Marcus Hanson
- Owner
- Ohio Signature Painting
School Information
School: University of Cincinnati
College Major: Business
Years at College Works: 2010 to 2013
Career Information
Working For: Ohio Signature Painting
Title: Owner
Industry: Construction
Brief Description of Duties / Responsibilities:
Ohio Signature Painting specializes in full service residential exterior and interior painting and staining. This also includes carpentry and wallpaper removal. But at the heart of our organization, we believe relationships are everything, whether it be with clients, suppliers, or employees, so we strive to treat everyone with a higher level of respect and honesty that is often uncommon in the painting/construction industry. My job as the owner is to oversee the day-to-day operations of marketing, sales, and production, while at the same time maintaining strong relationships with everyone we come across.
College Works Career Impact
In one sentence, what has CW meant to you?
College Works Painting has given me a chance to find out what I’m truly good at, and has allowed me to pursue opportunities I wouldn’t otherwise have.
How did your CW experience impact your career? Immediately after graduation? Now?
I got around 6 different job offers immediately upon finishing my time with College Works Painting. It without a doubt helped me land the position I’m in now.
What do you want to tell your clients about what it meant to work with them and how it has helped you get to where you are today?
It’s hard to pick a favorite client, I’ve had a bunch over the years. But to all my clients I would say thank you for letting me work with you and helping me boost my career.
What was the greatest lesson you learned from your CW experience?
I’ve learned many lessons from College Works Painting, I think the most important lesson is that if you want to accomplish something great, you’ve got to be willing to challenge yourself and get out of your comfort zone.
How have the friendships and networks you built during CW affected you?
Anytime I go to Columbus, my College Works Painting friends are the first people I contact. I’m still in touch with a bunch of my interns and I hope to launch a business with one of them here in the next couple of years.
If you had to come up with a one line slogan for CW, what would it be?
Work hard, play hard.
Advice
What advice do you have for potential CW participants? Current CW participants?
Understand going into it that it’s going to be extremely challenging, but that’s the beauty of it. It’s a great place to challenge yourself within a controlled environment. Oh and listen to your district manager, there’s a reason they earned that promotion.
Many college students struggle to choose between an internship specific to their target industry or doing CW. What advice would you give them on this subject if they wanted to enter your career field?
In my career field, it’s hard to beat the experience of College Works Painting. In my field you’ve got to sell yourself, act as a consultant, and leverage your time wisely, all things I learned through College Works Painting.
What’s your best advice for someone interested in entering your career field?
Stay hungry.
What’s your favorite memory from CW?
Payrolls. I’ve developed some really strong friendships with students all over the state at payroll events. Canoeing was a blast every year.
Last words of wisdom?
Have fun, College Works Painting is a great experience.