A Family Painting Legacy Built On Trust

A fourth generation painter walks into a podcast studio and quietly raises the bar for what “professional” should mean. Tim Surber sits down with Bob Sands, founder and president of Indiana Painting Company in Mooresville, to talk about a family craft that starts after World War II and still runs on pride, systems, and respect for the customer’s space. If you have ever felt uneasy about letting a contractor into your home, this conversation speaks right to that worry. 

Bob shares stories from the 1980s traveling the western United States painting Phillips 66 fuel stations with his dad and grandfather, learning what preparation, pace, and consistency really look like. From hand tinting paint to today’s tools, the methods change, but the standard stays the same: leave the job cleaner, sharper, and more orderly than you found it. We also talk about his attempt to leave the trade after high school, Bible college, and why he ultimately returns to painting as a practical way to help both customers and employees. 

We dig into how Indiana Commercial Coatings becomes Indiana Painting, and why residential painting demands a different level of care. Bob explains the company’s bold customer satisfaction guarantee, “you don’t pay until you’re satisfied,” and the everyday behaviors that make it real: texting when the crew is 20 minutes out, proactive updates, shoe covers, and clear expectations for projects that can run into the thousands. We also touch on the realities of a family business, community involvement in Morgan County, and Bob’s advice on exterior painting before wood rot drives costs up. 

If you care about finding trusted painters in central Indiana, want a smarter approach to interior painting and exterior painting, or just love local business stories with substance, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a neighbor, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

Transcript

Welcome And Bob’s Backstory

SPEAKER_00 0:00

This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Tim Serber.

SPEAKER_01 0:11

Well, welcome back to the Good Neighbors Podcast. I'm Tim Serber, the host. The show we uh about ready to do is just like all the others, we get together with owners, business owners, uh leaders, storytellers of Morgan County. And we want to introduce you to them because we believe they're part of the reason why this is a great place to live and work. Uh as I said, I'm your host, and today we have a guest uh whose family has been picking up paintbrushes since right after World War II. Uh, you're going to really enjoy this one, I think. So joining me today is Bob Sands, and Bob is the founder and president of the Indiana Paint Company in Mooresville, a fourth generation painter, folks. That's pretty cool, right? Who's been serving central Indiana for more than 25 years. Bob, welcome to the podcast.

SPEAKER_02 1:04

Thank you, Tim.

SPEAKER_01 1:06

Really glad to have you. Now, you got a really neat story. So we may not get it all in this podcast, but I really want to I really want to go to where it started. It started back in the 40s. And in I think uh your family has been painting since the 40s. Uh, your grandfather, I believe, Mendel, is that right?

SPEAKER_02 1:26

That's correct.

SPEAKER_01 1:27

Okay. Came back from the 101st Airborne. Thank you for his service and learned the trade from his uncle. So this is a family thing. What does it mean to you to be a fourth-generated painter and now to have your son Joel coming up as the fifth?

SPEAKER_02 1:43

So, yeah, we're we're in our family, we're pretty proud proud of the heritage of painting. Um, so yeah, my grandfather went into the 101st Airborne because they were paying a dollar a jump, and he was working at the bowling alley in Knox, Indiana, and getting about 25 cents an hour. So he thought that was a pretty good deal.

SPEAKER_01 2:01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 2:02

Um, when he came back, he needed a trade, something to do to support himself. And so his uncle was a painter, and so his brother had learned sign painting from his uncle. So he was around Knox, Indiana painting signs by hand. And my grandfather learned, you know, decorative painting from him. And so it's really neat to be a fourth generation. It's like it beckons back to something very old, very historical. You know, we take on things. Sorry, Tim. From our from our fathers learn a trade, right?

SPEAKER_01 2:42

Right.

SPEAKER_02 2:43

So I'm proud to be a fourth generation. I really think painting's neat. I'm happy to have my kids, two of my kids involved with me in the company. It means a lot to care, you know, to pass it on.

SPEAKER_01 2:55

Yeah. Yeah, I understand that. My my sons worked with me in a uh of my earlier years when I was doing uh low voltage work, and they did a lot of work for me and everything. And it was really a it was really a different style when you have your family in there, and it's a different whole feel and everything. Uh there's goods and bad, bad parts to it, not bad, but challenging parts to it when you have family members in there.

Road Lessons And Craft Pride

SPEAKER_02 3:20

Yeah, sometimes you forget to treat them like grown adults. It's you know, you gotta carry that with you. And you know, sometimes there's baggage, they they forget. They treat you like a parent.

