Struggling to Scale Your Painting Business? Here’s How Oram Painting Did It!

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Beard and Finisher Podcast, host Zach Shrum interviews Joshua Lamoureux, owner of Oram Painting in Calgary, to discuss his journey from student painter to successful entrepreneur. Joshua shares the challenges he faced and the strategies he used to build a thriving painting business. They dive into topics like team management, production strategies, financial oversight, and client relationships, offering valuable insights for anyone in the service industry.

The conversation also explores the evolving labor market, cash flow challenges, and the role of fitness in employee well-being. Joshua explains how investing in branding and perceived value can set a painting business apart and how collaboration within the industry can lead to stronger pricing strategies.

Key Takeaways:

• From Student Painter to Business Owner: Joshua transitioned to entrepreneurship after realizing his values didn’t align with his previous employer.
• Scaling a Business: Achieved $300K in revenue within the first three quarters.
• Client Relationships: Strong personal relationships and trust are key to business growth.
• Team Loyalty: Paying employees even during downtime helps maintain a committed workforce.
• Production Strategies: Uses a just-in-time model for high-end finishing work.
• Cash Flow & Pricing: Payment delays are a common challenge, and understanding pricing structures is critical.
• Leadership & Wellness: Investing in employee fitness can improve morale and productivity.
• Branding & Perceived Value: Creating an exclusive brand helps attract premium clients.

Sound Bites:

• "I hit $300K my first three quarters."
• "A lot of guys out there are hesitant to hire people."
• "I'm not leaving until I get a check."
• "We went all in on fitness in our company."
• "Your finish coat should be the fastest thing you do."

Chapters: 00:00 — Introduction to Joshua Lamoureux and Oram Painting 03:03 — Joshua’s Journey: From Student Painter to Entrepreneur 08:28 — Scaling a Business: Challenges and Early Success 11:01 — Building a Painting Business with Oram Painting 14:12 — Production Strategies and Team Management 19:55 — Business Models and Financial Management 25:06 — Client Relationships and Estimation Practices 30:07 — The Value of Skilled Labor in Painting 31:22 — Understanding Payment Structures 32:31 — Time and Material Contracts Explained 34:31 — Why Trust Is Essential in Client Relationships 35:31 — Commercial vs. Residential Work: Key Differences 39:39 — How to Handle Payment Delays in Construction 40:20 — Assessing Client Trustworthiness Before Taking Jobs 42:23 — Why Timely Payments Are Crucial for Growth 45:36 — Challenges in Custom Home Painting Projects 49:06 — Pricing Strategies: Balancing Quality and Cost 52:20 — The Changing Landscape of Labor Costs 01:00:50 — How Cash Flow Impacts Wages in the Painting Industry 01:01:45 — Solving Labor Shortages with Innovation 01:02:46 — Investing in Employee Wellness and Fitness 01:04:59 — Reframing Leadership to Maximize Employee Potential 01:06:57 — How Fitness Can Improve Work Performance 01:09:17 — Navigating Market Pressures and Pricing Strategies 01:11:47 — How Camaraderie Among Business Owners Helps Pricing 01:13:30 — Shifting Mindsets in the Painting Industry 01:15:43 — The Role of Experience in Service-Based Businesses 01:19:49 — Branding and Perceived Value in a Competitive Market 01:21:10 — Creating an Exclus