Podcast Summary

Podcast: Becoming UnDone
Episode: 146 | Brandon McCoy: Turning Passion for Custom Paint into a Thriving Career
Host: Toby Brooks
Guest: Brandon McCoy, Gooch Customs
Date: January 18, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode spotlights Brandon McCoy—better known as Gooch Customs—a custom paint and pinstriping artist whose journey from small-town Kansas to nationally recognized creator showcases grit, patience, creative risk-taking, and the power of forging your own path. Host Toby Brooks guides a wide-ranging discussion covering Brandon’s origin story, his drive to turn art into a sustainable business, and the importance of embracing uniqueness (down to his viral painted toilets). The episode explores the transformational moments and values that propelled Brandon’s career, offering practical advice and vivid stories for creatives and entrepreneurs alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Influences: Small Town Roots and Creative Curiosity

• Brandon grew up in a small Kansas town, raised by working-class family: “I know the tattoos and all that stuff doesn't look like small country boy, but they raised me as a man. I feel like a handshake is all you ever need.” (00:11)
• Art and cars were always twin fascinations: doodling in class, studying Mini Truck and Lowrider Magazines, breaking down paint jobs visually as a teen.
  • “For as long as I can remember, I've always been gravitated towards the art and paint jobs on cars.” (06:04)

2. Path to Profession: From Side Hustle to Main Gig

• Initially, art was a personal escape after work, not a career goal.
  • “It was like my escape. I come home from my job…practice pinstriping, practice airbrushing. It was always like a therapeutic, an escape.” (07:57)
• Attended college for art and tech school for auto paint, but found limited overlap between academic art and real-world custom jobs.
• Shifted to full-time art after realizing side work was outpacing day job earnings. Notably gave his employer a generous six-month notice.
  • “My art was always…an escape. I never approached it as, ‘I’m gonna do this for a living one day.’” (07:57)
  • “This is my six months notice. I'm not going to give you two weeks… Six months from now, if it's still like this, I'm out. And he's like, I respect that.” (09:37)
• Calculated risk in leaving stable work: planned his exit instead of an impulsive leap, ensuring the numbers made sense.
  • “The life that we want is being held ransom by the life that we've accepted.” (10:54)

3. Hustle & Growth: Car Shows, Community, and Social Media

• Broke into the mini truck scene via local shows in Missouri, leveraging word-of-mouth inside a tight-knit subculture.
  • “The mini truck scene's a pretty tight knit group. You kind of become—you need some pinstriping? Oh, Gooch, he's got you. He's the guy.” (17:17)
• Early days included scrappy moves—like buying a canopy only to return it after a show and charging $10 per hood.
• Social media exploded his reach:
  • “If social media wasn't the way it is now, I truly don't feel like I would be where I'm at…it's so, so easy for someone in Australia to see your work.” (13:53)
• Most work now is national, with commissions and invitations stemming from online exposure and car show appearances.

4. Breaking Through: Adaptation & The “Toilet” Moment

• Forced to leave painting out of his rented apartment garage after a neighbor’s complaint, he turned this setback into a growth milestone.
  • “I should have done that a long time ago because the second I had I got my shop…it just took off.” (27:36)
• Embraced painting unusual items (not just cars) to stand out at large events like SEMA:
  • “Paint something memorable…so I told myself, next year...I need to paint something that's gonna get someone's attention from like 50ft away, and then that's gonna bring them in.” (37:08)
• Viral toilets: Painted a “killer 90s mini truck inspired paint job on a standard porcelain toilet,” which became a social media sensation and recurring commission.
  • “They’re cool because there’s no limitations. I go crazy on this thing. I’m not trying to please anybody except myself.” (38:41)

5. Creative Process, Perfection, and Customer Relationships

• Reads each client’s aesthetic and draws on era-aware cues to design custom work.
  • “The first process doesn't start with the vehicle. It starts with the person…That's a driving force for when I start my paint jobs.” (19:06)
• Opposed to cookie-cutter or perfectionist mindsets, focusing instead on authenticity and pride.
  • “As an artist…it's impossible for art to be perfect…If it's perfect, it's not art. It's as simple as that.” (31:46)
  • “Nothing leaves my shop unless I'm proud of it…There's no other way around it.” (31:09)
• Willing to challenge customers:
  • “If I don’t think it looks good, I’m just going to tell you…I’d rather break your heart right up front.” (31:46–32:22)

