We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brian Arnold. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brian below.

Hi Brian , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The idea for San Diego Curb Painters came from a blend of nostalgia and opportunity. When I was younger, my cousin and I used to paint curbs during the summer to make a little extra money—back then, it was just a fun way to pay for snacks and toys. Fast forward a few years, after college, I moved to North Park, and I started noticing something: a lot of homes in my neighborhood didn’t have clear address numbers on their curbs.

At first, it was just a passing observation, but it stuck with me. One day, I thought, why not knock on a few doors and offer to paint them myself? That’s when I saw the real need. People wanted their homes to be easily identifiable for deliveries, guests, and even emergency services. It was a simple problem, but one that hadn’t been fully addressed—pun intended!

The response was immediate and positive, and that’s when I knew this could be more than just a side gig. The logic was clear: every house has an address, and everyone wants to be easily found. Plus, offering something customizable, like adding unique designs, brought a personal touch that no one else in the area was offering. The excitement came from knowing I could turn something as practical as curb numbers into an extension of someone’s home—something functional but also creative.

It wasn’t just about solving a problem; it was about doing something simple in a way that brought real value to the community. That realization fueled my passion and gave me the confidence to turn it into a full-fledged business.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, even as a kid. My cousin and I spent our summers painting curbs to make some extra cash—back then, it was all about having fun and making enough for candy and toys. But that small experience stuck with me as I got older. After college, I moved to North Park in San Diego, and I started noticing how many curbs in my neighborhood lacked clear address numbers. It was something that affected deliveries, guests, and even first responders. That’s when I saw an opportunity and decided to turn a childhood side hustle into a business.

San Diego Curb Painters is all about solving a simple but important problem—making sure homes and businesses are easy to locate. We specialize in painting durable, clear address numbers on curbs, but what sets us apart is our ability to offer more than just standard addresses. We’ve turned curb painting into a unique service by providing custom designs like logos, flags, sunsets, and even palm trees. We’ve taken something functional and added a personal touch, allowing homeowners to reflect their personality or brand identity right at the curb.

I’m most proud of how much we’ve grown since those early days. What started as knocking on neighbors’ doors has expanded into a thriving business that serves all of San Diego. Our focus on quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction has earned us the title of the #1 choice for curb painting in the city.

For me, it’s about more than just painting curbs. It’s about helping people make their homes stand out, improving visibility, and even enhancing safety in some cases. What I want potential clients to know is that we take pride in every single job, no matter how big or small. We use high-quality, weather-resistant materials, offer competitive pricing, and guarantee our work. Our goal is to provide a professional, hassle-free experience that leaves our clients with a curb address they’re proud of.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

When it came to funding San Diego Curb Painters, I kept it simple—I bootstrapped everything myself. I didn’t have investors or loans; it was all about using what I had on hand and reinvesting back into the business as it grew. At the start, the costs were relatively low, which made it manageable. All I needed were stencils, paint, and a willingness to knock on doors and get the word out.

In the early days, I used the money I earned from each job to buy more supplies and improve my equipment. I didn’t rush to scale up too quickly, but instead took a steady approach, making sure I had enough capital to grow without taking on unnecessary risk. Over time, as demand grew, I was able to invest in better tools and expand my services to include custom designs and larger projects.

Bootstrapping taught me a lot about discipline and staying resourceful. It wasn’t always easy, but it gave me complete control over the business and allowed me to grow at a pace that felt right. Looking back, I’m glad I took this path because it gave me a deep understanding of every aspect of the business from the ground up.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients for San Diego Curb Painters has definitely been word of mouth and referrals. In the beginning, I went door-to-door offering my services, and once I did a few jobs in a neighborhood, people started talking. One satisfied customer would tell their neighbors, and before I knew it, I had entire blocks reaching out to get their curbs painted.

Referrals have been a game-changer because they bring in clients who already trust the quality of our work. Happy customers sharing their experiences with friends, family, or neighbors has allowed the business to grow naturally. There’s nothing more powerful than someone recommending your service because they genuinely loved the result. It’s also been a great way to stay connected to the community—knowing that our clients are so satisfied that they want to spread the word.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sandiegocurbpainters.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandiegocurbpainters
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandiegocurbpainters
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sandiegocurbpainters

Image Credits

San Diego Curb Painters