Credit: Steve Bowen always took pride in his work as an independent businessman, and his purchase of a Fresh Coat Painters franchise is allowing him to take that commitment to professionalism to a new level. By being part of a national organization, he now can offer enhanced services to residential and commercial clients in Woodbury, Minn., and surrounding communities.
Cincinnati, OH (PRWEB) Steve Bowen has launched his Fresh Coat Painters franchise to service Woodbury, Minn., and its surrounding communities east of St. Paul.
For Bowen, who had been operating a painting company, the purchase of the franchise gave him the opportunity to focus his energies and grow his business.
"I was running a company for five years without structure," he said. "I was just spinning my wheels. I decided I could keep doing that and never get anywhere or I could develop the skills necessary to create a company I could be proud of and still have time to spend with my family."
Bowen explored various options, but found Fresh Coat to be the ideal fit.
"I knew what had to be done. I just couldn't figure out how to do it," he said. "Fresh Coat gave me the guidance I needed. From the very beginning, I felt I had a great support system. I wasn't just out there on my own anymore."
Bernie Brozek, president of Fresh Coat, said helping franchise owners succeed is of paramount importance to the corporate team.
"Steve clearly has the drive and the vision," Brozek said. "What we provide are the marketing tools, top-notch training, and ongoing resources to help him focus that ambition, so that he uses his time and energies most effectively."
Bowen said the Fresh Coat business model immediately gave him that focus helping him to understand how he could commit most of his time to networking and to selling his workers' services.
"It was always easy for me to sell a job," he said, "but when it came to doing the job, I was using subcontractors. Often they didn't do the job right, and I'd end up having to fix their work. It was easier for me to do it myself, but then I would be frustrated because I knew I was missing out on jobs because I should be out selling the next job rather than painting."
Bowen said he's already had repeat business from clients who are impressed by his professionalism as well as that of his workers.
"When I hire workers, they understand that it's about the basics of business," he said. "They know they have to show up on time, be clean and courteous, do the job well, and clean up the site afterward."
Brozek said that professionalism is a major factor is what sets Fresh Coat apart from its competitors.
"Our owners understand that running a painting business isn't about painting," he said. "It's about the client's entire experience from that first call to the job completion and beyond. It's about building a long-term relationship."
Bowen said being part of a larger organization has brought a host of other perks to his business including marketing ideas he "never would have thought of" plus several client assistance programs, such as a 24/7 call center, Paint Now-Pay Later 12-months-same-as-cash financing, Automatic Touch-Up for businesses, and fund-raising opportunities for charities.
"When I told one of my business associates, a Realtor, that we had same-as-cash financing, she jumped on it," Bowen said. "She told her boss, and his response was 'get him in here for a presentation to everybody' because painting helps houses sell, but often the owners are strapped for cash. By providing that option, Fresh Coat makes it possible to get work done and pay when the house sells."
Bowen also appreciates the ability to offer painting services as a fund-raising opportunity for his favorite charities - something he could not afford to do as an independent. He's already working with a neighborhood animal rescue organization and a local church planning a mission trip.
"By buying the Fresh Coat franchise, I feel I've planted a seed, and it's starting to grow," Bowen said.
To learn more or to schedule a free on-site quote for residential or commercial projects in Woodbury and surrounding areas, call 651-621-3153 or visit http://www.freshcoatwoodburymn.com.
Founded in 2004 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Fresh Coat Painters provides services for residential, commercial and governmental customers in more than 100 major cities across the United States and Canada. Fresh Coat is part of the International Franchise Association, the Small Business Association's Franchise Registry, VetFran and Minority Fran. For more information, call 866-708-9355 or visit http://www.freshcoatpainters.com.
###
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
