Building More Than a Business
When I started Final Coat Painting & Staining in 2021, I never imagined that just a few years later I'd be packing up the business we had built in Toronto and starting a new chapter in Grey County. Looking back, every step of the journey has reminded me that growth often comes from embracing the unknown.
Before I picked up a paintbrush, I worked as a nurse. Painting was never part of my original career plan, but one summer my brother invited me to work alongside him at his painting company. I returned the following season and quickly realized I had found something I genuinely enjoyed. When my brother decided to step away from the business, I saw an opportunity to build something of my own and took a leap of faith by launching Final Coat Painting & Staining.
Like many entrepreneurs, I quickly learned that running a company means wearing every hat. One day you're painting homes, the next you're preparing estimates, managing schedules, answering customer inquiries, and finding your next client.
When I decided to relocate to Grey County, I knew I couldn't simply assume business would follow. We had spent years building trust in Toronto, and while our experience came with us, our customer base didn't.
Before the move, I focused on learning about the local market and building a presence before we ever unpacked a truck. That meant updating our website and online profiles, introducing ourselves through Canada Post mailers, and connecting with local builders, designers, and trades while attending home shows and community events. My goal wasn't to generate as many leads as possible—it was to build relationships that would last.
Just as importantly, I resisted the temptation to grow too quickly. Rather than hiring immediately, I focused on securing enough projects to keep a steady schedule several weeks ahead. Once I knew there was consistent demand, I began building a local team. While this took time, I was fortunate to have a few core team members temporarily relocate to help us maintain the quality and consistency our clients expected while we established ourselves in a new market. Growing that way allowed us to maintain the level of service and craftsmanship our clients had come to expect while creating stable opportunities for new employees.
One lesson I took from the experience is that relocating a business doesn't mean starting over completely. You may be entering a new market, but the systems you've built, the reputation you've earned, and the standards you've established all come with you. Those become the foundation for everything you build next.
Today, we're continuing to grow throughout Grey County using the same principles that helped us succeed from the beginning: show up when you say you will, do quality work, communicate well, and always leave a client feeling confident they made the right choice.
Moving our business wasn't simply about changing locations. It was about creating a life and a company that can grow together. Looking back, the experience reinforced something I've learned time and again: success isn't built overnight. It's earned one relationship, one project, and one referral at a time.
Article contributed by Emilie Jennings, Final Coat Painting & Staining in partnership with Behr Paint Company
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