DIYer Finds a Way to Turn Passion Into Profits with TruBlue Franchise in Wisconsin

After spending 25 years in corporate America, Marco Malacara found himself at a crossroads when his role as a director of supply chain in the Chicago land area. Corparate work didn't fulfill his desire to make a meaningful impact, and he yearned for something more fulfilling. 

“During my college years, I wanted to get involved with nonprofits, but after having my first son, I knew I had to make other choices to support my new family,” Malacara said. “My corporate job provided a comfortable lifestyle for me and my family, put the kids through school — it did the job but didn’t really fulfill that desire to do something more. I was just making some rich guy richer for 25 years.”

While researching franchise opportunities, Malacara discovered TruBlue Home Service Ally, a brand dedicated to helping seniors age in place. This mission resonated deeply with him, especially after experiencing firsthand the challenges of caring for his mother, who suffered from Alzheimer's. He and his brother had worked tirelessly to maintain their parent's home, sparking Malacara's realization of the need for trusted services to support seniors living independently. 

“All my siblings and I came together to help in any way we could,” said Malacara. “The house had been built in 1974 by my dad, so there was a lot to fix! I’m a big DIYer. I always fixed things because that is just how I grew up, but you come to realize what about all the seniors who didn’t have family members who could help out?”

Now, with TruBlue of Kenosha, Malacara aims to be a dependable resource for his community and a supportive employer for his team. As he embarks on this new chapter with TruBlue, Malacara hopes to build a legacy of trust and service, making a positive impact on the lives of seniors and their families in his community.

1851 Franchise spoke with Malacara to learn more about his background, his journey to the brand and his plans for the future. 

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

Marco Malacara: I spent the last 25 years in corporate America leadership roles. My last job was a director of a supply chain based out of Chicago. That company moved away and ended the arm I was in charge of. The last four years I was winding down the business and I found myself starting anew. I did some consulting work for a while but that was the same old same old.

When I got out of college, I wanted to get involved with nonprofits, but after having my first son, I knew I couldn't pay the bills with nonprofits. My corporate job provided a comfortable lifestyle for me and my family, put the kids through school — it did the job but didn’t really fulfill that desire to do something more. I was just making some rich guy richer for 25 years.

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?

Malacara: The support that a franchise provides is really what drew me to it. You almost get institutionalized in corporate America for so long, so I have no idea how I would even start my own business. As a director of supply chain, I didn’t know anything about accounting, marketing, etc. — those are somebody else’s job. I knew I’d need backing and support. TruBlue brings legitimacy, brand recognition and that support from the corporate team. I have people I can call, and they will walk me through handling it.

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

Malacara: When I started researching what business I wanted to do, I came across TruBlue and got hooked into their mission regarding elder care at home. I lost my mom last year to Alzheimer’s and as she started to deteriorate, my brother and I had to go into my mother’s house beforehand and tried to avoid sending her to a home. We all came together to help in any way we could. The house had been built in 1974 by my dad, so there was a lot to fix! What about all the seniors who didn’t have family members who could help out?

When I saw TruBlue’s big mission of helping seniors age in place, that really sparked it for me. I started researching it and got to the point where I wanted to jump in.

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

Malacara: Of course I want to be successful and earn money, but my primary goal is to make a difference. My youngest son just graduated high school last month, so he’s off to college. I really want to be known in my community for having a good company that people can trust.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Malacara: I’m a big DIYer. I always fixed things because that is just how I grew up, but you come to realize that not everybody’s dad taught them how to swing a hammer. What's normal to you is not what's normal to everybody else. I know how hard it is to find someone you can trust, so I hope to be that for people in the community. I also want to be a good employer for my employees. I always prided myself on having very low turnover during my role at corporate.

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

Malacara: Be prepared. The absence of nerves is being well-prepared. I knew one day I was going to be out of a corporate job, so I put some money aside and started making a plan. I didn’t know exactly what it would be, but I knew I needed a plan. As I was looking at what I wanted to do, I knew I was a good leader, I knew my skill sets. You find something that you are good at, then you just gotta dive in and hope the universe has your back.

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.