To colleagues and competitors alike, Colby Joseph Davis is more than a business owner—he is a coach who lifts people up. He often says that leadership isn’t about titles or demanding respect but about earning it through actions. This philosophy permeates every facet of his businesses. Employees at Davis Painting and Indy Capital receive extensive training, opportunities for advancement and the autonomy to make decisions that serve clients better.
The results speak for themselves: Davis Painting has grown from a small crew to a multi-state operation, and Indy Capital is rapidly acquiring complementary service companies across the U.S. Davis credits this success to putting people first and building systems that allow team members to thrive. He also emphasizes transparency—both internally and with customers—which has built a strong reputation in the markets he serves.
For aspiring entrepreneurs and tradespeople, Davis recommends focusing on three pillars:
- Master your craft. Technical excellence is the foundation of any service business.
- Invest in people. Empower employees with training and clear career paths so they grow along with the company.
- Leverage systems. From marketing to operations, build repeatable processes that free you to focus on growth rather than daily firefighting.
By following these principles, Davis believes more entrepreneurs can transform trades from “fallback jobs” into respected, lucrative careers. His journey from job-site apprentice to CEO illustrates what’s possible when vision, strategy and people come together.