Today we’d like to introduce you to John Barling.
Hi John, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My path to where I am today started long before I entered the painting industry. I joined the United States Marine Corps straight out of high school and served five years, including two tours in Iraq. I completed my service honorably in 2007. The Marine Corps shaped how I think about leadership, accountability, and pressure. Discipline, attention to detail, and owning outcomes are not concepts to me, they are habits that still guide how I operate.
After leaving the Marine Corps, I pursued a degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida and later began working toward my MBA. My professional focus has always leaned toward finance, operations, and building organizations that are structured to last.
In 2017, I started dating my wife, which is how I met her brother, Tony LoRusso. Like most people getting to know one another, our early conversations were about work, business, and day-to-day challenges. As Tony learned more about my background in business and finance, he began asking for advice on the business side of LoRusso Painting. He was strong operationally but openly acknowledged that areas like financial structure, planning, and long-term strategy were not his strengths.
Those conversations became more frequent and more substantive over time. What started as informal advice gradually turned into deeper involvement as I helped think through decisions, systems, and direction. Through that process, it became clear that our skill sets complemented each other well. Tony understood operations and execution at a high level. I focused on business structure, finance, and strategy. After several years of working through these issues together, we made the decision to formally go into business together. I stepped into the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, while Tony continued to lead operations.
LoRusso Painting itself was founded in 1993 by Tony’s father and my father-in-law, Paul LoRusso. From the beginning, Paul set out to build a quality painting company, not a fly-by-night, blow-and-go operation. He emphasized craftsmanship, accountability, and long-term relationships, and those values became the foundation of the company’s reputation. Paul retired in 2015 and turned the business over to Tony, who ran it through 2020 before we transitioned into joint leadership.
When we assumed leadership together, the company was focused primarily on residential interior and exterior painting. Today, LoRusso Painting has grown to include both residential and commercial interior and exterior work. We have expanded into complementary services such as drywall repair, trim installation, tile and LVP flooring, pressure washing, concrete services, and wood and stucco staining and sealing. Each expansion has been deliberate and aligned with our focus on quality, consistency, and long-term relationships rather than rapid growth for its own sake.
I am married and have four children, which keeps me grounded and focused on building a business that is stable, ethical, and built to last. Outside of work, I enjoy chess and I am an active Freemason. I am deeply involved in community and charitable work centered on leadership, mentorship, and service. For me, business, leadership, and community responsibility are closely connected, and success means getting all three right over the long term.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road. If anything, the challenges have been constant, just different at each stage.
One of the earliest lessons was learning how to grow without breaking what already worked. As the company expanded, everything got tighter at once, scheduling, cash flow, hiring, and systems. You cannot run a larger operation the same way you run a small one, and figuring out where to add structure without losing flexibility took time and a few hard lessons.
At the same time, there is the reality of running a family business. There is history there, and decisions do not happen in a vacuum. You are balancing professional responsibility with personal relationships, and that forces you to communicate clearly and address issues head-on. Avoiding difficult conversations only makes them more expensive later.
One of the biggest ongoing challenges comes from the industry itself. The barrier to entry in painting is incredibly low. Someone can decide they are a painting company with very little experience, very little money, and almost no overhead. Most of those operators are not focused on quality, long-term value, or standing behind their work. They are focused on collecting a check, finishing fast, and moving on.
That puts companies like ours in a difficult position. We carry proper insurance, protect our employees, invest in training, and take responsibility for the final product. We do not rush jobs, and we do not disappear after the last coat dries. Competing against companies that do not operate that way, especially when customers are comparing bids strictly on price, is a real challenge. A big part of our job becomes education, helping clients understand the difference between a cheap paint job and a quality one.
Because of that, we have had to learn when to walk away. Not every job is worth taking, even if it looks good on paper. Protecting our reputation and standards has always mattered more than short-term revenue, even when that meant turning down work.
On a personal level, balancing leadership, family, and long-term planning has been its own challenge. The Marine Corps taught me how to function under pressure, but business pressure is different. There is no clear endpoint, no rotation home, and no off switch. You have to build systems and habits that make it sustainable.
Looking back, none of those challenges were wasted. Each one forced us to tighten operations, clarify roles, and recommit to why the company exists in the first place. It has not been easy, but it has been honest work, and that is what has allowed the business to grow without losing its identity.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I serve as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of LoRusso Painting. My role focuses on the business, financial, and strategic side of the company, making sure we operate sustainably while maintaining the standards that define our work. Tony LoRusso leads operations, and together we make sure execution in the field matches the promises we make on paper.
LoRusso Painting specializes in high-quality residential and commercial interior and exterior painting, along with related services such as drywall repair, trim installation, flooring, pressure washing, concrete work, and wood and stucco staining and sealing. What we are known for is not just the scope of services, but how we deliver them. We prioritize craftsmanship, clear communication, and accountability from start to finish.
What I am most proud of is that we have grown without compromising our values. In an industry where shortcuts are common, we have chosen to invest in proper insurance, employee protection, training, and systems that support consistency and quality. That approach costs more and takes longer, but it builds trust and long-term relationships with our clients.
What sets us apart is that we treat painting as a professional service, not a commodity. We do not chase volume, rush jobs, or disappear once the check clears. We stand behind our work, honor our word, and focus on relationships rather than transactions. My background in the Marine Corps and business education heavily influences that mindset. Discipline, preparation, and ownership of outcomes are part of how I lead and how we operate as a company.
At the end of the day, my goal is simple. Build a company people trust, take care of the people who work here, and deliver work we are proud to put our name on.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories is spending time at my godfather’s house, alongside his son, who was and still is my best friend nearly thirty years later. Some of the most meaningful nights were spent sitting on the back patio, quietly shining our boots so they would be ready for JROTC inspection the next morning.
While we worked, my godfather would talk about his time in the Marine Corps and the importance of discipline, responsibility, and carrying yourself the right way. Those conversations were never forced. They were honest, meaningful moments that left a lasting impression.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lorussopainting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorussopaintingllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LorussoPainting
