Derek Candelore is a Pittsburgh-based entrepreneur, franchisor, and business leader whose journey has been shaped by resilience, discipline, and a commitment to continuous growth. As the founder and owner of Roman Paint Pros, he has built a respected company known for high standards, strong systems, and a focus on delivering quality work without cutting corners.
Growing up was not always easy. Derek lost his father at a young age and experienced his parents’ divorce when he was 11. Financial stability was often a challenge. Those early hardships taught him the value of hard work and personal responsibility. Rather than allowing setbacks to define him, he used them as motivation to create a different future for himself and his family.
Before becoming a successful business owner, Derek pursued several passions. He was a record-setting wide receiver who still holds the PIAA and WPIAL record for average yards per catch. He later became an undefeated regional Golden Gloves heavyweight boxer. He also owned Apex Fitness Center and coached high school football, experiences that helped shape his leadership style and competitive mindset.
In 2010, Derek founded Roman Paint Pros with a simple goal: build a real business based on systems, accountability, and exceptional service. Over the years, he transformed the company into a growing franchise organization while also becoming a national business development trainer and instructor for the Small Business Development Center.
Today, Derek remains focused on family, business growth, and giving back to his community. Married to his wife Laura for nearly two decades and the father of four children, he believes success is measured not only by business achievements but also by the impact made on the people who matter most. His story reflects the power of perseverance, lifelong learning, and the belief that consistent effort can create extraordinary results.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Before I look at emails or my phone, I spend time in prayer, meditation, and planning. Then I usually get in a high-intensity workout or some form of exercise. That clears my head and gets me focused. From there, I spend most of my day working on Roman Paint Pros, supporting franchisees, reviewing systems, and making sure we’re delivering on our promises to clients. The biggest thing that keeps me productive is structure. I don’t leave much to chance.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I start by simplifying them. A lot of people have ideas. The difference is execution. I break ideas into systems and processes. If it can’t be repeated, measured, and improved, it usually stays an idea. That’s how I’ve built my business.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The increasing availability of business education and mentorship. Twenty years ago, it was much harder to learn directly from successful people. Today you can access world-class knowledge from anywhere if you’re willing to put in the work.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Constant learning. I’m always joining mentoring groups, listening to successful people, and looking for ways to improve. The moment you think you’ve figured everything out is usually when you start falling behind.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Stop worrying about what other people think. Most people who doubt you won’t be around when you’re successful anyway. I’d also tell myself that failure isn’t something to avoid. It’s something to learn from.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think most people quit far too early. They mistake temporary setbacks for permanent failure. In my experience, the biggest breakthroughs usually happen right after the point where most people give up.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Track everything. Whether it’s business metrics, fitness goals, or personal habits, people improve what they measure.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I go back to basics. I work out. I pray. I spend time with my family. Then I make a simple list and focus on the next important task. Most overwhelm comes from trying to solve ten problems at once.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Building systems instead of relying on individuals. Early on, I made the mistake of trying to do everything myself. Eventually I realized that if the business depended on me being involved in every decision, it would never scale. We created systems for sales, operations, communication, and quality control. That allowed us to grow while maintaining standards.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One of my biggest failures was believing that hard work alone was enough. Early in business, I worked incredibly hard but didn’t have the right systems, mentors, or processes. I learned that effort without direction can waste years. Once I started investing in mentorship and learning from people who had already achieved what I wanted, everything changed.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Create a premium home maintenance membership. Most homeowners struggle to find reliable service providers. Build a membership model that includes annual inspections, maintenance reminders, and access to trusted contractors. People value convenience and trust.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Microsoft Excel. It isn’t flashy, but I use it constantly. Tracking key performance indicators, measuring growth, budgeting, forecasting, and monitoring franchise performance all become easier when the numbers are organized.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One book I’ve gone back to many times is The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber. It reinforces the idea that business owners should build systems instead of creating jobs for themselves. That lesson played a major role in how I scaled Roman Paint Pros.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I enjoy documentaries and business-focused content more than most entertainment. Recently, I watched several documentaries about elite athletes and championship teams. I find the mindset, discipline, and preparation fascinating because many of those lessons apply directly to business.
Key learnings
- Failure is often the beginning of growth, not the end of the journey.
- Building systems creates consistency and allows businesses to scale successfully.
- Mentorship can dramatically shorten the learning curve for entrepreneurs.