Fresh Coat

After four decades of painting cars,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/automotive-painter-takes-control-of-familys-future-with-fresh-coat-painters-franchise-in-tennessee-2726322#franchisee-stories">Jeff Berry</a> found himself at a crossroads when health concerns forced him to leave the career he knew. His wife, Jenn, had also worked hard in multiple industries, including janitorial roles for FedEx and Allegiant Airlines, attending and graduating from the Tennessee School of Beauty, and earning credentials as a dental assistant. At a crossroads, the two decided to pursue a new opportunity that would be both more stable and more rewarding for them both.Their next step surprised even their own family, but it led them to an incredibly successful venture and&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-franchise-jeff-berry-rising-star-2729404" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat’s</a> 2025 Rising Star award.<h2>Trading Auto Paint for a Painting Franchise</h2>Jeff’s journey in the automotive industry began in 1978. Following his family’s footsteps, Jeff joined the auto repair industry and began to specialize in painting. For 40 years, he worked alongside his family, but eventually, his health was affected by the work.“They repaired the vehicles, and I painted them,” Jeff said. “As the years went on, I got asthma and allergies. I ended up with a little breathing problem, so I had to retire from that business. Jenn had recently graduated from dental school, only to realize the industry was full. I told my kids that I’d start looking for something else for the sake of my health, and they thought I was going to look for another job. But the circumstances with both of our jobs is what led us to invest in Fresh Coat and leave all of that behind.”After considering their options, Jeff and Jenn decided a franchise would provide the structure and support they needed while still allowing them to function as independent business owners.“Starting something individually is a lot harder than being a part of a franchise,” Jeff said. “Franchises help you set everything up with the equipment, computer, software and everything else you need to get started.”In what Jeff described as a puzzle coming together perfectly, he discovered&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> online, and the territory in his own neighborhood was available. The transition made perfect sense. In addition to the local opportunity, Jeff drew a parallel between auto painting and commercial and residential painting. While it’s not the exact same, it felt familiar and made the transition a bit smoother.<h2>Building the Business With a Foundation of Customer Service</h2>As he stepped into business ownership, Jeff knew he would need to focus on two things: leadership and customer service.&nbsp;“I did lots of reading and studying to figure out how to be a boss,” he said. “I was an employee. I was used to having a boss telling me what to do every day, and I didn’t want that anymore, but I also didn’t want to be that kind of boss to any of my team members.”Jeff developed his own approach while following Fresh Coat’s guidance. He credits the franchisor’s leadership and training with helping him build the structure for a successful business.In addition to his own leadership, Jeff knew it would be key to provide top-notch customer service.“Any new owner who comes in should have customer service as a primary goal,” he said. “If you can’t make the customer happy, you’ll be out of business.”One year into launching his Fresh Coat franchise, Jeff has brought on a manager to support the growing business, and he aims to double business in his second year. Already, though, Jeff has seen remarkable results and caught the attention of the Fresh Coat leadership team. Despite doubts when he first embarked on this new career path, he was recently named Fresh Coat’s Rising Star.For those considering a similar path, Jeff encourages the leap.“Be prepared to put your name out there,” he said. “Spread it around. Get the word out about who you are and what you do. If you can do that, you’ll get lots of business.”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;

Jeff Berry Named Fresh Coat’s 2025 Rising Star After Career Pivot

1851 Franchise

Jeff spent 40 years painting cars before developing respiratory issues. After pivoting to franchise ownership with his wife, Jenn, they rose to the top with great performance in the first year.

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

After Health Concerns Pushed Jeff Berry to a New Opportunity, He Earned Fresh Coat Rising Star of the Year in Year One

fresh-coat-franchise-jeff-berry-rising-star

FRANCHISE INFORMATION

Own a Fresh Coat

Fresh Coat's National Accounts Program

Sherwin Willams Partnership

Learn

Visit Website

FRESH COAT

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

YouTube

SOCIAL MEDIA

Meet the Fresh Coat Leadership Team: The Pros Behind the Painting Franchise

Multigenerational Contractor Seph Duggan Launches Fresh Coat Painters of Lakeland, Florida

The Rise of Home Improvement Franchises: Why Now Is the Time to Invest

FRESH COAT MOST READ STORIES

1851 LOGIN

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

ABOUT FRESH COAT

CONTACT FRESH COAT

facebook

instagram

linkedin

youtube

First Name

Last Name

Email

Phone

City Of Interest

State Of Interest

Do you have over $50k to invest in your business?

