For many women, college and the traditional “9–5 corporate career” are sold as the default path to success. But when that path doesn’t deliver — whether it’s lack of fulfillment, long hours, or simply feeling out of place — some women are trading in desks and spreadsheets for paintbrushes, rollers, and real entrepreneurship.
One inspiring real example: Sarah Ross — once entrenched in corporate accounting — decided to leave it all behind. Today, she runs a painting business that has grown into a multi-million dollar operation. Entrepreneur
Sarah Ross: From Corporate Accounting to Leading a Painting Empire
- Sarah Ross began her career working in corporate accounting. But she found that despite the stability, the work felt unfulfilling and rigid. In her own words: “If I’m working 14-hour days, it should be for me instead of somebody else.”
- Tired of unreliable contractors and dissatisfied with her job, she launched her own business as a franchisee under Fresh Coat Painters — a residential and commercial painting franchise.
- In her first year, her territory generated about US $300,000 in revenue. Over time, with consistent work, client trust, and scaling her operations, her business grew dramatically. Today, she runs a multi-million-dollar enterprise — reportedly aiming for close to $3 million in annual revenue.
- Her journey shows that painting — when approached as a business rather than a side gig — can go far beyond modest hourly pay. It can become a legitimate, scalable, high-income business — even for someone without a painting background.
Sarah’s story is powerful because it checks many of the boxes we often hear from women who “reboot” after college: needing fulfillment, wanting flexibility, desiring control, and looking for stability without a corporate boss.
What “Six-Figures (or More)” Looks Like in Painting
Because of success stories like Sarah Ross’s — and many more women-owned painting businesses — it’s clear the income potential isn’t limited to “just enough.” Here’s a realistic breakdown for a painting business that’s run well:
- Solo painter, part-time or small volume → ~$40,000–$60,000/year
- Full-time solo painting contractor → ~$60,000–$80,000/year
- Small business owner with a crew / subcontractors → ~$80,000–$120,000/year
- Growing business with premium clients & steady volume → ~$120,000–$200,000+/year
- Established business (multiple crews or high volume) → Potential for multi-hundred-thousand dollar revenue (as in the case of Sarah Ross)
Painting — when treated as a business, not just a job — has the potential to pay very well.
Why Women Have a Unique Advantage in Painting Businesses
Women-owned painting businesses often bring strengths that clients appreciate:
- Trust and comfort: Many homeowners — especially families — feel more comfortable with a woman painter in their home. For women-led teams, that trust can be a major differentiator.
- Attention to detail: Interior painting requires precision, clean lines, and often a “gentler touch” for interior spaces — qualities many women painters say they excel at.
- Communication and professionalism: Managing clients, scheduling, and quality control often means customer service and clear communication — skills many women bring strongly to the trade.
- Flexibility and empowerment: As business owners, women can set their own hours, manage work-loads around life, and build their brand on personal values rather than corporate demands.
For many clients, these qualities — more than just paint and rollers — make hiring a woman-owned painting business an appealing choice.
What It Takes: Licensing, Legitimacy & Business Mindset
If you want to follow a path like Sarah Ross — or build your own — here are the keys:
- Treat painting as a business, not just a job. Understand customers, pricing, marketing, scheduling, and business operations.
- Market your strengths — trust, detail, cleanliness, professionalism — especially if you’re a woman painter.
- Scale wisely — start solo, build a reputation, then bring on a crew or subcontractors to grow volume and revenue.
- Aim high — with consistent work, good management, and a growth mindset, it’s entirely realistic to reach mid- to high-six-figure income or even higher.
Final Takeaway
The old narrative that “college equals career success” is changing. Women like Sarah Ross are showing that painting — a skilled trade — can offer not just stability, but freedom, empowerment, and real financial success.
If your college path didn’t feel right…
If you want control over your career and income…
If you’re ready to trade a cubicle for a paintbrush and a business…
Then painting might just be the path that leads to your success story.
