Simpson & Co. Painting Contractors: Mike Simpson knows a thing or two about running a successful business. Simpson & Company was formed almost 40 years ago when Mike was a graduate student at the University of Kentucky working to supplement his teaching stipend. He was painting part-time for a remodeling contractor during the housing boom of the early eighties. Popular subdivisions such as Hartland, The Woods, Andover, Firebrook, and Equestrian Woods were all under construction at the time, and Mike saw an opportunity. Mac Crawford of Crawford Builders recognized Mike’s efficiency and attention to detail which was lacking in the painting industry at the time and suggested he start his own company. He began to lay the groundwork and decided to suspend his graduate studies
A Family Business Built on Integrity
in June of 1983 to form the painting company that bears his name today, Simpson & Company Painting Contractors. Always one to “play by the rules," Mike still prides himself on trying to do things the right way. The size of the company has waxed and waned significantly since its humble beginnings when Mike worked every day alongside 3-4 other painters to build the business. In the 90s when things were booming, he employed upwards of 90 painters and had four estimators. Today, he has an employee pool of 25-30 painters and three estimators. The market has changed many times throughout the years, and the company has had to adapt to “boom and bust” cycles along the way.
photos by Mike Cyrus and Woody Phillips
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