Inspiring Conversations with Jon Ray of PaintGreen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon Ray

Hi Jon, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I first started painting houses in college at Seattle Pacific University. I was hired to run a franchise outlet of a large, national painting company. In that role, I learned not only how to paint, but many aspects of operating a small business. In 1999 and 2000, my franchise outlet earned “Quality Outlet of the Year” for the Western Division of College Pro Painters.

After five years of running that franchise, I decided to change gears and began a career in the corporate world, where I worked in sales for a Fortune 500 company. I quickly realized that the corporate world wasn’t where I wanted to be. I then got my real estate license and worked as a realtor in Phoenix for a few years. In 2006, I saw the first signs of the impending economic recession, as the real estate market in Phoenix completely froze. It was then that I decided to pursue a career that was more “recession proof” and got back into residential painting.

At the end of 2006, I moved to San Diego, wrote a business plan, and started PaintGreen. For the first year and half, it was just me. I was the sales team, the office manager, and the sole painter. However, over the next several years, I quickly grew my business. By the summer of 2013, PaintGreen had 35 employees. We had grown very quickly in a short amount of time, and I realized I hadn’t put the systems in place that we needed to succeed at that size.

In 2014, I scaled things back to a manageable level, so I could have better control over the experience my customers were having, and the quality of workmanship my team was producing. I worked with just a small team for a couple of years while I read many books, attended business seminars, and learned how to build a solid foundation for gradual, but steady, growth.

Since then, PaintGreen has been growing and improving! We’re no longer in a rush to be the biggest house painting company in San Diego, but we’re concerned with making sure we create raving fans out of our customers, and that we develop a proud and reliable team of painters.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have been several times along the way that I had to take a step or two back in order to keep afloat. My success has been a result of a resilient and curious mindframe. I have picked myself back up every single time I’ve been knocked down. I’ve evolved every step along the way and have naturally settled into the formula for success in this industry.

One of the biggest struggles was figuring out how to get out of my own way. I’ve learned that delegating often results in a better job being done, though my fear was always that nobody could do it as well as I could.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
PaintGreen is the most-rated and highest-rated painting company in San Diego with over 550 5 star reviews. We focus on Fine Home Painting and are skilled at painting interiors, exteriors, cabinetry and fine wood refinishing (front doors, railings, cabinets etc).

We are concerned about the environmental impact of our work. We’ve found the biggest impact we can make on the environment is to use the highest quality processes and products out there. After receiving the highest quality paint job possible our clients have to repaint their homes less often, greatly reducing the amount of plastic waste and energy used.

We don’t follow the standards, we create them – literally. We created the training program that is used by the Painting Contractors Association, a nation-wide industry group. Our team created a series of videos and training standards that is used nationwide by other painters when training their workers.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I have had many mentors and coaches over the years. The best decision I’ve ever made was to always be working with a coach or mentor in some capacity. My sister (who would make a great candidate for your interviews) mentored me during my early years of starting the business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.paintgreen.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paintgreenusa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaintGreen/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/paintgreen-san-diego-2
• Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/m632Rb8wu3extekh8