When Rachel realized her first painting company made zero profit after a full year of work, it crushed her.
She was exhausted, in debt, and ready to give up.
But instead of quitting, she started over, with a plan.
Today, Rachel runs XPaint in Cleveland, Ohio, a six-figure business on track for $1M next year.
She’s built systems, a team she trusts, and a level of financial security she never thought possible.
In this episode, she opens up about:
🎯 Hitting rock bottom and rebuilding with confidence
💡 How she turned chaos into clarity by learning her numbers
🧘♀️ The mindset and energy work that unlocked her next level
If you’ve ever felt like your business was running you — this conversation will change how you see what’s possible.
🎙️ Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
In this solo episode, Mike recaps the most transformative event in Painter Growth history, the Phoenix Mastermind.
What started as a business coaching event has evolved into something much deeper: a space where painting contractors become better leaders, partners, and people.
Mike shares what made this mastermind so special, from the keynote on shifting from “painter” to “entrepreneur,” to breakthroughs in mindset, branding, money, and personal growth. You’ll also hear about the new Flywheel Program, the AI tools changing how owners work, and the High Performance Day that left everyone speechless.
Whether you missed the event or want to relive it, this episode captures the energy, lessons, and community that make Painter Growth unlike anything else in the industry.
🎧 Tune in and see what it really means to build a business that builds you back.
What does it take to grow a painting business to $500,000 a year?
In this episode, Mike Gore-Hickman sits down with Fred Hamilton, owner of Hamilton Painting in Austin, Texas, and a leader on the PCA Residential Repaint Committee. Fred shares his journey of building a thriving residential repaint business, the mindset shifts that made growth possible, and why investing in community and industry events is one of the smartest moves a painting contractor can make.
If you’re a painting business owner looking for real-world strategies to scale, this conversation is packed with insights you can put into practice right away.
👉 Listen now and discover how to take your painting business to the next level.
Every painting business owner says, “Next year will be different.”
But most never build the plan that makes it happen.
In this solo episode, Mike shares how to turn 2026 into your breakout year, the one where you finally stop reacting and start leading.
You’ll learn how to:
✅ Plan for profit (and reverse-engineer your revenue goals)
✅ Stay off the tools and lead like a CEO
✅ Build a team that runs without you
✅ Create real accountability and track your growth weekly
This isn’t about wishful thinking or New Year’s hype.
It’s about taking control of your time, your money, and your business, now.
🎧 Listen to learn how to make 2026 the year everything changes.
What happens when a homeowner nearly falls off her chair from your price, and still leaves you a 5-star review before you do the job?
In this episode, we unpack a Momentum coaching call filled with real stories and real wins. From placing 350+ door hangers to unlocking $40K in builder work, these painting contractors are proving that consistent marketing, honest communication, and clear expectations can change everything. You'll hear from Josh, who locked in investor partnerships and scaled to a 16-man crew, and Rachel, who booked nearly $40K in one week using just one simple sales play.
If you’re a painting contractor stuck in the weeds or wondering how to get higher-paying jobs, this conversation will shift how you think about growth.
🔗 This episode is proudly sponsored by DripJobs! The CRM built for painting contractors. Click HERE and use our code GROWTH60 to get a 60 days trial FOR FREE!.
Are you doing quote after quote… but barely booking any jobs?
In this episode of Brush Busters, Lucas, and Chris dig into real letters from painting contractors who are stuck—whether it’s the slow season blues, low close rates, or wondering if it’s finally time to hire their first employee.
This is a practical, honest look at the everyday decisions painting business owners face, and what to actually do about them.
🛠️ You’ll hear:
Why “too many quotes, not enough jobs” might not be the real problem
How to survive and thrive during the slow season
What to know before hiring your first employee
Straight answers from people who’ve been there
🎧 Listen now and get unstuck.
📌 Perfect for:
Painting contractors, solo operators, and growing teams looking for real guidance without the fluff.
#paintingbusiness #paintingcontractor #brushbusters #contractorgrowth #tradesbusiness #paintingcompany #leadconversion #hiringfirstemployee #slowseasonstrategy
Lucas Mangotich spent years building service businesses from scratch. A painting company. A janitorial firm. Steady growth, solid teams, real revenue.
But what happens when the business no longer feels like freedom?
In this episode, Lucas sits down with Mike to unpack what most entrepreneurs never talk about—what it really takes to grow something valuable, and how to know when it’s time to let go.
You’ll hear honest lessons about starting scrappy, letting go of perfection, hiring before you’re ready, and redefining success after the exit.
This isn’t just about painting or cleaning. It’s about building a business that serves your life.
🔗 This episode is proudly sponsored by DripJobs! The CRM built for painting contractors. Click HERE and use our code GROWTH60 to get a 60 days trial FOR FREE!
Isaac never planned to run the family painting business. He was more interested in other paths. But after three years on the tools, he started to see things differently. What felt like just a job began to look like an opportunity.
