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“But residential repaints is still our bread
and butter.”
The company employs approximately 22
people, including a couple of returning
college students in the summer, and
prioritizes not only developing the skills
of its workforce but gives something back
to the local community through its ‘Day to
WOW’ program. Earlier this year, Tyrone
and his staff spent a day helping at the
food bank.
“It’s so great to spend the day interacting
with the team and making sure things are
OK with them,” he says, noting the company
also has an initiative in place called the
‘PAT to Partner’ program which is designed
with a double major in anthropology coloured shirt compared to the signature to develop the skills of its staff. “We hire a
and forensics. “After I graduated and green shirts worn by the painting crew – lot of young staff.
was debating my next move, I took some to provide customers with one point of The goal of the program is to take them
supply chain courses and production contact. through the various roles within the
control.” “That way, if a customer has questions, company – painter, project manager, or
Having this background played an integral they are not having to ask four or five sales - in hopes of eventually leading them
part in his decision to go into business for different painters,” says Tyrone, adding at towards ownership. I have two people in
himself after purchasing and renovating the end of the project this same person the program and hope five years from now
two student houses near the University goes over a checklist with the customer they will own their own franchises. In some
of Waterloo while still working in the auto to ensure the job has been completed to regard, that’s a big goal for me.”
industry. their satisfaction. Another is to double the size of his
“It was one of those things. I was still “The big thing for us is making sure that franchise, creating a bigger footprint.
working for somebody else, and I always quality is our No. 1 priority. I’ve seen others Currently, the company primarily covers
had an entrepreneurial spirit,” says Tyrone, in this industry who may offer great work, Waterloo Region and Guelph, but can
noting his interest was also growing in but the customer doesn’t really know who reach to Stratford, St. Mary’s, Ingersoll, and
home services as a property owner. “I to go to if there is a situation.” Woodstock under its territorial agreement
was hiring different contractors and doing based on postal codes.
things myself. But it sometimes seemed He says having ‘one day’ in its “Technically, we can cover up to Lake Huron
fragmented in terms of whom was doing title is not an indicator of the as well as down to Lake Erie,” says Tyrone.
what and who wasn’t doing things well.” company’s lack of dedication or “But there’s certain postal codes that we
As a result, when he began searching for professionalism and that in fact, don’t service because it’s just too far.”
a franchise opportunity, he says the WOW it’s quite the opposite. He says having flexibility has been a
1 Day Painting model stood out because “The ‘one day’ reference doesn’t really definite perk to running his own business,
he admired the fresh and new perspective speak to how we operate. Most of our allowing him to spend time with his wife,
it has brought to the home and garden residential repaints can be done in one Tawyna, who is a teacher, and their two
landscape. day since we plan accordingly,” says busy young daughters.
“We provide a very structured service. Tyrone, explaining if major repairs and “Both of them are involved in competitive
All the details are worked out ahead of touchups are required on a project, more dance. We (wife) both have busy livelihoods
time so when our crews show up, they’ve time may be required. so it’s nice to have a bit of freedom and
already seen the work order and know In terms of projects, WOW I Day Painting that flexibility,” says Tyrone.
what’s coming up,” says Tyrone, noting the also offers extensive commercial painting
supplies and paint are already in place at services, which includes offices and “But the downside is that work is still there
the site when the painters arrive. business complexes. and I’m really on call all the time if there’s

“We have a project manager on site “I would say our slower time is usually in an issue or something pops up. It’s really
just learning how to shift your schedule.”
that will direct traffic and make sure February. But in the last few years, we have
everybody’s doing what they’re supposed not been seeing a huge slowdown since Visit www.wow1day.com to learn more.
to be doing.” we’re doing more and more commercial
He credits the company’s ‘Emerald Shirt’ work,” he says, noting this work includes
program for helping to facilitate this shared living spaces where there is a
system. The program calls for a dedicated change-over in tenants or expired lease
person on site – who wears an emerald- agreements.

www.cambridgechamber.com Spring 2025 39