Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Warbington.
Beth, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
While working for a downtown law firm I met my 2nd husband who was a painter. The year after we met we started our own business, that was in 1988. We started advertising with Penny Pincher primarily in the E. Cobb area doing exterior repaints. In 1994, we painted a house who referred us to his neighbor. The neighbor turned out to be a Landscape Engineer who asked if we were interested in commercial painting. That had been our dream and goal. We were given an opportunity and now service many commercial customers. In 1996, we had the contract to pressure wash the seats/aisles/walkways inside The Olympic Stadium/Turner Field every night from pre-trials in May to closing ceremonies in September as well as several parking garages. Our business took off and in June of 1998, I left my job as an accountant at a law firm of 20 years and started working full time to grow and manage our business. We have been blessed and now support an office staff of 5 and 45+ painters in the field.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not so smooth. Cash flow was my biggest challenge. In the residential business, you get paid when the job is completed, but in the commercial world, you get paid when your contractor or building manager gets paid which can be 30-90 days after the job has been completed. I’ve also found that in the construction world, it’s feast or famine. I found it hard to manage both.
Please tell us about B&R Painting.
I like to think we broke the mold on painters. No drunks/druggies as used to be the stereotype for painters.
As this is a family owned & operated business, my painters/men are also treated like family. They are full time employees with benefits. Most if not all of our competitors use Subs to perform the work required, but not B&R. We match 401k contributions; life insurance is paid @ 100% & we contribute 65% of the cost for health insurance. This allows them to be more of a loyal employee which reduces turnover. I still have an employee, our 1st hire and many others have been with us for decades.
I manage money, do take-offs & estimates, make site visits and the hard decisions no one else wants to make.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Lake Hartwell
Contact Info:
- Address: Beth Warbington
7512 Conyers Street
Lithonia, GA 30058 - Website: brpaint.com
- Phone: 770-484-4221
- Email: beth@brpaint.com
