Simple Basics on How to Value Employees

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When I started my painting business 16 years ago, I had no idea that it would grow to the stature our company is today.  Building a company to become a sustainable business enterprise is a heavy lift and finding the right people to do it with you can be one of the biggest challenges. However, I was determined early on to reach out and bring in others who shared my vision, and who could help share the load.

As my company continued to expand and grow from a one- or two-person operation, I brought in people with a variety of temperaments and personalities. I determined to create a work culture in which:

+ both employees and customers were treated with dignity and respect.

+ the work/life balance of my employees would be honored and encouraged.

+ our hard work would become an opportunity to excel, to enjoy working together, and to experience the satisfaction of a job well done.

I quickly realized as an employer that an employee being skilled as a painter or manager was only one of several attributes I valued. I started thinking in terms of a three-legged stool, where each leg is essential for the stool to stand. I wanted people who were:

Leg #1: skilled painters

Leg #2: team players

Leg #3: a person of integrity

I began hiring differently, looking for all three attributes, while also having one-to-one conversations with any current employee who I felt could strengthen one of these areas. Someone whose skilled painter leg needs some strengthening is easier to train than someone who lacks integrity or doesn’t know how to work well with others.

Over the years Greenleaf Painters has grown and flourished, and these fundamentals have helped shape the company culture and have contributed to its prosperity.  Sometimes, of course, I wish there were fewer things I needed to learn from scratch, fewer challenges when it came to figuring out how to find the best employees and retain them. However, it is true that with each challenge we gain some new insight which, in turn, makes us better and stronger.  I am thankful every day for my wonderful team of dedicated managers and painters.

If you are a budding entrepreneur, or you are growing an existing business, I hope this inspires you to reach the next level with your team.

 

-Jonathan C. Shenk

 

Shout-out to a Solution Maker

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We are proud to be part of this community during these challenging times; goodwill is everywhere we look, as people and businesses aim to help.

We want to give a special shout-out to Sourland Mountain Spirits, a Hopewell, NJ company that began producing hand-sanitizer. Their first batches went to fill the needs of the local medical industry.

“Within two weeks, our grain went from helping people celebrate life to helping save it,” said Ray Disch, the company’s founder, in a Planet Princeton article.

Since they’re making so much, we’re able to refill our crew’s personal hand sanitizer bottles — without spending hours on the hunt. Thank you, Ray! We raise our glass to you for helping keep our spirits up! 😄 (Jonathan Shenk, owner, pictured here with recent purchase). 

As we remain open, we are also grateful for customers who have allowed us to work on painting their home or office, so we can keep our craftsmen working. 

For the safety of everyone, our crew members: 
— wear personal protection masks
— practice social distancing
— have their own bottle of hand sanitizer 
— communicate with customers without physical contact.

This week, we are finishing up painting this lovely home exterior in Princeton.

Helping Run a Painting Company from Home – While Parenting

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Operations Manager Ryan Munn and his daughter working from home during Covid-19.
Operations Manager Ryan Munn and his daughter working from home during Covid-19.

By Ryan Munn

There are a lot of new situations I’ve found myself in while both my wife and I work from home with our two children, ages five and two.  For the most part over the last three weeks, we’ve been able to juggle each other’s conference calls and take turns watching the kids while trying to stay productive and focused.  

The “mute” function on our phones is a much-used feature as our 2-year-old is quite unpredictable.  We definitely have to be strategic and get creative.  Sometimes we’ll jump on the computer before they’re up or stay on a little later to finish something if there were extra distractions during the day.  For the most part we make it work! 

There are a lot of times we just need to occupy their time, so I don’t feel like I’m a better parent for it. We’re doing the best we can and try not to beat ourselves up over it too much. We try to have them do different things like play with playdough, color, practice writing, but their go to is the iPad. Aiden will play on the iPad and watch YouTube videos all day if we let him! He’s definitely getting more screen time during the week, but on the weekend that gets squashed. We’ll go out for a walk, have the kids ride scooters, and play games with them.

