Meet a Woman Who’s Making Her Mark in the Paint Industry

It’s Women’s History Month! What better way to celebrate than showcasing a successful businesswoman in the paint industry? Edith Ruiz, the owner of New Vida Painting, is a woman who overcame many adversaries to find herself in the position she’s in today.

It was 20 years ago when Edith decided to take on this new role as a businesswoman with her then-husband as a painting contractor. At the time they didn’t have enough income to pay employees, so she decided that she had to learn the business inside and out herself.

When she separated from her husband four years ago, she pondered her next move. She decided that she was not going to give up and focused on getting her license. “Thankfully I passed the test, I decided to open up my own business.” After overcoming her battle with thyroid cancer and getting her contracting license, it was then that New Vida Painting was created. It’s no coincidence that New Vida, meaning new life in English was the name Edith went with. This was a new beginning for her. “When life gets tough you have two options, either cry and paralyze yourself, or you shake it off and make the best out of whatever situation you’re in.”

Since then Edith has been thriving. “I’ve been blessed with so many great customers.” She hasn’t stopped, every day she’s been growing her business. But she doesn’t do it by herself – she has a team of two employees that she trusts to uphold her high standards on each job. Edith’s motto when it comes to her customers is to leave them happy. She knows that what people look for is accountability and professionalism. When Edith completes a job, she knows she doesn’t have to go back.

Unsurprisingly, Edith made a New Year’s Resolution, she feels it helps keep her goals in mind. Her resolution this year was to shake off her complacency and gain new clients. As of right now, she’s managing to stay focused by writing down her goals and works every day towards getting there. May it be phone calls, or visits, each day her vision is clear. And it’s all paying off, because of a quarter of the way into the year, she’s gaining new loyal customers.

Growing New Vida Painting is the only goal Edith has. Teaching women the painting contracting business is one of her ultimate goals. “I want to teach women to believe in themselves, and to say ‘Yes I can do this!’ I want them to feel proud of themselves.” With Edith’s track record, she is definitely on her way there.

Edith is just one example of the many women out there getting themselves in the painting contracting business. She’s inspiring not only the women in her own family but countless others. With her strong work ethic, and the will to not give up, we can foresee more and more women joining her and making this a more inclusive industry.