Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Gudgeon.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Mike. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Our business has been around since 1906 started by my great, great uncle. Said to be one of the oldest paint companies in Chicago. Was handed down to his son, Ted, and my great uncle ted, sold the business to my father, Mike Gudgeon Sr in the 70’s. We have recently gone through a transition from Mike Gudgeon Sr. to myself, Mike Gudgeon Jr. You can say painting was in my blood, from the time I was a small child I would spend my time in my father’s warehouse stocking up our van or shaking drop clothes with my father. I am a college graduate from Northern Illinois University but I have learned more about business from my father than any college could teach me. His passion and knowledge are contagious and I always looked forward to learning as much as I could.
We have gotten to where we are today by providing a superior finished product and unmatched customer service for over a century. In addition, the personal service we provide to our customers is rarely seen in the construction industry these days. Myself, the president personally starts, finishes and visits the job site every day, in order to properly interact with the customer each day and remain on the same page. Also, I have a dedicated foreman on each and every job to make sure things run smoothly.
In addition, to my personal attention my dedicated employees are a major influence in where we are at today. Most of my employees are career employees and have been with me from 15 to 35 years.
Has it been a smooth road?
Of course, business is never a smooth road. You have your high times and your low times but you just have to keep plugging along. Your employees count on you and you must do whatever it takes to make sure you take care of them. Owning a business is not a “40” hour a week job, it becomes your life and I enjoy my life.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are a high-end residential and commercial painting company. We specialize in painting new custom homes to complete remodels as well as any job our customer needs done, in some of Chicago and the north shore suburbs finest homes. We are known for getting projects done beautifully, on time, clean and above our customers standards. We are fluent in all specialty painting practices including, but not limited to, installation of all kinds of wallcoverings, faux finishing, and specialty spray finishes.
When I see my customers faces and they tell me how beautiful everything turned out is what makes me the proudest of our company. Ultimately, this leads to lifelong customers and numerous referrals and the reason our company have been in business for over a century.
The main thing that sets us apart from others is our meticulous preparation work before we even touch a paint can. We spend hours and hours doing the correct preparation work that others may not even do. Thus, causing our product to stand out and hold up much longer than others.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Chicago has some of the most beautiful real estate in the entire world and I am proud to be a part of working and maintaining these properties.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.peacockdecorators.com
Image Credit:
Elizabeth Krueger Design
Robbins Architecture
GGC
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