10 Questions with FLORENCE NGOLLO
Reve Insiders is an exclusive network of global leaders, businesses, brands, professionals, and creatives. Our 10 Questions Series is all about exploring what makes them tick. We find out how they are making a difference in our world or making changes in their own lives to impact the lives of others.
Welcome to another episode of the 10 Questions series. We had the honour of speaking with Florence Ngollo, a dynamic entrepreneur with a rich background in accounting and finance. For 17 years, she honed her expertise in numbers and strategy. Driven by a desire for greater fulfillment and independence, Florence made a bold leap into entrepreneurship. She is now the proud owner of Fresh Coat Painters of Cary, where she channels her corporate experience into building a thriving business that provides top-quality residential and commercial painting services. Florence embodies a strong commitment to excellence, reliability, and community impact.
REVE INSIDERS: Welcome Florence! We’re so happy to have you here. Without further ado, let’s get into the first question. Florence, after 17 successful years in accounting and finance, what motivated you to take the bold leap into the painting business?
Florence Ngollo: I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur. I grew up in France and Belgium, working for international corporations in finance and accounting. When my family and I moved to the United States, it felt like the right time to pursue that dream. As for painting, I’ve always loved home improvement projects. I think my dad’s construction business played a role in sparking that interest as well.
REVE INSIDERS: That’s amazing. Your journey from Europe to the U.S. and your roots in Cameroon is so inspiring. How have these diverse experiences shaped your perspective as a leader?
Florence Ngollo: I consider myself an international person. I was born in Cameroon, grew up in Europe, and now live in the U.S. These experiences have given me a broad perspective and made me open-minded. I’ve been exposed to so many different people and cultures, which helps me connect with and empathize with a wide variety of individuals. I truly value the ability to relate to others, and I’m raising my son with that same mindset—to be open to the world and embrace diversity. For me, the world is like a big village. While we may have our differences, there’s so much we share as humans. That’s how I see life and people.
REVE INSIDERS: Love that perspective. Going back to your business—Fresh Coat Painters of Cary emphasizes quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. How do these values reflect your personal and professional principles?
Florence Ngollo: I genuinely love helping people. That’s my calling in life. If someone needs me, I’ll drop anything to assist them. With Fresh Coat, we paint houses and businesses—both interiors and exteriors. I help people take care of their most valuable investment: their home. When someone buys a house, it’s often their biggest asset, and ensuring it’s well-maintained aligns with my life’s purpose of helping others. For me, it’s about more than just making money. It’s about taking care of people’s belongings. I feel incredibly fulfilled knowing I’m making a difference. And honestly, getting paid for doing something I love feels like the cherry on top.
Even though my business has grown significantly and I have a great team, I’m still very hands-on. I personally do walkthroughs with clients to ensure everything reflects the quality and standards I promise. I also handle paint orders myself. We offer different paint levels—from entry-level to premium—and I make sure that if a client is paying for the best, they get the best. Providing quality is a core value for me. I believe in doing what I say and ensuring my work represents who I am and what I stand for.
REVE INSIDERS: That’s amazing. You’re entrusted with people’s biggest investments, and creating a beautiful, welcoming space is so important. The transformations you deliver are truly stunning. Side note: [For those interested in seeing these transformations, check out Fresh Coat Painters of Cary on Instagram and Facebook.] Starting a business is a huge accomplishment. Transitioning from corporate life to entrepreneurship must have been a challenge. What obstacles did you face, particularly as someone moving into a completely new industry?
Florence Ngollo: Oh, wow! There were so many challenges. Opening a business is hard enough, but imagine doing it in a new country where you’ve never lived before, without family or friends to support you. Coming from a corporate background, I had never been an entrepreneur. I worked in finance and accounting for international companies at an executive level, but stepping into the painting business was a completely new experience for me. And as a woman in this industry, the challenges were even greater. Thankfully, my corporate background gave me a strong foundation in numbers and people management. For example, when preparing quotes, I’m able to quickly calculate costs, margins, and break-even points. This ensures that the quotes we provide are accurate and fair. Having managed teams in the past also helped me lead my business effectively. But despite those advantages, it was still tough. Starting a business in a new country without a support system and transitioning away from the corporate world I was used to was a huge adjustment. There’s so much more I could share about the challenges and how I overcame them, but that’s a story for another time.
REVE INSIDERS: Fresh Coat Painters has a strong commitment to the community, and you’ve touched on that a bit. How do you personally ensure that your business stays connected to and supports the local community?
Florence Ngollo: I’m very involved in the community. I’m part of several local organizations and maintain a strong online presence. I regularly meet people in our community, and we give back to various organizations. Having been in business for over seven years, I’ve built a strong database of contacts. I connect with them through newsletters and other channels. I’m very active and engaged in maintaining those relationships.
REVE INSIDERS: You’re also very active in giving back. You’re always there to help, and you’re part of many groups empowering women. You inspire women entrepreneurs and provide strong support for them. Could you walk us through the process of booking an on-site consultation for someone interested in transforming their space?
Florence Ngollo: Most people find us online, through past clients, or from word-of-mouth recommendations by neighbors, family, or friends. The first step is to either call us or book an appointment through our website. We also have forms available on Facebook and other social media platforms. Once an appointment is booked, we visit the site to discuss the project, take measurements, and put together a detailed proposal. We’re very focused on listening to our clients and understanding their vision. With our experience, we provide great advice and free consultations, whether or not the client chooses to hire us. I’m always transparent. If I don’t have an immediate answer, I consult my lead painter, who has over 30 years of experience, or other experts in the field. This ensures that clients receive accurate and trustworthy information. After discussing the project, we provide a quote—usually on-site—and clients can decide immediately or take some time to think it over. We also send quotes via email, and everything can be signed online. Once signed, we schedule the project and get started.