In this episode, Isaac shares what changed for him. He talks with Mike about stepping into leadership, learning to think like a business owner, and building systems that take the pressure off his parents. They talk through the early grind, the mindset shifts, and what it really looks like to go from working in the business to building it with intention.
If you're trying to build a company that creates freedom for you and the people you care about, this one will hit home.
In this episode of The Painter Growth Podcast, Head Coach Jesse is joined by Coach Joel for his first Brush Busters session. Joel isn’t just a coach, he’s actively running a painting company doing over seven figures in revenue. Together, Jesse and Joel answer real letters from painting contractors, sharing insights on sales, hiring, marketing, and building systems that actually work.
Whether you’re trying to book more painting leads, struggling to find reliable painters, or figuring out how to scale past $100K, this episode is packed with strategies you can use right away.
Chris Davis never planned to build a million-dollar painting company. He was just trying to survive the pressure of doing everything himself while keeping jobs moving and clients happy. Most days felt like a firefight, with no time to slow down and no space to think. The business was growing, but it never felt like progress.
That started to change when he stopped trying to be everywhere at once and made the decision to lead instead of react. He got off the tools, started building systems, and began trusting a team instead of carrying the full weight himself. What followed was real momentum. Not overnight success, but steady, disciplined growth that took his company beyond $1.7 million in revenue.
This episode is an inside look at what that transformation actually feels like. It’s about the identity shift that happens when you let go of control, the uncomfortable work of building structure where there used to be chaos, and the clarity that comes when you finally stop playing small and start acting like a real business owner.
If you’re tired of carrying your company on your back and wondering if there’s another way to grow without burning out, this conversation will show you what’s possible when you step into leadership and commit to building something that can last.
Starting or growing your painting business? Got questions? We’ve got answers.
In this episode of Brush Busters, Jesse and Gavin tackle real questions from painting contractors, overing everything from forming an LLC to switching CRMs to figuring out where to focus when you’re just getting started.
Whether you’re launching your business, trying to stay organized, or just feeling overwhelmed by all the platforms and decisions in front of you, this episode brings clarity, direction, and some solid laughs along the way.
💡 In this episode, they answer:
Should you set up an LLC before you start marketing your painting business?
How to avoid “platform hopping” and actually commit to a system
What to focus on when you're wearing all the hats
Why progress beats perfection in the early stages
And what tools or systems actually move the needle
If you’ve been searching for:
"how to start a painting business"
"best CRM for painting contractors"
"painting contractor business tips"
"when to start an LLC for painting company"
"how to grow a painting company"
…this episode is packed with real answers and real momentum.
ver feel like you know what to do in your painting business, but still don’t do it?
In this solo episode, Jesse shares raw reflections on mindset, personal growth, and what it really takes to go from ideas to results. After a conversation with Jason Paris (who runs a $15M painting company), Jesse unpacks why so many business owners stay stuck, and what to do about it.
You’ll hear:
How mindset affects execution
What high-performing painting business owners focus on
A simple shift that could unlock your next level
Real strategies to apply right now, even if you're feeling overwhelmed
This one’s honest, practical, and meant to get you moving, not just thinking.
🎧 This episode was sponsored by Hirebus! Want to stop wasting time on bad hires? Click HERE to book a free strategy session with one of Hirebus top recruiters!
In this episode of Brush Busters, coaches Lucas and Chris tackle real letters from painting business owners and share their no-nonsense solutions.
From Marcus in Calgary dealing with chunky paint batches to strategies for keeping customers happy while holding suppliers accountable, this episode dives deep into the real-world challenges painters face every day.
Whether it’s quality control, client communication, or knowing when to push back on a vendor, Lucas and Chris break down practical steps to turn frustrating problems into opportunities to build trust and improve your business.
This episode is proudly sponsored by DripJobs! The CRM built for painting contractors. Click HERE and use our code GROWTH60 to get a 60 days trial FOR FREE!
What does it take to go from working on the tools to running one of the fastest-growing painting franchises in the country?
In this episode, I sit down with Zach Tanner, founder of Painter Bros and FM Flow, to unpack his journey from an 18-year-old with a paintbrush to leading a company with over 140 territories across the U.S.
We talk about:
How he scaled from one job site to a national franchise
The mindset shifts that made rapid growth possible
The systems he uses to keep quality high while expanding fast
Why FM Flow might be the next big thing in the industry
Whether you’re on the tools now or already running a crew, Zach’s story will inspire you to think bigger and move faster.
Sign up for FMFlor here, just say you came from the podcast to get the discount 😏: https://fmflow.com/referral-source-pro/
This episode is proudly sponsored by DripJobs! The CRM built for painting contractors. Click HERE and use our code GROWTH60 to get a 60 days trial FOR FREE!
When you’re running a painting business and raising a family, something eventually has to give.
In this episode of Brush Busters, Mike and Kit have a real conversation about what happens when fatherhood enters the picture.
