SPEAKER_01 0:00

You know, any anybody can show up to a room and talk to people and and that's great. You know, that's that's step one is show up, you know, and and make you know and and be vulnerable and and be willing to, you know, kind of put yourself out there and talk to people.

SPEAKER_00 0:19

All right, everybody. Welcome to another episode of Connections That Matter, where we have awesome conversations with Northern Colorado's best networkers and find out what makes them successful. Today I have uh Travis Deaner from Renewed Creations Painting. Welcome to the show. Yeah, thanks for having me. Good to be here. Awesome, Travis. Well, uh uh take us back through what you do. Um, is it mostly residential, commercial? Tell us about Renewed Creations.

SPEAKER_01 0:46

Yeah, yeah, you bet. Um, so yeah, I'm I'm the uh sole owner and operator of Renewed Creations Painting. Um we're out of Fort Collins, Colorado, and we specialize mostly in just uh residential repaints. So just say like we work with a lot of homeowners and just like to be a trusted advisor in that space.

SPEAKER_00 1:04

Awesome. What uh so first question homeowner comes to you, I want to paint it this color, and you're like, maybe I wouldn't have painted it that color. How do you handle those kind of situations?

SPEAKER_01 1:15

Yeah, you know, it's it's just kind of part of being that advisor in that space. You know, you'll probably hear me say that a lot, um, because that's something that I really do value. And uh, you know, just like to create options for people, you know, if they if they want to do something that's kind of crazy and out there that's never been done before, we're happy to do that. But we're also happy to welcome them, walk them through some options, you know, maybe give some of them some ideas, something that's a little bit, you know, safer, or uh just kind of whatever they like to do. We like to just kind of be a part of that and and and uh help them through that process and just kind of be a part of that the whole way. Uh how most people play it safe? Yeah, I'd say so. Uh for the most part, you know, it's uh every once in a while you get some some things that are like, well, I probably wouldn't have done it that way, but that's okay. You know, we're we're gonna do it anyway.

SPEAKER_00 2:01

It's your it's your house. Yep, exactly. Uh-huh. Well, um, you know, it used to be, and you you're probably way more up on the colors than I am, but everything was a certain color of greige, right?

SPEAKER_01 2:12

Yep, yep, exactly. Yeah, it's uh a lot of times when we're going into like you know new builds or or houses that were haven't been painted, they call it builder beige. So there's a lot of grays and beige and and just kind of uh basic colors like that. So you still see a lot of that, but there's I think things change and kind of goes through cycles. You'll you'll see some more some more trends that are a little bit more modern, and then and then uh some of the older stuff will come back around.

SPEAKER_00 2:38

So I'm I'm curious how you've carved out your place in the market because painting, there's a lot of DIY out there, yeah. Um, and then there's obviously a lot of other painting companies and with more crews than yourself. Sure, yep. Um, how have you found your place in the market? And um, you know, what are some strategies for another local business owners getting their getting going and it's just uh um finding their own place in the competitive field? Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 3:03

I mean, you know, I've been in the industry for about 13 years. Uh so you know, I started painting when I was, you know, just uh 22 years old, so kind of started painting, working for other people. Um just kind of had a you know, I did that for a long time, and so just grew, you know, and got a got a lot of knowledge in the industry. Um, and I think that just kind of gave me a big leg up when I started my own business. You know, I I knew a lot about the industry, and you know, I I had kind of just always always really enjoyed working with homeowners, uh, you know, just in in the space of working on their house. Uh, and so now kind of transitioning into you know being being uh part of that through the whole whole process. And uh, you know, I think it's just a lot of just who I am. You know, I just really really enjoy working with people. I love people, you know, I love I love working with home homeowners. And uh, you know, I always just say it's like people that really care, uh, you know, it just makes my job easy. When people really care, even if they don't have any idea what they want, you know, as long as there's a high level of of care, then it's you know, I just kind of get to come in and and be myself and just uh be that, you know, be that helper and and kind of help care for them and and work with them on that. So well, and you recently had a uh elderly client.

