Family-Run Homebuilders and DIY Bloggers Sign on With TruBlue Franchise

Darrel and Traci Ferguson, longtime DIY enthusiasts with backgrounds in construction, homebuilding and entrepreneurship, have embarked on a new venture as franchisees with TruBlue Home Service Ally, the handyman and home maintenance franchise. The couple signed on with TruBlue earlier this year with the goal of supporting seniors and busy families in their community of Spring Branch, Texas.

Darrel's upbringing in a family-owned construction business and Traci's role as a general contractor and DIY blogger of “My Simpatico Life” laid the foundation for their entrepreneurial journey.

“A personal experience really brought us to TruBlue,” said Darrel. “My father-in-law was healthy and doing great, and a couple of days later, I was online trying to find someone to install grab bars, a shower seat, etc. Frankly, we couldn’t find anybody in the area who really did that. I did all the installation myself and those updates really made a big difference in his life. TruBlue takes care of busy families but also has a primary focus on the senior community, so we thought it’d be a good way to bring it all full circle.”

Looking ahead, the Fergusons are excited about the growth potential and impact of their TruBlue franchise. Their long-term vision includes expanding their staff and making a significant impact on the senior community, ultimately creating a family legacy for their four daughters.

Darrel and Traci took the time to chat with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what they had to say: 

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

Darrel Ferguson: My family owned their own construction business, so I really saw what it meant to be an entrepreneur from a young age working on that job. I grew up doing that. Traci and I met after college. We’ve been married over 30 years. I was in the retail automotive industry for most of that time. I started the first part of my career in the dealership and we eventually owned part of the business. I was also selling software to car dealers. We also managed a home building business. 

Traci Ferguson: I acted as a general contractor for several years as we built homes. I turned into more of a DIY builder and started a blog called “My Simpatico Life,” helping other people with the things I’ve learned over the years. I was really focused on the blog until my step-dad fell last September. 

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? 

Darrel: We’ve started a number of businesses on our own, but the reality in today’s world is that having a franchise brand behind you makes it much easier for people to find you online. Google runs the world. There is a brand name you can attach yourself to immediately. Secondly, I do believe that anybody can start a business from scratch with enough capital, but at the end of the day, you are relying on yourself at all times. A franchise puts you at least a year and a half ahead in the game. There are close to 100 other franchise owners I can ask about their experience at all times.

Traci: It's really fast-tracking. We don't have to test out different technology, different marketing, etc. There is a proven system that works and we can jump right into it.

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

Darrel: After 33 years of being around the automotive business, I wanted to do something new and exciting. We wanted to build a business in this area. So what would be the next step? We knew it’d be in the home service space. 

A personal experience really brought us to TruBlue. My father-in-law was healthy and doing great, and a couple of falls later, I was online trying to find someone to install grab bars, a shower seat, etc. Frankly, we couldn’t find anybody in the area who really did that. I did all the installation myself and those updates really made a big difference in his life. TruBlue takes care of busy families but also has a primary focus on the senior community, so we thought it’d be a good way to bring it all full circle.

In the automotive industry, I also had experience selling subscription-based software, so I was drawn to TruBlue’s unique subscription model. That was extremely interesting to me — I had never seen that before. Handyman work is generally around all the time, but there are certain times of the year when it's not as busy. So having that recurring revenue is really important to keep the technicians busy.

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

Traci: We are going to start out with three vehicles and hope to expand to six by next year. By then, we aim to establish strong relationships with local caregivers and in-home health providers, allowing us to perform safety assessments in homes throughout the area. Within a year, we want to double the size of our staff and make a significant impact on the senior community. Long term, there is no limit to how big we can grow this company, and eventually, we hope to hand the business down to the next generation — we have four daughters.

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

Darrel: The story of us dealing with our aging parents is very common right now. Ninety percent of seniors want to stay in their homes. I didn’t realize personally how much impact that has, not only on their lives but also on the lives of their family members and loved ones. We are in our 50s, and people don’t think about it until it happens. That is really part of the story. 

Traci: That is one of the biggest concerns, now that my mom is single and she has a nice house with a big piece of property. It's scary to me to have her there by herself and have people there that she doesn’t know. We want to be trustworthy and prove that we’ll take care of the senior caregivers. It’s important to have employees that are background checked so that people feel safe with them in their homes. 

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

Darrel: I didn’t start with TruBlue; I ended with them. I vetted several franchises. Shop around and find the one that feels the most comfortable. There are plenty of handyman franchises out there, so reach out and learn more. Most franchises don't have a clear reason for existing, but TruBlue has a true mission. Also, once you start shopping, make sure you get in contact with some of the franchise owners. Talk to them, find out how they feel, how much support they get, etc. And not just the ones they want you to talk to. Make sure it fits you. 

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.