Today I'll be interviewing Zack Sanders from ZS Painting Services & Maintenance. Zack has a desire to make a difference. I'm excited to do this interview. So let’s get into it.
What motivated you to start your very own business?
A quest for freedom and a desire to make a difference. Freedom in terms of being able to have the financial freedom to do the things I love. As well as the flexibility to be able to work when I want and travel or do other things the rest of the time. Freedom to have my own schedule.
Sometimes I feel more productive later in the evening and if I want to I can work during that time and sleep in. Or I might feel more productive in the morning. As long as I get my work done according to promises I have made and it’s up to the high standard I have set for myself I can march to the beat of my own drum.
To make a difference by being a happier healthier human for a start, which I believe ripples out. Then also because I have more time and money to have more influence.
How long had you been thinking about starting?
Well I have 9 years experience in the trade and I thought about it for a long time before I finally took the step. I really needed to get the experience before I felt confident to branch out on my own. Not to mention ensure I was good enough to maintain good customer relations.
What is your business all about? I am currently running a business offering painting services and maintenance. So I basically take care of all domestic and commercial building projects. I specialise in painting, but also do varnishing, victorian home restorations, spray work and fine detailing or feature work.
I really enjoy seeing the smile on someone’s face when they see their house for the first time once a project is finished. People don’t usually think about the fact that they will spend a lot of time here and making it feel like a home is important.
Where is your business located?
Melbourne, mostly in the southern suburbs as this is close to where I live, but I get called out to specialized work with victorian home restorations all over. The great thing about what I do is that I can do it anywhere. Anywhere in the world really. For now I am content being here in Melbourne.
How is life now you’re a business owner?
Well I definitely prefer it to being employed. I get to take my time during breaks, no one looks over my shoulder, I don’t have to fix anyone else’s mistakes and I have more time and money to do other things. The good definitely outweighs the bad. However there are more risks, more responsibilities and if you don’t have a contract lined up you could end up going through a tough patch.
I’ve been blessed to have a steady stream of work, but that’s not always the case for everyone. Since the painting industry stopped being regulated there are a lot of handymen or inexperienced people who quote very low for a job. To the unqualified eye the work might seem ok, but it doesn’t usually work out in the long run. So of course there is competition and a lot of undercutting. The only antidote to this is to deliver an outstanding result every time.
Any advice for anyone wanting to start a business?
Business can be tough, but it can also be very rewarding. I think the people who are most successful in business are the ones who enjoy what they do. If you absolutely love what you do, that’s even better. Go out and get experience in whatever you want to start a business in. Once you know the ins and outs you will have a greater chance at success. Real world experience is always more valuable than study in my opinion.
The world is changing so fast these days. A lot of information is outdated and we need to learn how to evolve with things as they do. Don’t be afraid to try something new or to let go of something old. I’m studying therapeutic massage part time while I also run my painting business. I don’t think we need to stay in one thing forever. We change and so does what we want to contribute to the world. Be open to different ideas and opportunities.
How can we find you ?
I am on Facebook under; ZS Painting Services and Maintenance. You can also send me an email at
zspaintingservices@gmail.com
or call me on
+61 422 791 723
for a quote.
Anything else you would like to share?
I believe the world can only benefit from more small businesses growing as opposed to huge corporations calling the shots. Let’s take business back to the hands of the people. Business is really all about people serving people. Best of luck.
Clayton's Final Thoughts
It takes a lot of courage to open your own business. Sometimes you just have to take the plunge into starting your own business. I would like to take this time to thank Zack for being a part of my blog series and wish him all the best in building a great business.
Until next time this is Clayton Bates from Inspire Small Business.