There are a lot of positives too.  For one letting the kids sleep in instead of dragging them out of bed to go rush off to daycare.  I’ve enjoyed having the kids come downstairs and give me hugs every morning and they really love being in their PJ’s 24/7.  

We have a little more quality time with them but not a lot. During lunch one day, we planted sunflower seeds, and the other day they sprouted. Another day we made gingerbread men that were left over from a Christmas project that never saw the light of day.  Needless to say, the kids are enjoying more time around Mom and Dad too.

“During lunch one day, we planted sunflower seeds, and the other day they sprouted.”

I know there are so many people that don’t have this freedom and are either on the front lines helping the sick, or supporting the economy during this difficult time, or even worse are out of a job.  I feel very fortunate to be in my position and hope things get back to normal sooner rather than later.  

I’m gardening as my stress reliever, though it’s not too much different from every other Spring season. Although I might actually kill my plants from over-watering and giving them too much attention!

Here’s hoping everyone stays safe and that we all pull through this together. 

Five Principles for Building a Successful Business

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Greenleaf’s owner, Jonathan Shenk, had the incredible opportunity to speak at Kampala University in Uganda, East Africa, in 2018, on the lessons he has learned in building his company. He shared these same principles in a talk at the Princeton Corridor Rotary Club in 2019. Now a year later, we want to share them with you because they apply not only to business but to life in general. You may also learn more about Jonathan and this company in the process. Here is a condensed version of his talk.

Jonathan speaking at Kampala University in 2018

1. Every person has inherent dignity and worth.
We live in a diverse part of the world. It is not our place to judge someone’s culture or faith or to envy their wealth or to criticize their choices. It is also important that we don’t even entertain those thoughts in our heads because our attitudes influence our relationships with our customers. People can feel judged without any words being said. Therefore, it is much simpler to avoid judging in the first place.

2. Every company has a soul.
Each company is like a living, breathing eco-system. And the company’s soul flows through each employee. It also flows through the company’s work space and equipment. Whatever values a company lifts up will be experienced by anyone who interacts with the company. And the company will only function properly if every part of the company is in agreement with those values.

The audience at Kampala University during Jonathan’s talk.

3. Words have meaning.
Words are powerful and need to be aligned with our actions and attitudes. It is important to hold to the commitments we make to our customers and to each other. Words also create and shape our reality. Do our words suggest an attitude of despair or of hope? Do they suggest an attitude of weakness or of strength?

4. Take the long view.
A company’s principles and values take priority over the bottom line. They take priority over making profits on a particular job. In many businesses there will be profitable seasons and un-profitable seasons. There will be profitable jobs and un-profitable jobs. It’s important to take the long view and focus primarily on doing a great job.

“If your team is terrified of making mistakes, then they are less likely to aspire to their full potential.”

5. Practice gratitude and humility.

–Humility: we are all fallible human beings. We make mistakes. Sometimes we don’t know what choice to make or we don’t have all the information or knowledge we need to make the correct choice. The best leaders and the best companies take a team approach. And they demonstrate compassion and kindness when mistakes are made. If your team is terrified of making mistakes, then they are less likely to aspire to their full potential.

–Gratitude: it is important to walk with a spirit of gratitude as a leader, and to focus on the good things that are happening. It is a choice one needs to make, a choice of perspective and attitude. There are many challenges and difficulties that go along with leadership. It would be easy to fill one’s day with worry and anxiety. That will usually lead someone down further and further into fear and despair. It is better to choose to focus on the good things that are happening.

Thank you for reading!

Prepping for Historic Home Restorations & Painting – Best Practices

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Many of our customers live in old, historic houses and want to preserve both the history and beauty of their home. We have been painting historic homes in New Jersey for years; our tradespeople are very experienced.

Here are some of our best practices for prepping older, historic structures. The most important thing to point out is that homes built before 1978 need to consider precautions for lead paint (Greenleaf is Lead Paint certified).

