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I love my work!

By Terry | April 27, 2009

A wise man once told me, “Life is full of decisions and the decisions we make determine how successful we’ll be in life.” I heard this shortly after dropping out of college. I was eighteen and unemployed. Anyone who didn’t know me would think I made a bad decision.  But I knew in my heart college wasn’t right for me.

I’d spent the last few summers helping my older brother paint houses.  I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed being in the fresh air and how good it felt to provide such a valuable service to homeowners. That was until I began going to college.  The thought of spending the next four years preparing for a boring desk job where I’d have to answer to a boss and be told how much money I could make the next 30 to 40 years took the life out of me. Dropping out of college wasn’t a hard decision, and I’ve never regretted it.

It’s hard to explain the feeling of freedom I get from owning a painting business.  There’s a thrill knowing my success and income are only limited by ambition and determination.  If freedom and independence are important to you, if you enjoy working outdoors, and if making people happy makes your day – a painting business might be right for you.

I’ll admit starting a painting business at age eighteen was challenging. Many homeowners didn’t think I had enough experience to paint their home.  Some even told me to come back with an adult and they would consider hiring me. I learned if you’re determined, politely persistent and you love what you do, you’ll find a way to make it work.

I now own and operate a successful residential painting business. Even with a small crew we paint 150 homes each summer from April to October. One of the reasons we can paint so many homes in such a short season is because we specialize in niche painting.  We also use a unique system for painting homes in just one day from start to finish.

I have a highly skilled crew who feels the same way about painting as I do. Many business owners say you shouldn’t be friends with your employees. My employees are some of my best friends, because we get along so well.  The work is fun and the days just fly by. We work together as a team and we’re extremely productive.  Our customers are amazed and happy when they come home from work at the end of the day and see their house beautifully painted the same day we started the job.

After many years of doing quality work we’ve built a solid reputation.  Now, I choose the jobs I want to work on, and, the customers I want to work for.  I look at being able to pick and choose our customers, as a reward for years of quality work.  It’s easier to enjoy life when you enjoy your work.  After all, that’s where you spend one third of your day.

Too often people search for the highest paying job, and then they spend the rest of their working life trying to enjoy it – when honestly they hate it.  I believe people should do the opposite.  Find what excites and challenges you. Find something you love to do so much you would do it even if you weren’t paid. Then figure out a way to make a living with it. After all, life’s too short to be miserable at work.  If you’re passionate about what you do, the money always finds its way to you.

I love my painting business.  I start each day with another house to paint. Overcoming the challenges is rewarding to me.  House painting has made it possible to accomplish all my goals.  I earn a six-figure income with my business and my wife and I own the kind of home doctors and CEOs own.

We all have the power within us to create the kind of life we want.  Remember, it’s almost always earned through hard work and determination. If I had it to do over I wouldn’t change a thing.

If you’re the type of person who loves being outdoors and working with your hands; and you enjoy being in control of your destiny – maybe you should consider starting a painting business.When I first got married I tried working at a “real job.”  Working for someone else just gave me an uneasy feeling of, “I’m better then this, I should be doing more with my life.” If you refuse to settle for a pay check and you’re tired of multi-level schemes and internet dreams, an honest business as a successful painter like me just might be right for you, too.

Terry Begue is the owner of  Begue Painting and author of the popular e-book, “The Wealthy House Painter’s Guide to Having it All.”  He’s been a successful house painter for 30 years and enjoys helping others start their own successful painting businesses, too. Terry has been published in “Professional Painting Contractor” magazine in spring 2009 for his article “Recession Proof Your Business-Five ways to help your company thrive in a stumbling economy.”

Discover more at: http://www.yourhousepaintingbusiness.com

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