Initially, the young Dave Nizankiewicz's painting was something he did on the side while working as a volunteer on Pat Robertson's 1987 Presidential campaign. Taking note of Dave's dedication, the campaign hired him to work in accounts payable. His work there in turn led to a job with CBN's Operation Blessing. It was when he first ventured out to start his own paint contracting business that he did some painting on Pat Robertson's house.

Dave began his business in 1995. Today he still loves painting and being in business for himself.

For more than two decades, Dave primarily painted residential homes. He found that putting his own sign in the yard of a client whose house he was painting brought calls from neighbors interested in having their home painted as well. That and referrals from happy clients were all that he needed to establish a long and successful career.

Recently, Dave considered specializing in revitalizing kitchen cabinets. "The kitchen is such an important part of a home," Dave explains. "Cabinets can beautify the home and be customized to the homeowner's taste. They can be painted any color a client wants and can even be coordinated with countertops or floors. And I love to see the wow expression on my customers' faces when seeing the job completed!"

Because the kitchen is such a central part of the home, one popular home improvement is replacing the kitchen cabinets. As a painter, Dave knows how the right paint can make older cabinets look new. Knowing how expensive it can be to replace kitchen cabinets, he understands how much money can be saved by simply refinishing them!

Dave named this division of his painting business Dave's Cabinet Painting and Refinishing. He points out that the first letters of those words- CPR- perfectly describe what happens!

Most cabinets are still functional but need to be brought up to date. "I remove the doors first and paint the base cabinets," Dave explains. "Then I clean, sand, and refinish the doors, being careful to use a good primer." Asked which colors are most popular, Dave notes that white and other neutral colors such as beige and cream top the list. But, he can apply any color that pleases the homeowner.

When he puts the doors back on the cabinets, the wow factor is immediate. "That's my favorite moment," Dave smiles, adding that he is usually as excited by the result as the homeowners.

Specializing in painting and refinishing cabinetry has an additional benefit. "There's less ladder work," David says. "Focusing on kitchen cabinets is easier on my body. I can take the work home to refinish, and because I can do the work inside, I don't have to worry about being "rained out.'" While excited about this new focus, Dave still does some house painting work- both inside and outside.

Married 27 years now, Dave's wife, Susan, kept the business books while homeschooling their two adopted children when they were younger. Now grown, their daughter, Lili, is interested in teaching and writing and is working on her master's degree at ODU. Their son, Luke, is in the Navy, about to become a submariner.

"The best thing about my work," Dave shares, "is meeting a variety of people. I love people and just making a difference in their homes, giving the immediate satisfaction of the home improvement aspect, is satisfying to me as well."

Sometimes while working at a client's home, Dave meets many of their neighbors. It was that way years ago when he painted one home after another in Chesapeake's Las Gaviotas. The houses were evidently at the right age to be repainted, and he enjoyed meeting so many of the residents.

Dave's jobs included tweaking Ronald McDonald's statue on the park bench in front of the Ronald McDonald House! Along with Pat Robertson's house, that makes two famous clients. Since it is said that things usually come in threes, we'll keep heads up!

Dave also shares one of his more nerve-wracking  experiences. "I was painting inside the home of an elderly lady who owned the biggest German Shepherd I'd ever seen. He was extremely protective of his owner. The entire time I was painting in her house, this huge dog sat right there, watching my every move. I got the work done, but I was sweating the entire time!" Dave recalls, laughing.

"I always wanted my own business, working with my hands- and now I do," Dave concludes. He is a man who exudes integrity and satisfaction with his life and is frequently called back to do additional work. No surprise.