SPEAKER_01 3:33

Yeah, yeah. Well, you tell a great story about traveling the western U.S. in this in the 80s with your dad and grandfather painting Phillips 66 fuel stations, which I don't even know if you can find those anymore. Bright white bodies, clean red stripes in and out in two days. What do you carry with you from those summers on the road?

SPEAKER_02 3:54

Man, apart from a whole lot of great memories of you know, traveling the southwest with my grandparents and my family, yeah. Um you know, we still are proud of leaving behind clean, freshened up buildings in a community. Um you know, there's nothing like painting a person's living room and having them feel very gratified. It just brings a certain order to life.

SPEAKER_01 4:22

Yeah, and I would think traveling like that and having to do those in a uh quick time or in a certain time, that that builds work ethic, doesn't it? Doesn't it give you the and also it really defines your craftsmanship, your ability to really uh I think perform and and provide great results.

SPEAKER_02 4:42

Oh, absolutely. We from the minute we pulled up, you know, we opened the back doors of the trailer and you know we knew what to do. So, you know, I'd drag all the drop cloths out and grandpa would start putting tint in the paints, and you know, everything was done by hand back then.

SPEAKER_01 4:57

Yeah, it's interesting you said tint with the paints. I mean, now they got machines that do it all, but uh that I mean you made a mistake, you could ruin a whole thing of paint, I guess.

SPEAKER_02 5:08

Yeah, yeah. I mean, it's you kind of did everything back then.

SPEAKER_01 5:12

Yeah. Now, after high school, you actually tried to get away from the painting business. A lot a lot of kids do that when it's a family business. You did house moving, foundation repair, even Bible college in Louisville, and the goal of pastoring to church. What pulled you back to the trade? Did you see your and do you see your work today as kind of a ministry in its own rights?

From Bible College Back To Paint

SPEAKER_02 5:38

Yeah, that's a big question. So all of those things that are listed there were things my family were involved in. So my mom's dad was a house mover, my mom's brother was a foundation repair guy.

SPEAKER_01 5:50

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 5:51

So yeah, I I like working with family, it's a real tight-knit place, and you know, people care for you when it's family. Yeah. Um, in ways that it doesn't always happen at a job at a business. Um, but yeah, I mean, I tried my hand at pastoring, got my degree there. What pulled me back you know, pastoring is a very particular kind of thing, and you have to have a calling. And I think after Bible college and trying to go into the pastor, it just didn't I just didn't have it. And so going back to paint was a way of helping people, not only the customers, but also employees. And the way we minister to them here is you know, we we care for them like family.

SPEAKER_01 6:40

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 6:42

And so we've tried to create that company where even though someone may not be a family member, we still care for them like that. We still, you know, are concerned about their lives, all the ins and outs of it. And you know, we've had people that have had health problems and we accommodate.

SPEAKER_01 7:03

Yeah, I tell you, it's uh it's important and it's nice to see that your company, and I've known you uh as acquaintance for a few years, but always notice the respect and that you have for a lot of people when you're talking to them. And I think that's a very important thing, and if that can trickle down into the company, then you know you have you'll have great results, I think, with the company when they feel like they're part of something. So leadership is very important, and you've done that. Now, this used to be called something else, didn't it, before it was the Indiana Paint Company?

SPEAKER_02 7:34

It was Indiana Commercial Coatings was the first rendition of it back in 2003.

SPEAKER_01 7:39

Okay.

Growing From Commercial To Homes

SPEAKER_02 7:41

And that we were our goal was just to serve the general contractor community, just to do work for the commercial uh world. We decided in 2005 to rename it Indiana Painting. Okay, and the goal there was to serve residential customers. There's something about that relationship that is very special. You're entering people's homes, it's a very kind of intimate space for them. And we just felt like with our background and our heritage, you know, entering that space, we could do so very respectfully. We could do so with an employee group that like understood that that's a sacred trust.

The No Pay Until Satisfied System

SPEAKER_01 8:24

Yeah. And I and I think that's neat. And you know, it's it's a good thing to have that. And you know, you have commercial, you have residential. You're a full-fledged company that can help in any situation, which is awesome. And you know, one of the things that I that I've noticed is that your mission statement says you don't pay until you're satisfied. Now that's that's big, right? Because I've been working with service companies for years and years and years, and uh you rarely find anybody that's like that, especially when you get into construction jobs and things like that. How how does that guarantee actually show up day to day on a job site, you know, and how is it shaped the kind and how has it shaped the kind of painters that you hire and train?

