Advice for starting a custom paint shop?

I may be faced with losing my "day" job soon so I'm possibly going into business for myself. I have a good clientele already and I'm active in the custom community. I may set up as an independent contractor inside of an existing shop or I may just try to do my own location. Can anyone share their pitfalls or advice about starting a full-time custom paint shop?

With the work u do Sean i would do a combo small shop and contract out for larger work. I think you would do better having less overhead and being able to do small stuff where ur doin it now but also go out to actual shops and contract your artwork out and not have to deal with prep and finish work. Just my 2 pennies buddy....

So you're thinking a quasi- mobile business? One where I'd travel to shops maybe? I for sure don't want to do bodywork and such

Good luck! I hope you make it. It'll be a struggle, but if you pull through then, great. It always feels better to make your own money instead of making someone else rich.

Yea Sean i figured u wanted to concentrate on the art side of it which is what i would do if i could do what u do with an airbrush.

that semi mobile business aint a bad idea. you probably dont want to open your own place and have to worry about rent. the way the economy is headed custom paint aint gonna be the first thing on many peoples mind.

Originally posted by the501clique



that semi mobile business aint a bad idea. you probably dont want to open your own place and have to worry about rent. the way the economy is headed custom paint aint gonna be the first thing on many peoples mind.

x2 you wont make it with just doing paint. you need to bodywork and insurance work is the bread winner but it gets to get boring.

yup prob wouldnt be a bad idea to setup a airbrush kiosk at the mall during xmas lol. having your own "shop" would be to much liability and cost. our pinstripe guy usually takes the stuff back to his house to do it unless its a car.i would get a porfolio of custom stuff you have done, and go around to everybody shop and drop off your card talk ot the owner/painter etc. even if its just a job doin a painted pinstripe back on a car, $$$ is $$$.

Thanks guys. Any more thoughts about it?

I started my paint shop about a year ago. Lots of hassles (in my area at least) involved. However.....once all the inspections and liscenses where handled, it was worth it. I did the whole "traveling artist" gig for about a year and got fed up with it FAST!
Working out of your garage is fine if your just doing some side jobs every now and then, but if your looking to actually make a living at it, I would find a shop that wants a full time artist. You definately don't want the city to find you running a business out of your house.
If you do start your own place, the best advice I can give you is to keep it small. Figure out a plan and make it as simple as possible. I went a little overboard with all the stuff I wanted to do out of my shop and now I find myself scaling it back. Whatever path you choose, good luck to ya homie. Just remember, everyone is going through the same struggle as well.