I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Kevin Nolan, a distinguished business owner and author of the book Organizational Muscle. Kevin’s company, Nolan Painting, has been a leader in the painting industry for over 40 years, setting standards for growth, efficiency, and employee satisfaction. In our conversation, Kevin shared valuable insights into his business success, the challenges he faced, and the strategies that helped him build one of the largest single-family painting businesses in America
From Painter to Business Owner
Kevin Nolan began his painting career at the age of 19 while still in college. Initially, he found himself working alone, but his desire for collaboration and efficiency led him to hire additional workers. This early decision marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey. Reflecting on these early days, Kevin noted, “Painting was suggested to me. I had done some landscaping the year before, didn’t like it as much, although I do like landscaping, but it’s physically a little more hard work and painting seemed like a good skill that you could learn relatively quickly and make some good money on.”
Kevin’s mindset was always focused on business ownership rather than just being a painter. He emphasized the importance of seeing oneself as a business owner and the mindset shift required to achieve growth and success. This perspective was a driving force behind the evolution of Nolan Painting.
Overcoming Challenges and Breaking Free from the Bottleneck
One of the significant challenges Kevin faced in the early years was being the bottleneck in his business. He described this period as being “stuck in the hourglass,” where he had to approve every detail and manage every aspect of the work. This common issue among business owners often hinders growth and operational efficiency. Kevin shared, “I did suffer those first 10 years where I was my most productive employee. And so therefore I had to physically do a lot of the work to get the job done and to get paid.”
The turning point came when Kevin started delegating responsibilities. Hiring an operations manager and a sales estimator from within the company allowed him to focus on higher-level business strategies and growth. He explained, “When I finally hired an operations manager from within my company, I decided to let go of the, I’m going to visit every job and put my thumbprint on every job. When I let that go, we dramatically increased. We started to perform much better operationally as a company.”
The Importance of Delegation and Team Building
Delegation was a crucial step in Kevin’s journey to scaling his business. By trusting his team and allowing them to take on significant roles, Kevin was able to see improvements in efficiency and productivity. He emphasized the importance of hiring experts and building a competent team, stating, “If you’re painting a house and you leave, it stops painting, nothing happens anymore. The minute you leave, it stops. The technician must focus on only one thing at a time, but the business owner can’t do that. They have to focus on all the things.”
Kevin’s book, Organizational Muscle, provides a detailed guide on how to delegate effectively and build strong teams. It covers various aspects of business operations, from hiring the right people to developing structured training programs. Kevin’s approach is a testament to the power of delegation and team building in achieving business success.
Training and Development: A Path to Excellence
Nolan Painting is renowned for its structured training program, which ensures that employees are well-prepared and continuously improving. Kevin explained the company’s training path, which helps employees advance from apprentice to master painter within a year. This structured approach includes online modules, on-the-job training, and regular assessments to ensure competency.
“We have a curriculum of what it takes to be a professional painter. We can train someone to be a professional painter in one year,” Kevin stated. The training program is continuously refined, ensuring it remains relevant and effective. This focus on employee development has contributed significantly to the company’s success and high employee satisfaction.
Scaling the Business: Employee Satisfaction and Customer Service
Nolan Painting prides itself on being an employee-based company with no subcontractors. This approach has earned them recognition as one of the best places to work, offering health insurance, 401k plans, and career advancement opportunities. The company also boasts over a thousand five-star customer reviews, highlighting its commitment to excellent customer service.
Kevin shared, “We’re employee-based. That’s what we’re most proud of. We don’t have any subcontractors. Employees that are you know, we’re best place to work every year. We have health insurance, 401k, career advancements, and really outstanding customer service reviews.”
Key Lessons and Reflections
Throughout our conversation, Kevin shared several key lessons he has learned over the years. One of the most important lessons is the value of continuous improvement and business planning. Kevin believes that having a solid business plan and executing it diligently is crucial for success. He noted, “Business planning and continuous improvement are crucial for growth. Even if we made mistakes, let’s say I picked 10 things we were going to do, big rocks or action items and a salesperson. Even if I only got seven or eight of them, it was still way ahead of just me shooting in the dark.”
Another significant lesson is the importance of behaving properly as an entrepreneur. Kevin emphasized the need to learn the right things to do and then execute them effectively. He stated, “Entrepreneurial success is about behaving properly. You have to find out what the right thing is to do, and then you have to actually do it.”
Final Thoughts
Kevin Nolan’s journey from a college painter to a successful business owner and author offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs across industries. His emphasis on delegation, team building, and continuous improvement provides a blueprint for achieving business success.
If you want to learn more from Kevin Nolan and gain insights into building a strong, successful business, I highly recommend his book, Organizational Muscle. You can also visit his website and read his weekly blog for more tips and advice.
Kevin’s dedication to helping other business owners achieve their goals is truly inspiring. His insights and experiences are a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their business operations and achieve long-term success.