SPEAKER_02 9:11

So I feel like because of that sacred trust, and in our industry, you know, just to be frank, it's not known for people that you know that leave a good taste in your mouth when they're done, right? And so I know that my crew, I know that me and my crew can actually go in and make people happy. And so the whole point to that guarantee was just to give people comfort. You don't pay me a dime because I know I'm gonna go in there, we're gonna respect your home, your business, whatever it is, and we're gonna finish in a way that you can be proud of. Yeah, and so I want people to feel like like that's a trust, and I understand that you're placing your trust in me to come into your home and do work and not leave behind a mess. And so that guarantee just oh, go ahead, Tim.

SPEAKER_01 10:14

No, I was just uh you know, I was just thinking that uh that's you talking, but you have to have your painters, the people in the house with that same mentality and drive to to provide great service like that. And that's not easy to train. So you got your painters doing that. You know, how do you how do you get that through to them to where they take that kind of ownership to make that happen?

SPEAKER_02 10:41

So we we do follow rules. So you know, we we text the customer before we get there and we let them know. I'm sure you've had the apps where you the air conditioning repair guy says, I'm gonna be there in 30 minutes, and two hours later they're still not there, right? Yeah, it happens all the time. Yeah, so we don't use a machine that does this. We actually have our guys trained. When you're 20 minutes out, you let them know. I don't want to show up and you're still in the shower. I don't want to show up and you know you had to step out for a minute. I don't think that's fair. I want you to be relatively confident that when I say I'm gonna be there, I'm gonna be there. So that's one of the main things. Communication is another. I mean, how many times have you taken your car to a mechanic and they keep it for a week and you just don't know what's going on? Nobody's communicated with you, no, nobody knows when it's coming back. Yeah, and so you have to call and they're like, Oh, yeah, we did this. Well, why not be the kind of company that is proactive and actually calls you and says, Hey Tim, we have your car in here, we've looked at it, we're gonna order this part. It's probably gonna take three days to come in, we'll have it put on by next Friday. Is that okay with you, Tim? Yeah, that would be a much better experience than what we usually get. Yeah. And you know what? I understand when you hire me to paint your exterior or parts of your interior, we're talking thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars. I think that warrants better communication, better expectations. You're actually out something in this relationship. Yeah, and that trust we take very seriously. And so we train them, you know, when you go into somebody's house, wear shoe covers. They don't know where your feet have been, they don't know what you're dragging in.

SPEAKER_01 12:23

Right.

SPEAKER_02 12:25

Respect it.

Family Business And Community Stewardship

SPEAKER_01 12:27

You know, and those are the companies that not only make it, but they survive the years, right? That's really how you survive and grow and become uh really an icon for the community and longevity in your community, and I think that's important. Now, you and Janet, you guys have nine children. Awesome. Uh we had five, and I thought that was a lot, but nine's a lot. And several of them work in your company. Now, Joel is your production manner, right? Overseeing crews and vehicles in the shop. So what's it like working alongside with your kids? What's the hardest part about being both dad and the boss? And we kind of touched on it at the very beginning, but go a little bit more into it.

SPEAKER_02 13:13

Yeah, it's I mean, first of all, it's very gratifying. It's there's nothing, it's wonderful to come into the shop and see your kids working. You know, Sarah, she's my daughter, she's answering the phones, Joel's our production manager, and it's it's wonderful to see them grow and to see them get out there and do things that neither you or them knew they could do or would do. So it's fun to be the one that gets to observe them at work every day and the growth that they've had. Um, it's also just nice to see them. I mean, they've they've both moved out of our house now, and it's nice to be able to see them every day again, you know. That's that's good. Yeah. I mean, the hardship is just like we said before, it's you know, that parent-child relationship sometimes gets confused. And you know, you you know all their hang ups because you have them since they were zero years old, you know, and so right, and they've been with you the same time, and they know that you know when you fly off the handle, it's like there's things going on, right? Yeah, so that's but you know, we work through it, and a lot of times they know things that nobody else does, and we talk. Yeah, that's great.

SPEAKER_01 14:24

I I love family businesses. I I you know to me it's what makes this country great, and it's it's uh I I I I hope it comes back. It's it's trying, and I really would like to see more families following. I I have a friend of mine whose business is really great, but none of the kids want it. And you know, that's heartbreaking for that parent, that father, that person who wanted his kids to take it over. So you're blessed to have that in there, and I think that's awesome. Any grandkids?

