Fresh Coat

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chia-chun-hsu-869b13286/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=chia-chun-hsu-fresh-coat-painters-2727888" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chia-Chun Hsu’s</a> journey from military service to becoming a franchise owner with&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=chia-chun-hsu-fresh-coat-painters-2727888" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Painters</a> exemplifies how veterans can find purpose and success in franchising. At the age of 37, Hsu joined the Army National Guard in Georgia, driven not by financial necessity but by a desire to serve and develop his skills. The military provided him with invaluable experience in public speaking and teamwork, which transformed his ability to confidently interact with others — an essential skill in both military and business settings. Today, as a franchisee, Hsu credits his military training for teaching him how to project his voice, set boundaries and organize tasks efficiently — qualities that have become the backbone of his business success.Hsu’s path to franchising was shaped by his extensive background in property management, and he specifically sought an opportunity that would complement his skill set. After exploring several franchise options within the home services sector,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> stood out due to its&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/from-front-lines-to-frontline-business-how-this-franchisees-military-experience-catapulted-his-success-with-fresh-coat-2725999#stories">veteran-friendly support system</a> and established brand. With a flexible model that doesn’t require an office, Fresh Coat allows franchisees like Hsu to be hands-on, visiting project sites and interacting directly with clients — a role well-suited to his preference for personal engagement. Fresh Coat’s veteran discount and the brand’s reputation among former service members further solidified Hsu’s decision, making it a natural fit for someone with his military background and work ethic.Since becoming a franchise owner, Hsu has seen the value of franchising as a pathway to independence. Unlike corporate roles, where career growth and earnings may be capped, franchising offers veterans the opportunity to build equity and make their own decisions. Hsu is particularly drawn to the way franchising allows him to contribute to his community, providing job opportunities and supporting local causes like the food pantry he volunteers at regularly. To veterans considering franchising, Hsu emphasizes the importance of preparation, recommending months of research and a thorough understanding of the risks and rewards.For Fresh Coat, the commitment to supporting veterans like Hsu isn’t just about offering discounts; it’s about fostering a business model that empowers veterans to leverage their skills, discipline, and passion. Hsu’s story reflects how veterans can thrive in franchising by combining their military experience with a hands-on business approach, creating both a rewarding career and meaningful community impact.1851 Franchise recently sat down with Hsu to talk about his journey from military service to franchising, his partnership with Fresh Coat and his advice for other veterans who are considering entrepreneurship. Here’s what he had to say:1851 Franchise: Can you share a bit about your journey before franchising? How did your military service shape your career, and what led you to consider franchising as a next step?Chia-Chun Hsu: I joined the Army National Guard here in Georgia at the age of 37, which is a bit later than most. It wasn’t for financial reasons — I have my own property management company, no debt, no mortgages, no student loans. I just really enjoy serving.&nbsp;The military gave me the chance to be a better public speaker and work on my teamwork skills. I’m generally not much of a talker, but the military experience really helped me interact with others more confidently and become a better team player.&nbsp;As for franchising, I was looking for something complementary to my property management background. I explored various options in the real estate service space, like flooring, kitchen cabinets, mosquito control and cleaning services. Fresh Coat stood out because it offered a strong support system, an established brand, and a setup that felt manageable for me as a business owner.1851: What were your initial impressions of franchising before you got involved with Fresh Coat? Now that you’re in it, what would you like people — especially veterans — to know about the opportunities franchising can offer?Hsu: Before joining, I thought franchising would be mostly hands-off, like buying into a system that runs itself. Now I see that success requires personal involvement and dedication. Many veterans, like my friend in the military who works at Home Depot, could benefit from franchising because it provides equity and decision-making freedom that corporate jobs don’t offer.&nbsp;In franchising, the harder and more efficiently you work, the more you can earn, unlike the corporate world where promotions are limited. Veterans should understand that franchising allows them to build something lasting with their own hands and be their own boss.1851: Why did Fresh Coat stand out to you when you decided to pursue franchising? What do you think makes this brand a great fit for veterans?Hsu: Fresh Coat appealed to me because there are many veterans in the franchise, and they offer a discount for veterans. It’s a brand that doesn’t require an office, which makes it flexible. I enjoy being hands-on, going to job sites, meeting clients and managing supplies. Fresh Coat allows me to interact with people directly instead of sitting behind a desk. I like that it’s a mobile, client-facing business with the freedom to manage logistics and supplies myself.1851: How do you feel your military training has prepared you for the demands of franchising and leadership in a fast-growing brand like Fresh Coat?Hsu: The officer candidate school and military training taught me how to project my voice and set boundaries in a respectful way. I learned to stay organized and complete tasks by the deadline, which is invaluable in franchising. All this preparation helps me now as a franchise owner, especially when managing a team and meeting deadlines for clients.1851: What are your goals with your Fresh Coat location? How do you envision growing and expanding in the coming years?Hsu: Right now, I have one territory in Decatur, Georgia, and part of Atlanta. My goal is to expand operations by hiring additional staff, investing more in digital marketing and potentially adding more territories. I plan to keep growing the business steadily in the coming years.1851: Finally, what advice would you give to other veterans or service members considering a transition into franchising? What should they know to get started?Hsu: I’d advise other veterans to invest time in research. I spent about four to six months studying franchising options before choosing Fresh Coat. It’s crucial to understand your target market, the costs and the return on investment. I also recommend reading books, like those by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/adammgrant/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=chia-chun-hsu-fresh-coat-painters-2727888" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Adam Grant</a>, to learn about common entrepreneurial mistakes.&nbsp;Franchising involves risks, and it’s not just about throwing money into a brand — you have to work for it. So, know your options, understand the risks and make sure it’s worth your time and energy. The most successful franchisees are hands-on and constantly improving.1851: That’s very wise advice. It’s clear that franchising requires commitment and a strong work ethic. Is there anything else you’d like to share?Hsu: Just that it’s important for me to give back to my community. I volunteer at a local food pantry, and I want to provide job opportunities as a business owner. Serving my community is as valuable to me as running a successful business. At the end of the day, it’s about the connections and giving back.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.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info</a>.