+ Power washing: The lead safe law enacted in 2010 prohibits the use of power washing on homes where lead paint exists on even the deepest layers of paint. + However, many homes require cleaning of dirt, mildew, and mold in order to ensure that the paint will adhere. Hand-cleaning with a hose and cleaning detergent serves as an excellent substitute to power washing.

+ Removal of loose paint: The entire surface of the exterior needs to be scraped to ensure that any loose paint is removed. The paint chips need to be gathered in plastic and safely disposed of.

+ Sealing bare wood & seams: Bare wood needs to be sealed with a top-quality oil-based primer to ensure that moisture cannot enter. Any seams between siding and trim need to be sealed with caulk. Our craftsmen repair or replace window frames, trim or other wooden features that are deteriorating. We also re-glaze windows where the glaze is failing.

+ Once the surfaces are prepped, you need a good base coat or sealant. These are not all created equal and can sometimes make a difference in the longevity of the paint job. We recommend using top-quality lines from Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams.

Please be sure to check out our educational videos on YouTube. You can also get our latest pics and news on Facebook & Instagram.

Uplift your kitchen with timeless white

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So, you’re ready for a kitchen upgrade starting with fresh new paint. Great!

Whatever mood you desire to create — crisp, comfy, sleek, or retro — neutrals are “in,” and white is a versatile and popular choice. (Please enjoy our pics from recent Greenleaf projects!)

Shades of white provide a perfect setting for a kitchen space, accommodating all other colors and the full gamut of materials and textures.

Here are five style choices for integrating a white kitchen with accents and furnishing to create the just-right ambience you desire.

Clean and crisp: Make use of contrast with stainless steel or black appliances and accessories or glass surfaces. Add finishing touches with a  few brightly colored accents like chair covers, vases, sculpture, and vibrantly colored flowers.

Warm and comfy: Wood is your friend. Consider using dark or light wood flooring and furnishings (as above) plus wall accents like decorative wood utensils. White-on-white paper on one wall can add softness and interest, and a vase of pastel or warmly colored flowers can add a welcoming touch.

Modern and sleek: Integrate contemporary furnishings with architectural lighting (beautiful pendant lighting below!) Add finishing touches with abstract sculpture, art and photography.

Retro and relaxed: Past and present can be happy together with appliances and flooring patterns designed with an old-school look. White walls are the perfect canvas for black and white photos and old movie posters. Finishing touches can be discovered at antique shops and yard sales.

Eclectic: You might prefer a blend of styles … We paint a lot of historic homes (these cabinets, below, used to be cherry!) We often see wonderful blends of the old and new. Be creative — it’s your kitchen!

Whatever style you choose, add freshness and seasonal color with plants, flowers, and fruit bowls. Create interest with recessed lighting and unique or classic pendant lighting. Add pops of color with artwork, and decor. 

White walls blend well with a variety of back splashes and kitchen islands. Backsplashes popular with many designers include marble, hexagon patterns, nickel or mosaic tile, and brightly colored block patterns. Prep and serving kitchen islands come in several woods and colors with countertops that include granite, marble, quartz, wood or hybrids.

Some popular whites are Decorators White (above) and White Dove (top of page) from Benjamin Moore or Snowbound and Alabaster (below) from Sherwin-Williams.

White has been a go-to kitchen color throughout modern history and has become especially popular this season. It’s often the choice of both designers and homeowners who want a color that looks and feels fresh and blends well with countless elements.

Call us soon — Greenleaf is now scheduling for the outdoor season (continuing indoor work as usual, too!). And thank you for sharing our name with your friends and family. Your word of mouth and online reviews make a huge difference to a small company like ours!

Our latest news update: You can now watch our educational videos on YouTube. The latest is “Why We Go Green.” Get videos, more updates & pics on Facebook& Instagram! These include our crew and leadership highlights, fairs we attend & other news. “Stop over” on one of these platforms and say hi!

Three Ways to Make Your Home an Oasis of Color

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The 2019 Colors Trends Say “Relax”!

Color can affect your mood, and how you use color in your home can shape how cozy your living space feels. Use these tips for lassoing the colors that please you to create a cozier, happier home.