SPEAKER_00 4:25

Uh tell us uh about that case. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 4:27

Yeah. So uh, you know, we were it's actually kind of uh a job that's in the process. We haven't started it yet, but it's a job that I'm already proud of. Okay. Uh because it's, you know, uh, we got an opportunity, got a referral um to a man who is 97 years old. His daughter, his younger daughter had called me, and she just kind of gave me the an idea, and she said, Hey, my dad's really sharp, he's in really good condition, um, but you know, he's looking to get his house uh restained. And so kind of got to go out there, you know, meet with him and and kind of you know just sit with him for quite a while and just hear all the details. You know, this is a home that he built himself, so very old school kind of guy, you know, I can imagine. And just being able to, you know, really just sitting and talking with him is very detail-oriented, knew exactly what he wanted. And so we just kind of kind of got to spend a bunch of time talking about, you know, the different options, walking through the different options, talking about the prep, talking about the how everything's gonna go. Um, you know, and then also just you know, when whenever you get to sit with somebody who's you know got a whole totally hundred years worth of life experience, it's like, man, I'm just gonna sit here and soak it in and and just chat and just kind of build that person, you know, have that one-on-one relationship and build some rapport. And and uh yeah, so it's it's you know, it's been a process of like, you know, went and met with them, gave them the estimate, and then it's like, okay, I want to what, you know, talk through everything again, and and um, you know, so then I went back for a second consultation just to kind of finalize some more details and and uh yeah, again, it's just you know, high level of care there, you know, it's obviously it's you know, it's his home that he built, and he may be an older guy, you know, but he still really, really cares about it and and has a eye for a detail and attention. And and so those are just kind of the clients that we just really love to work with, you know, just just like to build that relationship and just hang out and and you know, be friendly with them and and um you know, and then also it's like it helps me, you know, level up my business because it's like, hey, there's a lot of details we got to cover on this project, and uh, you know, so it kind of gives me an opportunity to really make sure I'm covering all my bases too. So yeah, no pressure, right? Because he I'm sure he remembers in detail like exactly how he painted it the first time. Yeah, yeah, yep, exactly. You know, it's it's uh nothing, nothing's gonna squeeze by him, you know. Um, so that's good. You know, that's the kind of the projects that we like to work on.

SPEAKER_00 6:55

And you mentioned that uh uh the deal came in through a referral.

SPEAKER_01 6:58

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 6:58

Um do you get a lot of business through referrals and networking?

SPEAKER_01 7:01

Yeah, yeah, I do. You know, it's it's uh, you know, I've been really been networking probably just for about the last year or so. Um, you know, I got into business without any business experience, um, and I've kind of always uh, you know, did and honestly had never really been around other business owners. Wasn't really I had no idea that there was such a vast uh you know business networking uh community. And so just kind of started getting into doing the networking last year. And just through it, I've just you know it's just been awesome. Again, it just kind of goes back to, you know, I just love I just love people and and love building relationships with people. Um and so yeah, it's it's just been really awesome just to be able to kind of yeah, get be a part of that business community, um, you know, build relationships, get to know people, and you know, build relationships that are mutually beneficial to where you know we can we can both kind of help each other and and grow and and uh just all you know all sorts of things like that.

SPEAKER_00 7:56

One thing I love about watching you, Travis, is like not only are you seeking out rooms to be in and you're consistent about it, where you know, I can count on you, you're gonna show up on time, I'm gonna see you the the next event though. I mean, it truly helps you create a relationship. Yeah, but you're also seeking out the places where people are developing as networkers. I know you're really involved with like Romy and the stuff that he's doing, you're involved in my community. Right. Um, but a lot of people don't do that, Travis. They they just go network, they try to get in the rooms, they're not like working on the skill. Sure, right. Um, what have you learned from some of those educational more moments?

SPEAKER_01 8:32

Yeah, yeah, definitely. I mean, that's been a huge part of it. Um, you know, just just because you know, anybody can show up to a room and talk to people, and and that's great. You know, that's that's step one is show up, you know, and and make, you know, and and be vulnerable and and be willing to, you know, kind of put yourself out there and talk to people. Um, you know, but then there's a whole a whole nother set of skills to develop there. Um, you know, and and a lot of it's I didn't, you know, like I said, I was brand new to it. I didn't know anything about it. And so just kind of being, you know, getting around people who do this, you know, people like you, people like Romy, people who do this for a living, who have been doing this for a really long time, you know, there's there's always things to learn there. And it's, you know, it's it's kind of like it's just showing up is like I said, it's it's a good thing, and it's step one, but then it's like if you really want to kind of grow and hone your skills, it's like you just gotta just gotta, you know, put your be surrounded by people who have done it a lot better than you have for a much longer you know long time.

