Former Social Worker Launches TruBlue Home Service Ally Franchise to Protect Local Seniors in North Carolina's Cumberland County

After years working in child welfare, Apryl Thomas wanted her next chapter to keep her connected to the people in her community who needed support. Through her work, she also understood how easily older adults can become vulnerable to technology barriers, unsafe home conditions and predatory scams. Because both her grandmother and her husband John's grandmother are widows living independently in Cumberland County, TruBlue Home Service Ally's mission of helping seniors age safely in place felt especially personal. Fueled by that mission, she and John officially launched TruBlue of Western Fayetteville in late April.

John's experience as a third-party inspector complements Apryl's background in social work, giving the couple a blend of technical expertise and community-focused service. Together, they provide handyman services, home repairs and structured maintenance programs designed to help older adults remain safely in their homes. Every client also receives a comprehensive senior home safety assessment performed by an Age Safe America-certified Senior Home Safety Specialist®, helping identify potential hazards before they become larger problems.

"I also know from social work that seniors often struggle with technology," Apryl said, “and unfortunately, there are people out there who try to take advantage of the senior community.”

Apryl sat down with 1851 Franchise to discuss her transition from social work to business operations, how she and John manage a wide service territory and why their experience with their grandmothers inspired them to build a trusted community resource. Here's what she had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Apryl Thomas: My husband John and I were raised right here in Cumberland County. I come from a background in social work, specifically child welfare, because I truly enjoy helping people in my community who need assistance. John already performs third-party inspections within the local area, so he is familiar with the seasonal patterns of home maintenance. We are real go-getters who take challenges head-on. Right now, our lives are completely consumed by running this business, but it's a mission we deeply care about.

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Apryl: I left my social work position a year and a half ago and transitioned into working as an IT specialist. Once I stepped away from social work, I immediately started looking into business opportunities because I wanted to find something I truly wanted to do. Since I used to do ride-alongs with John while he conducted inspections, we knew we wanted to try a franchise together. I started searching online for different options. We originally looked into handyman services because of his background, but when we saw the senior home modification piece that TruBlue offers, I knew it was right on the money. It allowed me to keep giving back to the community.

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?

Apryl: We moved fast. I first learned about the brand in December 2025 and signed the paperwork in March 2026. Before making the final decision, corporate had us speak with two newer owners who had been up and running for six months to a year. That was incredibly realistic and helpful compared to talking to someone tenured for ten years. Now that we are in it, I realize it is a lot of work, more than I initially expected! But I am finding my groove. It is an incredibly lucrative and necessary business model.

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

Apryl: The aging in place mission struck very close to home for both of us. Both my grandmother and John's grandmother are widows living in the area. With everyone being so busy, it's hard for older family members to get down under the house or lift things like they used to, yet they want to stay in their homes. I also know from social work that seniors often struggle with technology, and unfortunately, there are people out there who try to take advantage of the senior community. I love that this brand is tailored to assist seniors with vital home modifications and handyman services so they can live safely. Plus, the corporate team did an awesome job walking us through the process.

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

Apryl: Right now, the closest TruBlue is about two hours away, so we are bringing something completely new to our area. Our service territory is wide and spread out, covering Fayetteville, Spring Lake, Hope Mills, Eastover, Linden, Wade and more. We definitely spoke about expansion before we even launched. I don't see it happening immediately because I am still getting into the swing of everything, but once things are up and going, I would absolutely like to expand.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Apryl: John and I split the business operations based on our strengths. John manages our technicians, coordinates the estimating and physically picks up materials and equipment so the guys can focus on the job without stopping. I handle all the background operational stuff. We've already built up a great team that John is actively training.

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

Apryl: My biggest advice when you are looking at different brands is to talk directly to the existing business owners who are already operating. Ask them questions to get a really good, accurate gauge on exactly how much capital and resources are required to run the business the way it actually needs to be run.

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 can perform aging-in-place home safety assessments and make recommended safety modifications as needed.