‘How I make money from making paints’

David Mark went into making paint because he wanted to pursue his dream and become financially independent. The 35-year- old owner of ‘Adriel Impression paints’ narrates his experience:

“Before I started making paints, I was a shoemaker. I made shoes at home and sell to friends and family members. They loved my creativity, and encouraged me to produce more.

“I later gained admission to study cartography at Kaduna Polytechnic. I couldn’t manage the pressure accommodating both demands from school and painting. I was left with no choice than to drop out and face my passion which I believe would be more favourable,” he said.

David said he went into paint making after a friend asked him to market a paint product and get N500 commission.

“At first I considered it an ordinary profession that has so little to offer but was amazed by how fulfilling and profitable the business is. The business is about nine years old with a minimum of a N100,000 income on every contract. I have employed 18 people so far, out of which I pay 10 based on commission,” he explained.

On the challenges he faces as a painter, he said the fast evolving nature of painting styles and design is his major challenge as keeping up with the trend is demanding.

“To be able to compete in the industry, skills are developed every day. Sometimes, after painting a customer’s house with a beautiful design and he goes out there and sees a new design, they call and ask why I used an old design for them. Thus, the need for continuous upgrade arises; else you lose your customers,” he further said.

He said he sees the business growing all over the globe as the demand for painting and paints keeps growing.

Said David: “To diversify, I have gone into producing the paints myself. I can produce paints like Stucco, Epoxy and 3D floor painting among others. Some cost as high as N19,000 per square meter.