Kit shares how becoming a dad forced him to rethink his schedule, his priorities, and the way he ran his business. Together, they break down how to work fewer hours, lead with clarity, and build a business that doesn’t fall apart without you.
If you’ve ever felt the tension between being a present parent and a committed business owner, this one is worth your time.
What would happen if you left your painting business for two full weeks, with no calls, no emails, no check-ins?
In this solo episode, Mike shares a powerful test every contractor should run: The Two-Week Vacation Test. It’s not just about taking time off. It’s about whether your business actually runs on systems, or just on you.
He breaks down:
Why letting go is so hard (and so necessary)
What happens when your team learns to operate without you
The systems and leadership mindset that allow real growth
Why freedom is the goal, not just profit
Whether you’re in the field every day or starting to build a team, this episode will challenge how you think about control, growth, and success.
Should you fire your best friend? What if your team ignores your systems? And how do you finally get off the tools without your business falling apart?
In this raw and unfiltered Brush Busters episode, Rich and Andy tackle three real letters from painting business owners navigating some of the toughest leadership challenges in the industry:
Mario’s friend-turned-employee is slacking off—should he rip the bandaid or save the friendship?
Daryl’s body is breaking down, but every time he steps back from the brush, the business crashes.
Sean’s crew is talented, but they won’t follow a single system—and it’s costing him jobs.
You’ll learn the exact conversations to have, how to reset expectations without blowing things up, and how to build systems and teams that don’t fall apart without you.
Whether you’re hiring friends, managing burnout, or struggling with rebellious employees—this episode gives you the scripts, mindset, and strategy to lead like a pro.
🎧 This episode was sponsored by Hirebus! Want to stop wasting time on bad hires? Click HERE to book a free strategy session with one of Hirebus top recruiters!
In this episode, Chase and Jesse pull back the curtain on what it’s really like to be on the customer side of the painting industry. After painting Chase’s own house, inside and out, they got a front-row seat to the exact experience homeowners go through when trying to find, vet, and hire a painting contractor.
And what they found was shocking.
From struggling to find a cabinet painter to evaluating Facebook ads and navigating sketchy follow-ups, this hands-on experience revealed major gaps in the way most painting businesses market themselves, and how much opportunity there is to stand out.
Whether you're trying to book more jobs, improve your Facebook ads, or finally stop relying on word-of-mouth referrals, this episode breaks it all down from a marketing and operations perspective.
You’ll learn:
Why being “on the tools” limits your ability to grow, and what to do about it
How to use Facebook ads and automations to attract better leads (even while you’re on the job)
What most painters are missing when it comes to building trust with homeowners
Real-world examples of what works (and what doesn’t) in the eyes of actual customers
How to shift from being a technician to being a business owner with systems and scale in mind
Whether you're just getting started or looking to hit your next $100K, $500K, or $1M milestone, this honest conversation will help you rethink your sales process, your lead generation strategy, and your entire customer experience.
This is the episode every painter needs to hear, because when you finally see your business the way your customers do, everything changes.
🎧 This episode was sponsored by Hirebus! Want to stop wasting time on bad hires? Click HERE to book a free strategy session with one of Hirebus top recruiters!
In this solo episode, I share the raw lessons I wish I’d known when I started running my painting business.
This episode is about the truths that no one tells you when you start a painting business, the mistakes that cost me time, money, and even my sanity. I open up about the challenges that forced me to rethink what it means to run a business, step into true leadership, and create systems that scale.
If you’re serious about scaling your painting business and stepping into true leadership, this episode is for you.
What I cover in this episode:
✅ The biggest mistake that cost me time, money, and energy
✅ Why doing the painting yourself holds you back from real growth
✅ How to delegate and build a team that takes ownership
✅ What happens when you underprice jobs to win them
✅ The mindset shifts that took me from operator to CEO
Want to grow your painting company without repeating the mistakes I made?
🎧 Tap play and learn from one of my most eye-opening lessons.
This episode is proudly sponsored by DripJobs! The CRM built for painting contractors. Click HERE and use our code GROWTH60 to get a 60 days trial FOR FREE!
In this episode I’m joined by Brandon Pierpont of Painter Marketing Pros to reveal the marketing systems that every painting contractor needs to scale fast.
We dig into the real challenges painting business owners face, like:
How to consistently attract high-end painting clients (without relying on referrals).
Why most ad strategies fail—and what actually works in premium neighborhoods.
How to build a steady pipeline of jobs, even when the season slows down.
From creating marketing systems that run on autopilot to positioning your painting company as the go-to choice for luxury homeowners, Brandon breaks down strategies that work right now.
You’ll learn how to:
Stop guessing when it comes to lead generation.
Build a brand that stands out in your market.
Start taking real control over your business growth.
Whether you’re stuck under $250k or pushing toward $1M+, this episode gives actionable steps to elevate your painting business to the next level.
👉 Schedule A Call With Our Team: go.paintergrowth.com/schedule