Comfort Keepers Franchisee Expands Senior Services Portfolio with TruBlue

Tim and Jennifer Bauernfeind are bringing their passion for seniors and dedication to quality service to the Minneapolis metro areas of Maple Grove and Plymouth, as they gear up to open their TruBlue Home Service Ally franchise in the fall of 2023. Jennifer, an existing franchise owner with senior care franchise Comfort Keepers, saw the potential of coupling her current enterprise with TruBlue, a franchise dedicated to providing maintenance and home modifications to seniors allowing them to age safely and comfortably at home.  Agreeing with his wife on her decision to add TruBlue to her service offerings, Tim, who previously worked in data forecasting, will be working alongside his wife supporting the TruBlue franchise.

Jennifer's journey toward franchising began with her work in retail and extended to roles within Target corporate headquarters and supplying for companies such as Target, Home Depot and Walgreens. However, her innate love for working with seniors and observing the shifting demographic landscape of an aging population led her to a path less trodden. The recognition of the essential need for services catering to seniors inspired her to invest in a Comfort Keepers franchise, which she has been successfully running for six years. The discovery of TruBlue presented a unique opportunity to expand her mission of care. 

Now, the Bauernfeinds’ strategic vision aims at leveraging both brands' potential to offer comprehensive resources to clients, families and referral sources. Tim's practical skills and Jennifer's experience in senior care and franchising laid the groundwork for their decision to invest in TruBlue. Both are thrilled about the prospect of filling a gap in the market by providing specialized services to help seniors stay safely in their homes. As they step into this new journey, the Bauernfeinds plan to focus on making TruBlue one of the best handyman services in Maple Grove and Plymouth while providing holistic care for the elderly. 

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

Tim: I’ve been in the background of the retail industry, doing data forecasts and digging into the numbers. Recently, I was laid off from my most recent position and was looking for something new. Jennifer is currently a franchise owner with Comfort Keepers, and she became aware of the TruBlue brand through their recent strategic partnership. We felt that TruBlue could be a great addition to her current franchise because it aims to help seniors age in place. We thought the two brands together would be a great fit for both of us.  

Jennifer: I grew up in retail, like Tim did, but more on the merchandise and sales side. I worked for Target corporate headquarters and acted as a supplier for Target, Home Depot, Walgreens, etc. I liked it, but I wanted my role to be more about people and relationships. 

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?

Tim: For the past few years, I had the itch to do something different, but I never figured out what it would be. I don’t have a handyman background, but I can do anything when I set my mind to it. I know how I like things to be done and I expect high-quality work. All of the support and blueprints that franchises provide was really attractive. Since Jennifer had already gone through the process, she was well aware of the advantages. It can be a real struggle if you try to do it on your own. 

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

Jennifer: I always loved working with seniors — I grew up with grandparents, step grandparents, and elderly neighbors and friends that felt like family. When I was thinking about new opportunities, I became very interested in doing something that involved senior care. In my sales roles, I had seen all the statistics about the aging population in the U.S. In the next couple of years, we are going to have more people over 65 than under 18. So, we started researching different companies and looked at several home care companies, but Comfort Keepers totally stood out with their mission and values. I’ve been a franchisee now for six years. 

TruBlue came about because we are always looking to partner with companies and people that can provide more resources and value to our clients. There are so many things that seniors need to stay safe in their homes as they age. A friend of mine had also become involved in TruBlue as a Comfort Keepers franchise, and I started asking them questions. Tim can handle any handyman situation, so it thought it’d be a great fit. 

There is definitely going to be a strategic partnership between the two brands as far as connecting our clients and their families and our referral sources. We absolutely plan to be very collaborative. There really isn’t another company in senior services like TruBlue that is specifically helping seniors stay in their home for as long as it is safe. In terms of choosing this business, I feel it is the missing puzzle piece. 

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

Tim: The overall mission is to become one of the best handyman providers in the Minneapolis metro area, for both seniors and busy adults. 

Jennifer: We want to take care of our seniors with a holistic approach. We will be able to cover a lot more bases for them with TruBlue and Comfort Keepers together. As far as expansion, we are going to  really focus our efforts on doing the very best we can here first. There are a lot of seniors that live in this territory. 

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

Jennifer: For me, talking with other owners who have come before me is important — hearing their stories and their experiences. I always ask them, “What do you wish you had known that you didn’t know before?” It is really important to listen to other people’s experiences and gather opinions and best practices. Also, work with the leadership team of the company, understand their why. That is very important. 

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, 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 and home maintenance services. Helping you maintain your home both inside and out, TruBlue’s services include: handyman projects and to-do list chores, preventative home maintenance, seasonal work, and senior modification services, all handled by a professional, bonded and insured TruBlue Home Service Ally Technician. TruBlue franchise owners are required to complete the Certified Aging In Place program through CAPS and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). As certified specialists, TruBlue franchisees are able to perform Certified Aging in Place Home Safety Assessments and can make recommended safety modifications as needed.