Dec 9 2010
Eric Stavropoulos, a lifelong Connecticut resident, has launched his first Fresh Coat Painting business to serve Hartford County and its communities of Manchester, Vernon, Glastonbury, South Windsor and East Hartford.
A restaurateur's son, Stavropoulos always knew he would own his own business. He studied business management in college and gained experience as a manager for his father, who is still working at 75.
After deciding against food services, Stavropoulos explored other entrepreneurial endeavors and chose Fresh Coat because of the reasonable cost, professional training and ongoing support.
"I looked at a few other franchises," he said. "One of them wanted a million dollars just to start."
He also liked Fresh Coat because of its transparency, he said, noting the franchise consultant answered his questions and even was willing to mail him written information. "Fresh Coat was the only one that would do that."
Stavropoulos said he was impressed with the caliber of the managers, especially President Ralph Martin, who actually had run an operation. "These are not just people off the street. They didn't just read it in a manual, then try to tell you how to do it. They've been there and done it themselves."
Martin praised Stavropoulos for his work ethic and due diligence. "Fresh Coat is an ideal business for motivated business professionals like Eric who want to guide their own success."
Stavropoulos again was impressed during his week-long training where he learned Fresh Coat's system for best practices in hiring personnel, determining accurate proposals, and fulfilling customers' needs.
"Four days into the training, I decided to buy another territory," he said. That business will open next spring for Stamford and Greenwich.
Stavropoulos anticipates success, and he's pleased he won't be painting.
"I'm an absolutely horrible painter," he said. "I have a good background in business. That's what I love to do. I'll let the painters do the painting. That's what they love to do."