Chia-Chun Hsu - Veteran - Fresh Coat Painters - Decatur, Georgia - 1851 Franchise

Veteran’s Journey from Military Service to Fresh Coat Painters Franchise Success

1851 Franchise

Chia-Chun Hsu, a former Army National Guard member, leverages his military skills and Fresh Coat's veteran-friendly support to build a thriving, community-focused franchise.

This brand page has been paid for by FRESH COAT. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Veteran Finds Franchise Success with Fresh Coat Painters in Decatur, Georgia

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For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fonsecaapr">Alex Fonseca</a>, owner of&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com">Fresh Coat Painters</a> of Muskegon, building a high-performing team has been crucial to business growth. As he has expanded, Fonseca has consistently focused on his team’s role in the business's broader trajectory, emphasizing culture and demeanor as well as more technical requirements such as accuracy and efficiency.“We get many of our customers through word of mouth,” he said. “So a customer being happy and telling their neighbors about us and our results… The painters who deliver that result are probably the most important people on our team.”<h2>Quality and Care as the Foundation</h2>What makes a “good team member,” for Fonseca, may be a bit more nuanced than expected.“Obviously, a very basic level would be someone coming in below the budget that we have for a project and being productive and efficient,” he said. “But for us, it’s just people who, when they show up, have a good presence about them.”In the home services space, a team's attitude is especially important, as they’re working in customers’ homes and often making significant changes to their biggest investment. Building teams that both make customers feel at ease and meet the quality expectations set for them lays a healthy foundation for Fonseca to further develop technically proficient painters.Shifting the definition of success from just speed and industry knowledge to a level of care, ability to build customer rapport, and potential for long-term value can be quite beneficial for the business.“Sometimes I would rather have a slightly slower painter who does a good job,” he said. “Customers are happy with that person and write reviews for them, and we’re going to get more jobs from those over time.”<h2>The Practical Approach To Building These Teams</h2>Since establishing these expectations, Fonseca has worked to develop a clear, actionable hiring and team development process. First and foremost, he focuses intently on hiring the right people, not just anyone who can do the job.“My initial thought was to hire people who have a lot of experience, but that’s when I realized that just because someone is a good painter doesn’t mean they’re a good person,” he said. “It’s really tough to teach someone how to be polite and mind their manners when they’re in someone’s home. We’ve been successful at hiring people based on their personalities and training them in the painting skills.”Fonseca doesn’t ignore the painting skills required to succeed as a part of the team by any means. He uses the resources available to him through the Painting Contractors Association and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> franchise system.“We’re a part of the PCA, and they put out a lot of material on how to train painters,” he said. “Fresh Coat also put together a painter advancement system. So we can place people in different categories based on their levels of expertise, and it shows them the skills they need to level up.”These tools allow Fonseca to hire and train effectively while also setting the stage for talent retention and increased profitability. As painters continue to learn and develop their skills, they can take on more complex, higher-paying jobs, boosting their earning potential and increasing revenue for the franchise.<h2>A Person-First Staffing Approach and Long-Term Vision</h2>As the scaffolding he has provided within his business supports the professional growth of his teams, Fonseca has also worked diligently to build and maintain a team that truly supports each other, collaborates naturally and celebrates one another’s wins.“Instead of seeing anything as a competition, we try to evaluate who is really great at something and pair them with someone else who is trying to develop that same skill,” he said. “Our painters are really open to giving each other feedback on the work that they do, and it comes from a place of love. They’re approaching it saying, ‘Hey, let me try to help you out.’”In addition to supporting painters’ professional development and advancement, Fonseca and his teams also celebrate one another’s personal successes.“I want my painters to enjoy their work, but I understand that they’re here to make money and support their families,” he said. “Understanding how work can be rewarding but also helps them meet their own personal goals encourages us to celebrate their wins outside of just work, too.”Over time, Fonseca has carefully and intentionally built a team that not only works well together but also brings the soft and technical skills that propel the business forward. Often, this requires a more disciplined approach and a true investment in team building rather than taking a “just hiring” approach, but the results are always worth the effort.“I’m willing to take longer to hire the right person rather than rushing to hire a bunch of people then realizing they’re not the right fit,” he said. “It’s important to try to envision, five years from now, what you want your company to look like. Who are the types of employees you want to have? And be intentional about hiring, supporting and developing those people now.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info</a>.&nbsp;

