How Painting Business Owner Selvam Went from Helper to Contractor?
A newly coated paint job can transform a house, perk up its appearance, and bring a sense of homeliness and transformation. Behind every craftily painted home is the hard work of skilled painters. Many of us don’t realise that they work under difficult and risky conditions. Painting is not just about applying some colours to the walls of our homes; it is a profession that requires craft, patience, precision, bravery, sacrifice, creativity, practice, and physical endurance.
To go deeper into what this profession is all about, I spoke to Mr. Selvam, a professional painter from Chennai who has been in this field for more than 35 years. Starting off in the painting field as a helper due to the tough financial situation of his family in his younger days, he gradually built his skills and expertise as a painter and today runs his own painting business, managing a team of around ten workers. In this interview, we look at his journey, the challenges of the profession, and all that Selvam has learned over the years of his vast and valuable experience. The conversation I had with him was actually recorded as an audio podcast and will also soon be uploaded to YouTube. The following is my transcript, or sort of written version, of the Tamil chat that I had with him.
Q1. Please introduce yourself to us, sir, and tell us about your field of work.
Mr. Selvam: I’m Selvam, and I work in the painting profession. I have been in the business of house painting for the past 35 years. I have always made it a point to keep my customers happy, and that’s the secret of my success. Today, I manage a crew of around ten painters who work under me, and with their help I’m able to take up painting contracts on my own.
—
Q2. How did the idea of becoming a painter come up?
Mr. Selvam: When I was young, I had to discontinue my studies due to family circumstances. Due to my incomplete education, I remained jobless for some time. I came to know that a neighbour of mine worked as a painter, and because of the financial problems faced by my family at that time, I joined him as a helper. Over the years, I grew to enjoy the job, learned the trade, and gained plenty of experience. That’s how today I’m able to run my own painting business and take painting orders as an independent contractor.
—
Q3. What are your main responsibilities when you take up a painting project?
Mr. Selvam: The quality of work is the number one priority for me. The customer should be satisfied with both the work and the price offered by me. I make sure that the work site is kept clean and organised. Above all, I make it a point to complete the job without receiving any negative feedback from customers so that I can maintain my good name.
Q4. What are the skills needed to shine in this field?
Mr. Selvam: A painter should first of all be able to communicate properly to understand what the customer is looking for. They also need patience, hard work, and attention to detail. Delivering quality work within deadlines is also important.
Q5. What is the tricky part? What are the biggest challenges faced in this line of work?
Mr. Selvam: While interior painting itself can be exhausting, exterior painting is even more difficult and risky. We often have to work at great heights using ropes and other safety equipment. Even a small mistake can lead to fatal accidents and injuries. There are also other health issues associated with our work. While putty sanding, a lot of dust enters our nose and mouth and can affect our lungs. Despite these risks, we continue to do this work because we have families to support. It is a difficult profession, but we work hard and face these challenges to earn our livelihood.
Q6. How have modern paints and tools changed the way you paint?
Mr. Selvam: Paint companies today have made our work much easier and more professional. Among them, I think Asian Paints is the top company because it provides excellent and rapid support to painters and contractors. It offers lots of good business opportunities, quick supply of raw materials, easy technical assistance, colour consultation, and guidance—all within easy reach whenever we need it.
There are some other big names as well, like Berger Paints, Nerolac, and Dulux. These companies too provide quality products and support, but the advantage with Asian Paints is that it has a wider network and better support systems. That’s why I prefer it—it’s no-nonsense, basically. Modern paints, latest tools, and advanced technologies have improved the quality of our work, and we are thus able to complete projects faster and with greater quality and to the satisfaction of our customers.
Q7. Do you help customers choose paint types? How does the paint selection usually happen?
Mr. Selvam: It is the customer who is paying, so we always give priority to what the customer asks for. However, as we have experience on our side, we also make it a point to suggest and guide customers whenever they make bad colour or paint selections that may not look good in the final finish.
Q8. What safety precautions do you people follow?
Mr. Selvam: We always use safety belts whenever we have to work on the exterior of buildings. During putty sanding, we always wear masks to prevent inhaling dust. In spite of such precautions, dust still enters our bodies. Workers have their own traditional practices to deal with it. For example, we have a few bananas after work so that things clear up the next morning during our toilet routine. Basically, we have no other option than to pay close attention to our health and safety.
Q9. What do you love most about the painting profession?
Mr. Selvam: I enjoy selecting colours for customers as much as applying them. It is truly a satisfying experience to see a house transform through the colours that we select and paint. When customers are happy with the final finish, we are happy as well.
Q10. What’s your advice to youngsters interested in skilled trades like painting?
Mr. Selvam: Young people need not hesitate to enter this profession because success is always waiting if they are willing to work hard. It’s all about doing quality work that earns the trust and support of customers. Also, it is very important to maintain clean habits and avoid smoking and other bad practices during work. By building a good name for yourself and keeping customers happy, you can surely reach the pinnacle of this field.
Interviewer: Thank you, Mr. Selvam, for participating in this interview and sharing your valuable experiences.
Mr. Selvam: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Selvam’s story is not just about entrepreneurship; it is also one of perseverance and skill. From starting from a humble background as an unemployed youth and helper to becoming a thriving painting contractor who gives employment to other workers, his journey presents the dignity of skilled labour and the plenty of opportunities available in vocational professions. We were also able to learn about the risks and health challenges involved, highlighting the need for safety measures and professional training. Above all, Mr. Selvam’s experiences remind us that through dedication and hard work, one can earn customer satisfaction and reach the top of any profession.