The colors for 2019 are relaxing shades of lilac, rose, peach, leafy green and daisy yellow. Do any of those colors call to you? Here are tips for how to easily play with these or other colors you love:

Tip #1: Go for pleasing accents

Switch out your throw pillows, stack a few indoor gardening books. A sheep skin, pastel throw or lightly-patterned area rug can give a room a new, soothing look.

Nature is associated with relaxation. Bring some of it indoors with you! We always love coming home with a small potted flower from the local greenhouse. Avoiding pollen? A set of empty vases can work wonders with color.

Tip #2: What colors make you feel happy?

Identify your personal favorite “happy colors” and splash them around using tip #1. This round-up of suggestions is gathered from Southern Living Magazine:

Blue and green are associated with peaceful feelings. Lighter shades of blue and pastel greens are trending — they are especially nice for offices, libraries or bedrooms.

Orange. This warm and energizing color is great for entry ways, accent walls, a child’s room or kitchens. Why not try a softer shade that leans toward peach?

Yellow is often thought of as a sunny color — for obvious reasons — bringing optimism. This energetic color is also great for kitchens or a child’s room.

White makes small rooms look more open. It’s a clean-feeling color, and white kitchens are very “in” right now. If white is too stark for you, try a light shade of gray or cream.

Kitchen cabinets painted white

Tip #3: Trends come and go, so make it your own
Play with color and have fun! Ask a friend whose home you admire to come and “play” with you!If you need design assistance, we recommend these designers who we have had the pleasure of working with over the years: Linda Principe Interiors, Linda Madani Interiors and Ellen Maranca, of EZM Interiors.

And finally, if you want to re-paint some room colors, or do a full interior, this is the time to get on our schedule! We paint through the holiday season and all year round. We’d love to come and talk color with you.

 

The Color Column: Go with the Flow as You Choose Interior Paint

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Ideally, choosing interior paint color is a fun, expressive project. However, we realize from working with customers that it can also be daunting. Here are some quick guidelines for choosing room colors, whether it’s for a bathroom or an entire house.

Main Rooms Flow Together

For main rooms, the name of the game is keeping everything consistent. Many homes have an open floor plan where rooms flow into one another, and halls can easily be viewed from the central living area. If this is the case for your house, colors need to be carefully matched so they don’t clash.

What many design specialists and painters recommend is to keep colors consistent throughout one level of your home so that walking from one room to the next maintains a feeling of flow.

“Color continuity is one of the most important concepts in interior painting,” Greenleaf Painters owner Jonathan Shenk said. “We recommend that dramatic differences in color be saved for an accent wall or for rooms that are separated by doors.”

Use Bold Colors Playfully but Sparingly

Bold, trending colors such as brighter blues and greens can seem exciting at first, but your eye may tire of them eventually. Thus, we recommend that you use them sparingly — but playfully.

Unlike main rooms, bedrooms and other closed rooms can be great places for experimentation. The risk of using a bold color here has a much higher chance of paying off than in the whole house.

“We see more people take color risks in bathrooms or bedrooms than in large living areas,” Shenk said, whose home office is a slate blue color. “People really like bold colors in a closed room. It allows them to express their personality without risking painting large areas with this color.”

Express Yourself

“What colors are you drawn to?’ It’s one of the questions we ask when helping homeowners choose. Earthy, soothing colors are “in” right now. If you are looking for more of a flow in your house, this might be the year to create it with color
Tools to Use

Getting a color wheel, and placing colors side-by-side in a room can help you get a sense of whether two colors are compatible — or if they have conflicting tones.

Getting paint samples from a store and painting colors side-by-side on a board can also be helpful in testing your ideas.

Keep in mind: lighting and shadow can affect the hues.

Color visualizers online can be helpful in getting a general sense of color, but digital colors aren’t 100% realistic. If you start with a visualizer, be sure to check the color by using a color wheel or by painting a swatch.

What’s Next? Find us on Facebook for more color ideas and news!