For many aspiring franchise owners, the first few months after signing an agreement can feel like the biggest unknown. What happens between becoming a franchisee and launching a fully operational business?  At  Caring Transitions , the onboarding process is designed to remove that uncertainty, guiding new owners through a structured ramp-up period that blends training, operational preparation and early client acquisition. Days 1-30: Training, Strategic Start and Building the Foundation The first month focuses heavily on training and preparation. New franchisees complete onboarding programs designed to teach the  Caring Transitions service model, including downsizing services, relocation support, estate sales and online auctions through the brand’s  proprietary CTBids platform . This period also introduces franchisees to the brand’s Strategic Start framework — a structured approach to launching a new location. Strategic Start helps owners establish the operational and marketing foundation they need before serving their first clients. That includes everything from understanding pricing and job workflows to learning how to market services locally. For franchisees like  Pete Lankarge in  Newport, Rhode Island , the structured support system made it possible to hit the ground running. “What was great from the perspective of the Caring Transitions corporate team was that they provided so much guidance to be properly launched and let us hit the ground running,” Lankarge said. Equally important during this phase is building the initial team and tools required to operate efficiently. Caring Transitions provides franchisees with resources that simplify hiring and workforce management. For Lankarge, one of those tools helped him quickly assemble a team capable of handling early jobs. “For example, we have a partnership with a company called  JazzHR ,” he said. “That is how most of our employees have come in. That is one example of how we found staff members, which is how we were able to pull off the jobs that we had.” With operational systems in place and hiring underway, franchisees spend the latter part of the first month preparing for their initial marketing efforts. Days 30-60: Building Community Connections and Generating Leads Once the operational foundation is in place, the focus shifts to generating awareness in the local market. Caring Transitions businesses are deeply rooted in their communities, so relationship-building is critical to early growth. New franchisees begin connecting with local organizations, senior living communities, real estate professionals and other referral partners who often encounter families navigating downsizing or relocation decisions. “I went out and quickly joined the Newport Chamber of Commerce,” Lankarge said. “A couple of our jobs have come from that group in particular. The networking and generating word-of-mouth buzz was a big piece of that. Just helping get the word out.” Corporate support also helps franchisees amplify those efforts through established partnerships and brand credibility. “That is a big benefit of the franchise model,” Lankarge said. “You are not by yourself. It makes it much easier as a start-up entrepreneur.” For franchisees operating in markets where Caring Transitions already has a presence, referral pipelines may develop even more quickly. Jamie Davis , owner of  Caring Transitions of South Gilbert, Arizona , quickly found that community relationships played a major role in her early growth. “We have a lot of retirees here, and those communities are very ingrained in what we do,” Davis said. “I have gotten a lot of my work from referrals - I have a few clients who have recommended me to their neighbors or their friends. It’s nice that my clients are so happy that they feel comfortable sharing.” Days 60-90: Landing First Clients and Learning in the Field By the third month, many franchisees are actively serving their first clients. Those early projects often become the most valuable learning experiences as owners put their training into practice and refine their operational systems. For Lankarge, the momentum started quickly after his initial team orientation. “We were fortunate to land a very large client two weeks after training,” he said. “Immediately, we got to have the whole team dive in.” The project became an immersive training opportunity for his team. “From that one client, we had a massive home cleanout and ran three separate estate sales from it,” he said. “It launched us to train the team in the field, essentially.” Those early jobs also demonstrate  the scale and variety of work Caring Transitions franchisees handle . “The project itself was very meaningful - it was a Navy veteran who passed away,” Lankarge said. “They had a lifetime of collecting and a lot of really cool antiques, designer clothing, jewelry and artwork.” For many new owners, the first few months reveal how quickly the business can grow once systems and referrals are in place. “Once we got that big client, I saw why we needed staff assistance,” Lankarge said. “I was able to be the team lead on the project in the field, but the vision down the road is to have others in place who can run the projects.” Building Systems for Long-Term Growth As operations ramp up, franchisees begin refining their approach to staffing, marketing and project management. Davis, who opened her Caring Transitions business in July 2025, quickly expanded her team to support growing demand. “I started out with two employees and I now have seven employees,” she said. “I have a business development rep that is connecting with the community, and I also have a social media manager that I brought in part-time. I am also hiring three more people soon.” For Davis, the ability to adapt has been one of the biggest advantages of the franchise model. “A lot of franchises are very cookie-cutter,” she said. “What I like about Caring Transitions is that they have given me tools but really allowed me to adapt them to my strengths and how I want to use the tools.” A Structured Start With Purpose While every franchisee’s first 90 days will look slightly different, the overall roadmap remains consistent: training, foundation-building, networking and early client work. With each step,  Caring Transitions provides the support systems necessary to help new owners succeed - from operational guidance and hiring tools to marketing resources and coaching. “It’s been amazing - I’ve learned a lot,” Davis said. “It’s hard work at times, but it’s been so rewarding on so many levels that I’m really happy I made this jump.” By the end of the first three months, new franchisees typically have the fundamentals in place: a trained team, an emerging referral network and real experience helping families through some of life’s most emotional transitions. From there, the focus shifts from launching the business to scaling it by continuing to build relationships, serve clients and grow a purpose-driven operation within the community. For entrepreneurs considering franchise ownership, the first 90 days with Caring Transitions demonstrate something important: while the journey requires dedication and hard work, franchisees are never navigating it alone. For more information about franchising with Caring Transitions, visit   https://1851franchise.com/caringtransitions/ .