commercial and residential services

Franchise Organization Announces its Third Strategic Joint-Venture

AUDUBON, Pa. — CertaPro Painters^®, North America’s Most Referred Painting Company^®, has opened a Company-Owned Business in Melbourne, Florida. John Limburg, who has been with CertaPro Painters since 2016, will operate the startup.

“We are committed to aggressive growth and positioning ourselves as the market leader in the painting industry both in Florida and across North America,” said CertaPro Painters President and CEO Mike Stone. “This new business location allows us to serve more customers, attract top talent, engage with and give back to a thriving community. John is well-versed in our CertaPro Painters core values, and we know he is an ideal candidate for this new venture.”

CertaPro Painters makes painting services easier and more convenient for homeowners and business owners alike. Offering both residential and commercial, interior and exterior services, the brand operates through proven processes, from paint selection to final inspection. The new location in Melbourne is part of driving the expansion of CertaPro Painters’ reach across North America.

“Owning and operating CertaPro Painters of Melbourne is an exciting next step in my career with the brand,” said John Limburg. “For the past few years, I have been dedicated to helping our franchisees deliver extraordinary experiences in their markets, and I look forward to using this experience to continue elevating our reputation for excellence in the painting industry and serving the Melbourne community.”

For more information about CertaPro Painters^® of Melbourne, Florida and their services, please visit https://certapro.com/melbourne.

Owner of CertaPro Painters of Athens, GA recognized for excellence in franchising

PHOENIX — Jake Kiser, owner of CertaPro Painters of Athens, GA, has been named 2023 Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association (IFA). Kiser was nominated by CertaPro Painters^® and was honored at the 64^th IFA Annual Convention in Phoenix for being an outstanding franchise establishment owner-operator. Nominated by their parent company, individuals are selected for their involvement in their communities, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit, fostering a strong and healthy culture with their workforce, and assisting their fellow franchisees when called upon.

“Franchisees of the Year exemplify what franchising is all about – providing opportunity, serving others, and fulfilling the American Dream,” said Matthew Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “We are proud to recognize Jake Kiser with the highest honor IFA awards to individual franchisees, and I have no doubt his work is changing lives and making a lasting community impact.”

“I am honored to be nominated by CertaPro Painters and recognized by the IFA as a Franchisee of the Year,” said Kiser. “When I started my business in 2005, the goal was to deliver extraordinary experiences for customers, staff, painters and the community. I remain inspired by their commitment to exceptional customer service and giving back.”

Kiser is a champion of the CertaPro Painters Paint it Pink campaign — an annual campaign that raises donations and awareness for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) and the Breast Cancer Society of Canada (BCSC). Most recently, Jake and his team partnered with a local coffee shop in Athens, Georgia, to amplify awareness of the cause by painting it pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“I am beyond proud of Jake Kiser for this amazing accomplishment,” said Michael Stone, President and Chief Executive Officer of CertaPro Painters. “Jake’s commitment to our core values and his give back spirit exemplify what it means to represent CertaPro Painters within his community.”

For more information about franchise opportunities with CertaPro Painters^®_, please visit https://certapro.com/franchise/.

North America’s Most Referred Painting Company^® Announces Award Winners at Annual Conference

AUDUBON, Pa. — CertaPro Painters^® is thrilled to announce the winners of its annual awards, recognizing franchisees who practice the company’s values, consistently deliver extraordinary customer service, and demonstrate growth in their residential and commercial painting business. These exemplary owners and their teams significantly impact their communities by setting a standard of excellence in the home improvement industry.

Winner of the 2023 CertaCup

This year’s top honorees and winners of the company’s most prestigious award, the CertaCup, were Jennifer and Nathan Marmor, owners of CertaPro Painters^® of Phoenix. The Marmors were selected out of more than 450 CertaPro Painters^® businesses across North America for this honor, underscoring their remarkable achievements in the residential and commercial painting sectors.

Since starting their franchise, the Marmors have experienced consistent growth and invested in their people to achieve success. Both Jennifer and Nathan sit on various boards and serve as mentors, inviting other franchise owners into their business to share ideas and learn. Their dialed-in approach to recruiting, desire to create opportunities for others, and participation in various community-based initiatives have helped them become a workplace of choice.

“Our success is truly due to our team and the painters,” said Jennifer. “We support over 65 families with this small business and are so proud of the team and culture that we have built. It’s an honor to receive this award.”

In addition to the CertaCup, CertaPro also recognized its top residential and commercial painting teams for their incredible painters and contributions to the brand.

CertaPro Painters^® Top Residential Painting Team 2023

Juan Quijada, leader of CertaPro Painters^® of Columbus Residential, and his team, including Juan, Alex, Tio, and Lalo, won the Residential Painting Team of the Year award. Their commitment to upholding the company’s core values and delivering exceptional customer experiences contributed to overall sales, resulting in over 100 completed jobs in 2023.

“Juan is always improving his leadership and managerial skills,” says owner Dan Goodman. “He treats every job, big or small, with the utmost care and puts time and effort into training and developing his painters. We are happy to have Juan and his crew as a large contributing factor to our organization’s success.”

CertaPro Painters^® Top Commercial Painting Team 2023

Jose Cruz and his crew, Jose, Hector, and Noemi, of CertaPro Painters^® of Greensboro, took home the Commercial Painting Team of the Year award. Jose has worked with this franchise since it was established in 2003 and has completed more commercial projects than any other crew. Aside from successfully completing commercial projects, he has also brought the franchise new painting crews that help on the residential side of the business.

“Jose is multi-talented, reliable, and runs our go-to crew for commercial projects,” says owner Mark Lytle. “He and his crew develop creative ways to improve job efficiency and overcome any challenges. Jose is a key part of the success of CertaPro Painters^® of Greensboro.”

