Today we’d like to introduce you to Jarred Duke.
Jarred, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up, my father trained my sister and I to paint apartments with him when he was short on staff. He is a general contractor in Birmingham, Alabama. He stressed to us the importance of knowing a few trades in order to always have a way to earn an honest living. As a teen and young adult, I worked several dead end jobs in order to support myself. I started to feel like I was getting nowhere fast. My work history is, “You’re hired! You’re fired!” One day it finally hit me: I should start a business doing something that I like to do. Since I am a creative person, I decided to capitalize on a business that is familiar to me and utilize a profitable artistic talent, painting. I have never been happier! I feel a deep sense of gratification when I am able to see the improvements that have been made on a house or business. It really makes this work fulfilling for me. I named my business, Labor Jay, because it is a simple word-play on the holiday Labor Day and my nickname, Jay. Also, while subcontracting, I realized I could work long, hard hours with the best of them! How did I get to where I am today?
My motto is “Every day is Labor Day, for Labor Jay. I am constantly working on building my brand and finding the best ways to provide excellent customer service. If anyone is looking for a professional painting company call Labor Jay Painting. I’ll do it!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Struggle is always inherent in the first few years of starting a business, so it has not been a smooth road. The only thing that is smooth is the application of paint by the crew! I have faced several challenges such as finding reliable and skilled employees, marketing, finances, meeting short deadlines, and sometimes sleep deprivation. It is not easy providing top tier customer service under all circumstances, with all customers. I have made several mistakes in this business that have cost me thousands, but I have grown from every experience and that’s what’s important. I have also watched other people make mistakes and learned vicariously through them what I should avoid. There is a philosophy that I live by: A man learns from his mistakes, but a wise man learns from a fool’s mistakes.
Please tell us about Labor Jay Painting.
Labor Jay painting specializes in professional painting services, and uses professional paint and accessories to complete each project. Our painters have been carefully selected, trained and have a working knowledge of the latest application techniques. We are licensed, insured and dedicated to finishing your project to complete satisfaction.
We recommend that our customers choose the preferred or the pro-package that is industry standard. These two packages have a warranty, 1 year for the preferred package and 3 years for the pro package. To further set ourselves apart from other companies, we are currently offering a basic painting package called the Labor Junkie package. This option eliminates most of the prep work, but still drastically improves the surface with a fresh coat of paint. The Labor Junkie is an affordable option for those wanting to temporarily enhance the appearance of any surface, without having to find a junkie to do it. We also made a fictional labor junkie character our advertising campaign!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have started Labor Jay Painting sooner…about a decade ago, to be exact. If you have a passion, don’t wait. Start now!
Contact Info:
- Address: 1273 Metropolitan Ave. SE
Suite 17703
Atlanta, GA 30316 - Website: Laborjaypainting.com
- Phone: (678) 883-8529
- Email: Laborjaypainting@gmail.com
- Instagram: laborjay
- Other: youtube/laborjay
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