Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Dougherty.
Nicole, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
We are a small, family-owned and operated business, specializing in Interior and Exterior Painting. Our business was started as the result of an unexpected job loss. My husband, Alan, was employed as a union painter at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia for 12 years. Prior to that he was a painter in AZ with his dad, starting at age 18. After our sons all graduated from high school, we decided to purchase a home with a little bit of land. We are huge nature and animal lovers. A few months after we purchased our house, my husband was unexpectedly laid off and the hospital closed its doors permanently. We decided that with my administrative and legal background and his painting knowledge, expertise and work ethic, we would just start our own business. We began setting everything up that night and let our family know to put the word out. My sister-in-law, who sadly passed at a very young age from breast cancer, was our biggest supporter and got us our first jobs. As word of mouth spread by our friends and family, we began to have steady jobs and a few months in, our youngest son Sage began training and working alongside his dad. Shortly after that our middle son Devin joined and after a year our oldest son Kaleb. The four have been coined “The Dough Boys” by friends and clients. We have always been an open, honest, close-knit family, so working together was a no brainer. We are also fortunate enough that our daughters in law are all amazing and help out behind the scenes.
When we aren’t working, we spend time outdoors with our chickens and goats. There’s nothing more satisfying than collecting and eating your own organic eggs. And now that we have our first grandson, it’s even better. We also try to volunteer in our community and support other local, small businesses. The last few years we have sponsored the fireworks at our community fourth of July event, decorate our work van and hand out candy at the trunk or treat and our sons like to volunteer at the local farm animal rescue. We were honored and humbled to receive the NextDoor Favorite Award the last few years. While we are not wealthy in monetary terms, we have an abundance of wealth in family and friends. And true to our principals, we are fair, trustworthy, honest and really try to work with our clients, who, more often than not, end up becoming our friends.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not a smooth road at all. We started with zero dollars. Seasons can make it difficult. Two sons injured and out at same time. NJ is difficult to be a small business and actually make money. And people are sometimes very judgmental/stereotypical. My husband and I are both tattooed and have dreadlocks. So sometimes peoples initial reactions are skeptical. But we have become used to it and know that as soon as they speak with us they realize we are educated and experienced and that goes away and next thing you know they are chatting like they’ve known us forever. and making the boys lunch, lol.
We’ve been impressed with Dougherty’s Painting LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We do interior, exterior, commercial, residential, concrete floor sealing, power washing, furniture refinishing, cabinets, and more. Very trustworthy and honest which is important to homeowners. What makes us most proud is having the bond we do with our sons and being able to work side by side with them. It’s the greatest feeling when clients compliment them for their work and ethic.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I have found the word of mouth has been the best marketing tool. Because we hold high standards, reasonable pricing, good work ethic, etc. we get 80% of our jobs this way, and a lot of repeat clients. Social media and paying for ads did not do a whole lot for us. It’s easy to get lost in the sea on the internet. And again, I think our more personal approach has a big impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.doughertyspainting.com
- Instagram: @DoughertysPaintingLLC
- Facebook: @DoughertysPaintingLLC
