September Pro Painter of the Month: Zach Ausherman - Pro Painter Network

September Pro Painter of the Month: Zach Ausherman

Q&A with Zach Ausherman of Ausherman Painting

Zach has been a PPN member since the very beginning. We chose him as your Pro Painter of the month because of his dedication to bringing great quality and experience to his clients but also for his dedication to his team. He’s been featured on recent episodes of the Pro Painter Podcast (including our recent “Getting to $1 Million” series). Zach is truly a Pro.

Who are you?

Zach Ausherman

Tell us about your business

Ausherman Painting has been in business for 42 years. I took it over from my Dad, Mike, January 1 of this year. We are a primarily a high-end residential and commercial painting contractor. We’re located in York, PA which is 2 hours west of Philadelphia and an hour north of Baltimore, MD. 

On the residential side we run the gamut of historical renovations to newer homes that are tired of the flat builder grade paint. On the commercial side, we work on older churches, law firms, dentist offices, etc. We don’t do new construction or large commercial or industrial.

What type of services do you offer?

High end residential and commercial repaints, including cabinet painting, limewashing, staining, fiberglass door refinishing.

What are your goals for the second half of 2021?

  • To have a crew of at least 12 running through the winter months. We currently have 11.

  • Start to use our estimating software more regularly. 

  • To hire a part-time sales rep to complement our current full-time sales rep. 

  • Set ourselves up to be able to hire a production manager in the spring

What was the most important lesson you learned about running a business?

That everyone is different. Try not to let your past experiences with a customer, employee, etc pre-empt how you’re going to interact with the next employee or customer. Everyone’s story and experience is different.

How did the pandemic affect you? And what changes (if any) will you keep?

It was a factor (among others) to make us busier then we ever have been. We didn’t really change much. Just building off the momentum we currently have.

What piece of advice would you give to a new painting business owner you wished someone would have told you?

Figure out what’s important to you and make sure you carve out that time. Because there will not be enough hours in the day. And saying “no” is actually a good thing.   

What is a frustration in your business you wish you could solve?

Time management. It seems like the customers are getting needier every year. And that neediness turns into extra time spent that you may not be getting ROI from. Hence the hopeful hire of a production manager. 

What is your favorite childhood memory?

Being at Veteran Stadium in Philadelphia when the Phillies won the National League pennant in 1993. I was 9 and I just remember the 70,000 plus fans going crazy. 

What are you currently into?

Recently got into kayaking. It’s a peaceful way to get away from everything. Otherwise, I’m a big baseball, college football, and NFL fan (Eagles of course!)

Favorite weekend activity?

Hitting up a local brewery or doing a little paddling

Post-work chill?

Hanging out with the family and catching up on our days.

Favorite vacation destination or goal?

New Orleans. Just hoping they can come back again. 

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