The Great Franchisee | Local Financial Director Opens House Doctors in Gastonia To Provide Dependable Repair and Remodeling Services

Matt Dowd was a financial director at Enterprise for 25 years, where he learned the value of customer service. After retiring, he wanted to find a way to work for himself while serving his community. Dowd discovered House Doctors, which immediately changed how he thought of franchising and business ownership. He couldn’t wait to bring the home service brand to the Gastonia area.

Dowd opened House Doctors in Gastonia on September 12. He is already looking to grow his business portfolio with the House Doctor’s parent company, Premium Service Brands, by opening more businesses under their umbrella in the future. Dowd is excited to bring reliable, honest, and transparent service while providing jobs for those who live in the community.

1851 Franchise spoke with Dowd to learn more about his franchising journey with House Doctors.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Matt Dowd: I worked for Enterprise as a financial director for 25 years until I retired in 2021. I started talking to a franchise consultant over the next year. I spent nine months looking into different franchises. Franchising made sense to me because of the support the franchisor provides for the new business venture. Today, a business relies heavily on creating a social presence on various platforms. They are also providing the framework for a successful business venture.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Dowd: I didn’t have a positive perception before becoming a franchisee. I wanted full control of my business and wasn’t looking to add overhead expenses that maybe I didn’t agree with.

When I understood the support business model they offered, I realized how valuable a franchise is.

1851: What makes you stand out as business owners in your local community?

Dowd: I think we are people people. We work hard and have fun doing it. My entire career has been involved in making the customer's experience better. If you have ever had a home repair person at your home, you understand how intrusive and unnerving it can be. We are heavily involved in the community and focus on the customer. This will set us apart from other companies.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Dowd: Premium Service Brands made me feel comfortable throughout my entire research of various franchisors. Their goals and beliefs align with mine, and I’m excited to continue with them and have the possibility to stack companies. You can tell a lot about a company from its employees.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Dowd: The ultimate goal is to improve the customer's experience in the home repair industry. If we succeed, our business will be successful. If successful, we can then start stacking other PSB brands delivering the same great customer service.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Dowd: I chose this industry based on personal experiences. You’re opening your home and family to a stranger. In fact, 2 out of our first 5 jobs were fixing poor work done by other companies. At House Doctors, all our technicians are insured, licensed, and undergo an extensive background check. We are fully trained in all areas of the business and guarantee our work. Lastly, we are honest, transparent, and dependable.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Dowd: I would recommend getting a good franchise consultant who is able to walk you through the franchising process from start to finish. Make sure the franchisor's values and beliefs align with your personal views. Finally, go into this investment with realistic expectations. A company has to prove itself before the local community will accept and refer to its services.