We were lucky to catch up with Emmanuel Jacques recently and have shared our conversation below.

Emmanuel , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Our company’s motto is PCI Painting: Bringing the Magic Back to Painting. Our mission is to make a positive impact in the communities we serve through our work and our involvement. We aim to beautify and enhance the spaces we paint, as well as to support and empower the people who live in them. We are not just painting walls, we are painting dreams.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Q: How you got into your industry?

A: My business partner Robert and I have a passion for real estate investing and making our neighborhoods better. Our company’s called PCI Painting, but it stands for Purposeful Community Investments, ’cause that’s what we’re all about. We first came up with this idea over a plate of wings and some cold ones, dreaming about how we could shake things up for the better.

Both of us had tough upbringings. I was born in Haiti, where my mom and I had to escape for our own lives. My partner, he’s from a small town in North Carolina, where racism still hung in the air, and thinking differently wasn’t exactly encouraged. We started out flipping houses, but then we realized we could do more. That’s when PCI Painting was born. We’re not just about painting walls; we’re about painting a brighter future for our communities. As we grow, we want our neighborhoods to grow right alongside us.

Q: What type of products/services/creative works you provide, what problems you solve for your clients and/or what you think sets you apart from others.

A: At PCI Painting, we’re not just your average painting company. We’re a dedicated team of professionals driven by a passion for transforming spaces and leaving a lasting impression. For us, painting isn’t just a job; it’s an art form that demands meticulous attention to detail, boundless creativity, and unwavering excellence.

We take pride in offering a comprehensive range of services, from initial consultation and design to flawless execution and timely completion. Our approach is all about collaboration—we work closely with each client to truly grasp their needs, preferences, and aspirations. By doing so, we’re able to consistently deliver results that not only meet but exceed expectations.

We’re on a mission to revolutionize the perception of general contractors by reintroducing genuine customer service to the industry. Our company is founded on three fundamental values: accountability, integrity, and transparency. These principles guide everything we do, ensuring that our clients receive not only exceptional results but also a truly satisfying experience from start to finish.

Q: What are you most proud of and what are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work/ etc.

A: What truly fills me with pride is our capacity to positively impact the lives of both our clients and the contractors who are part of our team. At our core, we’re deeply committed to investing in people, exceeding client expectations, and contributing to the betterment of our communities. This company is more than just a business; it’s a platform for meaningful change and growth, both for individuals and the neighborhoods we serve.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There was a time when our resolve was put to the ultimate test, all because of a deal that seemed too good to pass up.

It all began with a promising contract to paint a series of residential homes for a local development project. The offer seemed like a golden opportunity for our small company to make a significant impact and boost our revenue. Eagerly, we accepted, envisioning a brighter future for PCI Painting.

However, as the project unfolded, red flags began to surface. The promises made to us by the developers fell short, and what was supposed to be a mutually beneficial arrangement turned into a financial nightmare. Despite pouring our hearts and souls into the work, we found ourselves drowning in debt with each passing day.

Faced with the harsh reality of our situation, we knew we had to make a tough decision. Rather than allowing ourselves to be defeated, we chose to double down on our core values and commitment to service. With determination burning in our hearts, we rallied our team and vowed to weather the storm together.

Refocusing our efforts on serving our residential clients with unparalleled dedication became our top priority. Every stroke of the brush became a testament to our resilience and unwavering spirit. Despite the challenges we faced, we refused to compromise on the quality of our work or the satisfaction of our customers.

Slowly but surely, our unwavering commitment to service began to pay off. Word spread throughout the community of our dedication and reliability, and soon, homeowners were seeking us out for their painting needs.

In the end, it was our unwavering dedication to serving our residential clients that pulled us back from the brink. Despite the setbacks we endured, we emerged stronger and more resilient than ever before. And as we continue to paint the homes of our community with pride and passion, we do so knowing that true success lies not in profits, but in the relationships we build and the lives we touch.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson we had to unlearn early on in our painting business was the belief that we had to say “yes” to every client, regardless of their budget or fit with our company. There was a time when we thought that turning down a job was a sign of weakness, but one particular mistake taught us otherwise.

It all started when we were approached by a potential client who had a project that seemed promising at first glance. They needed several rooms in their home painted, and while their budget was lower than what we typically charged, we were eager to secure the job. We hoped that by taking on the project, we could prove our worth and potentially earn their repeat business in the future.

As the project progressed, it became clear that the client’s budget constraints were more severe than we had initially anticipated. Despite our best efforts to stay within their budget, we found ourselves cutting corners and compromising on the quality of our work in order to meet their demands. Not only was this detrimental to our reputation, but it also put a strain on our team and resources.

In the end, we realized that trying to accommodate a client whose budget didn’t align with our numbers was a mistake. We were sacrificing our own profitability and the quality of our work in an attempt to please a client who was never going to be satisfied. It was a hard lesson to learn, but it taught us the importance of standing firm in our pricing and only taking on projects that are a good fit for our company.

Moving forward, we became more selective in the clients we chose to work with, prioritizing those who valued our expertise and were willing to invest in quality workmanship. While it was tough to turn down potential business, we knew that in the long run, it was the right decision for the growth and sustainability of our company. And as we focused on attracting clients who appreciated the value we brought to the table, we found ourselves building a stronger, more profitable business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pcipaintingnc.com/
• Instagram: PCI_PAINTING
• Facebook: PCI PAINTING

Image Credits
Emmanuel Jacques Robert Outlaw