Insights and Success Stories from LIME Franchisees in Oregon and Idaho
With more than 140 million homes in the U.S., painting services are always in demand. In fact, Americans use 1.4 billion gallons of paint annually. LIME Painting, a franchise that offers high-end, custom painting and contracting services, is at the center of this growing industry. Founded in 2014, the painting franchise has expanded to over 90 franchised locations across the U.S.
LIME franchisees enjoy the flexibility to create their own schedules and feel good about providing top-notch services. Below, franchisees Kevin Schramm and Roy Klein tell their stories and share what makes LIME Painting a standout franchise opportunity.
Kevin Schramm, LIME Painting of Boise, Idaho
LIME Franchisee Since 2020
LIME is a unique business because we are more service-focused and offer a complete white glove service to our clients.
What made you decide on LIME Painting, and how did you learn about it?
I decided on LIME due to the values it stands for (Love, Integrity, Mission, and Excellence). I worked through a franchise broker who made me aware of LIME and the unique opportunity. I also saw value in being the first out-of-state location owner and that the franchise’s founder, Nick Lopez, was willing to work directly with me to ensure the model was followed and that I was successful in proving the system works.
What makes LIME a unique business?
LIME is a unique business because we are more service-focused and offer a complete white glove service to our clients. I don’t know of any other brands in our market that have researched products and quality assurance like we have.
What did you do before investing in LIME, and what led you to franchising?
Before LIME, I was a service advisor for the automotive and recreational vehicle industries. I had been an insurance broker in the past and opened a franchise location in 2008. That brand went under, and I wasn’t seeking a franchise, but I saw value in having a support structure and a guide to success in an industry I had zero experience in.
What have been the biggest challenges so far?
The biggest challenges I have faced were navigating Covid-19, a product shortage in 2021, and a labor shortage in 2022. Currently, I am having challenges hiring quality people in our sales role. I have navigated all the other instances with the help of our team, and I will navigate this one as well and end up on the other side.
What is your day-to-day like?
My day-to-day now looks a lot different than what it did three years ago. I have a lot more computer and administration work on my plate now, so most days I work from my home office. When I get a chance, I am out in the field with my team coaching and directing so we can constantly level up.
Do you plan on scaling the business? How so?
I plan on scaling my location to the best single location I can. I don’t plan on buying any other locations as this one is big enough to grow.
How do you provide leadership to your team and the community?
I provide leadership to my team by coaching and assessing. We do a lot of role-playing and critiquing, and I make sure I am always available to my team when they need me and always have their backs as long as they are following the LIME model. The best way I have found to get the best results is to show, then watch and then talk.
Anything else to add?
I felt honored to be named 2023 Franchisee of the Year for LIME by the International Franchise Association (IFA). My goal is to be the best model franchisee in LIME. I always attend meetings and engage in conversations on how to level up the brand and where we can improve quickly. I am the vice president of the Franchise Advisory Council, and I am also working with the franchisor on building a team of success coaches to help the newest LIME owners. I am always available for our newest franchisees if they have questions, as well. My no. 1 tip for being a successful franchise owner is to follow the system. Those are the reasons you buy into a franchise: the system and the people.
Roy Klein, LIME Painting of Bend, Oregon
LIME Franchisee Since 2023
I am 100% confident that I was sovereignly directed to LIME Painting.
What made you decide on LIME Painting, and how did you learn about it?
LIME’s values, integrity, and overall professional package of services, training, and support were far superior. I researched three other painting franchises. While researching and mapping out territories with some of them, I came across LIME Painting and literally picked up the phone and called them. I asked them, ‘Why don’t you have any franchisees in Oregon?‘ The answer right out of the gate was, ‘We haven’t found the right partner yet.‘
What makes LIME a unique business?
LIME is a premier coatings company that specializes in the maintenance and restoration of custom homes. We specialize in coatings and maintaining the life of many surfaces in our clients’ homes. LIME touts 19 different services, and I have personally added even more.
What did you do before investing in LIME, and what led you to franchising?
I have an extensive background in painting that spans well over 25 years. I operated my own Benjamin Moore Paint store for ten years in Portland, Ore. Years after the sale of this corporation, I was asked to be a general manager of a Five Star Painting franchise. After accepting this role, I successfully built this territory to $900,000, and I did this single-handedly with no other employees. It was at this point that I had an epiphany. I love doing this job, so I asked if the absentee owner would allow me to purchase his territory; after the third rejection, I realized if I wanted to do this, I would have to do it elsewhere. From this position, I started researching other painting franchises, as well as their models of operation. I am 100% confident that I was sovereignly directed to LIME Painting.
What have been the biggest challenges so far?
I was unaware that Oregon requires a painting contractor to be a full-fledged general contractor and carry a CCB number and pass all testing. Unfortunately, this set back my launch date about four months because the state was severely backed up.
What is your day-to-day like?
I work five days a week and sometimes a few hours on a Saturday during peak season. I work on the back end of my business each day, as well as doing the customer relations and bidding myself because I absolutely love the interaction with people as well as being able to help and serve others. I take off every evening to have dinner with my bride of 30 years. I take off most Saturdays and every Sunday and schedule my work around my areas of service in my local church as well as my participation in multiple overseas missionary work. The flexibility of work-life balance at my age is important. One helpful part of this plan is that I effectively use our call center to field calls that come in at all times, and they will schedule new appointments for whatever schedule I see fit.
Do you plan on scaling the business? How so?
Initially, I was not planning to scale up at all. Yet, while investigating competing franchises over the last years and their territory and business style, I realized quickly that I should at least look into it. Our founder, Nick Lopez, is an amazing leader and teacher on the mindset of leveling up not just your business, but all areas of our lives.
How do you provide leadership to your team and the community?
I support a local outreach called the Elijah Foundation here in Bend that serves families with children who are impacted by disabilities.
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