PODCASTS
PAINTING INDUSTRY PODCASTS
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Owner, John MacFarland, has been featured in several painting industry podcasts, sharing insights into how we run our business, our unique compensation model, and what sets us apart in the industry. From leadership and company culture to efficiency and customer service, we discuss what it takes to build a top-rated painting company. Check out the episodes below to learn more about our approach and the business side of professional painting!
MEET OUR PRESIDENT
JOHN MACFARLAND
“My father got a frantic call from my brother Will, who managed a small apartment complex. The painters he hired didn’t show up, so I stepped in to paint several units during high school, handling invoicing and materials. After my first year of college, I worked with a small painting company and discovered my passion for customer interaction and problem-solving. This led me to switch majors to Construction Management at Eastern Michigan.
In 2005, I became a licensed builder, managing everything from small paint jobs to full remodels. By 2011, starting a family meant focusing solely on painting to grow the business. Over the years, I hired key staff, and in 2022, we realized a dream: our building with spray booths, a design center, a gym, and room to grow.
Today, my purpose is to deliver a first-class client experience while creating meaningful careers for my team. Our motto, ‘Client Satisfaction and Employee Success,’ reflects our commitment to always putting the client first.”
EPISODES
PaintED Live Podcast
With John MacFarland
Recorded live at PCA EXPO 2026, John MacFarland of MacFarland Painting shares his perspective on building a strong business culture and the benefits of hiring W-2 employees. In this PaintED podcast session, he discusses leadership, team development, and what it takes to build a company positioned for long-term success.
Inside Outside Guys ~ MacFarland Painting Special
With John MacFarland
John MacFarland, owner of MacFarland Painting, recently joined The Inside Outside Guys to share expert insight on the ins and outs of interior and exterior house painting. Listen to the podcast to learn more about MacFarland Painting and what sets their company apart from the rest.
PAINT RADIO: Creating a Good Culture
With Andrew Dwyer & Kevin Hoffman
Culture is more than just a nice to have. It can be the difference between keeping your workforce and making sure they hold each other accountable to do the job the right way. In this episode, we talk about how to hire and manage for culture, and how you’ll know it’s working.
PAINT RADIO: W-2 Vs. Subcontractors
John MacFarland & Brad Ellison
Two painting contractors from Michigan, each with very different opinions on the issue of subcontractors. John MacFarland makes the case that hiring W-2 workers is the best way to build a solid company culture. Brad Ellison says subcontractors were key to rapidly scaling his company. There are no losers in this clash of champions.
PAINTER GROWTH: How To Take Calculated Risks to Scale Your Painting Business
With Mike Gore-Hickman
“In this episode, I sit down with John MacFarland, owner and founder of MacFarland Painting, a thriving painting company based in Michigan USA.
Join us to learn how he manages his company, which produces an impressive $9 million annually, and to discuss the importance of having strong pillars of ownership, responsibility, and great team culture in your painting company.”
PAINTER MARKETING PROS: EP 1
Pay System for Accountability
In this series titled “Systems Beat Fear”, John MacFarland of MacFarland Painting will be discussing how to overcome what can be scary chasms in your company’s growth journey through the implementation of effective systems. It is a 5-part series.
In this episode, episode 1, John will be discussing team pay philosophy, and how it sets the stage for accountability in his company.
PAINTER MARKETING PROS: EP 2
Big Scary Chasms
In this series titled “Systems Beat Fear”, John MacFarland of MacFarland Painting will be discussing how to overcome what can be scary chasms in your company’s growth journey through the implementation of effective systems. It is a 5-part series.
In episode 2, John will cover growth sticking points he has experienced while scaling MacFarland Painting Company.
PAINTER MARKETING PROS: EP 3
Sales and Office Systems
In this series titled “Systems Beat Fear”, John MacFarland of MacFarland Painting will be discussing how to overcome what can be scary chasms in your company’s growth journey through the implementation of effective systems. It is a 5-part series.
In episode 3, John will deep dive into his systems for his office and sales.
PAINTER MARKETING PROS: EP 4
Operations Systems
In this series titled “Systems Beat Fear”, John MacFarland of MacFarland Painting will be discussing how to overcome what can be scary chasms in your company’s growth journey through the implementation of effective systems. It is a 5-part series.
In episode 4, John will lay out the systems he uses to ensure success in his operations management and out in the field.
PAINTER MARKETING PROS: EP 5
Make Meetings Matter
In this series titled “Systems Beat Fear”, John MacFarland of MacFarland Painting will be discussing how to overcome what can be scary chasms in your company’s growth journey through the implementation of effective systems. It is a 5-part series.
In episode 5, the final episode, John will discuss his unique approach to meetings and how they have become the most productive part of his team’s week.