Ep 113. Theo Vairaktaris - From $0 to $120M: Inside Australia’s Largest Painting Company

Lucas 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 systemWhat to focus on when you're wearing all the hatsWhy progress beats perfection in the early stagesAnd what tools or systems actually move the needleIf 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 executionWhat high-performing painting business owners focus onA simple shift that could unlock your next levelReal strategies to apply right now, even if you're feeling overwhelmedThis 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 franchiseThe mindset shifts that made rapid growth possibleThe systems he uses to keep quality high while expanding fastWhy FM Flow might be the next big thing in the industryWhether 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 youThe systems and leadership mindset that allow real growthWhy freedom is the goal, not just profitWhether 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.