Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Piper Camilla Alvarez.
Matthew Piper, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Both Camilla Alvarez and I come from painting backgrounds. Our fathers were both painting contractors, so this line of work has always been a part of our lives. I started working with my dad at Piper’s Painting when I was just 15, spending every summer learning how to prep, paint, and treat clients with respect. That hands-on experience built the foundation for the standards we hold today.
In May of 2021, Camilla and I took a leap and started The Ville Painting Co., a Nashville-based painting company offering high-quality interior and exterior painting for both residential and commercial clients. Even though we came from strong family legacies in the trade, we made the decision to start completely fresh. We didn’t rely on old contacts or inherited networks. Instead, we built our own identity and grew our client base from the ground up.
We’ve focused on building strong, lasting relationships with homeowners, business owners, real estate agents, and property managers across the Nashville area. Our entire reputation is built around one core promise: delivering exceptional quality with every job. Whether it’s a full exterior repaint or detailed cabinet refinishing, our Nashville painting services are rooted in professionalism, precision, and pride.
This month, we’ve just completed our fourth year as a fully operating business, and we’re proud to say we’ve doubled in size every single year. That growth is thanks to the incredible clients who trust us and the hardworking crew that stands beside us every day. Starting a painting business has changed our lives in more ways than we could count, and we are truly grateful to be doing what we love in such a vibrant city like Nashville, where the possibilities feel endless.
We don’t strive to be the biggest painting company in Nashville. We find real value in staying involved, speaking directly with our clients, and managing our projects personally. If our company grows, it will be with care and intention, not at the cost of the personalized experience our clients have come to expect.
And we couldn’t do any of this without our incredible crew. Their dedication, skill, and trust in our vision are what truly bring The Ville Painting Co. to life. They are the backbone of every project we take on.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not. It has definitely not been a smooth road. We are constantly facing obstacles and running into challenges we never could have anticipated. But no one ever said that starting and maintaining a business would be easy. If it were, anyone could do it. We truly believe it takes a certain kind of dedication, grit, and heart to keep showing up, especially when things get hard.
There are plenty of moments where we do not have the answers right away. That is why we are so grateful for the mentorship we have found along this journey. We have learned so much from other business owners, peers in the trade, and professionals we have met along the way. Hearing their stories and experiences has helped us navigate some of the hardest moments in running The Ville Painting Co.
Every challenge we have faced, whether it is staffing, scheduling, pricing, or client expectations, has taught us something new. We try to approach every setback as a new opportunity to grow both professionally and personally.
In the beginning, it was especially tough because when you are pouring everything into your business with honesty and integrity, it is hard not to take things personally. But that is part of the learning process. We have come to understand that growth comes from those tough moments, and we are better because of them.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Ville Painting Co.. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Ville Painting Co. is a Nashville-based painting company that offers high-quality interior and exterior painting for both residential and commercial clients. We take pride in handling a wide range of projects, from custom-built homes to multi-unit commercial properties, always with a focus on precision, cleanliness, and professionalism.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to prep work. Because we specialize in custom homes and detailed finishes, we go above and beyond to make sure every surface is properly masked, protected, and prepped before any paint is applied. We believe the success of any paint job lies in the preparation, and we treat every space with care and respect.
Another thing that makes us different is our direct involvement. When you work with The Ville Painting Co., you will have consistent communication with us, the owners. We stay involved in every phase of the project, from the initial consultation to the final walkthrough. That hands-on approach helps us build strong, lasting relationships with our clients.
We are also very proud of our commitment to continued education. The painting industry is always evolving with new products, techniques, and equipment. We stay up to date through regular training and product knowledge so that we can bring the best solutions to every project we take on.
When we say we support local businesses, we mean it in the way we operate as well. We source our paint from locally owned vendors like Hoover Paint and purchase construction materials from independently owned commercial shops in the area. Supporting other Nashville-based businesses is part of our core values, and we believe small businesses are the cornerstone of this city and this country.
Whether you are a homeowner, builder, or business owner, we want our readers to know that working with us means working with a team that values quality, relationships, and the Nashville community we are proud to be part of.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
There are definitely a few tools that help us operate our business day to day. Something as simple as Google Calendar is crucial to keeping our schedules organized, especially when juggling multiple job sites, walkthroughs, and client meetings. We also use WorkYard Crew to manage our teams, track which projects they’re assigned to, and collect real-time data on how long tasks are taking. That has been a game changer when it comes to understanding how we use our time and improving efficiency.
Another helpful tool is CompanyCam. It helps us organize photos of our projects without losing them in our personal phone galleries. Since documentation is such a big part of the painting process—before, during, and after—this app keeps things streamlined and easy to access for both us and our clients.
On the creative side, we’ve been really focusing on our social media presence. We use Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to share updates, behind-the-scenes content, and completed work. It has been fun learning how to connect with people online and not take ourselves too seriously while doing it. It is also helped bring in clients who value a business that feels approachable and human.
As far as podcasts, we are huge fans of any podcasts that includes Harpeth Painting as a guest. They are a local painting company who also started as a couple, and their story has really inspired us. We love hearing their insights and advice, whether it is about operations, branding, or just navigating the ups and downs of business ownership. Their online mentorship has been a major source of encouragement for us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thevillepaintingco.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thevillepaintingcompany/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/thevillepaintingco/
- Yelp: https://yelp.com/biz/the-ville-painting-company-nashville-4
