In this episode of The Brush Wizards Podcast, UK decorator Ian Crampsie shares his honest story about burnout in the painting and decorating trade.

We talk openly about the pressure painters and decorators face, running jobs, managing clients, and trying to maintain work life balance in a physically and mentally demanding industry.

Ian discusses:

• How he got started in painting and decorating
• Burnout in the UK trade industry
• ADHD and how it affects focus, productivity and stress on site
• Learning spraying techniques and how it changed his business
• The importance of community for painters and decorators

If you’re a painter and decorator, decorator business owner, or tradesperson trying to grow your career without burning out, this episode will resonate.

The Brush Wizards Podcast shares real conversations from inside the UK painting and decorating industry — covering business growth, mindset, tools, spraying, community and trade life.

Follow the show for more episodes supporting painters and decorators across the UK.

The Brush Wizards Network is connecting UK decorators through community, events and partnerships.

If you’re a painter or decorator in the UK and want to be part of something bigger, join here:

brushwizards.co.uk/join

In this episode of The Brush Wizards Podcast, Gary Proctor sits down with decorative artist Lesley Anne Kinney to explore her remarkable journey into the world of decorative painting.

After spending 18 years working as a croupier, Lesley made the bold decision to retrain and pursue a creative career. What followed was the building of a highly respected decorative finishes business, specialising in wood graining, Venetian plastering, and bespoke decorative effects for high end residential and commercial projects.

Lesley shares her experiences training both in the UK and the United States, working with interior designers, adapting to changing trends, and navigating the realities of running a creative business. She also reflects on the influence of television on the trade, the importance of networking, and why continuous learning has been key to her longevity and success.

This episode offers valuable insight for painters and decorators looking to expand their skills, explore decorative finishes, and build a more diverse and rewarding career in the trade.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to evolve your business, Lesley’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible with the right mindset and dedication.

In this episode of the Brush Wizards Podcast, Gary Proctor speaks with decorator Martin Reynolds about his journey from car rental management into professional painting and decorating.

After reassessing his life during COVID, Martin made the decision to pursue decorating full time, discovering both the mental health benefits and career opportunities the trade offers. He shares his experience working on high end projects such as Solberg Hall, learning spraying techniques, investing in equipment, and building relationships with interior designers.

Martin also explains how decorators can improve their skills, increase their value, and take advantage of opportunities within the trade.

This episode is ideal for painters and decorators looking to grow their business, develop new skills, and build a successful career.

Powered by Brewers Decorator Centres.

Join the Brush Wizards Network:
https://brushwizards.co.uk/join

In this episode of the Brush Wizards Podcast, Gary Proctor sits down with Ben Mottershead, Operations Director at Bradite, one of the UK’s most respected family run paint manufacturers.

Founded in 1938, Bradite has built its reputation on performance, durability, and consistency. Ben shares the real story behind how the company has evolved over generations, why they deliberately moved from a complex product range to a simpler one, and how Bradite One Can was created to solve real world problems decorators face on site.

This is an honest, behind the scenes conversation covering paint formulation, quality control, colour trends, spraying, and where the industry is heading next. Ben also talks openly about family business dynamics, the pressure of maintaining standards, and why skilled decorators are more valuable than ever.

If you’re a painter, decorator, sprayer, merchant, or just interested in how great products are actually built, this episode is packed with insight.

In this episode we cover:

• Bradite’s journey from 1938 to today

• Why simplicity beats over complicated product ranges

• The thinking behind Bradite One Can

• What really goes into making consistent, high performance paint

• How colour choice and spraying are changing the trade

• Water based innovation and the future of paint

• Why good decorators should be paid properly

• Supporting apprentices and the next generation of the trade

🎧 Subscribe for more real conversations with the people shaping the decorating industry.

The Brush Wizards Podcast is powered by Brewers Decorator Centres

In this episode of the Brush Wizards Podcast, Gary sits down with decorator Neil Hopper for an honest conversation about life in the trade.

Neil shares how he got into decorating, the pressure of being self employed, a serious health scare, and the mental breakdown that forced him to rethink everything.

They talk about money stress, difficult clients, setting boundaries, loving the job again, and why mental health in the trade needs to be talked about more openly.

This is not influencer talk or highlight reels.
This is the real side of being a painter and decorator.

If you are in the trade, running a business, or feeling burnt out, this episode will hit home.

🎧 Watch the full episode on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGAcbH-0JkxsDkey2S-AsQw

🧙 Join the Brush Wizards Network
https://brushwizards.co.uk/join

00:00 Introduction and Neil’s story
01:09 How Neil got into decorating
04:44 Becoming self employed
08:08 Health scare and burnout
10:55 Real life in the trade
16:36 Setting boundaries with clients
21:11 Business challenges
26:12 Mental health and self care
33:45 Lessons learned
37:20 Specialising in kitchens and hall stairs
40:21 Customer trust and aftercare
44:17 Talking openly about mental health
51:12 Confidence and social media
57:30 Why sharing stories matters

Powered by Brewers Decorator Centres.

In this episode Gary Proctor sits down with Minul Shah from Axus Decor to explore the story behind one of the most respected names in painting tools.

Minul shares how Axus Decor grew from his grandfather’s hardware store in Nairobi into a modern brand known for innovation in abrasives, tapes, brushes and paint accessories. The conversation covers how real decorator feedback shapes new products, the challenges of distribution, and why quality testing matters before anything reaches the market.

They also talk about the changing culture of the trade, the rise of community and networking, and Axus Decor plans to expand further into the UK and US markets while staying true to its family business values.

A great listen for painters, merchants and anyone interested in how tools actually get designed and brought to life.

Powered by Brewers Decorator Centres.

In this episode, Gary and Lisa break down a simple, practical way to reflect on 2025 and set clear goals for 2026 without overwhelm or New Year burnout.

They cover how to review your past year, decide what to keep and what to drop, and use the Wheel of Life to get clarity across health, work, money, relationships and personal growth.

🎯 Download the Wheel of Life exercise here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WRR0E6refPeBKmrFFa-1Q1vrKQBvdtMO/view?usp=sharing
Join the Brush Wizards Network:
https://brushwizards.co.uk/join

🎄 Dive into the festive spirit with Lisa and Gary as they share tips on having an intentional and stress-free Christmas. From decluttering to mindful gift-giving, they explore how to make the holiday season more meaningful. Tune in for practical advice and heartwarming stories that will inspire you to embrace the true essence of the holidays. #IntentionalChristmas #HolidayWellness #FamilyTime