Base Coat Brainiac Podcast

Zack shares how he’s grown a full-service residential and commercial painting company that’s grounded in reliability, customer care, and trend-forward solutions. 

A proud PCA member and last year’s EXPO winner, Zack talks about what it takes to stay relevant, build trust, and deliver results that speak for themselves.

Tune in for a down-to-earth, honest look at what it takes to build a modern painting business with a personal touch.

What happens when a master craftsperson, Army vet, and industry leader takes over the mic? In this episode, Nick Slavik shares how painting contractors can flip the script on marketing and redefine what it means to lead in this industry.

Nick is the Proprietor of Nick Slavik Painting & Restoration Co. and the host of Ask a Painter Live, a weekly show running for over 8 years. His company—now in its 17th year—employs 40+ people and is nationally known for award-winning craftsmanship, leadership development, and business systems that work.

What happens when business success is rooted in something deeper than profit? In this episode, we sit down with John Steigleder, owner of Good Neighbor Painting, to explore how strong leadership, faith, and a sense of purpose have shaped his company—and inspired a movement. You'll hear: 👉 How John built a thriving painting business around faith and community 👉 What “painting like a neighbor” really means—and why it matters 👉 The leadership lessons that help him serve clients and team members with purpose Whether you’re building your brand or refocusing your mission, this episode offers down-to-earth wisdom you can apply to your business and life.

In this episode, we sit down with Marcus Sheridan, pioneer of the revolutionary "They Ask, You Answer" marketing philosophy, to explore how painting contractors can completely disrupt their local markets. Marcus breaks down his proven content marketing approach that transformed his struggling pool company into an industry leader during the 2008 recession. 
You'll learn:

👉 How answering customer questions transparently creates massive trust and leads
👉 Why most painting contractors avoid discussing price (and why that's a huge mistake)
👉 Simple content strategies that position you as the trusted authority in your market
👉 How to implement "They Ask, You Answer" specifically for your painting business

Whether you're struggling to stand out in a crowded market or looking to take your painting business to the next level, Marcus's practical, no-nonsense approach will give you actionable strategies you can implement immediately.

In this episode, Israel Vargas, founder of West Pro and Sons, shares his powerful journey from immigrant to successful business owner.

He discusses why painters deserve more recognition and better pay, the importance of running a business with strong core values, and how to build a supportive community that elevates everyone.

You'll learn:

👉 Why painters should be valued and compensated fairly

👉 How to run a business with integrity and purpose

👉 The importance of quality over quantity in your work

👉 Building a thriving, community-driven business Israel’s story is one of hard work, perseverance, and dedication to making the painting industry better for all.

🔗 Follow Israel and Stay Connected Israel Vargas on Facebook - https://bit.ly/israelvargas WestPro & Sons LLC Painting on Facebook - https://bit.ly/WestproandSonsLLCPainting Inforvalio Educacion y Más on Instagram - https://bit.ly/InforvalioEducacionyMas

In this episode, we're thrilled to have Dan Antonelli, President and Founder of KickCharge Creative, one of the leading contractor branding agencies, share his insights on making your painting business stand out in a crowded market.

Dan has helped countless contractors craft brands to not only look professional but also connect with the right clients—and now, he’s sharing his secrets with you.

🌟 What You'll Learn:

✦ The Power of Branding: The importance of a strong brand for your residential painting business

✦ Color Psychology: Choosing the right colors to influence potential clients and stand out.

✦ Effective Messaging: Communicating your brand's unique value to resonate with homeowners.

✦ Case Studies: Real-life examples of contractors who transformed their business with proper branding.

Whether you're a new painting business owner or a seasoned pro, this episode will provide you with practical, actionable branding strategies that can make a real impact on your business. And the best part? All of this advice is tailored specifically for painting contractors.

👉 Learn more about Kickcharge Creative: https://www.kickcharge.com/

In this episode, I sit down with Gabby Torres, Marketing Director, and Jill Waters, Director of Digital Adoption from Sherwin-Williams, to discuss how the Sherwin-Williams Pro+ App, Website, and Job Board can make running your Painting Business easier. Gabby and Jill share valuable tips to help you utilize these tools and resources in your sales process to increase close rates! Did we mention it’s all FREE? Whether you're aiming to save time, increase sales, or find new talent for your team, this episode is filled with practical, actionable advice. SW Pro+ Official Website: https://swproplus.com/

This episode features Ryan Naylor, CEO of Viva HR. We'll discuss how to tackle hiring challenges, such as finding A-Player candidates without breaking the bank and ensuring they fit your company culture. We'll also discuss hiring costs, candidate quantity and quality, and the role of AI in the hiring process. Don't miss this episode!