Fresh Coat Painters franchise owner Alex Fonseca and President Lisa Hudson

Focusing on soft skills and professional development pathways as much as he emphasizes technical skill, Alex Fonseca has built and retained a thriving team of painters who power his business.

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MCALLEN, Texas&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/mcallen">Fresh Coat Painters of McAllen</a> has been recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office, as the 2026 Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year for the Lower Rio Grande Valley District. Owner&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/why-this-army-veteran-chose-fresh-coat-franchise-ownership-as-his-next-mission-2720664#stories">Gilbert “Gil” Perez</a>, a U.S. Army veteran, first pursued franchise ownership following military retirement as he searched for a way to build a business of his own while doing valuable work in his own community.&nbsp;“I’m honored to receive this recognition from the Small Business Administration, not only for myself but for the teams and community members who have made it possible,” Perez said. “Hard work and service have always been a way of life for me. I took those values to the Army, and I still use them today with every&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com">Fresh Coat</a> project. Being named Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year is a testament to the fact that, when you keep your values front and center and commit yourself to your community, the reward is immeasurable.”Perez was selected from business owners across the district, which spans 14 Texas counties, for his leadership, dedication and influence as a small business owner. In addition to his own resilience in business, Perez is celebrated for the commitment he has shown to positively impacting the community.Over his time as a&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> franchise owner, Perez has served the McAllen community with quality, reliable painting services, and by thinking bigger, has been able to have a real impact beyond his organization. As a business owner, Perez is able to create opportunities for others, and he takes great pride in working alongside others who prioritize service and share his family-focused values. That commitment to service extends beyond his business, as Perez serves on the Board of Directors for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhporgv.com/">NHPO-RGV</a>, a professional organization dedicated to promoting enterprise and education for its members in partnership with the community.&nbsp;“After two decades of service, I was looking for another way to find purpose in my community,” Perez said. “Fresh Coat was my pathway, and I’m so proud of what I’ve built in McAllen. As a veteran, I know what it means to be a part of something bigger than myself, and business ownership has given me a platform to not only provide quality service but to become truly ingrained in the McAllen community, which has supported us every step of the way.”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.&nbsp;

image of freshcoat McAllen Named 2026 SBA Veteran-Owned Business of the Year

Following his service in the U.S. Army, Gil Perez pursued franchising with the national painting brand as a way to chase his dreams while serving the McAllen community.

Fresh Coat Painters of McAllen Named 2026 Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office

Veteran Finds Franchise Success with Fresh Coat Painters in Decatur, Georgia

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