The News-Times Business Briefs: We Do Lines gets first franchisees
We Do Lines, a Ridgefield-based line-painting franchise founded in 2008, recently opened its first franchise location under the ownership of Bob Russo and Tim Hastings of Ridgefield and Leon St. Jean of Newtown. With more than 75 years of combined business and entrepreneurial experience in commercial construction, manufacturing and sales, Russo, Hastings and St. Jean will perform work in five territories in Connecticut and southwest Florida. We Do Lines recently started a second location in the Cleveland area. (Read More)
Monday, May 10, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Franchisee Spotlight: Bob Russo, Tim Hastings, Leon St. Jean
Each week we like to highlight our new franchisees to show how vast the We Do Lines team is! This week, Bob Russo, Tim Hastings and Leon St. Jean are our spotlight franchisees.
Franchisee Since: March 2010
Franchisee Territory: State of Connecticut; Southwest Florida
How Bob, Tim, and Leon Got Started With We Do Lines…
Bob, Tim and Leon are all lifelong residents of Connecticut and had seen several articles in local newspapers about We Do Lines and the franchise opportunity which piqued their curiosity. In turn, the three began researching more in depth the business opportunity We Do Lines had to offer. After speaking with the We Do Lines team, Bob, Tim and Leon knew this was the business they wanted to become a part. From their research, they found that the parking lot line striping industry was fragmented and could benefit from a business that solely focused on line striping. Together, they have taken on the task of developing five territories, which include the state of Connecticut and Southwest Florida, from Port Charlotte to Venice and Greater Orlando.
What Intrigued Bob, Tim and Leon about We Do Lines…
With over 75 years of combined experience in commercial construction, manufacturing and sales, Bob, Tim and Leon had seen the We Do Lines proposition of an untapped market and the growth potential hold true across the state of Connecticut and throughout Southwest Florida. With the full support of the We Do Lines corporate team, including training, marketing, billing and a customer call center, together Bob, Tim and Leon are able to exclusively concentrate on interacting with customers and gaining new clients.
Something Interesting About Bob, Tim, and Leon’s Story…
All lifetime Connecticut residents, Bob and Tim have been friends since elementary school, and Leon was Bob’s college roommate. Together the three entrepreneurs have an extensive background and experience in business, which is helping to provide insight towards their new We Do Lines business. Bob is a veteran of the commercial construction industry in sales and marketing, which is proving to be beneficial, especially when it comes to gaining new clients. Tim is part owner of a mortgage company in Ridgefield and with his experience in business ownership, he is able to structure We Do Lines in the best way possible. Leon is an experienced entrepreneur having owned his own mortgage bank in Connecticut, as well as partners in a mortgage bank throughout 18 states. Additionally, he also has experience and knowledge in computer logistics and manufacturing.
Bob is married to his wife Pamela and they have two children, both who are very excited to be working part time for their dad throughout the summer. Leon is married with three children. His daughter is five years old and his twin boys are three years old. Tim has three children.
Bob, Tim and Leon are all very active within their communities, participating in local events and fundraisers. They have also served on various town and charitable boards.
For more information on Bob Russo, Tim Hastings and Leon St. Jean, We Do Lines or the We Do Lines franchise opportunity please visit http://www.wedolines.com/.
Franchisee Since: March 2010
Franchisee Territory: State of Connecticut; Southwest Florida
How Bob, Tim, and Leon Got Started With We Do Lines…
Bob, Tim and Leon are all lifelong residents of Connecticut and had seen several articles in local newspapers about We Do Lines and the franchise opportunity which piqued their curiosity. In turn, the three began researching more in depth the business opportunity We Do Lines had to offer. After speaking with the We Do Lines team, Bob, Tim and Leon knew this was the business they wanted to become a part. From their research, they found that the parking lot line striping industry was fragmented and could benefit from a business that solely focused on line striping. Together, they have taken on the task of developing five territories, which include the state of Connecticut and Southwest Florida, from Port Charlotte to Venice and Greater Orlando.
What Intrigued Bob, Tim and Leon about We Do Lines…
With over 75 years of combined experience in commercial construction, manufacturing and sales, Bob, Tim and Leon had seen the We Do Lines proposition of an untapped market and the growth potential hold true across the state of Connecticut and throughout Southwest Florida. With the full support of the We Do Lines corporate team, including training, marketing, billing and a customer call center, together Bob, Tim and Leon are able to exclusively concentrate on interacting with customers and gaining new clients.
Something Interesting About Bob, Tim, and Leon’s Story…
All lifetime Connecticut residents, Bob and Tim have been friends since elementary school, and Leon was Bob’s college roommate. Together the three entrepreneurs have an extensive background and experience in business, which is helping to provide insight towards their new We Do Lines business. Bob is a veteran of the commercial construction industry in sales and marketing, which is proving to be beneficial, especially when it comes to gaining new clients. Tim is part owner of a mortgage company in Ridgefield and with his experience in business ownership, he is able to structure We Do Lines in the best way possible. Leon is an experienced entrepreneur having owned his own mortgage bank in Connecticut, as well as partners in a mortgage bank throughout 18 states. Additionally, he also has experience and knowledge in computer logistics and manufacturing.
