From Working the Front Lines of McDonald’s to Serving as President of Fresh Coat Painters

“It sounds like a cliche, but I’ve always just tried to do the best I could at any level,” said Tara Riley, who became president of the Fresh Coat* Painters franchise in 2014. Riley literally worked her way from the front lines of McDonald’s to earning leadership and executive roles throughout her career. She received her bachelors in management from Texas A&M University, earned her MBA with a focus on finance from Kennesaw State University and became a Certified Franchise Executive from the ICFE Education Foundation, which she began in 2013. No matter where she’s been in her career, Riley has never stopped putting in 100 percent. For Riley, her high school job at McDonald’s was instrumental to where she is now, citing the company as “progressive” and “proactive in trying to lift people up.” Two things, she says, which tend to surprise people. After proving herself as invaluable at McDonald’s, the burger giant promoted Riley to field service manager, where she worked with a team of six coaches to support 104 franchise locations. Success in this role led to a stint as director of business development and sales at Sport Clips*, and then executive roles at other franchise companies. By the time she joined Fresh Coat, Riley had more than proven her drive, tenacity and ability to get things done. And according to Riley, navigating the corporate world as a woman has never held her back. “I tried to find great mentors who believed in me and helped lift me up,” said Riley. “Some of my more important mentors I had were women who realized what the challenges were in the field. And after reading Lean In, I realized we’re all guilty about not lifting each other up enough. I didn’t think I was doing a good enough job to support other women. That was the biggest takeaway. Women especially need mentorship because we’re the minority in the leadership.” After this revelation, Riley knew she wanted to focus on not just serving as a female role model in the corporate world, but also taking a more proactive approach in encouraging and guiding the women she works with. “You don’t even understand how small things you’re doing--that maybe you’re taught socially to do--are keeping us from being heard in the conversation,” said Riley. “Some people say it’s the glass ceiling, but it’s not. I’m president of the company in what many would perceive to be a male-dominated field. We all have to be cognizant of our leadership and communication skills. If you’re waiting for someone to ask for your opinion, sometimes nobody asks. People are used to a culture where people speak up, and if you don’t, then you’re not heard.” Riley likes to touch on the importance of diversity--in a company, and especially on a leadership team. If two people on a leadership bring the same thing to the table, then why have both? For Riley, she depends on leaders from a variety of backgrounds, whether they’re women or not." target="_blank">Fresh Coat Painters franchise in 2014.

Riley literally worked her way from the front lines of McDonald’s to earning leadership and executive roles throughout her career. She received her bachelors in management from Texas A&M University, earned her MBA with a focus on finance from Kennesaw State University and became a Certified Franchise Executive from the ICFE Education Foundation, which she began in 2013. No matter where she’s been in her career, Riley has never stopped putting in 100 percent.

For Riley, her high school job at McDonald’s was instrumental to where she is now, citing the company as “progressive” and “proactive in trying to lift people up.” Two things, she says, which tend to surprise people. After proving herself as invaluable at McDonald’s, the burger giant promoted Riley to field service manager, where she worked with a team of six coaches to support 104 franchise locations. Success in this role led to a stint as director of business development and sales at Sport Clips, and then executive roles at other franchise companies.

By the time she joined Fresh Coat, Riley had more than proven her drive, tenacity and ability to get things done. And according to Riley, navigating the corporate world as a woman has never held her back.

“I tried to find great mentors who believed in me and helped lift me up,” said Riley. “Some of my more important mentors I had were women who realized what the challenges were in the field. And after reading Lean In, I realized we’re all guilty about not lifting each other up enough. I didn’t think I was doing a good enough job to support other women. That was the biggest takeaway. Women especially need mentorship because we’re the minority in the leadership.” 

After this revelation, Riley knew she wanted to focus on not just serving as a female role model in the corporate world, but also taking a more proactive approach in encouraging and guiding the women she works with.

“People don't often realize how even the smallest things are keeping us from being heard in the conversation,” said Riley. “Some people say it’s the glass ceiling, but it’s not. I’m president of the company in what many would perceive to be a male-dominated field. We all have to be cognizant of our leadership and communication skills. If you’re waiting for someone to ask for your opinion, sometimes nobody asks. People are used to a culture where people speak up, and if you don’t, then you’re not heard.”

Riley likes to touch on the importance of diversity--in a company, and especially on a leadership team. If two people on a leadership bring the same thing to the table, then why have both? For Riley, she depends on leaders from a variety of backgrounds, whether they’re women or not.