That 1 Painter is committed to making the communities it serves more beautiful with its extensive services, including painting, limewash, deck staining and drywall repair. With more than 400 awarded territories across the nation, that’s a lot of communities that are destined for a facelift. By Kelsi Trinidad
That 1 Painter is committed to making the communities it serves more beautiful with its extensive services, including painting, limewash, deck staining and drywall repair. With more than 400 awarded territories across the nation, that’s a lot of communities that are destined for a facelift.
The company’s promise of high-quality services not only improves the appearance of communities but also creates opportunities for hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs to follow their dreams of business ownership. With a franchise model that’s easy to understand and simple to execute, That 1 Painter offers a pathway for those without previous experience in starting or growing a business. Additionally, the diversity of services offers franchisees multiple revenue streams and the ability to scale.
The formula works because That 1 Painter started in the same place as many of its employees: no business experience, limited industry familiarity and a low starting budget. ResiBrands, the parent company of That 1 Painter, was founded by CEO Steven Montgomery, who began his journey in the painting industry after dropping out of college with just $12 and a paintbrush.
Montgomery learned the industry recognized the opportunity to grow, and as of 2021, he is providing that same opportunity to others. Since founding That 1 Painter, he has built a franchise designed for the average person who wants to take part in the American dream and build something they can be proud of.
Accessibility is a core tenant of this brand’s identity, including a low barrier to entry in terms of startup costs. With an initial franchise fee of $59,000, business ownership remains a possibility for many people who never thought it would be. That 1 Painter Vice President of Marketing Benjamin Garrett said this is one of the most advantageous parts of the franchise model.
“A lower barrier to entry has opened the door to two very different profiles we see thriving side by side: corporate escapees leaving W-2 careers for ownership, and blue-collar builders with trade instincts but never the capital to own a brand,” Garrett said. “That mix has been a real advantage in bringing in new perspectives for our ‘field founders.’”
The unifying quality of That 1 Painter franchisees is their grit and commitment to following the proven model.
“Painting shouldn’t require a million-dollar buy-in to own,” Garrett said. “Keeping our model accessible means we attract high-agency operators based on grit and fit, not just net worth. They can hit profitability faster because they aren’t digging out of a deep startup hole. Healthier unit economics at the franchisee level is what powers brand-level growth.”
On a human level, this low-cost approach presents the perfect opportunity for people to change their lives.
“The most common version I hear is, ‘I’d been wanting out for years, but every other opportunity I looked at priced me out,’” Garrett said. “Accessibility is often the difference between staying stuck and actually making the jump.”
Kelsi Trinidad