Today we’d like to introduce you to Mr. Mustache.
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Mr. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started off in a different kind of business, and though I was successful financially, I found myself dissatisfied with my life. With every dollar I made, I felt emptier and emptier. So, I got out. I had never wanted to be anything, but an artist/entertainer since I was a kid and not becoming that bothered me. I was outwardly successful, but on the inside, I was inauthentic as I had not become what I knew I was.
After I got out of that business, I took some time off to try and figure out what else work was for, if not just money. The question bothered me. It kept me up at night. Till one night, I had a dream. In the dream, I was already an old man sitting a painting easel in a studio, packing up my paints into my box one last time. It was my last day there after many years, and everyone around me was sad that I’d no longer be there. I woke up and immediately thought, “Contribution! That’s what else work is for!”
So with my lifelong desire to become an artist, I started thinking about who needs the gifts, skills, and talents that I have? Where is my contribution really needed? I went to a senior living facility, and they hired me to teach their Memory Care residents. I kept that class for months and eventually grew a funny mustache and started wearing a bow tie to help them remember me. It worked! They started calling me Mr. Mustache, and the name stuck! That’s how Mr. Mustache’s Very Caring Paint Class was born.
In the three years since then, I just kept going. Today I have hired other painting instructors called Mr. Mustache’s Paint Pal’s, and we have classes in every major Texas City. I train all of our artists not only on how to teach a class but also how to care about our students. Our mission together is to make the world a better, more caring place through the gift of painting. And we are succeeding! Today with giving painting classes to a wide range of facilities from senior living, daycares, and theme parks!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Anytime you’ve got a goal, you’ve got obstacles. But when you’ve got a mission and purpose, you find ways to overcome them and there have been many. I took a dramatic pay cut to do this. I was homeless for a time, which led me to create Mr. Mustache’s Very Caring Family Fund, which I hope in the future will help other families who find themselves in similar situations. Then, there is just the daily obstacles of running a business. Overcoming obstacles is a large part of my job. Creative thinking and problem-solving skills are essential in life and business!
Please tell us about your work.
Mr. Mustache’s Very Caring Paint Class is on a mission to make the world a better place through the gift of painting. Think Bob Ross meets Mr. Rogers. We teach people to paint while creating a Very Caring environment in our classrooms. What really sets us apart from other painting classes is that all of our instructors are not only taught to teach a class but to care about the student, I have also developed a method of painting specifically for senior citizens called the Silver Method which makes it easy for them. And all of our instructors are trained in The Very Caring Way. We give painting classes for a number of facilities, from senior living to daycares, to theme parks.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The most important characteristic of my success is an overwhelming desire to do good. My mission to make the world a more caring place drives me. I believe everyone’s purpose in life is to use their unique qualities, skills, and abilities in the service of others, and by doing that, you are making the world a better place for us all. Having a purpose gives you meaning and having meaning brings you fulfillment.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mrstaches.com
- Phone: 512-712-2402
- Email: contact@mrstaches.com
- Instagram: @mrmustachespaintclass
- Facebook: @mrmustachespainting
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