REVE INSIDERS: You also offer a wide range of services. Could you elaborate on those and share any upcoming projects?
Florence Ngollo: We handle residential and commercial painting, both interior and exterior. We also offer wallpaper and popcorn ceiling removal, drywall and siding repair, and more. Recently, we expanded with a home repair and renovation company called Flo’s Home Repair and Renovation. We now provide services like flooring and backsplash installation. For upcoming projects, we’re excited about a large residential project—a million-dollar home where we’ll be doing extensive interior painting. The owners were fantastic to work with, and I’m really looking forward to it. We also take on smaller projects, like a nursery for a client who had heard great things about us. While it’s below our usual minimum, I wanted to help, so we scheduled it. Helping people is what I love most.
REVE INSIDERS: The tagline of Fresh Coat Painters of Cary is, “We take the pain out of painting.” It’s both clever and reassuring. How do you ensure this commitment is consistently delivered to all your customers?
Florence Ngollo: I personally conduct almost 100% of the walkthroughs myself, unless a client specifically tells me, “Florence, you don’t need to come. I’m happy, and I’ll send you the check.” As a woman, I often notice details others might miss. Our commitment is to do the job right the first time, but if something goes wrong, I make sure it’s addressed. I never let my clients down, even if it means losing money. I’m deeply committed to quality because I understand its value, and I wouldn’t want anyone paying for quality and receiving subpar work. Touch-ups are a normal part of the process, which is why I conduct the walkthroughs with the client. Sometimes they don’t even see the issues I notice, and they appreciate my attention to detail. They often say, “You have a great eye!” That’s just who I am—I ensure my team fixes any problems at no extra cost because that’s what the client has paid for: quality. This is why I still handle almost every walkthrough personally. It’s not just about meeting a tagline; it’s about delivering on a promise.
REVE INSIDERS: Absolutely. Another interesting feature of your business is the payment options you offer. Customers don’t have to pay upfront—they can pay in installments. Can you share more about that, and also about your referral program?
Florence Ngollo: Yes, we offer flexible payment options, which is especially helpful in my industry. Many of our clients are preparing homes for sale, and when you’re selling a house, you don’t always want to spend money on it. However, as any realtor will tell you, painting a home is a great way to increase its value. To help with this, we created a program allowing clients to paint their homes and pay over six months with zero interest and no money down. You can pay monthly or in a lump sum, as long as it’s within six months. This sets us apart from competitors, and it doesn’t cost more. We also have a referral program. If you refer us, we send you a gift card as a thank-you. In December, we go a step further—this year, we’re offering a free room painting for a client who has referred us a lot of business. It’s our way of showing gratitude and giving back.
REVE INSIDERS: Incredible. For anyone in North Carolina, Florence also serves areas like Raleigh, Morrisville, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Chapel Hill, and Durham.
Florence Ngollo: Yes, we cover the Triangle area. Feel free to reach out—we’d love to help and answer any questions you have.
REVE INSIDERS: Now, owning a business can be demanding. How do you prioritize wellness for yourself and your team, given the busy nature of entrepreneurship?
Florence Ngollo: In the painting industry, we work almost every day, but we make it a point not to work on Sundays. That’s our day for family and self-care. I also promote exercise within my team. Personally, I work out daily and recently started Pilates, which I love. It has changed my life. For me, maintaining a healthy mind and body is crucial, and I encourage the same for my team. Balancing everything—running the business and wearing all the different hats—is challenging, but I believe it’s important to find that balance.
REVE INSIDERS: Love that. As a woman empowering other women and someone who has pivoted careers, what is your advice to a young woman considering a leap into entrepreneurship or starting out in her career?
Florence Ngollo: First of all, believe in yourself. You’ll always encounter people who tell you, “You can’t do it.” I was born in Cameroon, grew up in Europe, and later came to America to start a business. At the time, I still had a strong accent, and even though I’d worked for international corporations in Europe and spoke English, people here had a hard time understanding me. That was frustrating because I knew what I wanted to say—I had great ideas and a clear vision—but the language barrier sometimes got in the way. It felt discouraging, but I kept believing in myself. I knew I was a hardworking and goal-oriented person. When I want something, I give myself the opportunity to achieve it. Even if I don’t have all the answers, I find people who do. So, my advice is to believe in yourself, set goals, and work toward them. Know what you want in life, and don’t be afraid of hearing “no.” A “no” won’t kill you—it will make you stronger. When faced with challenges or setbacks, get back up and keep pushing forward. Another key piece of advice for anyone starting a business is networking.
When I came here, I didn’t have friends or family. I relied on GPS and went everywhere I could to meet people. After about three or four years, I remember being on-site for a job. I met a designer who introduced me to another business owner, a woman in marketing. The designer said, “Have you met Florence? She owns a painting company.” The marketer responded, “If you’ve been in business in the Triangle for the past three years and haven’t met Florence, you should question what you’re doing for your business. She’s everywhere!” Networking was my secret sauce. Nobody knew me or Fresh Coat Painters in this area. I had to make sure people heard about us. Now, I don’t network as much because I’m busier, but back then, it was vital to building my business. So, my advice is: believe in yourself, set goals, don’t let negative voices hold you back, work hard, and network as much as possible.
REVE INSIDERS: Amazing advice. Thank you so much, Florence. You’ve been spectacular. Thank you for sharing all those gems with us. Once again, we value creativity, quality, and wellness. We are on a journey to pursue these things, meet wonderful people, and share inspiring stories like Florence’s. Until next time, thank you!
Florence Ngollo: Thank you so much. Bye!
