From Schoolyard Hustles to Branding Trucks
The Raw Journey of Chris from CL Visual
Why His Story Matters
Chris’ journey isn’t about luck or clean success. It’s real, gritty, and rooted in blue-collar work ethic. For tradespeople and entrepreneurs alike, it’s a reminder that the path to growth doesn’t require perfection—just persistence and smart pivots.
The Candy Kingpin Days
“I bought Warheads for three cents, sold ’em for a quarter. By fifth grade, I had kids in every class moving product,” Chris says. His empire ended when his mom found out—but the itch to hustle never left.
School didn’t spark his fire. “I aced tests but never did homework. Teachers hated that.” But working summers in carpentry with his uncle did. “If I retired tomorrow, I’d open a cabinet shop just to tinker.”
Flooring, Recession & Finding a Lane
At 20, Chris ran a flooring business during the housing boom. Then the 2008 crash hit. A job installing floors for a printer turned into something bigger: “Help me fix my sales. Stay on.” That became the spark for CL Visual.
Not everything worked. A failed apparel venture reminded him to stay in his lane. He leaned into what worked: wrapping trucks for trades. “HVAC companies don’t need flashy ads. They need trucks that scream trust when they roll up.”
Why Vehicle Wraps Work
CL Visual does it all: design, print, install—fast and in-house. “Most of my clients get bought by private equity. Their brand has to look sharp,” Chris says.
Speed is key. “We wrap 30 trucks in a week. No room for screw-ups.” But it’s more than vehicles. “We do shirts, logos, everything. If it has your name on it, we make it look pro.”
The philosophy? A truck wrap isn’t an ad—it’s a handshake. Make it count.
The Reality of Hiring & Seasons
“Finding workers who care?” Chris sighs. “Out of 20 hires, maybe two have that old-school grit.” He trains installers for months, but turnover stings. “You invest a year in someone, then they bounce. It’s brutal.”
And winter? Tougher. “60-degree winters crush my HVAC clients. I’ve tapped credit lines just to cover payroll.” Still, he refuses to cut his crew. “Lose good guys, and you’re screwed when summer hits.”
Chris’ No-BS Advice
Start Early, Fail Fast
“Selling candy taught me margins. Failing early taught me to pivot.”
Own Your Niche
“HVAC wraps? Boring? Hell no. It’s recession-proof if you do it right.”
Hire Before You’re Drowning
“Train slow or drown in chaos later.”
Branding = Trust
“It’s not just vinyl—it’s your reputation rolling down the street.”
CL Visual isn’t just about vinyl. It’s about helping contractors look the part so they can land the jobs, grow the business, and build something lasting. Whether it’s HVAC, plumbing, or electrical—if your fleet’s blank, you’re missing opportunities.
Want your trucks to turn heads and close deals? Chris and his crew are ready. No fluff, no gimmicks. Just clean design, pro execution, and results that stick.
