ESSAY BY BILLIE ASMUS
In 2021, my mornings began with tying my hair in a messy bun, pulling on my paint-stained overalls, grabbing my coffee and heading to my tiny basement studio to work on one of my many DIY projects. Fast forward to today, I’m flying across the United States, dressed in a blazer, speaking on stages with a fresh haircut, fueled by a passion for something I never imagined would become my life’s work.
I’ve always loved transforming furniture — breathing new life into old pieces while challenging my creativity and eye for design. It all started in high school when I begged my mom for new bedroom furniture because my current dresser didn’t fit my teenage “vibe.” She refused but eventually allowed me to paint it. With no knowledge of proper painting techniques or finishes, I headed to the hardware store, bought some paint and flipped my first piece of furniture. Although my paint roller stopped painting for years afterward, my creative spark never faded. Every room or piece of furniture felt like an opportunity.
After meeting a farmer from Iowa, we got married and bought a total fixer-upper on 22 acres. Just imagine burnt orange shag carpet in the bathroom and flickering fluorescent lights in a basement with missing ceiling tiles — that was our house. I figured after watching a few episodes on HGTV and “flipping” a dresser in 2008, I was ready for the challenge of flipping an entire house. It was a humbling experience; however, I gained invaluable skills and it reignited my love for DIY.
When our daughter was born, I decided to stay home instead of returning to work, so during her naps, I started flipping furniture again. Soon, I had a steady stream of clients booking months in advance to refinish and restore their furniture. But I kept running into the same problem: my paint trays. The paint would dry out if I set it aside when my daughter woke up. I tried every hack in the book — plastic bags, foil, Saran wrap — but nothing worked for extended periods.
One day, after hunching over my mudroom sink for the millionth time trying to save my crusty paint brushes, I looked over at my garbage filled with plastic paint tray liners thinking, I’ll just find a reusable silicone one or something with a lid, so I don’t have to keep doing this. I had this full-body chill moment after scouring the internet when nothing showed up. I realized I had two choices — continue with the status quo, or take this idea and run.
Nearly four years later, that reusable silicone paint tray liner and lid — now known as the Repaint Tray — is sold in over 400 Lowe’s stores across the United States. It was named 2025 Gear of the Year by Popular Mechanics, alongside brands like Yeti, DeWalt and Milwaukee. The Repaint Tray has been featured on Good Morning America, and I’ve shared my story on the Weather Channel. Plus, our first inventory run sold out within four months of launching, and the product has received worldwide recognition.
Most days, I wonder how I got here — how an idea grew into something this big. Other days, I feel immense pride reflecting on the hard work and determination that brought me to this point. I didn’t let doubt or outside voices stop me, all while raising my daughter and having a second child in the process. I couldn’t have done it alone, though. My husband, friends, family and community have been instrumental, whether cheering me on, helping with my pitch or babysitting the kids.
People often ask how I got started or how I knew what to do. The truth is, I didn’t. I didn’t know how to build a prototype, raise capital or start manufacturing. But not knowing didn’t mean I couldn’t do it. I chose to never stop learning, asking questions or staying curious, because I knew I’d never find out unless I tried.
Success doesn’t come without struggles, doubts or fears. It won’t happen overnight without some form of risk or sacrifice. It won’t come without judgment or criticism of you or your product. However, the moment you shift your mindset, believe in the impossible and follow your passions, incredible things start to happen. Then next thing you know, it isn’t just you standing alone in a room with your dreams; it becomes a stadium full of people who believe in your vision just as much as you do.
It’s a surreal feeling to stand on those stages now inspiring others, knowing it all began with a messy paint tray, and an idea. My hope is that my journey is a testament to the power of curiosity, determination and a willingness to chase after something you believe in — even if you don’t know where to start.
Billie Asmus, an inventor and entrepreneur, combined her passion for DIY projects and the demands of everyday motherhood into a groundbreaking invention. Experiencing the inefficiencies of standard plastic paint trays, she created the “Repaint Tray” – a reusable paint tray liner and lid, addressing several common yet overlooked problems in painting. This eco-friendly and practical invention hit the shelves of Lowe’s in November 2024 across the United States, showcasing Asmus’ commitment to practical solutions and sustainability.