to door during the Great Depression. When your business has thrived for that long, you’ve had to n...

FEATURED GUEST Alec Kinard ABOUT Hundreds of employees, over a hundred million in revenue, and the need for a new CEO at Graydaze Contracting and the person to fill the role is none other than 29 year old, Alec Kinard. So many people associate CEO’s with grey hair but as Alec proves, age is just a number when you lead with trust and integrity. In this episode Alec goes into his short but vast hist...

FEATURED GUEST Matt Adams ABOUT Tired of hearing about the magic of Google? Or maybe the “magical” 5 steps to grow your business through SEO? That’s probably because we learn at a young age that magic is a bad business word that really means smoke and mirrors or give me money and I’ll tell you a weak secret. Believe it or not, you don’t have to learn a foreign language to use Google to help grow y...

FEATURED GUEST David Franco ABOUT Ready to take your team to the next level? In this episode, David Franco of Protiv drops some serious knowledge on how to build a powerhouse team that delivers every time.  From scaling a $10M business to tackling labor management, David reveals how Protiv’s performance-based solutions turn ordinary workers into top performers. Think creative contests, tech-driven...

FEATURED GUEST Aaron Cooper ABOUT Imagine a sales team that never sleeps, a receptionist with infinite patience, and a marketing department fueled by data-driven insights—all rolled into one incredibly efficient AI.  That's the power of Sameday AI. This episode features Aaron Cooper, the visionary behind Sameday AI. Find out how this innovative technology is helping businesses achieve seamless ope...

FEATURED GUEST Dan Johnson ABOUT Join us for an insightful conversation with Dan Johnson, Global Total Markets Manager at Graco, as he shares the company's rich history—from its humble beginnings in 1926 lubricating vehicles to its current position as a leader in various industries, including commercial painting. Dan details Graco's four business pillars, highlighting the company's commitment to e...

FEATURED GUEST Liz Chism ABOUT In this episode of the Commercial Painting Podcast, Liz Chism dives into the power of systems and processes for contractors. Liz explains how she helps contractors identify and solve business pain points to scale efficiently. She discusses her "Contractor Operating System," which includes five key steps: simplify, strategize, systemize, ensure sustainability, and sca...

FEATURED GUEST Karyn Greenstreet ABOUT In this episode of the Commercial Painting Podcast, we interview Karyn Greenstreet on the transformative impact of MastermindGroups, where peers collaborate on creative solutions.  Karyn highlights the essential role of facilitators, the benefits of different group types, and key success factors like privacy and respect. She also shares exercises to enhance g...

FEATURED GUEST Kevin Nolan ABOUT In this episode of the Commercial Painting Podcast, Kevin Nolan, Co-Founder of Nolan Consulting Group, shares his entrepreneurial journey in the painting industry and the transition to residential painting. He emphasizes the importance of a strong management team in driving business success. Kevin discusses key concepts from his book,  Organizational Muscle , inclu...

FEATURED GUEST Brian Drucks ABOUT In this episode of the Commercial Painting Podcast, Brian Drucks, a fourth-generation tradesman and founder of WhereTradesGo.com shares his journey from residential wallpaper to commercial painting and the creation of his app designed to revolutionize recruitment in the construction industry. The app, inspired by dating platforms, connects tradespeople with job op...