We were lucky to catch up with Kathy Vacho recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kathy, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?

Throughout my life, my mother has been my ultimate hero. Despite enduring unfathomable trauma in her upbringing, including molestation by a close family member and enduring domestic violence in her first marriage, she exemplified unparalleled strength and courage. There was a moment she recounted to me when a gun was pointed at her head, and though shattered, she defied her assailant with a resolute gaze, challenging him to pull the trigger. He didn’t, and she left the abusive relationship with her three children, refusing to succumb to victimhood and instead embodying the spirit of a survivor.

Remarrying my father, who had four children of his own, she embarked on a journey of resilience and renewal. When circumstances forced us to uproot from Chicago to Wisconsin, my mother embraced the challenge, enduring times of deprivation and hardship, living in a makeshift tin shed while my father sought work. Despite the adversity, she remained unwavering in her determination to provide for her family.

After securing a home for us and sending me off to kindergarten, my mother pursued her education, earning her college degree with distinction while simultaneously raising four children and working. Her pursuit of knowledge didn’t stop there; she went on to obtain her master’s degree, carving out a career in social services.

In the face of my own struggles as a victim of abuse, my mother became my lifeline. Leaving an unhealthy marriage with three children to support, I found refuge with her and my father. Despite the financial strain, my mother retired early from her career to care for my children, selflessly ensuring our well-being without a second thought for her own sacrifices.

In 2017, our family was dealt another devastating blow when my mother was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, all while she cared for my father, who battled pulmonary fibrosis and vascular dementia. Refusing conventional treatments, she fought her cancer with unwavering resolve, enduring unimaginable pain until her passing in 2023.

Throughout her life, my mother wore countless hats – mother, caregiver, friend, financial manager, counselor, community leader, and more. She epitomized compassion, hard work, and resilience, teaching me invaluable lessons about overcoming life’s challenges. Her legacy lives on, inspiring me to follow in her footsteps, pursue my dreams, and never lose hope, no matter the obstacles.

Kathy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am the owner/operator of Barefoot Painter LLC, overseeing a range of residential and commercial painting services encompassing both interior and exterior projects, along with cabinet and furniture painting and refinishing, as well as professional cleaning services. Initially, I co-founded the company with my closest friend, forging a partnership sparked by a pivotal moment when I was unhappy with my previous job and she was already immersed in the world of painting. Over lunch one day, we seized the opportunity to turn painting into a full-time endeavor. With unwavering support from my husband, we laid the groundwork and embarked on a fruitful partnership. However, in 2019, due to various factors, we decided to dissolve the partnership, leading me to acquire full ownership and transition into a sole proprietorship. Despite this change, our friendship remains intact, as she pursues other passions. Simultaneously, my husband joined the company after losing his job, taking charge of sales and estimates. Furthermore, my eldest daughter handles color consultations, while my other three children contribute during summer breaks from school.

Family will always take precedence over my business endeavors. While owning and managing my company demands my full attention, it will never overshadow the importance of my family. I’ve structured my business in a way that allows me to actively participate in every significant moment of my children’s lives. Whether it’s attending their sports games, swim meets, band concerts, or any other important event, my commitment to my family remains unwavering.

In 2024, when my eldest daughter gets married, I’ll be there for her every step of the way, taking time off before the wedding to assist her with preparations and afterwards to recuperate. Similarly, I’m readily available to support my eldest son, who is studying at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. I can take his calls during the day, even amidst my busy schedule, ensuring that I’m there for him when he needs me.

With my youngest daughter and son still in high school, our days are filled with their activities and obligations. Despite the hectic schedule, my family remains the focal point of my life, and I’ve tailored my business operations to accommodate their needs. Ultimately, my family is my world, and I’ve structured my company to revolve around their well-being and happiness.

One aspect I am particularly proud of is the familial atmosphere we’ve cultivated within the company. Although we’ve expanded to include non-family members on our team, we maintain a close-knit, family-like bond that extends to our customer relationships. This unique approach distinguishes us from our competitors, as our primary objective is not merely to generate revenue but to curate a memorable and enjoyable experience for our clients.

In addition to fostering a sense of family within Barefoot Painter LLC, it’s equally important to me that our business is recognized for its commitment to community. Through our annual initiative, Barefoot Gives Back, we actively engage in projects that contribute positively to our local area. Whether it’s donating labor and materials to repaint the swim area at the local school, reducing costs for gymnasium painting, or supporting our Veterans Memorial Association, our aim is to go beyond monetary gain and prioritize community impact.

