FLAGSHIP PAINTS:

Combining family and business often yields the same sticky results as mixing oil and water-based paint – but luckily for Houston’s Maldonado family, owners of Flagship Paints, working side by side has been as smooth as a semi-gloss top coat.

“My father is a paint contractor in the custom home market so my career began by sanding walls and doing prep work for him. As soon as I learned to drive, I was delivering materials to job sites,” recalls Flagship co-owner Fernando Maldonado Jr. “Working alongside my dad taught me so much about paint as well as the importance of customer service and satisfaction.”

In 2015, just over 20 years since Fernando Sr. started his painting business, his eldest son was inspired to open Flagship Paints, merging the premium quality and consistency of Benjamin Moore products with the family’s expertise and enthusiasm for providing exceptional customer service.

Today, Flagship Paints has two Houston locations with nine employees, with plans to open a third store in 2019 and possibly grow into new markets in the future. While Fernando Jr. oversees the entire operation, sister Raquel utilizes her fine arts background as a color consultant and brother Joshua brings his contractor’s know-how to his sales role. Fernando Sr. continues to support the business as an advisor and highly-skilled technical expert.     

“We’ve always believed in the value of hard work and the importance of taking care of people,” Fernando explains. “We have a young, dynamic team in place that is ready to serve in whatever way the customer needs. That’s why we ask the most important question first:  ‘How can we help you today?’”

Combining the in-store experience with the convenience of online shopping

Unlike the big box stores, Flagship only sells paint and paint accessories because that is what they know best. And unlike most stores, Flagship has managed to earn nearly 100% five-star reviews on Google, with customers praising store employees by name for their helpfulness, personal service and expertise.

“Our staff gets to know each customer and they become invested in what customers are working on; their projects becomes our projects,” Fernando says. “We’re not only here to sell people a gallon or two of paint – we do everything possible to make sure their project goes smoothly and efficiently.”

And speaking of efficiency, Flagship is ready to launch a brand new website that combines a great in-store experience with the convenience of online shopping so that customers can buy paint virtually whenever they need it.

“Consumers have embraced being able to order what they want, when they want, and have it delivered to their doorstep – whether it’s groceries, eyeglasses or clothing. I see buying paint online as a progression of where things are going,” says Fernando.

Before browsing the entire Benjamin Moore color library from the comfort of home or while at the job site, customers will be able to personalize the online shopping experience in their preference of Spanish or English. In addition to being able to place an order and schedule next-day pickup or in-store delivery, they can consult with Flagship’s knowledgeable paint experts for one-on-one product advice.

“We think local homeowners and contractors will be excited about being able to shop any time of day or night, regardless of when our doors are open, and we’re excited for the opportunity to help them get what they need in a faster, easier and more convenient way.”