Painters Academy

Brandon Lewis

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MANAGEMENT

Painters Academy with Brandon Lewis equips painting contractors with the little-known marketing, sales, management & operations strategies needed to achieve next-level success in personal income & quality of life. Learn more at www.PaintersAcademy.com

3D AGO

The Secret to Recession-Proofing Your Business: Lessons from a 40-Year Vet

In this episode of from Ladder to Legacy Tara and Tom host an interview Walt Dykes, owner of D&D Decorating in Brunswick, Georgia, as he reflects on his 40-year career in the painting industry and discusses the next chapter for his company: transferring leadership to his sons. Walt talks about his early Career and Entrepreneurship - Walt started his own business at age 25 after getting laid off from a job as an iron worker. He secured his first major project for $42,000 by cold-calling a superintendent at a local construction site. Having grown up in poverty with four brothers, Walt developed an intense work ethic early on, taking on carpentry side jobs even while working long hours as an iron worker. He talks about Scaling and Diversifying the Business - After growing to 33 employees in the first year, Walt expanded by purchasing a paint store, but later closed it to focus solely on contracting. To manage the volatility of the industry, Walt significantly scaled his business by moving into specialty coatings (liquid siding) and later walk-in bathtubs. During the recession, he employed over 120 painters in his local area before the market dried up, forcing him to adapt. Walt also shares his Legacy and Succession Planning - Walt is now focusing on the succession plan for his two sons, Devin and Dylan. Devin has been training by running a smaller satellite painting business, demonstrating strong leadership by remodeling their new building himself. Walt is actively mentoring them on business systems, financial numbers, and leadership, aiming to tighten up operations for the next generation. Key Advice - Don't worry about overcharging: It's better to fail from charging too much than to go broke from charging too little. Seek education early: Don't try to navigate the industry alone; take advantage of coaches and professional resources.

34 min
FEB 24

from Ladder to Legacy Episode #8 featuring Walt Dykes of D&D Decorating

In this episode Tara and Tom sit down with Walt Dykes and discuss how he has scaled his business from startup to laying the foundation for the next generation of leadership.

34 min
FEB 17

2 Man Crews - Crew Size...What always makes the most money!

In this episode Brandon Lewis founder of the Academy for Professional Painting Contractors talks about a major cause of project overrun's, low quality, and poor customer satisfaction...having too many painters on a job site. He t alks about smaller crew sizes preferrably two-man crews that will make significantly more money at a higher gross profit that a three, four, or five man crew. Learn how to "shrink those crew sizes in order to grow your profit".

4 min
JAN 6

Ask Brandon Lewis Anything! New-Year Strategy Q&A call + 2026 Painting Profits Summit - Tuesday 1-13 at 3:30 PM EST (see comments)

join us here: https://bit.ly/3YXFLqv

2 min
JAN 2

Full-Ride Scholarship to 2026 Painting Profgfits Summit!

Brandon Lewis is talks about why he offers a full ride scholarship to the annual Painting Profits Summit. Apply Before Friday, January 9th!

6 min
12/06/2025

From Ladder To Legacy Episode #6 freaturing Michael Sanchez

In this episode Tara and Tom of the Academy for Professional Painting Contractors from Ladder to Legacy Podcast interview featured guest Michael Sanchez owner of L&J Painting in Greenville South Carolina. Michael shares his journey from the US Navy to a business owner and his insights on building a team and "That One Thing:.

30 min
11/19/2025

Are you a Prejudiced Painter...I bet you are!

In this video Brandon Lewis founder of the Academy for Professional Painting Contractors talks about preconceived notions painting contractors have about past clients, prospects, and the sales process and a prejudice against Mediums...Email, Phone, Print, Signage, Online saying they do not work. Brandon talks about the fact each medium has a place in a painting contractors business and that each has both a positive and negative and the fact each medium should be used before, during, and after the sale.#paintersacademy.com

4 min
11/19/2025

Are you using your calendar as a SPONGe or a SHIELD

In this episode Brandon Lewis founder of the Academy for Professional Painting Contractors talks how time vampires can completely and utterly waist one of the most valuable assets in a painting business if you don't have a plan for your time.

3 min

Painters Academy with Brandon Lewis equips painting contractors with the little-known marketing, sales, management & operations strategies needed to achieve next-level success in personal income & quality of life. Learn more at www.PaintersAcademy.com

Creator

Brandon Lewis
Years Active

2023 - 2026
Episodes

223
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2023 The Academy for Professional Painting Contractors
Show Website

Painters Academy

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