Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Bolin.
Hi Tony, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I guess it is time to come clean: I started a business. But let’s start from the beginning.
I joined the Navy in 2018 when I felt it was the best decision to get me somewhere further than I thought Reno, Nevada (hone town) could take me. It allowed me to grow up, gain new experiences, meet new people, and see new things. I did this totally alone—I didn’t even tell my mom when I enlisted. Sorry again, Ma! While I served, I was blessed to find a temporary duty that allowed me to discover a niche, a passion of sorts. I never grew up expecting to be a “floor guy,” but I always had the dream of being my own boss. I only learned this trade late in my six years of service, so I spent the remainder of my time dreaming and scheming on how to make it happen.
I deployed aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower for her 23-24 deployment and returned home early in June 2024 to care for my wife and son while she underwent a rough recovery from surgery. I owe everything to my wife for believing in me and supporting this passion turned business. I talked her into paying the LLC costs to start Blupoxy Coatings, but that was just a tiny sliver of what it actually took to launch.
I also want to thank my parents for putting in the true work to make me the person I am today. For those who may not know me well, I am adopted. I came into my parents’ lives later than a traditional adoption, and I was very behind in a lot of ways. Even to this day, I still struggle with my mental health from the earliest parts of my life before being rescued from the system. I have pushed hard every day of my life; to be where I am is surreal. My lovely Mom always told me that if I got “hit” by unkind words or negativity, I should wake up the next day expecting something fresh and keep pushing. Thanks, Ma!
A year later, after a lot of “this isn’t possible” and “I will just fail,” I networked with amazing people who helped launch Blupoxy into a real business. Over the last year, I have felt high on life and absolutely down in the dumps with failure—from employment problems to bad work and working while sick as a dog. If I have learned one thing, it is the “never quit” mentality. Grit is the true word. I expect failure in year two and beyond, but the more it happens, the more I know we can improve and push toward success.
Even today, what we have built doesn’t feel real, even though I have worked countless days where I wake up on four hours of sleep and head into the next day with four more. I think anyone can do this; for me, it just came down to an absolute thirst for knowledge and growth. I think you can do it, too.
My long-term goal for Blupoxy aligns with many I work with in this industry, but what I truly want to make a reality is a better path for veteran success outside the service. When I separated from the Navy, it was a difficult time; I felt like my purpose had vanished, and I struggled with chronic anxiety and depression. Although I still navigate these things, I work on them daily. I bring this up because I know I am not alone; thousands of veterans feel this way for years after their service. If I could fulfill one dream, it would be to create or sponsor a nonprofit program that grants veterans purpose in the world of business—whether through startup costs, business rescue, or simply job opportunities. Money has never been my passion; I only need it to build a future for my family. I believe that our veterans, who sign their lives away to protect this country, deserve the honor of a chance for purpose again.
Every customer we have had to this day has contributed to this mission, and I am truly grateful. If you or anyone you know would benefit from my story, please share this. God is good, and there are many blessings to come for those who choose to see.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road. Employees not being good fits, not tracking margins, placing trust where it doesn’t belong.. doing things out of my “wheel house” you name it! Tons of failures.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Blupoxy Coatings?
Blupoxy Coatings LLC
What we do and our specialization:
Blupoxy Coatings LLC is a premier concrete coatings company specializing in high-performance polyurea and polyaspartic flooring systems. We pride ourselves on technical mastery—specifically in moisture vapor mitigation, precise chemical application (including 1000 cps viscosity control), and the installation of high-end decorative flake floors. From residential garages to large-scale 120,000+ square foot commercial projects, we treat every floor as an engineered asset.
What sets us apart:
Our differentiator is a marriage of technical expertise and data-driven business operations. Unlike many in the trades, we operate under the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) framework. This allows us to scale efficiently while maintaining rigid quality control, ensuring that our technical standards are consistent across every job site. We don’t just apply coatings; we provide sustainable, durable solutions backed by professional-grade project management.
What we are proud of:
We are most proud of our rapid, controlled growth. Founded in June 2024, we achieved $700,000 in gross revenue in our first year of operation. This milestone is a testament to our commitment to excellence, our focus on lead-to-close efficiency, and the trust our clients place in our brand. As we continue to expand—launching our second installation crew this summer—we remain dedicated to setting a new standard for reliability and performance in the concrete coating industry.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people see the finished, polished product, but they might not realize how much of my process is actually driven by data and scientific curiosity. Whether it’s analyzing moisture vapor mitigation or applying the EOS framework to scale the business, I approach this work more like a data-driven laboratory than a traditional contracting job. I’m just as passionate about the chemical physics of our coatings as I am about the business metrics that helped us hit $700,000 in our first year
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Blupoxy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blupoxycoatings
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HCgNZAUGY/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-bolin-211539345