6. Notable Projects: Talladega “Indy Killer” Truck

• Sanded out as a nationally-recognized project reimagining a classic truck for Twin States Hot Rod Shop, showcasing freedom, ‘90s nostalgia, and bold graphics.
  • “They wanted to have the ultimate indie pace truck…we want your version. If you had worked for Chevy in 1993, what paint job would you have put on it?” (41:53)
  • “That truck is so cool. The attention to detail…is just unreal. We were finishing each other’s sentences…It was a phenomenal experience.” (43:13)

7. Mindset & Advice: Persist, Teach, and Stay Humble

• Advice he’d give his younger self: Be patient, don’t doubt yourself too much, and know when to listen (or ignore) family and friends’ advice.
  • “Don't listen to compliments your grandma gives you…Take advice and criticism from people that know and are educated on what they're looking at.” (47:29)
• Wants to give back by teaching more—blunt about tricks of the trade:
  • “I always tell people…if you’re at all interested in pinstriping, come back here and give it a try… I really like to do that, and I really like to teach.” (54:38)
• Remains approachable and unpretentious:
  • “I get that all the time…‘I know you’re probably never going to respond to this’…I'm just a paint guy, man. What's up? What are we painting on today?” (57:04)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On perseverance:
  “The life that we want is being held ransom by the life that we’ve accepted.” — Toby Brooks (10:54)
• On art and imperfection:
  “As an artist…it's impossible for art to be perfect. If it's perfect, it's not art.” — Brandon McCoy (31:46)
• On honesty with clients:
  “If I don’t think it looks good, I’m just going to tell you…If me and you can’t see eye to eye, I’m not your artist.” — Brandon (32:09)
• On viral creativity:
  “The idea was simple. Paint something memorable, something that leaves an impression, something no one had really seen before…I knew it was getting attention because people were walking up going, ‘Oh my God, we found it! We found it!’” — Toby Brooks & Brandon (38:41–40:06)
• On community and giving back:
  “If I can help the next cat come up…Maybe push him to take the next step, I want everybody to win.” — Brandon (54:38)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Brandon’s upbringing and handshake ethos: 00:11
• Discovering passion for automotive art: 06:04
• Art as escape, not initial career plan: 07:57
• Turning side hustle into career (six-month notice): 09:37
• The “life held ransom” insight by host: 10:54
• Breaking into the car show/mini truck scene: 13:53–17:17
• Creative process and customer relationships: 19:06–21:40, 31:46
• Getting fired in Florida, apartments to own shop: 22:24–27:36
• First viral painted toilet at SEMA: 37:08–38:41
• Indy Killer/Talladega pace truck project: 41:53–46:27
• Advice to younger self: 47:29
• On teaching and giving back: 54:38
• Brandon’s approachability: 57:04

Closing Reflection

Brandon McCoy’s story on Becoming UnDone is not one of a dramatic collapse followed by a comeback, but rather a narrative of steady, intentional growth—powered by relentless work, adaptation, creative risk, and humility. His refusal to conform to perfectionist or “cookie-cutter” standards stands as advice for all creatives: stay obsessed, remain proud (not perfect), keep your voice distinct, and help others along the way.

Guest Social Media Links

• Instagram: @gooch_customs
• TikTok: GoochCustoms
• Personal Facebook: Brandon McCoy
• Business Facebook: Gooch Customs (less active)

Theme Songs Mentioned

• Social Distortion – “Winners and Losers” (52:14)
• Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Soul to Squeeze” (53:39)

For More

• Brandon’s portfolio and tutorials: Instagram/TikTok @gooch_customs
• Episode notes and links: unownpodcast.com/ep146
• Show host on socials: @tobybrooksphd

This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered how to turn what they love into what they do—reminding us that falling apart isn’t always part of the story, but rising into authenticity always is.