Business Spotlight

Simpson & Co. Painting Contractors: A Family Business Built on Integrity

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 effi ciency 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 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 signifi cantly 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

“Lexington has been very good to us over the years, and I don’t think we could have the same success in other cities as we have here in central Kentucky,” Mike says. “Our mission is to always provide quality painting services with integrity at a fair price."

Exterior Painting-To Paint or Not to Paint?

This past year we have painted the exterior brick on several homes for the first time. The most common question we get is “will it be high maintenance?” The answer is no. Of course, the key to the successful painting of brick is predicated on proper surface preparation and the correct product selection. You must start with a clean surface free of dirt, mold, mildew, algae, and efflorescence. This may or may not require pressure washing. Often, a good scrubbing with a brush and detergent is all that is needed. We only pressure wash in extreme circumstances. The injection of water into various surfaces can do more harm than good on most houses. There is no substitute for a good old-fashioned “hand washing," which is how we prepare all our exterior repaint projects. Once the surface is clean you must determine whether a primer is needed before the finish coat is applied. If the brick is shiny or glazed in appearance, then an acrylic bonding primer is recommended prior to the finish paint application. If the brick is porous, no primer is needed if the correct finish product is selected. We use masonry coatings designed specifically to be self-priming for this application. Two coats minimum are necessary for adequate “film build” resulting in proper protection and adherence to the brick.

Most people select a satin finish, which has a velvety look and is very pleasing to the eye. Various sheens are available, and the color selections are endless. If all the correct cleaning protocols are followed and the appropriate products are used it will be a successful project. Brick is just one exterior substrate that homeowners are painting. Simpson & Company is seeing many new homes being built utilizing wood and cementitious composite materials for the siding and trim. The correct preparation and product selection will keep these surfaces looking great for years to come.

From this client:

“Your company did a great job, and I love the results. We’ve gotten many wonderful compliments on it.” When asked why the decision was made to paint the exterior brick the client stated, “We painted our brick because we no longer liked the color scheme of the existing brick. It’s a great way to freshen your home without moving.”

Trust in Relationships

Relationship building is very important to Simpson & Company. “We have employees that have been with us since the early eighties. Clients who we painted for when their homes were built still call us today when they need painting services,” Mike states. Solid relationships benefi t everyone involved and enrich our lives. His work motto is simple: “Treat people the way you want to be treated. In dealing with confl ict, I emphasize that the goal is always to get people in your corner; never try to box them in a corner where they have no way out." Mike has a passion for learning and using the knowledge he has gained to give back to the people in his life. He is chairman of Rosedale Business Group which is a group of businesspersons using their gifts, experiences, skills, time, and money to empower entrepreneurs to engage the world marketplace, and they have projects in Thailand, Laos, Gambia, Morocco, and Nicaragua. Their goal is to improve the lives of people through marketplace initiatives. This work grows out of his faith and informs the work at Simpson & Company. Mike loves the people of central Kentucky and the sheer beauty of the area. The clients his team works with invest what is necessary to maintain their properties. He seldom goes someplace where he doesn’t recognize someone he knows. Having witnessed tremendous growth over the last 40 years, he remembers when most all arteries feeding into Lexington were still two-lane roads. He believes the city has challenges in the way commercial and residential developments grow and how they accommodate all the increase in traffi c. His hope is that the requisite civil engineering plans are for the future and not just to meet the immediate accommodations.

Things to Keep in Mind When Considering a Painting Project:

Mike suggests making sure the company is properly insured with general liability insurance and workman’s compensation insurance. This is designed to protect you as the homeowner against property damage or an injury to a worker while working on your property. Homeowners should only do business with a company that can demonstrate competency about surface prep and product selection.

Finally, remember the “lowest” price is not always the “best” price. Regret over selecting a contractor that does not produce up to your standards remains long after the contractor is gone.

A Family Affair

One of the highlights of Mike’s career is making a place for his daughter Lindsey in the business. Being very task-oriented and with a real talent for estimating, she expressed an interest in coming on board in 2014. For Lindsey, both of her parents have been a true inspiration in her personal and professional life and her relationship with them is a blessing to the entire family. As a mother to five children and wife to a truck driver who works long hours, the business gives her the flexibility she needs to be a successful working mother. Some would think working for your father would be tough. While it has its stressful moments, Lindsey wouldn’t have it any other way and enjoys working and continuing to learn from her dad. She states, “We make a strong team!” Mike says, “Lindsey loves working with people, and she’s a great fit for our clientele. The goal is for me to transition out of the business in the next few years. It’s been a good ride for 40 years, but it is time to begin thinking about turning over Simpson & Company Painting Contractors to the next generation." •

204 Normandy Court • Nicholasville, KY 40356 • (859) 887-2730