Countless college roommates have had lasting friendships, but it’s far rarer for those friendships to translate into successful business partnerships. For Dave Medeiros and Kevin Ripston, their library study sessions over chemical engineering forged a friendship that has lasted decades, and now, it’s sparked the business that’s transforming garages across the South Shore. 

“We’ve been daring each other to start a business together since college,” Kevin said. 

After graduating from University of Massachusetts at Amherst, the two forged careers in industry, Dave at Dow Chemical first before embarking on construction and development; Kevin at a firm called Rogers Corporation and eventually Aspen Aerogels. At Aspen Aerogels, Kevin worked closely with innovative insulation technology that ends up going into electric vehicle batteries. The two covered a range of specialties and industries, working on everything from supply chain management to process engineering and operations. 

And before Garage Kings, Dave was no stranger to entrepreneurship. After Dow, he left to start a construction business with another friend. Over the course of a decade, they navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship, building a successful construction business from the ground up. Eventually, the co-founder bought Dave out around 2021, and once he was equipped with all the expertise needed to start and scale a business, Dave joined Kevin at Aspen Aerogels. Soon, they were both headed to a career that combined their passion for entrepreneurship and delivering excellent service with their technical engineering, construction, and coating expertise. 

The transition to Garage Kings was a natural evolution for Dave and Kevin, drawing upon their operational backgrounds and industry expertise. With Dave's experience in construction and a network of industry contacts, coupled with Kevin's corporate engineering background in coating, they set their sights on transforming residential garages with innovative concrete coatings.

Garage Kings, born out of a shared desire to pursue entrepreneurship and a passion for transforming spaces, quickly gained momentum. In almost no time, the team began transforming garages for clients across the South Shore.

“The process transforms a garage from a place that just stores junk to a beautiful, organized, functional and aesthetic space.”

To begin the Garage Kings transformation process, clients first clear their garage space of belongings—and Garage Kings even offers storage trailers for those belongings. Once the area is prepared, the meticulous concrete coating process commences, serving as the foundation for the entire renovation. This involves a rigorous grinding and surface preparation phase, making sure that the concrete surface is roughened to expose its pores. This meticulous preparation allows the foundational base layer to seep into the concrete's peaks and valleys, forming both a mechanical and chemical bond for lasting adhesion. 

Once the base layer is in place, vinyl decorative flakes are embedded adding the color pattern each customer desires. Finally, a top coat boasting UV, chemical, and impact resistance is applied, ensuring a durable, long-lasting finish with warranties ranging from 10 years to lifetime guarantees. Then, if clients wish to explore more than flooring, Garage Kings offers custom cabinetry, slatwall solutions, and garage door installation to complete the transformation from a cluttered and disorganized space to a beautifully organized and functional garage.

“The transformation can just make the house feel like a better space altogether. And garage doors can be the unsung hero of a home on the market. When you’re selling, a polished garage door is an excellent investment.”

From the outset, Garage Kings has distinguished itself with a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. With a dedicated team comprising seasoned professionals and driven individuals, they’ve turned garages into sustainably beautiful spaces. 

As they continue to expand their operations, Dave and Kevin remain grounded in their shared values of integrity, quality, and customer-centricity. With a focus on driving a culture of safety and excellence, they are poised to scale new heights in the world of home renovation.

Outside of transforming garages across the South Shore, Dave and Kevin find fulfillment in their families. Each partner has a wife and two daughters  between the ages of eight and 12. The families enjoy being outdoors, skiing, and attending Ninja Warrior courses. Balancing work and family life, they embody the ethos of perseverance and passion that defines Garage Kings. With a shared vision and unwavering determination, they are primed to leave an indelible mark on the industry and inspire aspiring entrepreneurs for years to come.