EP12: Michael Hopkinson From Backpacking Across England To Building A Successful Painting Company in Australia

SUMMARY:

In this episode of DYB, Steve interviews Michael Hopkinson,

Owner/Operator of Hopkinson Painting based in Australia.

Growing up, Michael has always been a painter; Getting into the trade as soon as he was old enough at the ripe age of 17.

After a few years working in a large corporate environment, he left and moved on to start his own painting business.

Although he struggled at first, Michael eventually grew the business to the point of hiring 10+ staff members.

Enjoy this fascinating conversation as both dive into the cultural differences between the USA and Australia, the differences in business practices in both countries, Hiring, Leadership, and developing a custom tech stack for Michael’s company.

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WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

-How to stop micromanaging your team

-Sowing the value of ownership into an organization

-How Learning Body Language helps you become a better leader

-Differences Between The USA and Australia; Culturally and Business-Wise.

-How business operates differently in smaller communities

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LISTEN HERE:

QUOTES:

“You can’t just say ‘We’ll just get started and see how it goes.’ You need to put a price on your work.”

“Give your painters freedom to do what they do best.”

“If you love it, stick with it.”

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HIGHLIGHTS:

[20:18] What are the differences between the United States and Australian painting industries?

[26:54] What kind of Painting does Hopkinson Painting provide?

[31:06] What was the biggest paradigm shift Michael made that altered his business?

[38:50] What does Michael do to help elevate his company culture?

[42:42] What is in Michael’s Tech Stack, and how he went about creating a custom application for his business.

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RESOURCES:

Join DYB

Michael’s Cathedral Project: See pictures below

Who Moved My Cheese – Spencer Johnson

https://www.amazon.com/Moved-Cheese-Spencer-Johnson-M-D/dp/0743582853

Blink – Malcolm Gladwell

https://www.amazon.com/Blink-Power-Thinking-Without/dp/0316010669

Paul Ekman

https://www.paulekman.com/

ADDITIONAL FREE RESOURCES:

DYB System PDF

EP01 9 Steps to Doubling Your Business Part 1

52 Blog Post Ideas PDF

YouCanBookMe VIDEO

Pre-qualifying Questions PDF

Video Testimonial Checklist PDF

3 Steps To Get Leads From FB PDF

11 Interview Questions PDF

9 Ways To Get HOA Work PDF

Connect with Michael on Facebook here

Connect with Steve on Facebook here

Thank you very much for joining us today! If you received value, would you take a quick few seconds and leave us a review on iTunes, please?

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About the Author

As many of you know, my journey has been one of grit, grace, and transformation. At 19, I was a high school dropout, single father, and struggling paint contractor in Michigan. I later moved to Florida, where I faced both personal and professional hardships. With nothing left to lose, I turned to prayer—and was blessed with a relentless hunger to learn. I devoured books, attended seminars, and discovered better ways to streamline and grow my business—even through the Great Recession (and yes, I did hit the wife lottery along the way!). In 2014, I published How To Double Your Business and later sold the painting business, launching a new chapter: coaching others to grow their businesses. For the past 10 years, I’ve dedicated myself to helping business owners scale through the DYB System, while also drawing from frameworks like EOS, Scaling Up, and The Four Disciplines of Execution. Yet something was still missing—something more adaptive, integrated, and complete. Then I found Pinnacle. After months of research and interviews with other Guides, I joined Pinnacle. Their tools and strategies have exceeded every expectation. Now, as a Pinnacle Business Guide, I help leadership teams implement a custom-tailored operating system that draws from the best in the industry—but flexes with your unique business. It’s a dynamic, proven approach to achieve clarity, momentum, and lasting growth. I’m no longer taking on any more 1:1 coaching clients… Instead, I now specialize in working with visionary business owners who are ready to get their leadership teams aligned—around a clear vision, a focused strategy, and an actionable execution plan. With the tools and process I now have as a Pinnacle Business Guide, I help turn alignment into momentum, and momentum into results. If your business is growing—but your leadership team isn’t fully rowing in the same direction—let’s talk.