SPEAKER_02 14:57

We have one grandkid. Um, yeah, he's a great little two-year-old guy, so he's into everything and keeps us busy, keeps us young.

SPEAKER_01 15:08

Yeah, no doubt about it. Now, you're active in the Mooresville Chamber, the Plainfield Chamber. Uh you've served as president of the Indiana chapter of, or the Indy, excuse me, Indy chapter of the Painting Contractor Associations, and you're the member and a member of the Cross Point Church uh there in Mooresville. Um why what this says is that you're involved in your in your community. Why is this so important for your business, you think?

SPEAKER_02 15:39

I think the way we Janet and I look at it is kind of the way the British people look at it, right? We're we're stewards of what's going down. We've been past something and we're stewards of that, and we pass it on. And so it's important to invest into things like like the PCA. It's a great organization that keeps us, you know, ethical standards are aligned, we subscribe to those. Um, you know, without having those organizations, things tend to degrade.

SPEAKER_01 16:14

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 16:14

So we like we like to be involved in the church, we like to see people improve their lives. We like being involved in the PCA because the trade is important to me. I don't want a trade with a lot of substandard work going on. I want a trade where everything is as good as it can be.

SPEAKER_01 16:32

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 16:33

And same with the community organizations, the chambers. I want a town where everybody's flourishing. I think everything in this country can be win-win. It doesn't have to be because I have it, you don't. We can both get have it. And that's the nature of the United States. That's the nature of our community. It's you invest into it because it's invested into you.

Painting Advice Plus How To Reach Us

SPEAKER_01 16:54

Yeah. Yeah, and I and you have a history of that. I know that. And I've like I said, I've I've known you through a lot of these uh organizations and and meetings and stuff throughout Morgan County. And and uh, you know, I've really enjoyed the time. I think you and I even had breakfast one time, and I really enjoyed that. Um it's called uh oh gosh, something 66. So it's it's changed a few hands, but they do have great tenderloins there now. But uh, you know, last question, Bob. Uh for homeowners or business owners listening right now who's been putting off painting, uh, what's the the one piece of advice you'd give them and and what's the best way for them to reach you and the team at Indiana painting?

SPEAKER_02 17:48

Yeah, I mean, if you're thinking about painting, it's you know, if it's exterior, don't put it off. It's I mean, if nothing else, the improvement for the community, the improvement for yourself, your neighbors is worth it. But there's also a practical consideration. I mean, we see so much wood rot in our in our work, and that raises the cost of any paint project by quite a bit. And so you really don't want to put that off too long. Um, replacing wood is more expensive than paint. Um, interiors, I mean the whole reason I love going, I I love the paint industry is to see somebody's room go from kind of drab and yeah, you know, you're making memories in that room, and you invite people into your home and they see that room, and it kind of speaks to where we're at in life, right? If we put stuff off too long, things kind of tend to degrade, and it's just not great for our morale or you know, that kind of thing. So I I would encourage people just take care of it. It does cost, but everything in life costs. Second, yeah, you can get a hold of us. I mean, we're right here at 46 West Main Street, and you stop by. We're here from 8 to 5, or you can call us at 317-528-9500, or stop by our website, indianapainting.com.

SPEAKER_01 19:16

They can hold up estimates online, right? Anytime.

SPEAKER_02 19:19

Yeah, you can book your own appointment at the website anytime. And uh, it's either going to be me coming to your home or business or my salesman, John. We'd be happy to take care of you.

SPEAKER_01 19:32

Well, Bob, I tell you, uh, thank you for sharing your family story and the heart behind the Indiana Painting Company. You know, 25 years of serving this community is no small thing. That's that's really a feat. And I think it's something to be very proud of. And the community should be proud of having a company that has stayed with it for so long. And it's clear why folks around here, I think, trust you. Uh, listening to what you train your painters to do, your motto that you have, I think those are all great things. So uh I really appreciate you being on the show, and and I hope you have a great day.

Closing And Nomination Invite

SPEAKER_02 20:09

I appreciate it, Tim, and keep up the good work.

SPEAKER_01 20:12

Well, we're gonna try, that's for sure. And that's it for the uh good neighbors podcast this time. I hope you enjoyed uh hearing from Bob Sands of the Indiana Painting Company. And uh until next time, be a good neighbor, Morgan County. We'll see you later.

SPEAKER_00 20:31

Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. Nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show. Go to gmpmorgancounty.com. That's gmpmorgancounty.com or call 317 748 2050.