As the founder of Ryan Amato Painting and Lehigh Valley Epoxy Floors in Easton, Pennsylvania, I have grappled with daunting challenges and savored the exhilarating triumphs of establishing and growing a thriving enterprise in the epoxy flooring industry.

Embarking on this journey, the lack of knowledge presented formidable obstacles. The realm of epoxy floor coatings brought a new challenge from the familiar task of painting a residential bedroom, significantly amplifying the potential for costly missteps.

Instead of simply repainting a bedroom, the repercussions of redoing an entire floor can be financially overwhelming.

Lack of knowledge

Our lack of expertise posed a major obstacle in guiding and supporting our team members effectively.

We realized the importance of gaining a thorough understanding of the products and their real-world uses to communicate better and train others within the company.

During our bids for commercial projects, we faced difficulties that led to financial losses in estimations, labor, and materials due to errors.

This experience made us realize the importance of accurate cost estimation, meticulous planning, and proficiency in executing projects.

We were not adequately prepared to perform our tasks efficiently, deliver the level of quality we strive for, and ensure profitability for our company.

Our Biggest Catastrophe

I remember a particular job where I conducted a site visit and noticed that 20 gallons of part B were still unopened, while all the part A had already been opened and applied.

This situation indicates that the floor will never dry or cure at all.

Lessons Learned

We learned valuable lessons from these setbacks,

Due to these mistakes and our lack of preparedness, we decided to halt our commercial bidding efforts, take a step back, and regroup.

It was clear that we needed to reevaluate our approach, address the gaps in our knowledge and processes, and implement necessary changes before venturing back into commercial projects.

During this period of regrouping, we were able to concentrate on fine-tuning our estimating techniques, elevating our workforce training, and implementing rigorous quality control measures.

This phase of introspection and enhancement played a critical role in ensuring that we are better prepared and equipped to effectively undertake future commercial projects, ultimately increasing our likelihood of success.

Be Patient

The transition took three years, and it was indeed challenging to exercise patience while working toward something we were deeply passionate about.

In this impatient age, taking a moment to reflect is very hard to do,. We also needed to assure the team that this plan would work. As the old saying goes: Sometimes you have to take a step back to go forward.

However, we needed to take the necessary time to ensure that we had the right person to oversee this department in our company and manage it effectively, without imposing undue stress on our office, current project managers, or myself.

We understood the significance of making strategic decisions for the long-term success of this venture and were determined to approach it with thorough planning and meticulous consideration.

This patient and deliberate approach ultimately ensured that when we resumed our commercial projects, we were well-prepared and positioned for success.

The Plan

We brought my son Preston Amato in to help develop a strategic plan, goals, and a marketing plan while I worked on the sales and vision.

Additionally, we brought Kyle Eads into the mix to manage the operations and application. It’s essential to have a well-rounded team with expertise in various areas to ensure that all aspects of the business are covered effectively.

With each person focusing on their strengths, we could work cohesively to achieve our business objectives and ensure a well-rounded approach to our company’s development.

The plan was to offer the same service and experience we do with our painting company but be assured we have checked all the boxes, from products used, budget, preparing the surface, and application.

Providing consistent quality and attention to detail is our priority, and we’re dedicated to ensuring that every aspect of our service meets the high standards that our customers expect from us.

The Result

After this, we saw remarkable results. Now, don’t get me wrong; just like painting, you may ruin a job, mess something up, or get that client you will never make happy. But we always make it right.

When you get to a point where the majority of the projects are going well, you have money to reinvest for professional equipment, grinders, and trailers, and you will have the money to occasionally redo a floor.

            If you navigate the early struggles, epoxy floors can be a profitable expansion of your painting business. Remember: It’s not where you start, it’s how you finish.

Lehigh Valley Epoxy Floors and Ryan Amato Painting is a multi-million dollar residential and commercial painting and epoxy company based in Easton, Penn. Servicing Pennsylvania and New Jersey, our focus is on prioritizing the client’s experience above all else.

Step-by-Step Guide

1) Make a business plan

2) Learn, learn, learn. You may find your rep for paint may not be your go-to for epoxy coatings.

3) Find someone to lead this team who knows more than you.

4) Job cost EVERY job: know your numbers, job costs, and average costs

5) Overly communicate with your clients and do all that you can to make them happy.

6) Know everything about epoxy, polyaspartic, and urethane coatings so you know how to measure mills (thickness) and moisture which will tell you if you may need a special primer