Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Winegardner.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island, and honestly, I had a pretty wild early life. Because of decisions and consequences of my own, I ended up in Northeastern Pennsylvania in 2013 looking for a fresh start.
When I came here, it was a complete reset. I had no money, no real network, and no clear plan. I just knew I needed to rebuild my life and do things differently moving forward. I like to say I had a late start in life.
My first job here was with a painting company. I had painted a little growing up, but this was my first real job in the trade. At first, it was just work. I had no passion for it at all. But pretty quickly I realized I was naturally good at it, and over time I became obsessed with the craft.
As the years went on, painting became more than just a paycheck to me. I started taking real pride in the work and became fascinated with the details, the preparation, and the level of skill that actually goes into high-end finishing work.
Around four or five years into painting professionally, I started noticing something. Most painting companies around here treated painting like it was just labor. It was all about speed and getting paint on the wall. I felt like the craftsmanship side of the trade was missing.
That pushed me to dig deeper into the industry. I started studying high-end finishing work from painters across the country and around the world. Around 2017 or 2018, I discovered Fine Paints of Europe and the luxury finishing world, and that completely changed my perspective on what painting could actually be.
Between 2019 and 2022, I really focused on mastering fine finish work, gloss finishes, and high-end coatings. At the same time, I was helping manage projects and operations for another company, so I was learning the business side of things too. That’s when I started thinking maybe I could build something different.
I wanted to create a high-end residential painting company in Northeastern Pennsylvania that focused on craftsmanship, professionalism, and systems. I also wanted to become the first Certified Fine Paints of Europe Painter in the area. A lot of people thought those ideas were unrealistic. People said nobody here would pay for luxury finishes or premium coatings, but I believed there were homeowners and builders looking for a higher standard.
More importantly, I wanted to build a company where painters could actually have meaningful careers. I wanted people to be proud of what they do. I wanted to offer good pay, benefits, retirement opportunities, structure, and professionalism in an industry where that usually doesn’t exist.
Eventually I decided to take the risk. I rented shop space, invested in spray booths and equipment, started building a brand, and in 2023 officially launched Winegardner Fine Finishes & Coatings. My best friend at the time believed in the vision and came on as my first employee. At the beginning, it was just the two of us, and honestly, it was terrifying leaving a secure job to bet on myself.
What surprised me was how quickly things took off. Over the years I had built strong relationships and a solid reputation without really realizing it. Once the company launched, builders and clients started reaching out almost immediately.
Within less than a year we grew from two people to five, and that was another turning point for me. I had to decide whether I wanted to stay small or really try to build something bigger. Thankfully, I had mentors around me, especially my uncle who owns a successful construction company down south. Having people like that to lean on helped me make better decisions during the growth of the company.
From there, I became obsessed with building not just a painting company, but an actual organization. I focused heavily on systems, culture, professionalism, branding, and long-term sustainability.
Now entering 2026, we’re starting the year with 14 employees, strong relationships with high-end custom home builders, a dedicated finishing facility, and a growing reputation throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.
It’s still crazy sometimes to sit back and realize this is all actually happening. A few years ago, most people thought the vision I had was unrealistic for this area. But I believed this region was ready for a higher standard in the painting industry, and I think people have responded to that.
At the end of the day, we’re trying to build something bigger than just painting houses. We’re trying to bring craftsmanship, professionalism, and pride back into the trade.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Honestly, my life in general has been anything but smooth, and I think a lot of that shaped the way I approach business and leadership today.
Years ago, I had a project manager tell me something that stuck with me forever: “Wisdom comes from experience, and experience comes from messing things up.” The older I get, the more I realize how true that is.
A lot of the success I’ve had today came from mistakes, bad decisions, failures, and learning things the hard way. I’ve made plenty of wrong moves in life and in business, but I’ve always tried to use those experiences as lessons instead of letting them define me.
Building a company brings a different type of pressure too. Once you have employees depending on you to provide for their families, the weight of that becomes very real. There were a lot of sleepless nights in the beginning. A lot of second-guessing myself and wondering if I was making the right decisions.
One of the biggest challenges was trying to build something different in an area where people weren’t necessarily used to it. I was trying to introduce a higher-end and more professional approach to painting in a region where a lot of people viewed painting as just labor. There were definitely people who doubted the vision.
Scaling the company also came with challenges. Going from being a painter to becoming a business owner and leader are two completely different things. Learning how to hire people, build systems, manage growth, maintain culture, and stay organized while the company was growing quickly was difficult at times.
At the same time, I think those struggles helped shape the company into what it is today. They forced me to become more disciplined, more accountable, and more focused on building something sustainable instead of chasing quick success.
I still learn lessons every day, and I don’t think that part ever stops. But looking back, I think the difficult experiences, both personally and professionally, are what gave me the mindset and perspective to build the company the way I have.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We are a high-end residential painting company based in Northeastern Pennsylvania. We specialize in luxury interior and exterior painting, cabinet refinishing, high-gloss finishes, and fine finish work. We are also the only Certified Fine Paints of Europe Painters in the area, which is something we take a lot of pride in.
A big part of what we do comes down to craftsmanship and detail. Preparation matters. Precision matters. The way a project is managed matters. We care just as much about the process as we do about the final result.
We also work closely with high-end custom home builders, and that is a major part of our business. One of our goals is to be the most accountable and professional subcontractor a builder works with. We understand how important communication, scheduling, cleanliness, and consistency are on large projects, and we take that seriously.
I think what sets us apart is that we’ve combined skilled craftsmanship with real systems and professionalism. We have a strong team of craftsmen, we’re organized, and we’ve built a company that can handle detailed work at a high level without losing accountability.
What I’m most proud of is the team we’ve built. We’ve created a company where painters can take pride in their work and be seen as skilled craftsmen, not just laborers. That means a lot to me.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about this area is the potential. There’s so much history here, especially in the architecture and older homes. Being a complete paint and restoration nerd, I look at a lot of these houses and buildings and immediately start thinking about the craftsmanship, the restoration work, and what they could become with the right care and attention.
It’s also honestly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever lived. The people here have been really good to me, and there’s a strong sense of community that I appreciate a lot. Coming to Northeastern Pennsylvania gave me a fresh start when I needed one, so this area will always mean something special to me.
What I like least probably just comes from my New England roots. Growing up in Rhode Island spoiled me in two ways. First, everything was close. You could drive across the entire state in about an hour, so even a 20 minute drive felt like a commitment. In Pennsylvania, everything is spread out, and I absolutely hate driving.
The second thing is definitely the food. Growing up around Providence and Boston, I was surrounded by some of the best food in the world. That’s probably going to offend a few people, but it’s true. There’s definitely good food here, but New England set the bar pretty high for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.winegardnerffc.com
- Instagram: @winegardner_ffc
- Facebook: @winegardner_ffc