SPEAKER_00 9:33

So well, uh I think that's that's important. Yeah, and it's to be able to talk about your business. Uh obviously when you're painting, you're demonstrating your work, and uh your clients will have a testimonial. Um but like if you're at something like tabletop or something where you gotta refine your pitch, right? Uh and you might not be the only painter in the room. So what makes you unique and and uh uh consistent. But what is funny, Travis, is like I'm in these rooms and a lot of people are talking about like I was in the Fort Collins chamber and they're like, Oh yeah, Travis painted uh all of this in here. That seems like a pretty big gig, especially with the chamber who has uh uh so much influence. But how have you been able to land some of those bigger deals?

SPEAKER_01 10:16

Yeah, you know, honestly, just uh, you know, I think again, just kind of I started about a year just just showing up to places. Um, you know, I didn't I didn't know much about the business networking community, I didn't have any skills, but I just decided, you know, I had a lot of I had a lot of free time, you know, it was kind of a right right around the time where I had a shift in my business to where I was really looking to focus on growing the business and kind of getting out of the field. And so I was like, well, it's you know, it's an opportunity for me to just start showing up to places and you know, started with a couple of things and I would show up to that consistently and and then you know start hearing about more and more things and and uh yeah, just kind of decided I'm just gonna start showing up and and see what I can learn and and see who I can get connected with. And you know, a lot of things have just kind of come naturally as as it does of just hey, I'm in the right place at the right time and I've got the opportunity to you know to to present myself and present my business. And so yeah, just just been thankful, you know, grateful for those opportunities.

SPEAKER_00 11:20

Well, showing up uh is a powerful thing, but yeah, but showing up the way that you would show up for your business. Right you know, I I sometimes people network when it's convenient. You seem to be like networking as part of your business, natural extension. Um talk to me about uh referrals, because I imagine any business that somebody's coming into somebody else's home, you want to be vetted. It's not just, oh, I know somebody who's got a snaggy website. I'm like, especially my kids are playing, or right uh there's a level of connection, you're creating safety and that that trust that goes along there. How much of your business is like while other people are still living in the house? Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 12:06

I mean it, you know, it all depends. Um, you know, obviously when we're doing interiors, you know, a lot of the times, you know, during you know, kind of during the slower months, we do a lot of residential repaints and interiors, and that presents a lot of challenges, you know, and and uh nobody really likes to have anybody in their home, especially for potentially long periods of time. Masking it off, like hey, I can't use my kitchen today. And and you know, it's it's you know, it kind of doesn't matter whether whether they're living there, whether they're not, whether we're working on the exterior, you know, we just want to we want to do a great job, obviously, but we also just kind of want to create a really smooth, you know, efficient, painless experience overall. So, you know, a lot of times we're we're working inside, we're just gonna be very mindful of of the people that are living there and try to make it as easy as possible for them. Um, you know, and and the same thing goes for the exteriors. We may we may not, you know, they can still go about their their day and their life while we're working on the outside, but there's still there's still a crew of guys there, and they're still, you know, they still have to kind of consider about that. And so, yeah, like I said, I mean we just you know, we want to treat every job the same and and just kind of make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible and and make it, you know, as convenient for for the people that we're working with as possible.

SPEAKER_00 13:26

Well, um so obviously if you're on the job, then that's easy, right? Uh but you you've expanded your hiring crews now and managing the crews. Um, how has that helped your business? And then how does that add to that layer of trust with like who's gonna be in the home?

SPEAKER_01 13:41

Yeah, yeah. I mean, it's you know, it's it's been a big step for me. I was, you know, like I said, I I had been in the industry for a long time, and and kind of the first two and a half years of my business, I did pretty much everything myself, and uh, you know, just kind of got to the point where I realized that if I want to grow the business, I was gonna have to remove myself from the job. And that, you know, comes with a whole lot of challenges because I've I've never done that before. I've done done labor my whole life. Um, and so that's kind of a whole new set of challenges. And and it's opened up the door a lot, you know. Like I said, when I kind of first made that commitment to to start handing off the jobs, you know, I was like, okay, well, I have a whole lot of time now, so I better find something to do with it. And so that kind of, like I said, got me into doing the networking, and you know, it's and so it's helped a lot, you know. It's it it's I've made some big strides and and it's been very challenging. You know, it's it's uh I'm very much you know, uh I'm very much kind of just make gut decisions, and that can work out great, and that can work out horribly. You know, it's it's uh I've worked with some people that I've just you know given too long of a leash to and and just kind of went with my gut and trusted them because they seem like good people, and they may have been good people, but they just didn't do quite quite good enough work. And so that's been a big challenge. And and uh, you know, I think just uh, you know, I any anytime that there's whether good or bad, I just kind of have to take, you know, look at a job and and and see what could we have done better, um, you know, and how can we improve, whether the job went great or whether the job went horribly, you know, we just have to look at it and say, how hey, how can we improve? And and uh, you know, when things, when there are challenges, you know, I have to look at it myself and take some accountability and say, hey, maybe I didn't maybe I didn't set the job up well enough, or you know, what what are the things on my end that I need to to do better? And and uh yeah, it's been a big process, you know. Like I said, I didn't I didn't it's all brand new to me. Um so it's been challenging, but it's it's been really rewarding as well.

SPEAKER_00 15:37

Right on. Well, let's talk about your referral partners, is a lot of real estate professionals, real estate agents, mortgage lenders.

SPEAKER_01 15:43

Yeah, yeah. I mean, you know, it's it's uh like I said, I I I work, I do mostly residential repaints, so work with a lot of homeowners. So, you know, we have some realtors that we work with directly, um, and then I always just kind of say realtor adjacent. Um, you know, some property management companies that we work with directly, and then and then some kind of adjacent. So a lot of times, you know, uh people, you know, even if I'm not working directly with the realtor, their realtor will tell them, hey, you need to paint the house before you sell. Um, and so yeah, a lot of times we'll we'll get the call then. Um and so just kind of being being in that space, um, just you know, really just just working with a lot of different types of homeowners. And yeah, we do a lot of work just helping people get ready to sell. Um, and and just being, you know, it's it's kind of one of those things where it's it's a really most of the time it's really simple to me, but a lot of people don't really have any idea what's what's the best thing that we can do to get, you know, what's the best thing that we can invest in that's gonna be a good return on investment, you know, when we're when we're getting ready to sell. Obviously, they don't want to pour, you know, they're uh oftentimes they're on a limited budget, they don't want to put a ton of money into it. Um, but there's certain things that that you can do that's maybe a small thing that makes a big impact. And so I just kind of try to just be uh be an advisor in that space and just kind of help people walk them through that. Um, and so that's kind of a lot of the people that we work with.

SPEAKER_00 17:10

Well, and talk to me about how you reinforce the referral, the person who gives the referral, right? So there's like, hey, you need to use Travis, whether it's like you can help them out by hitting a tight deadline that they're up against, or you know, creating their dream space with the right colors and those kind of things. What is that three-way communication that you use? That it's not just you to your client, but also the person that connected you to your definitely.

SPEAKER_01 17:35

And and you know, I think that that's been a big thing that that I've learned is it's like, you know, I think uh oftentimes we're a little bit further down on on the referral chain. You know, for example, if somebody, if somebody has a realtor or, you know, somebody's getting ready to sell their house, they probably already have a realtor. They may not have a painter yet, so I can't necessarily refer them to the realtor. Um, but what we're gonna do is we're just gonna, you know, we're gonna treat every job the same. And we want to do a great job, whether it's for our client, whether it's for somebody else's client. Um, you know, we just want to be consistent, we want to do a great job. And, you know, it's it's uh it's I think it's especially rewarding when you get a referral and you know, you can it's somebody else's client, right? And you get that positive feedback, and it's you know, it's not just the one per you know, it's not just the client that that that got that, you know, you get that boost of confidence, um, just knowing that that you did a great job for for the client, uh, but also knowing that the referral partner, you know, it's like knowing that they can trust you and knowing that they, you know, it's like they look really good, you know, that's that's kind of our goal. We want to make we want to make our referral partners look really good by treat treating their clients as if they're their there are clients, you know.

SPEAKER_00 18:49

Well, I love it, Travis. And as a student of the networking, and yeah, I don't think you claim to be an expert, but but you've grown a lot. Wait, well, yeah, if somebody was a brand new networker, what are some of your words of advice um that they could do, maybe two or three points.

