How The Greater Seattle Area’s Top Painting Company
Started With An Eager Kid And A Knock On A Door
“Can I Paint Your House?” – Jeff Amsberry, 11 Years Old
Would you hire an 11-year-old kid to paint your house?
Yeah, we wouldn’t either.
But that’s exactly how Amsberry Painting started…with an eager boy, a gallon (or 10) of paint, and a paintbrush.
Maybe times were different in 1971, but we certainly appreciate the trusting neighbor who hired our founder, Jeff, for his first paint job. It set him up for a life-long mission of helping others and a life-long passion for the craft of painting – two core values that still run through our company veins today.
In those 50+ years since that first job, Amsberry has grown to be a full-service, year-round, multi-generation-owned painting company, and one that’s synonymous with integrity and trust.
Sure, there have been bumps in the road, but we’re proud of where we came from and excited about where we’re going.
So thank you, trusting neighbor, for taking a chance on the neighborhood kid. We may not be kids anymore, but we hope you want to take a chance on us, too.
1971: An 11-Year-Old Boy, A Paintbrush & A Big Idea
It’s hard to be a kid. It’s even harder to be a kid in a single-parent home who has to watch his mom struggle financially. And that’s where 11-year-old Jeff Amsberry found himself in 1971.
But money-making ideas started to brew in his head. He watched as his artist mom painted advertisements and murals for the local companies. And after his mom hired a crew to paint their Edmonds house a few summers prior, young Jeff got a BIG idea. Ding. What if he could paint his neighbors’ houses to make some extra cash for his mom?
The next day, young Jeff was off to the races. Ringing doorbells. Dozens and dozens of doorbells. Making calls. Stuffing flyers into mailboxes.
…And FINALLY, a neighbor took him up on his offer. Due to his relentless persistence, Jeff Amsberry became a professional painter.
But, just one small thing…the new entrepreneur greatly underbid his competitor and lost a big chunk of change. That’s when Jeff learned his first lesson in business – make sure you don’t charge less than you spend.
His second lesson? ALWAYS put the customer first.
And for the next 18 summers, that’s exactly what Jeff did (even after he became a full-time Spanish teacher at the local junior high) – offer great painting services at affordable rates…all while giving his customers a friendly, respectful experience.
1989: A Summer Job Turns Into A Year-Round Business
After 18 years, Jeff decided he loved painting too much to only do it in the summers.
He wanted more!
So, in 1989, he left his teaching job to be a full-time painter. And though he had almost two decades of summer experience, growing his business into a year-round enterprise came with its own set of hurdles.
He had to adapt his painting practices for all of the Greater Seattle area’s seasons. He tested endless paint brands to find the best. He had to hire more employees and pass down everything he’d learned about painting.
And one of the most important things Jeff honed in on was perfecting his Four-Step Process – Clean, Protect, Prepare, and Paint. He knew how crucial it was to set up painting surfaces the right way…and has made sure NO ONE at Amsberry ever forgets it.
After a decade of steady growth and a strong reputation, Amsberry moved out of Jeff’s garage set-up and into a real office space in downtown Monroe.
2021–Now: A New Generation Of Amsberry Painting
During the time Amsberry was growing up, so were Jeff’s kids. He’d often bring them, including his oldest son, Cooper, to his job sites so they could see first-hand how to treat others and do quality work…values that took hold in Cooper.
Just like his dad, Cooper painted houses in the summer as a teen, even putting himself through college with his earnings.
After Cooper graduated college and spent some time in the workforce, he returned to his roots – the family painting business. He knew he had a lot to offer the company, including his own experience, and became Vice President and General Manager in 2021.
Though Cooper may steer the ship now, Jeff is still quite involved. (We couldn’t keep that man away from painting if we tried.) And his priceless experience is infused into EVERYTHING at Amsberry.
Start Your Painting Project Today
Do you need a residential or commercial painter? Turn to the professionals at Amsberry Painting. We offer a range of interior and exterior painting services in King County and Snohomish County that will transform your space and stand the test of time. Your home or business will look brand new when we’re finished.
