ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 11, 1996 TAG: 9604110091
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STEWART MACINNIS SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
When Ted Linkous set up his paint contracting company, there was just one name that seemed to fit: Professional Paint and Design.
He moved to Roanoke from Southern California last year, and after a brief stint as an employee with a local contractor, he set up his own company nine months ago. After about 40 residential and commercial jobs, Linkous says he is giving the established paint contractors a run for their money.
"I think we're very close to having that firm foundation a new business needs," he says. "We're putting a serious crunch" on some of the established companies.
Linkous brings to the company 10 years' experience running a painting business in California. He joined with Sam Perdue, who was superintendent at Williams Paint and Remodeling here, to form Professional Paint and Design. The company installs all kinds of wall coverings, as well as interior and exterior painting.
"Sam has a strictly management background," Linkous says. "We both are spending a lot of time in the field. He does most of the superintendent work, and I do most of the estimating."
The teamwork of the two principals and the professionalism of six permanent employees are among the reasons Linkous gives for the success of the company.
That success can also be measured against the two-year business plan Linkous and Perdue developed when they opened the business. That plan gave them growth goals and mileposts to keep them from expanding too quickly.
"Right now, if anything, we're ahead of schedule," Linkous says. "We can handle it with our cash flow, so we're not going too fast."
Linkous said he expects to add to his permanent work force soon, possibly doubling it.
"When I hire an employee I try to make sure I have enough work to keep them there," he says. "We pay our employees more, and we expect more from them."
At the moment he has commercial work booked through the end of the year, providing the work flow he feels is necessary to make a commitment to new employees. Though he tries to minimize the use of temporary workers, he does bring on workers when needed to ensure specific jobs are done on schedule.
The success of the business can also be measured in terms of clients: Kroger, Country Cookin', and soon the Hampton Inn being built near Lewis-Gale Hospital. Professional Paint and Design doesn't limit itself to the Roanoke Valley, though. Culpeper and Raleigh are venues of commercial work the company is involved in.
Linkous says the company doesn't overlook residential work, either. While his commercial work is obtained largely through bidding, residential work comes through referrals.
"Reputation is the key component of success," he says. "If you get a bad reputation, no one will work you. When we leave a job, it's done, it's right. We don't get called back to make things right. That's where you lose money."
Linkous says the company is building a reputation based on professional knowledge, professional management and a professional attitude.
"I'd sum it up as professionalism and quality," he says. "Professionalism from start to finish, and competitive pricing."
Professional Paint and Design works on a tighter profit margin than other companies, Linkous says.
"We don't have the overhead," he says. "We work out of our homes, and we're willing to accept a lower profit margin because we make up for it with volume of work."
Professional Paint and Design
2010 Wayne St.
Roanoke, Va. 24012
563-1295
LENGTH: Medium: 69 linesby CNB