We firmly believe that community involvement transcends business interests, and we hope to inspire other businesses to follow suit by engaging in their own giving back initiatives. One upcoming project involves repainting the dugouts at a local baseball field, following an unfortunate incident where area teenagers sprayed graffiti on them. In a dual effort to give back and educate, we’re collaborating with local government to provide the teens involved in the graffiti incident with an opportunity to participate in the painting process. This serves as both a form of restitution and a valuable educational experience, demonstrating the transformative power of community engagement.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Traits such as personality, honesty, and timeliness are crucial in the contracting industry, where missed opportunities and negative experiences with contractors abound. Customers often recount stories of unanswered calls, missed appointments for estimates, or worse, contractors running off with deposits. Such experiences understandably make customers wary. To address this reality, we’ve implemented our own Rule of 3:

1 – Promptly answer incoming calls within 3 rings, recognizing the importance of immediate responsiveness. While not always feasible, prioritizing timely responses ensures that potential customers aren’t lost to missed opportunities as many will not leave messages and will just contact the next painter. For those who leave messages, swift callbacks are essential to foster trust and secure their business.

2 – Provide estimates to customers within 3 days of project assessment. Recognizing the stress of uncertainty surrounding costs, we aim to alleviate this burden by promptly delivering detailed estimates. During project consultations, we inform customers of the expected timeframe for receiving their written estimate.

3 – Provide customers with a start date within 3 days of contract signing, eliminating ambiguity and frustration. By promptly establishing a timeline for commencement of work, customers have clarity and confidence in our commitment to their project.

4 – Order color samples within 3 hours of consultation to alleviate customers’ concerns about paint selection. Offering ample sample sheets for review allows customers to visualize colors in their own environment, facilitating informed decisions and instilling confidence in their choices.

5 – Initiate painting projects within 3 weeks of contract signing for interior work, acknowledging the challenges of balancing workload fluctuations. While exterior projects are subject to weather constraints, we strive to meet deadlines through efficient scheduling and workforce management.

In addition to adhering to the Rule of 3, we prioritize frequent and transparent communication with our customers. By infusing our communications with a touch of personality, we aim to cultivate lasting relationships based on trust and rapport.

Central to building trust is our comprehensive contract, meticulously crafted to protect both Barefoot Painter LLC and our customers. Our contract outlines warranties, insurance coverage, and clearly delineates expectations for all parties involved, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the project duration.

At Barefoot Painter LLC, our commitment to quality is unwavering. We exclusively utilize top-tier paints and products, and every member of our crew undergoes rigorous training to uphold our standards of excellence. To guarantee complete customer satisfaction, a member of our management team conducts a thorough walk-through at the conclusion of each project. We understand that painting is not a routine task for our customers, so we strive to leave a lasting impression by delivering exceptional results. Our goal is to become synonymous with quality craftsmanship, ensuring that when our customers require painting services in the future, they remember us for all the right reasons.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I consider myself a business book junkie. There are so many books that have helped me develop both myself, and my business, over the past few years. My favorites are:

For general business:

The E-Myth by Michael Gerber. If you own a small business and have not read this one, it is a must! Helping to learn the pitfalls owners go through, and how to avoid them, is huge.
Traction by Gino Wickman has helped me look at how to scale the business.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. I went back to college, like my mom did, when I was 30. I got my B.S. in Sustainable Management and this was the most influential book of all those I read during that time. No matter the profession a person is in, influencing people is a must for a small business owner.

For marketing:

The 1-Page Marketing Plan by Allan Dib. It is a quick read, breaks marketing down to such simple techniques, and has made a huge impact for us. I am often asked for a referral to the company who does our marketing, and I love the jaw drop I see when I tell them I do all the marketing. So much of it was learned from this book.
Brand With Purpose by Ivan Estrada. This book is an EXCELLENT read and will help you truly decipher your goals, and how to market with them.

For people:

100 Ways to Motivate Others by Steve Chandler and Scott Richardson, This is a must have for anyone who has employees.
How to Become a Rainmaker, CEO, and a Great Boss – This is actually 3 books in one. I had my management team read the Great Boss book. They are all quick reads, but I could not put them down!

I also love to listen to business podcasts, and anything Gary Vaynerchuk does. I have learned so much by listening to him and his business insights.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.barefootpainter.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/barefootpainterwi
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barefootpainterllc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-vacho-92b74a50/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarefootPntrLLC
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/barefoot-painter-ladysmith-4