Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brian Arnold. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Brian with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I believe my work ethic comes from a combination of being driven by big dreams and having the courage to try new things. Growing up, I was always curious about creating something of my own, which led me to start San Diego Curb Painters. It began as a summer job but grew into a business I’m proud of because I took the chance to explore a unique need in the community. My entrepreneurial journey has taught me the importance of persistence and adaptability, and I channel that into everything I do. Whether it’s building a business, designing solutions, or tackling new challenges, I’ve always been motivated to put in the effort to make big goals a reality.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m Brian Arnold, and I run San Diego Curb Painters, the #1 curb address painting service in San Diego. What started as a summer job has grown into a thriving business that helps improve safety and visibility for homes and properties across the city. The most exciting part of what I do is seeing how something as simple as a curb number can make a real difference—whether it’s helping delivery drivers or emergency services find the right address quickly or adding a creative, custom touch with designs like palm trees or flags.
Lately, I’ve been expanding the business in some exciting ways. We now offer parking lot painting services and custom curb kits for people who want to DIY their own curb numbers, which we’re shipping nationwide. We’re also focusing on partnerships with property managers and HOAs to provide solutions for entire neighborhoods or complexes.
What I’d love for folks to know about San Diego Curb Painters is that this business isn’t just about painting—it’s about creating something meaningful for the community. Whether it’s increasing safety, standing out with a unique design, or making homes and businesses more accessible, I’m proud to help people in such a practical and creative way.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I think three key qualities were essential in my journey: resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn.
Resilience: Starting San Diego Curb Painters wasn’t easy. There were challenges with marketing, managing demand, and scaling the business, but staying consistent and pushing through those obstacles made all the difference. For anyone early in their journey, I’d say: don’t get discouraged by setbacks. View them as opportunities to grow and learn.
Adaptability: Being open to new ideas and pivoting when needed has been crucial. For example, recognizing the demand for parking lot painting and custom curb kits allowed me to expand the business beyond its original scope. My advice is to stay flexible and listen to what your customers or audience need—it can open up unexpected opportunities.
A willingness to learn: From studying entrepreneurship at SDSU to reading books like The Lean Startup, I’ve always believed in seeking knowledge and applying it. For those starting out, invest time in learning from others—whether it’s through books, mentors, or hands-on experience. Be curious and stay humble.
Ultimately, the best advice I can give is to take action. Even if you don’t have everything figured out, starting somewhere and learning along the way is the most impactful thing you can do for your journey.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
One book that has played a significant role in my development is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It’s a story about following your dreams and staying true to your purpose, which resonated deeply with me.
One of the most impactful lessons from the book is the idea that ‘when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.’ This inspired me to trust the process and take bold steps, like starting San Diego Curb Painters.
Another powerful message is that the journey matters just as much as the destination. Building my business taught me that the lessons and growth I experienced along the way were just as valuable as achieving my goals.
Finally, The Alchemist emphasizes listening to your heart and pursuing what truly fulfills you. It encouraged me to build a life and career that align with my passions and values, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for clarity and inspiration on their own path.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sandiegocurbpainters.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandiegocurbpainters
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandiegocurbpainters
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/san-diego-curb-painters
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sandiegocurbpainters
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sandiegocurbpainters
Image Credits
San Diego Curb Painters
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