CPA-Turned-Entrepreneur Opens Fresh Coat Painters Franchise in San Antonio

Former CPA Mike Morales is leveraging his business acumen to bring a splash of color to his San Antonio community with a new Fresh Coat Painters franchise, set to open in August. Prior to joining the residential and commercial painting franchise, Morales spent years in corporate America, working in accounting roles for major companies like Coca-Cola and MillerCoors. Tired of the office life, Morales set out to build a diverse business portfolio of his own, starting an AllState Insurance Agency and a Jani-King franchise, as well as investing in an assortment of rental properties. But it was the appeal of Fresh Coat Painters, with its established business models and potential for scalability, that inspired Morales to seek out his next entrepreneurial challenge.

Intrigued by the prospect of bringing a professional touch to the area through a painting franchise, Morales assessed multiple brands before deciding on Fresh Coat. The company's decades of experience at the franchisor level; its customer-centric "three-three-three" philosophy (respond within three minutes, schedule in three days, work in three weeks); and its modern and appealing brand ethos all played a part in Morales' decision.

As a Fresh Coat Painters franchisee, Morales’ ambitious plan is to grow his business to rank among the brand’s top-performing franchises in the country. This, he believes, could be the legacy he leaves for his children and grandchildren. Ever the risk-taker, Morales is determined to grow his business methodically yet aggressively, leveraging his skills in taking measured risks, which he developed in his insurance and accounting days. 

He plans to open his Fresh Coat Painters of North Central San Antonio franchise in August of 2023. In his new endeavor, Morales brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience, a sharp eye for quality and a steadfast commitment to improving the aesthetics and feel of his local community. 

PROFILE QUESTIONS

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

Morales: This is not my first business venture. I started out working in Corporate America as a certified public accountant (CPA) until 2011 when I purchased an AllState Insurance Agency. I am still an insurance professional. I also owned a Jani-King franchise, but I sold that a few years back. I have always been intrigued by franchising. When I decided to start a new venture, I thought a painting concept could be a great opportunity to bring a professional touch to the area. 

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?

Morales: My first entrepreneurial route was with AllState, but that wasn’t quite a franchise. It did teach me about the importance of having an established business model to follow. I also learned the importance of taking measured risks and not being overly cautious. This year, I felt it was time to try and transfer those skills to a new business. I did a lot of research in regard to different painting franchises, but I felt that Fresh Coat was the right fit. 

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

Morales: First, it was the experience at the franchisor level. All of the top leaders have decades of experience in franchising. 

Second, I really liked the consumer offering and brand reputation. The three-three-three philosophy — responding to customer requests within three minutes, reaching out within three days and scheduling the work within three weeks. That was very important to me because I know the value of being responsive. It is critical in any industry. Be good at the profession, and respond to the customer’s needs. The branding also feels fresh and contemporary, which I liked.

In comparison to some of the other painting franchises, Fresh Coat’s investment model also lent itself better to scalability. If I am successful, the franchisor is successful. They don’t need to take a hefty percentage of the revenue like other franchisors. That really appealed to me. 

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

Morales: Eventually, my goal would be to rank among the top 10 Fresh Coat franchisees in the country. I want to grow methodically, but aggressively. There isn’t any limit to growth potential in this market. 

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

Morales: I am a financial expert by trade. I worked with a lot of small companies when I was in the accounting field. But I always knew I wanted to be on the entrepreneurial side and not on the bookkeeping side. I’ve always wanted to own multiple businesses. That will be the legacy I leave for my grandchildren and children. 

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

Morales: You definitely want to have sufficient resources to get to where you want to go. If you go the franchising route, you want to do your best to ensure that the people you are paying have the processes in place to support you. Associate yourself with someone who is knowledgeable and can transfer that knowledge for your benefit. I’ve spent decades researching franchises, and there are very few that I felt comfortable investing in. 

Fees to open a Fresh Coat Painters range from $66,150 to $96,250. To learn more about franchising with Fresh Coat, visit https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat

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 170 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.