We’re excited to welcome Mike Watson to the Induron team! Mike will be working with painting contractors, facility owners and engineers to effectively use Induron’s innovative yet proven products in Georgia. His go-getter attitude and passion for helping customers bring value to their businesses make him a great addition to the Induron family. To learn a little more about Mike, check out this Q&A.
Q: Tell us about your background and how you came to work for Induron.
A: After high school, I spent a year working for a commercial plumbing company. To better myself and avoid going into debt to pay for college, I decided to join the Army. I spent a total of 6 years in the Army between active and reserve and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. I started college at Kennesaw State University as a 23-year-old freshman and graduated in 3 ½ years with a degree in Professional Sales.
Before graduating, I interviewed with several companies and ended up taking a Maintenance Specialist role with PPG. When I joined PPG, I had no coating experience, but I dove head-first into the industry. I joined multiple networking organizations and reached out to industry experts. While working at PPG, I had a lot of success and won rep of the year in 2016 for the maintenance segment. I also received two promotions moving from the maintenance side to the commercial contractor segment.
Davies and I were connected in mid-May. A quick phone call with Davies turned into an hour, and then an in-person meeting the following week. After visiting with Davies, Jeff and Ben, I felt strongly that Induron, with its core family values and relationship-based business strategy, was something I wanted to be a part of.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about working for Induron so far?
A: Induron’s family atmosphere is polar opposite from my time in the military and working for a big corporation. During the interview process, everyone was concerned about getting to know me, my wife and my 10-month-old daughter, Ellison. I truly believe everyone I have spoken with at Induron wants me to succeed, and I feel like I have joined more of a family than a company.
Q: What’s the most challenging part about your job?
A: In business, you are always going to encounter competition and road blocks. After speaking with some customers already, I’ve learned that the competition has pretty deep footholds in Georgia. I look forward to finding ways to bring value to my customers and engineers and hurdle these roadblocks.
Q: What’s your favorite part about what you do?
A: I have always wanted to work in sales because I love people. I enjoy meeting new people from all walks of life. Working with customers and finding ways to help bring value to their business is a true passion of mine.
Q: Tell us about a project you’ve worked on that you’re especially proud of.
A: In my previous role, I worked with MARTA. They were having issues with the profile of the concrete stairs wearing down at a few of their stations. Without the profile, there was a huge concern for slips and falls. I was able to propose a product that could be applied by maintenance staff to alleviate this project going out to bid, which saved MARTA 20k+ and enabled MARTA’S maintenance staff to pick up some overtime before Christmas.
Q: Are you seeing any new trends in the protective coatings industry?
A: Lower Volatile Organic Compounds has been a big focal point in recent years.
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
A: My father always told me a man is only as good as his word.
Q: If you could have dinner with any person living or dead, who would it be and why?
A: I would have to say my father. We lost him about 2 years ago unexpectedly, and we all miss him dearly.
Q: What person has had the biggest influence on your life and why?
A: Fran Ellison, my platoon Sargent while in Afghanistan, taught me so much about life. She worked in a male-dominated profession, but was able to skillfully negotiate her way past people’s egos and build relationships with them.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: “You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want” -Zig Ziglar
Q: Tell us a little about your family, pets and/or hobbies.
My wife Amy and I have been together for a total of 11 years and going on 5 years of marriage. We met on the beach in Destin, FL, where I am originally from, in 2005 and started dating two years after that. She has been my rock and helped me push through so many of life’s challenges from coming home from war to starting college as a 23-year-old freshman. For the past 5 and a half years my wife, and our 7-year-old hound/collie mix have lived in Woodstock, GA. In September of 2017, we welcomed our daughter, Ellison, into the world. Now, as a 10-month old, she has begun talking and should be walking soon. My hobbies, while not spending time with family, include working out, playing golf or beach volleyball. I also enjoy watching sports. My teams are Alabama Football, Braves Baseball, Atlanta Falcons, and new to the list, Atlanta United.
Q: Where is your favorite place to be?
A: My house. To me, there is nothing better than sleeping in my own bed and waking up to my daughter saying “mama” and “dada” over the monitor. I also have a man cave with 3 TVs that I am particularly proud of. We enjoy hosting friends and family while watching sports and grilling out.
Q: If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
I would love to be a long snapper for an NFL game. Football has always been a passion of mine, and I enjoyed playing in high school and some in college.