If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

That was the approach James Wright took when his first application to H.J. Holtz & Son was turned down.

Wright began his career working with a general contractor, but left that position to focus on painting. By the time he approached Holtz & Son, he had four years of painting experience under his belt. Following the initial “no,” Wright bided his time.

After six months, he submitted a new application – and was hired. In May 2022, Wright marks his 10th anniversary with the firm.

“Before I came here, when I was with other painting companies, other people always said Holtz was the best company to work for,” Wright says. “I figured, if I get on there, I’m going to make it last as long as possible.”

Wright says H.J. Holtz & Son’s good reputation among working painters is related to the firm’s bevy of employee benefits, including paid vacation time, which many painting companies don’t offer. Additionally, Holtz & Son offers the chance to broaden your skills, Wright says, noting that he’s now a relatively new member of the paper-hanging division.

“After eight years, I was getting a little bored with painting,” he says. “I asked if I could try out the wallpaper.”

Because he had seen other employees move within the company, Wright says, he felt confident in making the switch. “James Draine, Shane Legano and Dannon Featherston all helped me,” he says. “I like the artistic freedom [involved in wallpaper projects], and [hanging wallpaper] is not as hard as people make it out to be.”

But he’s still learning, he adds.

“I’m working on my third year in wallpaper,” he says. “There’s a lot of different situations … so many different situations. I know if I need help, [the team] would be there with me.”

Happy anniversary, James!