Bio

Take Pride Painting Inc. was established in 1993 while Brian Sieffert was studying Environmental Sciences and Business at the University of Pittsburgh. His initial objective for opening this company was to finance his way through college; however, as the company began to grow, he developed an attachment to the beautification process involved with painting renovation and restoration.      Brian had spent 15 months prior to opening the company as a General Branch Manager of a nationwide painting franchise in the Upper Saint Clair territory. As a branch manager for this franchise, he was responsible for the marketing, sales, recruiting, and production of the contracted work using his own equipment and accounts. It was essentially his first experience in any type of business ownership. During this first season, the Upper Saint Clair branch exceeded all levels nationwide for that year in sales, customer satisfaction, and branch profitability. Though Brian had the opportunity to work with many exceptional properties, it was not until his last job of the season that he was recognized publicly for his work. In 1993, Brian Sieffert's bid was chosen over several others to restore the interior of the Carnegie Music Hall. Brian and tradesmen who he personally selected completed this project.      The board of trustees encouraged him to continue with this line of work under a company bearing its own name; thus evolved Take Pride Painting Inc. This company was to manifest environmental consciousness, community orientation, and most importantly, client satisfaction. Take Pride Painting Inc. had its first chance to exhibit these ideals as they completed the foyer entrance way and second level of the Carnegie Music Hall and library area. The transition of companies was published in the Signal Item newspaper after the Carnegie Music Hall was completed.      From 1993 to 1996, Brian was a full-time student at the University of Pittsburgh while employing 6 to 10 people year round. In 1996, Brian decided to devote his full attention to the development of Take Pride Painting Inc., a company that began making a name for themselves. The company became more aggressive through marketing strategies and more competitive by developing internal training programs and keeping up with current trends of the industry.      In 1997, after increasing their production from the previous years, Take Pride Painting Inc. began to contribute to the design realm. They found a way to exhibit to clients what their house could potentially look like in several different color schemes. By using computer generation, a photographic image could be derived from a "before" picture of each client's home or business.      This same year, Brian met Cathy Gilg while working on a mutual project; an eight color cottage style property in Osborne. It was at this time that both Cathy and Take Pride Painting Inc. decided that they could benefit from combining some of their services. Cathy Gilg began teaching the company faux finishing techniques and in 1998, they collaborated on the David L. Lawrence Convention Center Home Show Dream House. Since then, they have worked together on numerous projects.      Cathy has become a great inspiration and mentor to Take Pride Painting Inc.'s fine decorative painting. She is trained and certified by Pro Faux Workshops and faux designer Dave Schmitt. She has studied under faux designer Gary Lord of Prismatic Studios. She has a design degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, and also has a background in art. Cathy has many years of paint, wallpaper, and design experience as well as teaching faux finishing techniques at Masterwork Paints Design Center. In 1997, she earned the Martin Senour Designer of the Year Award. Cathy has been trained and certified at the Ralph Lauren National Headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio in all the Ralph Lauren finishes.      In 1999 Take Pride Painting Inc. decided to approach the painting industry in a unique and innovative way. They opened a new company division that concentrates on more involved projects. The new division will include specialized packages to cater to extensive project designs. The division includes design consultation, photographic imaging, and networking tradesmen to handle all facets of the job. Because of a recent addition of a talented artist to the team, Take Pride Painting Inc. has added murals and faux finishes to the menu of services. Later this same year Take Pride Painting Inc. acquires its Palm Beach Painting Contractor License, which allows them to do contracted work in 39 other counties in Florida.      All of the crewmembers have been trained and tested in preparation, products, and application geared specifically towards the restoration of old homes. Because of this, Take Pride Painting Inc. is often selected to partake in historic Victorian restoration throughout South Western Pennsylvania.      In 2001 Take Pride Painting Inc. joined the specialized division of networked contracting named the "Platinum Design Group". This group generates a promising team of designers and tradesmen in the painting field and other industries. The objective is to create one stop for residential and commercial clients planning to renovate or restore their home. Modern procedures and techniques are to be managed on all sites. Visit us at www.platinumdesigngroup.net to view each site manager's page and portfolio.      An exclusive design service offered by the Platinum Design Group is our "Photo Imaging". This process allows one to view a photo of the project with the colors superimposed before the project is complete. Additions, interior and exterior painting projects, roofing, siding, and landscape architecture can be modified by this procedure.      Photo Imaging was only offered to clients of Platinum Design Group and for commercial projects. It will now be offered through www.realcurbappeal.net to all contractors, vendors, and clients. Our Designer, Mark Bowytz, has perfected this unique design capability over the last five years. A permanent division in Florida is still being researched instead of the current "snowbird" status. Platinum Design Group's immediate goals are to continue to be active members within the residential, commercial, design and construction community. Future plans are to utilize a durable coating system with lifetime maintenance for all exterior projects.