Bob is married to his wife Pamela and they have two children, both who are very excited to be working part time for their dad throughout the summer. Leon is married with three children. His daughter is five years old and his twin boys are three years old. Tim has three children.
Bob, Tim and Leon are all very active within their communities, participating in local events and fundraisers. They have also served on various town and charitable boards.
For more information on Bob Russo, Tim Hastings and Leon St. Jean, We Do Lines or the We Do Lines franchise opportunity please visit http://www.wedolines.com/.
Monday, April 26, 2010
We Do Lines was recently featured in the Fort Worth Business Press
Parking lot painting firm earns its stripes with growth
BY LESLIE WIMMER
April 26, 2010
Chris Couri believes a well-maintained parking lot is good for business.
Couri, president of We Do Lines, a Connecticut-based parking lot striping business expanding into Dallas-Fort Worth as well as Houston and other large Texas cities, works to sell businesses on the idea that spending money to maintain their parking lots will benefit their business in various ways.
“Our job is educating our clients on the benefits of having a properly marked parking lot, and the advantages of doing so,” he said.
While Couri said he doesn’t often hear from business owners who are skeptical of spending money on parking lot maintenance, when he does the issues he discusses include compliance with various regulatory guidelines such as Americans with Disabilities Act rules and proper fire lane striping, as well exterior benefits as customers will have a better opinion of a business with a well-maintained parking lot, he said.
“A parking lot can be a liability issue, but it can also be a marketing opportunity,” said Skip Barrett, director of franchise development for We Do Lines. A parking lot “is the welcome mat for a store. If you drive to a store that has a freshly striped and sealed parking lot you’re going to think better about that business than one that has potholes and faded lines and such. Companies recognize the marketing value in having their lots maintained.” (Read More)
BY LESLIE WIMMER
April 26, 2010
Chris Couri believes a well-maintained parking lot is good for business.
Couri, president of We Do Lines, a Connecticut-based parking lot striping business expanding into Dallas-Fort Worth as well as Houston and other large Texas cities, works to sell businesses on the idea that spending money to maintain their parking lots will benefit their business in various ways.
“Our job is educating our clients on the benefits of having a properly marked parking lot, and the advantages of doing so,” he said.
While Couri said he doesn’t often hear from business owners who are skeptical of spending money on parking lot maintenance, when he does the issues he discusses include compliance with various regulatory guidelines such as Americans with Disabilities Act rules and proper fire lane striping, as well exterior benefits as customers will have a better opinion of a business with a well-maintained parking lot, he said.
“A parking lot can be a liability issue, but it can also be a marketing opportunity,” said Skip Barrett, director of franchise development for We Do Lines. A parking lot “is the welcome mat for a store. If you drive to a store that has a freshly striped and sealed parking lot you’re going to think better about that business than one that has potholes and faded lines and such. Companies recognize the marketing value in having their lots maintained.” (Read More)
Monday, April 12, 2010
We Do Lines was recently featured in the Long Island Business News
Parking lot painters get in line
by Ambrose Clancy
Published: April 9, 2010
Thirty years ago, Rich Mailand was farming cabbage and string beans in Suffolk County when a cousin called and asked if he’d help out painting lines.
After a summer night running a painting machine, creating stalls in a parking lot at $3 a pop, Mailand figured the work beat farming. “Then it just snowballed,” Mailand said in the spacious Brookhaven Hamlet headquarters of Parkline Maintenance, which he owns and operates with his brother, Robert.
Since its humble launch, Parkline has grown into a full-service paving and property maintenance business specializing in anything and everything to do with parking lots. Today, the company has government contracts, handles large commercial projects and works as far afield as Florida on shopping centers and other paving business.
With the weather warming, the striping business will be hitting full stride soon, as Parkline and a handful of other big companies paint everything from the corner-deli lot with five stalls to the parking expanses of airports, shopping centers, universities and hospitals, which count thousands of spaces each.
Mailand and the big boys have their share of competition, notably those the trade calls “gypsies” or “pirates,” usually two guys with a hand-operated painting machine who work for far less than the standard $5 to $6 rate for a stall these days.
But you get what you pay for, professional stripers warn, so beware the pirate with a paint sprayer working out of a U-Haul trailer. Few carry insurance and fewer still will take the time to scrupulous clean a lot before striping. Others perform shoddy repair jobs with watered-down sealants.
“You shouldn’t hire some guy who’s moonlighting,” said Bob Lewis of Bay Shore’s DuMor Construction, which not only stripes but, like Parkline, maintains lots in every capacity.
Lewis’ firm maintains a $5 million umbrella insurance policy.
“It can be dangerous out there,” he said.
Although the National Parking Association reports that a majority of its members saw a loss in volume and revenue last year, lots still have to be striped.
The companies get a leg up from new environmental regulations that call for latex-based paints, which usually last but a single season. In years past, oil-based striping lasted three years, Mailand said.
