A man of faith, giving back and integrity, Bobby Jenkins’ professional life mirrors his personal one. As the owner of Wilson Paint & Wallpaper in Wilson, North Carolina, Jenkins lives out his values with his employees, customers and community.
Jenkins purchased Wilson Paint in 2020. He had no background or experience in paint except as a real estate investor and an occasional shopper at the paint store he would eventually buy. Owner R.S. Harrison was ready to retire and asked Jenkins if he would be interested in purchasing the business from him.
“I didn’t want to get into another business necessarily, but I loved the idea of exploring the paint world and the opportunity that was there,” Jenkins says. “At the time, it had been a paint store for over 80 years and had this long legacy I was interested in continuing.”
Customers Come First
Because he wasn’t knowledgeable in all things paint when he took over the business, Jenkins relied on his vendors to educate him, taking classes so he could advise his customers. A sign hangs in the store that says, “Let your paint problem be our problem,” and Jenkins and his employees strive to solve every customer’s paint challenge.
“Whether it be staining or painting or any other related project, we learn all we can so our customers are happy with what they purchase from us,” Jenkins says.
Employees at Wilson Paint & Wallpaper help customers understand that choosing paint isn’t just about the color, but the product itself matters.
“We ask a lot of questions about location, lighting and wear and tear so we can be sure we’re selling them the right product,” Jenkins says.
Jenkins also stays involved in the community, and as the only minority
paint store owner in the state, he wants to continue shining a light on his business and others like his. On the store’s Facebook page, Jenkins highlights and promotes other local businesses.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be where I am. I’ll never forget one time asking God when I was a kid why he made me like he did, and he imprinted on my heart that I might not understand now, but will someday,” Jenkins says. “I see now why.”
Equipping the Next Generation
Jenkins’ commitment to the store’s legacy and the community shines in the apprenticeship program he started in 2022. The idea sprung from his own experiences growing up and wanting to support others in the way he had been championed.
“I was abandoned by my mom and dad, but my community stepped up for me,” Jenkins says. “They didn’t legally adopt me, but they adopted me emotionally and spiritually and helped me grow up into the man I am today.”
Even before he started the apprenticeship program, Jenkins’ heart for supporting youth ran deep. One of his other careers was as a bail bondsman and during that time, he would go to schools to speak to the children about their futures. Jenkins also started a program for at-risk students who are gifted in academics where he purchases pieces of property and allows those students to work on the property as long as they maintain a certain grade point average.
“We put the money they earn in the bank for them,” he says. “We coach them to help them figure out which path they really want, whether that’s college or the military or whatever. I get letters back all the time from different places and different kids, and they’re grown men and women now.”
Jenkins believes that everybody has been blessed with talents and gifts, they just need somebody to help them explore, channel and figure those gifts out.
“My passion is for mankind and helping people find where their talents and gifts are,” Jenkins says. “Whether it be in
paint, real estate, media or marketing, whatever it is, I feel a responsibility for helping the next generation. Growing up, my people always told me the world should be a better place once you leave it than it was before you got here.”
Jenkins connects with local schools, including Barton College and Wilson Community College, to find students interested in the apprenticeship program.
So far, Jenkins has brought six students into the apprenticeship program and is currently working on adding a seventh. Apprentices spend a lot of time with Jenkins, but also work with all of the store’s employees, who provide feedback to Jenkins on how they are doing and progressing in their role.
Several of the apprentices have stayed with the store, which Jenkins appreciates, but even more so, he wants them to go out and be where they are meant to be.
“Our current apprentice Ray is from Kansas City and came to us through Barton College where he also plays baseball. From the get go, he has been really good with customers and people love him, he didn’t need a lot of training,” Jenkins says. “He says he will stay with us, but even if he doesn’t, I know he will be successful. He had the natural abilities to start, and we’ve worked with him to dress appropriately, look people in the eyes, shake hands and be confident in what he’s talking about.”
Leaving a lasting impression on somebody they can take with them wherever they go is Jenkins’ main goal with the apprenticeship program.
“That’s how I live my life with these students. I take them as my own, and I want to share my experiences and knowledge with them so they can be successful,” Jenkins says. “We have a saying: We want to make that mark that cannot be erased.”
