Navy Veteran and Commercial Plumber David Williams Launches Fresh Coat Painters in Utah

David Williams spent the early years of his career serving in the Navy for four years following his high school graduation. After completing his service, he spent five years working in commercial plumbing before eventually transitioning into the painting industry. Realizing the success and potential of the home services and construction landscape, he knew he wanted to build a business of his own.

Seeking a venture that offered brand recognition, strong systems and a proven model, Williams turned to franchising. After working with a franchise broker and researching 15 different brands over the course of six months, he found the perfect fit with Fresh Coat* Painters. Drawn to the brand's proprietary Smart Quote software and dedicated support team, Williams is now focused on raising industry standards and establishing his own legacy across the greater Salt Lake City area.

1851 Franchise sat down with Williams to discuss the launch of his new business. Here’s what he had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

David Williams: I was raised in West Jordan, and after graduating high school, I served in the Navy for four years. Following my service, I worked in commercial plumbing for five years before transitioning into the painting industry. I chose to pursue a home service-based business because I am very familiar with the construction landscape and the overall success of the industry. I ultimately want to build my own legacy rather than working for someone else.

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Williams: Before franchising, my background was heavily rooted in the military, commercial plumbing and painting. Franchising made sense for me because I truly appreciate the systems and brand recognition it offers. I specifically value having a strong support system and the ability to follow a proven, successful model rather than having to figure everything out from scratch.

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?

Williams: Before beginning this process, I actually didn't have significant knowledge of franchising. However, my experience with Fresh Coat has been incredibly rewarding. What I want people to know now is that franchising requires strict adherence to a system. It may not suit individuals who prefer to manage every single aspect of a business entirely independently.

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

Williams: I selected Fresh Coat based on positive interactions with the brand's representative, Tony, and the company's clear commitment to support. A major differentiator for me was their proprietary Smart Quote software. It allows estimators to provide accurate, on-site quotes to customers, a capability that simply isn't available with other painting companies I've seen.

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

Williams: I intend to use this business to build a lasting legacy for myself. My goal is to expand the business by opening additional territories in the future. Furthermore, I have a strong desire to improve industry standards; I feel that poor work by some painters negatively impacts the reputation of the trade, and I want to change that in my market.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Williams: The business is currently a home-based operation serving Taylorville, West Valley, Mill Creek and downtown Salt Lake City. While I am currently operating the business entirely on my own, I did previously attempt to involve my brother, who is local, in the venture.

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

Williams: Conduct thorough research and ask a lot of questions. Ensure the franchise model is a proper fit for your personal working style. Because franchising requires you to follow a system, it is not the right fit for someone who wants to do things entirely their own way without any guidelines.

ABOUT FRESH COAT PAINTERS: 

Fresh Coat Painters, the residential and commercial painting franchise under the Strategic Franchising Systems umbrella, offers a low-cost, high-margin business model that gives entrepreneurs from all walks of life the chance to become successful business owners in the communities they serve. Since starting in 2004, Fresh Coat has expanded to over 190 franchise locations nationwide. Thanks to its unparalleled professionalism and affordable business model, it has become one of the leading concepts in the booming residential and commercial painting segment. With continued year-over-year growth, Fresh Coat is well on its way to achieving its overall goal of becoming a truly iconic painting brand.