Frederick, MD 2012

Orlando, FL 2012

Sophisticated Walls 101 is our foundation class that will get you started in your faux painting business.

Objective:
To learn and professionally install various techniques in the field of decorative painting.  To learn business systems based on "best practices" that Ronald uses with all of his employees and on projects.

Teaching methods:
Demonstrations are immediately put into practice by the students in our fully equipped classroom.

Sample Boards:   (You will make and keep 22 - 25 class samples)
You will be trained on various supports and real conditions, polystyrene

Student's samples will be 18 x 24 and are yours to take home.

You will learn the basics of how to set up and run a profitable decorative finishing company.  This mini information packed business seminar will inform you how to properly set up your business.  We will cover licensing, insurance, marketing, project management, billing, estimating, sample submissions and approvals.  This is not just a business lecture, you will receive printed information that you will be able to reproduce and customize to fit into your business.   When you leave this class, you will be motivated to take your business to new and exciting levels.

The business session of our 101 program has a manual packed with information. This manual covers planning, organizing, setting up and, marketing your successful faux finishing business.  We'll cover estimating faux projects properly instead of guessing and hoping that you make money.  We will teach you how to develop your own cost per square foot as well.  This manual is packed with tables on labor production rates, material usage rates, and a pricing guide to get you started.  We will also provide you with a sample contract designed for the faux finishing industry and discuss how and why you must use a contract and written documentation.  We also cover sample board approval forms and documents.  The business section of our 101 class is like no other.  We use proven systems that our contracting division has used and field tested since 1996.

This is not just a faux painting class; it is an investment in your future.  Our business class section is designed to get you started to becoming a profitable faux finishing business.  Upon completion of this class, you are eligible for our future business programs and student project homes.

Faux finishing is a very lucrative business, however you must know how to properly market, price and sell your faux finishing services.  Ronald has owned his own faux finishing business for 11 years.  He brings a wealth of practical knowledge and enthusiasm to the classroom.

 He will share his formulas for estimating all the finishes taught in class and how to figure in those "tall walls".  Ronald's faux finishing company has completed numerous residential commercial projects and in 2003 he ventured into the field of applying faux finishes in Casinos.  He will share his methods of obtaining lucrative projects.   

Note: These finishes can be created using any color.  All of these colors can be changed to match any paint color from any manufacturer or a custom color can be made upon request.   

Handbook includes:

Detailed recipe cards for each finish

Detailed price outline for each finish

Surface preparation standards

Base coat standards

Glossary of terms

Diagrams on the proper installation

of Venetian plaster, glazes and protective top coats

The Faux School will provide:

Handbook that is yours to keep

Snacks & Beverages

Use of tools and materials

Business Handbook includes:

Labor production tables

Material coverage tables

How to estimate high walls & ceilings

How to set up your portfolio

Sample contracts

Sample board approval process

Sample contracts

Tips on how to build a web site
Forms:
Contracts
Proposals

Invoices
Sample Board Approval Forms

Curriculum:

8:30 studio opens, come in, and the staff will greet you and help with questions or comments.

9:00 arrive in your seats, feel free to browse through the handbook and take a look at what we will be covering in this week’s program.

9:00 - 9:30 gather in classroom for introductions.

9:30 - 4:30 cover topics, with 1 hour break for lunch

4:30 - 5:00  clean-up and review

What the students are saying;

“Ron has a wealth of information and experience and generously shares all with his students! His patience, encouragement, sense of humor and experience has prepared me to begin my business with confidence.

Thank you for a wonderful class.”

Sue Ann Lee

“Ron, you have given me the confidence to add this service to my existing decorating business. Great class, I love the fact that you would stay after class and let us make additional boards.”

Diane Honel

“Ron, Thank you, you are a wonderful and patient teacher. I am, leaving 100% satisfied with a lot of confidence!”

Teresa Rogers

“Ron, This was so much fun! You are great; you make everything look so easy. It was a very informative class, I learnt more than I imagined and it was because of you.”

Debbie Byrd

Ron, “Working on the studio walls after class was very helpful. There is a big difference between the sample boards and learning on big walls. I had a blast and am confident to go out and get more work with my fabulous new portfolio”.

Janet Enright

Ron, I loved the that we created so many beautiful samples, I feel that my investment in this class was well spent”.

Cindy Carpenter