Hoping to get some green from black Long Island lots this year is a new Connecticut-based franchisor, We Do Lines. The cleverly named company has sold six franchises around the country, but is still looking to hit pay dirt on Long Island. (Read More)
by Ambrose Clancy
Published: April 9, 2010
Thirty years ago, Rich Mailand was farming cabbage and string beans in Suffolk County when a cousin called and asked if he’d help out painting lines.
After a summer night running a painting machine, creating stalls in a parking lot at $3 a pop, Mailand figured the work beat farming. “Then it just snowballed,” Mailand said in the spacious Brookhaven Hamlet headquarters of Parkline Maintenance, which he owns and operates with his brother, Robert.
Since its humble launch, Parkline has grown into a full-service paving and property maintenance business specializing in anything and everything to do with parking lots. Today, the company has government contracts, handles large commercial projects and works as far afield as Florida on shopping centers and other paving business.
With the weather warming, the striping business will be hitting full stride soon, as Parkline and a handful of other big companies paint everything from the corner-deli lot with five stalls to the parking expanses of airports, shopping centers, universities and hospitals, which count thousands of spaces each.
Mailand and the big boys have their share of competition, notably those the trade calls “gypsies” or “pirates,” usually two guys with a hand-operated painting machine who work for far less than the standard $5 to $6 rate for a stall these days.
But you get what you pay for, professional stripers warn, so beware the pirate with a paint sprayer working out of a U-Haul trailer. Few carry insurance and fewer still will take the time to scrupulous clean a lot before striping. Others perform shoddy repair jobs with watered-down sealants.
“You shouldn’t hire some guy who’s moonlighting,” said Bob Lewis of Bay Shore’s DuMor Construction, which not only stripes but, like Parkline, maintains lots in every capacity.
Lewis’ firm maintains a $5 million umbrella insurance policy.
“It can be dangerous out there,” he said.
Although the National Parking Association reports that a majority of its members saw a loss in volume and revenue last year, lots still have to be striped.
The companies get a leg up from new environmental regulations that call for latex-based paints, which usually last but a single season. In years past, oil-based striping lasted three years, Mailand said.
Hoping to get some green from black Long Island lots this year is a new Connecticut-based franchisor, We Do Lines. The cleverly named company has sold six franchises around the country, but is still looking to hit pay dirt on Long Island. (Read More)
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
We Do Lines was recently featured in Franchise Times
We Do Lines is gaining national traction as the first national parking lot line striping franchise! The article is entitled "Reading Between the Lines: It's a Franchise for Stripers, not Strippers" Click on the image below to be taken to the article in its entirety.
Friday, February 19, 2010
We Do Lines was recently featured in the Gulf Coast Business Review
Company tries to stay in the linesBy: Gulf Coast Business Review
February 19, 2010
A startup franchise company with ambitious growth goals — and a catchy tag line — has targeted the Gulf Coast for its nationwide debut.
We Do Lines, a Connecticut-based company that repaints parking lot stripes, says it hopes to bring sexy to the parking lot business.
We Do Lines was founded in 2008 in Ridgefield, Conn., by four business partners in the commercial landscaping industry. The partners looked in vain for years to find a good, reliable company to pave parking lot lines. “We couldn’t find anybody,” says We Do Lines co-founder Tom Darrow. “It was like a vampire industry.”
So Darrow and his partners founded We Do Lines to bring some order to the industry. The company, through Internet search engines and its database of landscaping clients, grew quickly. It took on a job to pave lines for the parking garage of a $60 million condo project in Stamford and last year it was awarded a large job at the Doral Resort in Miami. (Read More)
Monday, February 8, 2010
We Do Lines was recently featured in The Register Citizen
Line painting company exceeds expectations
Published: Sunday, February 7, 2010
By DAVID HUTTER
David Choplinski hired We Do Lines to paint lines in a parking lot of a medical property in New Milford, and raves about the company’s work.
The president of Hudson Construction Associates, Choplinski touts the company as having far exceeded his expectations.
“Without a doubt, I’ll keep hiring them. They are professional in every way,” Choplinski said. “We Do Lines exceeded my expectations. Usually guys who do lines are not as professional (in general).”
Founded by friends Christopher Couri, Craig Lenahan, Dan Rella, and Tom Darrow in February 2008, We Do Lines is a Ridgefield-based company. Besides painting lines in parking ltos, they also paint curbs, install traffic sign, and stage warehouse floors. (Read More)
Published: Sunday, February 7, 2010
By DAVID HUTTER
David Choplinski hired We Do Lines to paint lines in a parking lot of a medical property in New Milford, and raves about the company’s work.
The president of Hudson Construction Associates, Choplinski touts the company as having far exceeded his expectations.
“Without a doubt, I’ll keep hiring them. They are professional in every way,” Choplinski said. “We Do Lines exceeded my expectations. Usually guys who do lines are not as professional (in general).”
Founded by friends Christopher Couri, Craig Lenahan, Dan Rella, and Tom Darrow in February 2008, We Do Lines is a Ridgefield-based company. Besides painting lines in parking ltos, they also paint curbs, install traffic sign, and stage warehouse floors. (Read More)
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