For nearly a decade, David Luttrell served as a production manager of a custom apparel company, watching the organization grow from a single garage to three production facilities. While the growth was fulfilling, he found himself looking for something more and ultimately came to invest in Fresh Coat Painters, the national painting franchise.
“I like having some kind of stake and ownership in the decision-making process,” he said. “I just got tired of working in that business and wanted to do something different.”
Though he had a strong background in graphic design, art and production management, he ended up finding his way to the home services space through careful due diligence during his franchise selection process.
When Luttrell began researching potential franchise opportunities, he didn’t just look at the numbers. While those were important, he did a thorough analysis of each company he vetted, using what he calls a “top-down, bottom-up” approach.
“Look at how the process is from the top down,” he said. “What are the processes? What are the structures that corporate provides? Do they have national branding? Do they have systems and formulas?”
Once the corporate structure is clear, he said, it’s time to change your perspective. “Look at it from the bottom up,” he said. “Where do I find my laborers? Where do I find my crew? Am I the one that’s actually going to be painting?”
From there, once the business model has been evaluated from both angles, Luttrell recommends looking deeper into what your specific role will look like.
One of Luttrell’s biggest hesitations early on, and one his partner shared, was the fear of buying a job rather than a true business. He did not want to spend his days climbing ladders; he was interested in an investment that would position him to lead and scale.
A piece of advice that he received during the validation process lent some clarity. An existing owner said, “Look, if you’re painting, there’s a problem. You’re a business owner, not a painter.”
This distinction, combined with the additional support the Fresh Coat model would offer, was a deciding factor in choosing Fresh Coat over an independent business venture. The more he learned about Fresh Coat, the more he realized the support offered by the franchisor would decrease the learning curve and provide a stronger foundation than “just buying a white van and slapping ‘Dave’s Painting’ on the side of it.”
Fresh Coat’s support system was especially vital as Luttrell began expanding into the commercial space. While residential projects present great opportunities, especially during the “busy season,” commercial partnerships provide larger ticket sizes, economies of scale and additional stability in the residential off-season.
While support systems and a clear pathway to scale are crucial to long-term success, Luttrell has found additional fulfillment in the more personal, community-focused aspects of the franchise. By staying active in his local Chamber of Commerce, he’s able to keep his finger on the pulse of new developments in the area and partner with other local businesses preparing to open in the community for commercial projects.
As an owner, Luttrell has also played a crucial role in transforming neighbors’ homes. For example, he completed a project for a woman who was moving into her late parents’ home. After a full renovation, the team put the finishing touch — a hand-painted piece of art by the client’s grandmother — on the project.
“She got all teary,” he said. “That was probably one of the most rewarding projects. Helping other people has really been a key. I get to know people. I get to see their family, and I pet their dog … They really welcome us into their homes.”
For Luttrell, the transition to Fresh Coat has been a lateral move financially, but it has provided a major lift in quality of life. He controls the workflow, schedule and culture, and he knows that as he works, he’s building something for himself and his community.
In this vein, he encourages prospective franchisees to consider their decision carefully. Income replacement is important, but thinking long term is even better.
“You’re not buying a business for next year,” he said. “You’re buying a business for five, 10 years down the road.”
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info.
Fresh Coat
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Former production manager David Luttrell explains how he vetted franchise systems, avoided simply buying himself a job, and found long-term potential in the Fresh Coat model.
For nearly a decade, David Luttrell served as a production manager of a custom apparel company, watching the organization grow from a single garage to three production facilities. While the growth was fulfilling, he found himself looking for something more and ultimately came to invest in Fresh Coat Painters, the national painting franchise.
“I like having some kind of stake and ownership in the decision-making process,” he said. “I just got tired of working in that business and wanted to do something different.”
Though he had a strong background in graphic design, art and production management, he ended up finding his way to the home services space through careful due diligence during his franchise selection process.
When Luttrell began researching potential franchise opportunities, he didn’t just look at the numbers. While those were important, he did a thorough analysis of each company he vetted, using what he calls a “top-down, bottom-up” approach.
“Look at how the process is from the top down,” he said. “What are the processes? What are the structures that corporate provides? Do they have national branding? Do they have systems and formulas?”
Once the corporate structure is clear, he said, it’s time to change your perspective. “Look at it from the bottom up,” he said. “Where do I find my laborers? Where do I find my crew? Am I the one that’s actually going to be painting?”
From there, once the business model has been evaluated from both angles, Luttrell recommends looking deeper into what your specific role will look like.
One of Luttrell’s biggest hesitations early on, and one his partner shared, was the fear of buying a job rather than a true business. He did not want to spend his days climbing ladders; he was interested in an investment that would position him to lead and scale.
A piece of advice that he received during the validation process lent some clarity. An existing owner said, “Look, if you’re painting, there’s a problem. You’re a business owner, not a painter.”
This distinction, combined with the additional support the Fresh Coat model would offer, was a deciding factor in choosing Fresh Coat over an independent business venture. The more he learned about Fresh Coat, the more he realized the support offered by the franchisor would decrease the learning curve and provide a stronger foundation than “just buying a white van and slapping ‘Dave’s Painting’ on the side of it.”
Fresh Coat’s support system was especially vital as Luttrell began expanding into the commercial space. While residential projects present great opportunities, especially during the “busy season,” commercial partnerships provide larger ticket sizes, economies of scale and additional stability in the residential off-season.
While support systems and a clear pathway to scale are crucial to long-term success, Luttrell has found additional fulfillment in the more personal, community-focused aspects of the franchise. By staying active in his local Chamber of Commerce, he’s able to keep his finger on the pulse of new developments in the area and partner with other local businesses preparing to open in the community for commercial projects.
As an owner, Luttrell has also played a crucial role in transforming neighbors’ homes. For example, he completed a project for a woman who was moving into her late parents’ home. After a full renovation, the team put the finishing touch — a hand-painted piece of art by the client’s grandmother — on the project.
“She got all teary,” he said. “That was probably one of the most rewarding projects. Helping other people has really been a key. I get to know people. I get to see their family, and I pet their dog … They really welcome us into their homes.”
For Luttrell, the transition to Fresh Coat has been a lateral move financially, but it has provided a major lift in quality of life. He controls the workflow, schedule and culture, and he knows that as he works, he’s building something for himself and his community.
In this vein, he encourages prospective franchisees to consider their decision carefully. Income replacement is important, but thinking long term is even better.
“You’re not buying a business for next year,” he said. “You’re buying a business for five, 10 years down the road.”
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info.
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