Fresh Coat

As&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-celebrates-hispanic-heritage-month-honoring-two-successful-owners-in-its-system-2727596" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">National Hispanic Heritage Month</a> draws to a close,&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-celebrates-hispanic-heritage-month-honoring-two-successful-owners-in-its-system-2727596" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Painters</a>, the 170-plus-unit painting franchise, is celebrating its dedicated owners, their backgrounds and how their unique perspectives contribute to both their local communities and the larger franchise system.Franchising has long been recognized as a way for motivated entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams, even if they don’t have the expertise necessary to start a brand-new business from scratch. Because of this, the industry has successfully attracted a diverse group of owners looking to build something for themselves.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-chavez-61a713159/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-celebrates-hispanic-heritage-month-honoring-two-successful-owners-in-its-system-2727596" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Richard Chavez</a> and&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>, two&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> owners, are prime examples of this.<h3>From Military to Business Ownership</h3>After a successful Army career, Perez was seeking his next venture. Having been raised to work hard and chase his dreams, he knew he could succeed with the franchise model.“To me, the Hispanic community and culture is synonymous with hard work — just applying a good work ethic and making sure the job gets completed,” he said. “That’s what a lot of my life has been about. Working hard is a part of my morals and values that I carry with me every day.”In his early years, Perez did not necessarily realize that his upbringing was giving him these values, but as an adult, the connection is quite clear.“My dad worked all his life in the oil fields and out on road construction. My mom cleaned homes. They were both up first thing in the morning,” he said. “You don’t necessarily realize it as a kid, but when you grow up, you can look back at what you experienced and start to see, ‘I’m getting these traits from my parents.’ As an adult, I carry the same traits they did.”Being raised in this environment, Perez said he developed a deep appreciation for making sure he follows through on his commitments and has integrity.“You do what you’re supposed to be doing, you have integrity and you treat people well. And, in return, they should be treating you well,” he said. “And even when they don’t, you&nbsp;still treat them well.”In addition to treating his customers well, Perez has been able to create opportunities for people in his community. Living in a predominantly Hispanic area, Perez is able to work alongside and provide opportunities for others in his community.“The Hispanic culture does what I like to call ‘embracing the suck.’ Even if it’s hard work, they’re ready to work. They want to support their families, and they’re going to get out there and do a great job,” he said. “I love working with people who share my same values because I know what kind of effort and dedication they’ll give.”<h3>Appreciating Diversity in a Widely Varied Market</h3>Chavez, whose father is Mexican and mother is white, has remained conscious about embracing the different cultures in his family and community. Opening his Fresh Coat franchise in Wichita, Kansas, has allowed Chavez an opportunity to continue embracing all sides of his culture while working with diverse teams and clients.“I did not get the language side of the culture, but I do have family members who speak Spanish. I have two uncles that have mariachi brands, and one of my favorite things to do is listen to them,” he said. “That’s something that’s very special to me and my life, and I try to encourage my kids, who are a quarter Mexican, to embrace the culture, too. My family still has a pinata at every birthday party, and that’s now extended beyond Hispanic culture. But we embrace a little bit of everyone’s culture and I think that’s important.”Chavez describes Wichita as a pretty diverse market, noting that it has become a hub for franchises looking to test their concepts’ strength with different demographics.Opening his own business in the area has given Chavez yet another platform through which he can embrace diversity, from his own professional connections to the teams and clients he works with.“The United States is not all one race. It’s sprinkled with a little bit of everything, and I think the more I can connect to my Hispanic heritage, the more I can learn to appreciate everyone else’s heritage,” he said. “Everyone has something they enjoy or value, and understanding the value of that helps us all to be a little more accepting of our neighbors, coworkers and people we pass on the street.”In addition to his higher-level interest in widespread acceptance, business ownership has given Chavez an opportunity to connect more deeply with his own culture and those who share it.“I know some people can take offense to it, but there’s a common stereotype that Mexicans are hard-working. I think that’s true and I think it’s a very positive stereotype,” he said. “I take that into consideration and take it to heart. I like to work, and I’m proud to work with teams in this trade who are outworking everyone else. I think this is something that’s in my core, and I can attribute that to my Hispanic culture.”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>.

Fresh Coat Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, Honoring Two Successful Owners in Its System

Fresh Coat Painters Franchise Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

1851 Franchise

Gil Perez and Richard Chavez reflect on their journeys as business owners, sharing how their Hispanic heritage impacts them, their approach to work and how they interact with the community.

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

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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

Fresh Coat Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, Honoring Two Successful Owners in Its System

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