Painting companies that provide finishing services for homeowners and commercial buildings can now offer non-toxic, eco-friendly alternatives to conventional paints and plasters, which contain chemicals that produce vapors, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), that lead to poor indoor air quality.

1. What is an eco-friendly painting service?
Painting companies provide finishing services (on wood, paint and plaster) for homeowners and commercial buildings. Conventional paints and plasters contain a variety of chemical ingredients that produce vapors, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that lead to poor indoor air quality. According to the EPA, VOCs can cause a wide variety of symptoms and ailments: Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Some [VOCs] can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue, dizziness.

An eco-friendly painting service performs these same jobs with the use of the most eco-friendly products and service methods available.

There are a variety of eco-friendly paints on the market. One surveyed eco-entrepreneur raved about American Pride for its durability, reliability, and relative low cost. But while eco-friendly paints are a relatively new entrant to an industry that has historically been petrochemical intensive, their widespread appeal to both workers and residents will continue to drive the market for this industry. So popular and mainstream, in fact, are low- and no-VOC paints, that Home Depot, Lowe's, and even Sherwin-Williams have all rolled out eco-friendly paints.

2. What required knowledge or skills are necessary?
There are no formal educational or training requirements for this job. However, the work is strenuous and requires that the worker be very diligent, as mistakes like failing to protect a homeowner's furniture properly from paint can cause a great deal of damage. He or she must also be able to be on their feet for extended periods of time, be well-organized, and be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

3. How much money is required to start?
$$ (on a scale of $ to $$$$$)

4. What is the income potential?
$$$ (on a scale of $ to $$$$$)

5. What is the best location for a sustainable mobile food vendor?
The location for this business is not important, so long as you and your equipment are mobile and can get to your clients' buildings.

6. Three best questions to ask yourself to find out if this business is right for you (if you can answer yes to all three, this business might be for you):

Interested in starting one in your community? Where do you begin? What permits do you need? Who are your target customers? How do you find them? What is the best use of your limited advertising dollars? What's the best way to attract a great employee or volunteer? What does an average day look like? What strategic tips do veteran eco-entrepreneurs suggest for startups like you?

There's a lot to think about, but rest easy! Our mission is to help you succeed, so set up a free half hour consultation with Scott Cooney, GBO's Principal, and author of Build a Green Small Business (McGraw-Hill). You may also order a free (S&H only) copy of Scott's book by clicking on the picture of the book cover below.