Small Busines Q&A: Brian Mattey, owner of Generation Painting Inc. in Lake Zurich
Q: Describe your business. What do you do?
A: Four-time award-winning Generation Painting Inc. provides honest, quality professional painting through an experience not achieved by other companies on our level for generations to come. Unlike other companies, if there is a mistake we own it, fix it right then, there and do not blame others. Because we continue to work, and invest into ourselves, we are able to pour it out to all our customers.
Q: What made you start your business?
A: I had a passion to change and pave the way for the top notch kind of experience a customers should receive and want to receive. I have been poured into from so many people that I taken it all and wrapped it up in a tea kettle that I'm able to pour out what works for and impacts the next generation. Our whole team is family to me. Treat them like family, in return they treat our customers good and like family.
Q: What has been the most difficult obstacle in running or starting a small business?
A: Time management and letting go and delegating, because I can't do it all, Since I have been one to do all before I hired employees. I am so grateful for my wife, Anna Maria, for interviewing our star foreman Victor who was my first full time painter. He's still with us and growing each year. Without her help and skills, I wouldn't have found someone like that.
Q: What's new in your business or industry?
A: Trending projects in our trade is refinishing and painting cabinets, installing subway tiles as backsplashes while we complete the cabinet painting. Stained oak trim transforming to white and treating employees like family.
Q: What do you enjoy most about operating your business?
A: I love building relationships, and marketing my business and providing professional estimates. I'm all about building relationships for the long haul due to the fact that we are going be there and not go anywhere.
Q: What keeps you up at night?
A: Planning for the next 6-12 months is what keeps me at night and what kind of legacy will I leave behind. To learn how to have more time with my family. What next vacation will my family and I take, to have time to relax from all our craziness. My team, have they been taken care of?
Q: If you could give one tip to a rookie business owner, what would it be?
A: Market, Market, Market, Expose, Expose, Expose and get uncomfortable, do what others are not doing. Get your name out and 100% stand behind your work and your team. Also join your local chamber.
• We're looking for suburban small business owners (fewer than 100 employees) to feature in our Business section. Contact Rich Klicki at rklicki@dailyherald.com for more information.
Generation Painting Inc.
<b>5 Margate Court</b><b>Lake Zurich, IL</b><b>(224) 723-0917</b><b>generation-painting.com</b><b>www.facebook.com/generationpainting17</b>Owner: Brian Mattey
Year Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 8