I started my working life right after graduating from vocational school in 1995. Together with a school friend, we opened a small hardware shop and took on plumbing jobs on the side — all while attending university. It wasn't glamorous work, but it taught me how buildings actually go together, from the pipes behind the walls to the surfaces in front of them.In 1998, after completing my military service, I joined a large home improvement retailer. I started in the plumbing department, but it wasn't long before I moved over to paint — and that's where everything changed. Working the paint counter every day, answering hundreds of customer questions, testing products, matching colors, and troubleshooting failed jobs gave me a practical education that no classroom could replicate.Since 2000, interior and exterior coatings have been my full-time focus. Over more than two decades, I've worked with nearly every major paint brand, seen what holds up and what doesn't, and learned how much of a difference surface prep, product choice, and technique make to the final result.I launched my first home improvement blog in 2009, writing about repairs, materials, and the kind of trade knowledge that homeowners rarely get access to. In 2023, I started Painting Tips — a site dedicated entirely to paint colors, application techniques, stain removal, and home décor. Everything published here comes from real experience, not guesswork.