Todd Cartmel, owner of the Painting Edge, at a job site in Carmel, Indiana.

Paint is, in so many ways, the fabric of life that we may not always appreciate until the time comes to make home or business improvements. No one knows the painting profession better than Todd Cartmel, owner of The Painting Edge, which has been in operation since 1996.

His journey to starting his own painting company began at an early age with stepping stones to success through experience gained as a teenager.

“I learned how to paint when I was in high school working for a local company that was willing to give a young kid a chance. I painted during the summer months, weekends, and on holiday breaks for 2 years and then was accepted to Indiana University. I majored in Business Entrepreneurship which gave me a solid foundation leg up to one day start my own company. During my first summer break from college, I landed a job as a crew supervisor to oversee and work along side 4 of their company employees. I was able to interact with customers on a daily basis in this position. It gave me insight and experience that eventually allowed me to take the plunge into starting my own company (The Painting Edge) with the support of my father,” Todd said.

Todd is a perfect example of someone who learned his craft from the ground up, working with professionals who showed him the right way to be a painter and a boss. When you listen to his story, you know the effort he put into his company and why he gained customers by word of mouth and an effective, low-budget advertising campaign to attract new clients.

“The Painting Edge is more than just a painting company. Today, we are a full-service painting, drywall, and staining company as well. Our interior painting and drywall operates year round, while our exterior services run from March 1 through the middle of December. We also have cross services with several general contractors that use us for remodels and basement finishes,” he adds.

So how has paint changed over the years?

“Paint technology has come a very long way since I first started my company 17 years ago. Oil-based paint then was considered the best paint to use for both interior and exterior. Latex/acrylic paint kept getting better and better, but eventually oil paint became a dinosaur because of the smell and slow dry times. It was finally banned because it was bad for the environment. Acrylics today are amazing, especially on the exterior. Today, I can guarantee that my exterior painting job will last 8 to 10 years with a one-coat application. Technology has made this possible,” he said.

Todd is certainly a shining example of someone who found his calling early in life and is a well-qualified professional who stands behind his services. So if you are in the market for a painting professional or even have questions about paint, The Painting Edge should be your first call.

Tips from the Painting Edge in choosing a paint color:

1. Pick a color that you really like with your decor in mind.
2. Stay away from too many colors in one family.
3. Remember that paint will look different at certain times of the day and under different lighting conditions.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask paint professionals for their advice as they work with paint products every day.
5. Remember that a paint color can effect a mood in any given room. Take time exploring the color charts before you make this important decision.