Also recognized were the CertaCup finalists: Alan Phillips, owner of CertaPro Painters^® of Northeast Wisconsin; Jay Bowers, owner of CertaPro Painters^® of Northern Arizona; Earl Gelineau, owner of CertaPro Painters^® of Southern Rhode Island; and Sean Collins, owner of CertaPro Painters^® of Fayetteville.

These outstanding franchisees were celebrated for their accomplishments during CertaPro’s annual conference on Jan. 26 in New Orleans.

AUDUBON, Pa. — CertaPro Painters®, North America’s Most Referred Painting Company®, has acquired a majority interest in CertaPro Painters® of Orange County, CA. This acquisition is the company’s second company-owned operation and combines the strength of all seven territories available in Orange County, California including CertaPro Painters® of Yorba Linda, CA, and CertaPro Painters® of Huntington Beach, CA, marking a significant milestone for the CertaPro system. Scott and Janet Gibson, owners and partners in CertaPro Painters® of Orange County, CA., will oversee the day-to-day operations.

“We are committed to aggressive growth and positioning ourselves as the market leader in the painting industry both in California and across North America,” says CertaPro Painters® President and CEO Mike Stone. “This joint venture allows us to serve more customers, attract top talent, and ensure franchise profitability. With Scott and Janet at the helm, Orange County residents are in good hands. They are outstanding owners with a solid track record of extraordinary customer service and extensive knowledge of the local market. We are excited to invest in this business and help them expand their service area.”

With a growing all-employee workforce of over 100 skilled professionals, CertaPro Painters® of Orange County, CA will become a significant employer in the Southern California painting market. Additionally, the venture’s commitment to quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and unparalleled customer service will ensure residential and commercial customers receive the best painting solutions in the area.

“By joining forces with CertaPro Painters, LTD., we are confident that we can better serve our community,” says the Gibsons. “Our customers can expect the same personalized approach and high-quality workmanship they have come to know and trust, only now with an expanded range of resources and expertise. We are eager to start this new chapter.”

For more information about CertaPro Painters® of Orange County, CA and their services, please visit CertaPro.com/OC.

North American painting franchise surpasses fundraising goal and could help fund over 3,000 hours of life-saving research.

AUDUBON, Pa. — CertaPro Painters® surpassed its goal for its fourth annual Paint it Pink campaign, raising $152,980 for breast cancer research. This money will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) and Breast Cancer Society of Canada (BCSC) and could help fund over 3,000 hours of life-saving research for breast cancer or enroll 61 patients into clinical trials.

From Oct. 1 to Nov. 30, 153 participating franchisees throughout the U.S. and Canada donated a portion of every painting project to the Paint it Pink campaign. In previous years, the set donation amount was $10 per project, but this year, franchisees could choose whether to donate $10, $15, or $20. With this generosity, CertaPro Painters® was able to surpass its initial goal of $120k and increase the funds raised last year by $33k.

“Four years ago, one of our franchisees came to me and told me his wife passed away from breast cancer and wanted to see how our organization could help spread awareness and support the cause,” said Mike Stone, President and CEO of CertaPro Painters®. “When I realized how many women — and men — are affected by the disease each year, and how it has affected my personal life too, I knew it was the right thing to do. Working with these organizations aligns with our core values and paying it forward. It’s an honor to be involved in such a worthy cause and to watch our franchisees and customers rally around it.”

In addition to donating a percentage of each painting project to the BCRF and BCSC, CertaPro Painters® gave its training facility, also known as CertaCity, a Paint it Pink makeover. Team members painted the facility’s exterior walls pink, including a breast cancer ribbon and the campaign’s name. Many team members also shared personal stories about how breast cancer has affected their families.

BCRF is the highest-rated breast cancer organization in the U.S. and the largest private funder of breast cancer research — and metastatic breast cancer research — globally. BCSC is a Canadian non-profit charity that raises money to fund patient-focused research for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of breast cancer.

Learn more about CertaPro Painters®.

AUDUBON, Pa. — CertaPro Painters®, North America’s Most Referred Painting Company®, appointed Dawn Perry as the company’s Chief Brand Officer after an extensive and competitive search. Perry brings over 15 years of franchise marketing expertise and more than 30 years of marketing experience, with a proven record of driving lead generation and delivering extraordinary brand experiences with a customer-centric approach.  

As Chief Brand Officer, Perry joined the executive leadership team to provide strategic leadership in brand strategy and marketing and help take the company to its next level of growth. 

“I’m pleased to welcome Dawn Perry to the CertaPro Painters® team,” says President and CEO Mike Stone. “Besides her three decades of experience and success in transformative brand marketing from some of the world’s leading brands, Dawn has a strong passion for our core values. I’m confident she will continue to grow our brand in a way that’s consistent with those values.”

Before joining CertaPro Painters®, Dawn served as Senior Vice President of Strategic Marketing for Anywhere Real Estate Inc, home to some of the most recognized brands in real estate. She was responsible for adopting cross-brand programs that experienced 15% YOY growth and previously served as Chief Marketing Officer for the ERA Real Estate brand. 

Dawn also owned a franchise, giving her firsthand knowledge of what being a small business owner entails. Additionally, she has held marketing management positions with Avis Budget Car Rental, Scholastic Book Club, and Time Inc. 

“Over the course of my career, I have combined my passion for innovation with my customer-centric approach to develop and drive extraordinary brand experiences for franchisees, independent contractors, and customers,” says Perry. “As a former franchise owner, I understand the enormous value of affiliating with a strong brand like CertaPro Painters®, and I also recognize that our business owners are all unique and have different business goals. I’m excited to meet and learn from the CertaPro owners and work together to drive growth for us all.”