A Cross Country Road Trip Sparks New Entrepreneurial Journey for TruBlue Franchisees in Wichita

After taking a few months off to travel to four national parks across the country, Tad and Tara Albright decided something was missing in their prior careers. They were ready for a change. Now, as the latest franchise owners to join the TruBlue Home Service Ally brand in Wichita, Kansas, the entrepreneurial couple are following their passion for helping seniors and busy adults in their community to take control of their own schedules and spend more time with family.

With both Tara’s and Tad’s mothers passing away in recent years, TruBlue’s focus on aiding seniors by helping to maintain and keep their homes safe resonated deeply with the couple, specifically when it came to TruBlue’s focus on fall prevention and making a tangible difference in the lives of seniors. 

As new franchisees, the Albrights aim to expand their market share in Wichita and cultivate a dedicated team that shares their values. Their vision is to blend profitability with purpose, making a meaningful impact on both busy adults and seniors. With Tad’s newly acquired CAPS certification (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist), the duo is excited to expand their experience further and help their  community of seniors. 

1851 Franchise recently spoke with Tad and Tara to learn more about their backgrounds, their journey to franchising with TruBlue and their advice for other entrepreneurs. 

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

Tad: I managed a retail store for over four years, but I was ready for a change. Prior to that, I worked for Champion Windows & Home Exteriors, managing the Wichita market. I also owned my own trucking business for 10 years and was in international logistics with Koch Industries  for seven years. Overall, I have a long history of running businesses. Tara has experience in restaurants and was with Darden for 18 years. She is very good at managing people and processes, both the front end and back end of the restaurant. She’s very experienced in customer service and hospitality.

Last year, we decided to take some time off and traveled to four national parks — we enjoy off-roading and jeeping as well as riding our Harley Davidsons. We were basically assessing our lives. The last couple of decades were all about customer service — making people feel better. We wanted to continue doing that, but we also wanted to get our weekends back and control and manage our schedules. That led to where we are today as a franchise owner for TruBlue Home Service Ally. 

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?

Tad: I see franchising with a reputable franchisor as not having to reinvent the wheel. TruBlue is  established, and they have systems in place. We have 84 other franchisee partners that are here to support us. We can always pick up the phone and reach someone in the network.

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

Tad: We came across an article online about a TruBlue franchise owner from Chattanooga who was building a family legacy. I decided I really didn’t want to work for someone else anymore. We liked the concept of TruBlue and their approach to seniors. We want to set ourselves apart with our knowledge and our CAPS certification, we want to help all seniors be able to age in their own home with pride, dignity, and a sense of self worth.

The aging-in-place pillar of the business model is attractive. Tara lost her father in May of 2022. We found him during a wellness call, and there was nothing we could do. It was very difficult. I had also lost my mother after a 12-year battle with Dementia in 2019. My dad, who was 87 at the time, had cared for my mom in the home and there were many modifications that had to be made. That is why we were passionate about helping those seniors who want to age in place. A care facility isn’t right for everyone. We want to make a difference. If we can reduce and mitigate falls, by making simple modifications in homes in an affordable manner, we all win!

TruBlue also has great relationships with national brands to help us make that difference in the lives and homes of lots of people. The recurring maintenance services that they provide is also a strong asset — we can help with many basic things that people don’t realize they need in and around the home. 

Lastly, it was clear that the TruBlue brand was growing — they are on a mission of expanding the franchise. They have a new website, new marketing, new leadership. They are poised to execute on their aggressive growth plans now and in the future with their strong leadership.

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

Tad: The goal is always to grow. We hope to buy the other half of the Wichita market in the near future. We want to grow a committed employee base — other people who are family-oriented and care — and go from there. We hope to make a modest living while making a difference in the lives of busy adults/parents and seniors. 

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

Tad: Be sure you do your due diligence. You want to make sure you are with a franchisor who will support you. They shouldn’t just take your franchise fee and say, “Good luck.” What I appreciated about TruBlue is that they connect you with franchise owners. They aren’t scared to tell you that there are going to be challenges, whether it be with finding employees or anything else. 

This is going to be work. If you don’t put the time in, you won’t see the benefits. It's like building a house. If you don’t follow the blueprint, it won’t stand. If you do, it'll stand for decades.  

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a TruBlue franchise ranges from $65,050 to $91,400. This includes $44,900 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate. For more information, please visit https://1851franchise.com/trubluehousecare/info.

About TruBlue Home Service Ally:

TruBlue Home Service Ally® provides a unique and affordable approach to helping busy adults and seniors live a worry-free life by offering trustworthy handyman, home maintenance and senior modification services. Helping you maintain your home both inside and out, TruBlue’s services include handyman projects and to-do list chores, preventative home maintenance programs, kitchen and bath remodels, seasonal work, and senior modification services, all handled by professional, bonded and insured Tru-Pro® Technicians. TruBlue franchise owners are required to complete senior home safety certification programs through the NAHB and Age Safe America. As certified specialists, TruBlue franchisees are able to perform aging in place home safety assessments and can make recommended safety modifications as needed.

All locations are independently owned and operated. Service offerings, certifications, and licenses vary by location.