From College Interns to Successful Entrepreneurs
The Rise of EVM Home Improvement & Painting: From College Interns to Successful Entrepreneurs
Name: Gabe Elias & Lj Van Molle (Co-Owners)
Company: EVM Home Improvement & Painting
Employee Size: 10
Technology Tools: Google Sheets, Docs, PandaDoc, QuickBooks, social media, etc.
Revenue: Seven-Figures
Founded: 2023
Website: www.evmhomeimprovement.com
Introduction:
We were in college when we started our business. Gabe was at Bridgewater State University and Lj was at Fitchburg State University. We both did an entrepreneurial college internship before opening up in 2023.
EVM Home Improvement & Painting is a dynamic and rapidly growing business founded by two driven young entrepreneurs, Gabe Elias and Lj Van Molle. Gabe, 24, and Lj, 23, both graduated from Leominster High School in the class of 2019, and furthered their education at esteemed institutions—Gabe at Bridgewater State University and Lj at Fitchburg State University.
Our company specializes in providing top-tier painting and construction services throughout Massachusetts. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, we transform residential and commercial spaces, ensuring every project meets our high standards of quality and craftsmanship. Whether it’s a complete home renovation, a stunning new deck, or a fresh coat of paint to revitalize your property, EVM Home Improvement & Painting delivers results that exceed expectations.
Our passion for our work and dedication to customer satisfaction have fueled our success, enabling us to build a reputable and trusted brand in the industry. With multiple crews operating under our guidance, we take pride in our ability to handle projects of all sizes and complexities, providing personalized service and outstanding results to each of our clients.
At EVM Home Improvement & Painting, we don't just build and paint; we create lasting impressions and relationships with our customers, striving to be the top contracting company in Massachusetts.
From Idea to Reality
Both our fathers are in the construction industry. We both also did a college entrepreneurial internship with YEAA (Young Entrepreneurs Across America)/ Student Painters.
After I completed the internship for two years and Lj for one year, we decided to do something new. We realized that we wanted to work for ourselves and build something. We decided to start our own business and apply the skills we learned from the internship. We connected with a good friend who helped us register the business name through the state and make it official.
Attracting Customers
We have always been very good at marketing. We knew that we had to make a lot of noise and do everything we could to get our name out there, and that's exactly what we did. We utilized all social media, constantly posting and advertising on all of them. We also hired a door-to-door marketing team and put out lawn signs, door hangers, and flyers. This all added up and brought us a lot of business, and we went from there!
Overcoming Challenges in Starting the Business
Every day is a challenge. Being an entrepreneur is very hard and it's not meant for everyone. Some challenges we have been dealing with are managing our time properly and delegating certain tasks to employees. We are growing at a very fast rate, so answering all of the phone calls daily can be challenging at times. We are at the point where we need to hire a full-time assistant as soon as possible. We need to continue to be more organized and systemized as we grow and scale. Having a business grow at a fast rate is impressive but also a challenge.
Costs and Revenue
Our expenses are pretty simple: labor and materials. Our biggest cost is payroll for our full-time workers, of course. Our revenue has evolved greatly and in a very rapid manner. Again, we are growing and scaling very quickly. We are on track to 2.5-3x our business from last year.
A Day in the Life
Gabe's typical workday:
"My typical workdays consist of reviewing emails and marketing efforts, conducting team meetings, focusing on sales and branding strategies, visiting clients for estimates, handling administrative tasks, and ensuring all aspects of the business are well-managed."
Lj's typical workday:
"My typical work day persist of managing and operating the crews on site. Making sure jobs are going smoothly and planning and conducting costumer consultations to get future jobs ready."
The Vision for EVM Home Improvement & Painting
We envision the business to constantly grow and to always provide top-quality services to our customers, creating many new job opportunities, and giving back to the community.
Guiding Principles for Entrepreneurial Success
Keep working toward your goals, have faith, and never let anything disrupt your core values. Keep chasing your dream and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.
Social Media for EVM Home Improvement:
Social Media for EVM Painting: