When Larry Zack took the reins of Fresh Paint in 1996, he wasn’t stepping into a thriving enterprise—he was stepping into a garage. The business, a small seasonal residential painting company at the time, shut its doors every winter. There were no cell phones, no Google Maps, and paint had to be stored in a basement to avoid freezing. But Larry didn’t see a struggling operation—he saw opportunity.
And failure? That was never an option.
“I left a solid corporate position with three small kids and a new house,” Larry recalls. “We frequently say at Fresh Paint, ‘failure is never an option.’ And I meant it.”
From Paint Fails to Business Wins
Larry’s first job at Fresh Paint didn’t exactly inspire confidence. Painting the interior walls of a three-story apartment building with a new product from Sherwin-Williams went south—fast. The results were so poor that even Sherwin-Williams’ own tech team couldn’t fix it. It took switching products entirely to salvage the job. It was a tough start, but it set the tone: no matter the challenge, they’d find a way to make it right.
That mentality shaped what Fresh Paint is today: a commercial and industrial painting powerhouse with a large network of painters that allows us to say “Yes” to any project, a fleet of Dodge Rams and Jeeps wrapped to make a statement, and a leadership team that operates with precision and purpose.
Why It’s Always Been More Than Paint
To Larry, Fresh Paint was never just about paint. It was about building something better—for customers, for employees, and for the community.
He created a space where work doesn’t feel like work. “Fresh Paint is an easy place to come to every day,” he says. “We have great chemistry, and everyone is part of the family.” This culture of camaraderie isn’t just lip service. Many employees vacation together. Some have even been thrown into lakes at company picnics (willingly, of course).
This ownership mentality runs deep. In a move few companies would dare, Fresh Paint opened its financial books to office staff, giving them insight into the company’s ups and downs and helping everyone understand how their contributions directly affect the business.
Weathering Every Storm—and Climbing to New Heights
From 9/11 to the Great Recession to COVID shutdowns, Fresh Paint has seen it all. Through it all, they’ve adapted, expanded, and doubled down on relationships. One of Larry’s most memorable clients, a prominent car dealership owner, once had him flying on a private jet to manage multi-state projects. Another memory? Climbing to the top of the State Fair’s Space Needle—360 feet up—to figure out how to paint it.
It’s stories like these that cement Fresh Paint’s reputation not just as a service provider, but as a partner that shows up, solves problems, and delivers excellence.
Enhancing Safety with Strategic Painting
In addition to improving aesthetics, strategic painting enhances safety within manufacturing facilities. Properly marked areas help employees identify safe paths and avoid potential hazards. For example:
- Safety Markings: Brightly colored markings on floors indicate hazardous zones or equipment locations, guiding workers safely through the facility.
- Equipment Identification: Clearly labeled machinery helps prevent accidents by ensuring that employees know the purpose of each piece of equipment.
More Than a Business—It’s a Legacy
Now led by President/CEO Julie Stanke and a capable executive team, Larry has stepped back, confident in the foundation he helped build. “Everything we’ve achieved is because of the team,” he says. “I’ve never once had to question what they do.”
What sets Fresh Paint apart isn’t just its marketing department, production systems, or brand visibility—it’s how deeply invested the company is in doing things the right way. “Image Matters” isn’t just a slogan; it’s a company-wide philosophy. From professionally wrapped vehicles to crisp uniforms to first-class project execution, Fresh Paint understands that how you show up says everything.
Looking Ahead
Larry doesn’t want statues or slogans in his honor. He just wants the company to continue being what it is: a great place to work, built on integrity, loyalty, and shared values. “It’s not a job you go to,” he says. “It’s just what we do.”
He hopes to be remembered by his family as someone who was selfless, generous, and a strong role model—and by the business community as someone who created something worth being a part of.
After 40 years, the message is clear: Fresh Paint isn’t just a painting company. It’s a company built on people, purpose, and the unshakable belief that your image really does matter.
At Fresh Paint Inc., Your Image Matters
About Us:
Fresh Paint Inc. is a trusted provider of commercial painting services in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, dedicated to helping businesses achieve exceptional results. From evaluating the condition of your building to preparing surfaces and selecting the right paint, our team of professionals will manage the entire preparation and paint process.
At Fresh Paint Inc., we’re always up for discussing how we can apply our “Image Matters” philosophy to your next commercial or industrial painting project. Let’s connect and see what we can build together. Complete the form below or call us at (651) 429-4475.
