Tired of Limits? Zach Tanner Proves You Can Build More Than a Career

Hire Yourself Podcast with Pete Gilfillan

Pete Gilfillan sits down with Zach Tanner, founder and owner of Painter Bros, to discuss his inspiring journey from teenage entrepreneur to building one of the fastest-growing painting franchise brands. Zach opens up about his failures, pivots, and the mindset it takes to leave the corporate path and build something extraordinary.

In this episode, Pete and Zach discuss:

• From Lawnmower to Founder
  Zach shares how his entrepreneurial roots started as a kid mowing lawns to earn enough for an iPod Nano, and how that early hustle translated into a lifelong passion for business ownership.
• The Realities of Franchising Too Early
   After launching Painter Bros, Zach initially jumped into franchising without the right systems in place. He shares why he paused, rebuilt the infrastructure, and reentered with stronger technology, better KPIs, and a commercial-first model.
• What Makes Painter Bros Different
   Zach emphasizes that culture—not just painting—is the differentiator. His focus on relationships, long-term thinking, and caring deeply about customers and employees sets the brand apart in a crowded space.
• The Ideal Franchisee Profile
   Painter Bros isn’t for painters—it’s for corporate professionals tired of being capped. Zach looks for leaders who want to build something of their own, value relationships, and crave freedom and financial control.

Key Takeaways:

• You’re the Only One in Your Way
  The hardest barrier to entrepreneurship is often your own fear. Once you get past that, the possibilities open up.
• Build Systems Before You Scale
  Franchising requires more than passion—it demands process, tech, and infrastructure to deliver consistent success.
• Entrepreneurship Is About Faith
  Believing in your vision, even before you see the results, is what separates good from exceptional entrepreneurs.

"Just because you can’t see $10 million doesn’t mean it isn’t there for you. You’ve got to believe it and go get it." — Zach Tanner

CONNECT WITH ZACH TANNER:

Website: https://www.painterbros.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-tanner-32322a161/

CONNECT WITH PETE GILFILLAN:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petegilfillan/
Website: https://www.hireyourself.com/

CONNECT WITH HIRE YOURSELF PODCAST:

Website: https://www.hireyourself.com/podcast
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hire-yourself-podcast/id1472038217
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTKOLjuUWbf7BRtGtp6dP?si=eb2f7b38bd884804
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@hireyourself7642
Email: info@hireyourself.com