By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

For the past several decades, Detroit Lakes area native Bruce Beck has been painting, making carpentry repairs, snow blowing and everything in between. Beck started his painting contracting company Lakes Painting, LLC 29 years ago and has been hard at work ever since.

“Anyone can paint!” said Beck. “It is not hard, most of us learn in kindergarten, however, it depends on what type of outcome you want your project to look like. I have always been taught quality.”

Having previously worked with his dad and brother as a painter and as a carpenter for area contractors, he decided to start his own contracting business after his father looked towards retirement. He has always enjoyed being able to work when and where he chooses, especially as someone who enjoys doing the work. He commented that he would “go nuts” if he had to sit around all day.

“When I first started, my work was mostly interior and exterior homes and apartments,” said Beck. “As years went by, I was able to build a shop with a spray booth in Detroit Lakes. The biggest investment for my business was the shop, built in 2005, and that contributed the most to my business growth.

“I was hired by contractors to spray trim, doors, and cabinets,” he continued. “Color matching stain is a bit of an art and so is spraying. Once you are trusted by contractors and word gets around, you end up doing complete new builds or existing home renovations.”

Beck said that he has never advertised in all of his years in business, rather he relies on word of mouth recommendations from his customers, many of whom become repeat clients and even start to feel like family.

“I enjoy meeting people and also helping them out with their projects,” he said. “The lakes area has never lacked in properties being built or restored. When you meet home owners and get a feel for what they want in the project, you make a connection with the family which develops into a new customer for years to come.”

Beck and his wife, Robyn, purchased a cabin on Rush Lake, between New York Mills and Ottertail, nearly 10 years ago and recently moved in after Robyn’s retirement. Beck doesn’t intend to retire anytime soon, however, as he enjoys the business and relationships he’s built over the years.

“In 2016, my wife and I decided to look at lake cabins,” he said. “We saw a listing on Rush Lake. The neighbors, Marco and Nancy Olsen, were outside and visited with us at length about the area. After meeting them, we bought the property—we had not even seen the inside of the cabin!

“When you meet folks that treat you with kindness and are immediately like family, you just know that this is the spot for you,” he continued. “Almost 10 years later, we have moved here permanently. I have built another shop on this property and sold my previous shop to my brother.”

Beck still commutes to Detroit Lakes for his business, but has decided to expand a little closer to his new home in the NY Mills and Ottertail area. His services include, but are not limited to painting, patching, minor repairs, hanging blinds, pictures, carpentry repairs and even snow blowing.

“If I can’t do the work, I usually know someone that I can refer them to,” he said. “I would like to continue to keep working as long as the work is there and I am able to do the job. I hope people remember me for quality work, a friendly voice and always willing to help.”

Along with expanding his business to the greater Rush Lake area, he does intend to spend some more time working on his lake home and enjoying the other opportunities the area has to offer. You can get a hold of Beck at (218) 841-4254 for questions and quotes.