SPEAKER_01 19:02

Yeah, definitely. Um, you know, again, I I I've said it a couple times already, but I think just consistency and showing up, you know, it's it's uh that's a huge thing of of you know uh eventually the the goal of networking is to build relationships, right? And and you know, something you always say is people people work with some people that they know, like, and trust. Well, you have to be you have to show up consistently in order to build that relationship. Um, so I think that's a big one. Um, you know, and then I think you know, something that I've really learned is is some of the best referral partners might be the last person you would think of. You know, you just never know. I think when I kind of first started showing up to networking, I was hyper focused on who could help me. And and uh, you know, it's it took a while, and so I kind of started realizing that it was like eventually I just kind of started scheduling meetings and meeting one-on-one with people who may not be in my industry, may not directly have a referral for me. Um, but I think just just building that relationship, and you just never know who's who can who can be a great referral partner for you. Um, and you know, and it and it's also you know, there may be more opportunities for me to be a referral for somebody else who's not in, you know, not not necessarily even my industry, but like service-based industries. It's like those are the people that I typically think of first that are probably gonna refer to me, and so therefore I would probably want to refer to them. Um, but you just never know. I mean, it's some of the some of the people who refer to me most are not not in the service-based industry, and and uh kind of kind of vice versa. It's like you just never know who's gonna be, you know, that that that great referral partner. So I think it's just kind of casting a large net. Um, you know, and it's just fun getting to know people and and meet people and hear about their business and hear about what they're doing and and uh you know seeing how you could potentially work together.

SPEAKER_00 20:55

Right on, Travis. Well, uh, I know you network a couple places, but somebody wants to come network with you. What are where can they find you? What circles are you in?

SPEAKER_01 21:01

Yeah, well, uh, you know, I'm I'm really, really uh thankful to be a part of uh networking action with uh being a part of Andrew's group here. It's been really awesome for me. Really enjoyed that, you know, that that that's where I think you really build those relationships. And uh yeah, I mean then uh you know it's I've also you know been a part of the Fort Collins Chamber for about a year now. Um really enjoy that, you know. I think it's been really impactful. Um, you know, just being a part of that business community. A lot of the, you know, some of the people, uh, you know, business owners who are in the chamber, it's like they've been in business for 50, 60 years. Sometimes they've been chamber members for 40, 50 years, and they've been doing this forever. And and uh so just kind of getting to see that, and it's it's awesome being a part of that network. And and uh, you know, No Co Connect is another great group that I've that I've been able to, you know, kind of be a part of. That was one of the first groups that I showed up to. And and uh yeah, and then just uh you know, Romy with with uh suck less coaching is what he likes to call it. And uh man, it's it's uh you when you when you show up to that, it's you know, I would say it's like the first first step to uh admitting or you know, the first first step to sucking less is admitting that you suck and that you need help, right? And so yeah, it's been really valuable. Um, you know, Romy's an awesome guy, he knows everybody, and you know, he's just uh he's just got tons and tons of advice and wisdom and is just always looking to help people out. And so, yeah, just just love being a part of those groups and in those communities.

SPEAKER_00 22:33

Right on, Travis. Well, and then uh maybe somebody's looking at their walls and they're like, maybe I shouldn't have painted that accent wall that color, or maybe I am thinking about selling my house and want to give it a fresh coat of paint. How can people get in touch for you with painting?

SPEAKER_01 22:45

Yeah, um, yep. Well, you can check me out on Google. Um, you can look at my you know, look at my Google page, renewed creations painting. You know, that'll bring up some bring up my reviews. You know, that's always the the place that I like to point people to first. Um, because every one of those is a testimony of of the work that we do and and kind of the people that we are. Um, you know, and then from there you can check out our website, you know, that'll get up get all our information. Um, and then, you know, yeah, just just uh get a hold of me and and I'd be I'd be happy just to kind of see what I can do to help you.

SPEAKER_00 23:16

Right on. Well, we'll put your contact information in the show notes. But thanks for coming on, Connections That Matter, and uh we'll see you around Northern Colorado. All right, awesome. Thanks for having me. Hey all, thanks for watching. I love networking and building relationships with other Northern Colorado business leaders. So if you want to come meet some of these podcast guests, meet me, or meet some other amazing entrepreneurs in Northern Colorado, I would love to have you attend one of our next events. Uh go in the podcast description. There's a way so that you can see our upcoming schedule. And maybe uh you could be a future podcast guest as well. Thanks.