Own a Fresh Coat Franchise

With his background as a Finish Carpenter and a General Contractor,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/seph-duggan-899a3310a/">Seph Duggan</a> is well aware of the struggles people face when looking for people to handle their construction needs. Lack of awareness can make it difficult for customers to find help, leading to a major issue with customer access to a reputable workforce. His solution was to launch&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/">Fresh Coat Painters</a> of Lakeland, providing an accessible, reputable workforce and a great customer experience.Duggan’s passion for the customer experience is driven by his other career. He spent a decade as a tour director and trip manager, where he learned about hospitality and customer experience. Duggan wants to ensure customers never feel abandoned after a project is completed.&nbsp;1851 Franchise spoke with Duggan about his journey into franchising with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> and his plans for the future. Here’s what he had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Seph Duggan:&nbsp;I come from a multigenerational construction family. My grandfather, father, and I are all general contractors. I’ve been working on homes since I was 14, so I’ve worked in all areas of construction the majority of my life. Most recently I’ve worked in new home construction, historic preservation and commercial construction.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Duggan:&nbsp;I’ve been a carpenter for 15 years and own my own carpentry business. I got into Fresh Coat because I wanted something with a little more brand awareness and internal support than my solo carpentry business offered. Franchising just made sense because during the process of growing my own businesses, I got to a point where I knew I needed to either invest in systems or hire more support. I wanted something that came with more tools at my disposal, like the internal systems brands have already formed. Franchising offers a structure with professional guidance that is indispensable for an owner looking to navigate the ups and downs one experiences in an attempt to scale a business at pace.&nbsp;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?Duggan:&nbsp;As a business major, I understood the benefits of franchising. If anyone is skeptical over franchising, it is important to point out how many successful businesses are franchises. It's a wildly successful model, whether you look at the founding story of restaurant chains like&nbsp; Five Guys or Starbucks, Lowe’s or Home Depot; the model is proven time and time again on any scale, big or small. Starting any business takes time and money, but franchising provides more opportunities and advantages than I had on my own, especially in mitigation of risk through access to a network of professional support. The experience has been pretty incredible so far because the established systems, like the established brand recognition, access to marketing assistance like building of a website and Google SEO, I am able to focus on work and customer relations rather than system development.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Duggan:&nbsp;I worked with Fresh Coat franchises in Charleston, South Carolina, when I was a Finish Carpenter, and I always had a great experience working with them.I also realized that focusing on one aspect of construction, like painting, gives me the opportunity to channel all of my experience into one trade rather than in general construction, where you’re spread out over multiple trades and phases. Choosing to focus on one aspect of construction like painting with Fresh Coat provides an opportunity to hone my skills and more effectively maintain my bottom line:&nbsp; overhead, workforce, margins, and most importantly the customer experience.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Duggan:&nbsp;Right now, one of the issues I see in construction is customer access. I talk to a variety of people on a weekly basis who need a variety of tradesmen such as contractors, handymen or painters, but they just don't know where to find them. For Fresh Coat Lakeland, I want to provide a great customer experience through trust and accountability by making sure customers are satisfied with not just the work but the entire process as well. Homes aren’t just an investment, they provide safety and comfort, and any disruption in our day to day at home can be nerve wracking. Understanding this, it is my goal to build a resource for professional industry knowledge and trusting relationships to facilitate a smooth process start to finish and after.&nbsp;The goal is to focus on residential painting first and eventually develop into the commercial painting space. I would also like to offer other services like drywall repair and handyman services, potentially by acquiring a handyman franchise once the painting business runs more autonomously.1851:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Duggan: Interestingly enough construction isn’t my only area of expertise. For the past 10 years, I’ve supplemented my career with seasonal hospitality work as Tour Director/Manager for renowned travel companies like National Geographic and Gate 1 Travel in the summer months. This endeavor has equipped me with access to some of the best hospitality training and experience which I’ve been able to incorporate into my best practices for construction as well. A field that, at times, can be desperately lacking in customer service. With me you’ll get a well rounded diversified experience that benefits the end result.I don't want any of my customers ever to feel like I’ve abandoned them after the job is done. Something that happens far too frequently in the Construction space. With Fresh Coat Lakeland not only will customers have direct access to myself but the comfort of knowing that I have the support of the entire Fresh Coat and Sherwin Williams guarantees as well.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Duggan:&nbsp;Honestly, it’s just to trust the process. It’s a large investment up front, but that investment pays itself back as you utilize the support and resources the franchisor provides. You’re not just out there stranded on an island. I like the franchise because you can mitigate some of that risk by joining on with a team.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;

Fresh Coat Painters - Seph Duggan - Lakeland Florida - 1851 Franchise

fresh-coat-painters-franchise-lakeland-seph-duggan

Following a 2024 divorce after 27 years as a military spouse,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryesteele96/">Mary Steele</a> sought to control her future and build her own business.&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/">Fresh Coat Painters</a>, the residential and commercial painting franchise, immediately appealed to her with its focus on home transformation, strong support and proven model. Her real estate background and passion for making houses feel like homes confirmed it was the right fit.What stood out most to Steele was&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat’s</a> culture of transparency and community. The brand’s training, marketing guidance and network of experienced franchise owners provided not just a roadmap for success but a team genuinely invested in her growth.Now preparing to open her Melbourne, Florida, location in January 2026, Steele is focused on building a business that reflects her values like treating employees well, serving homeowners with care and creating lasting impact through every project.&nbsp;1851 Franchise spoke to Steele about her franchise journey with Fresh Coat and her plans for the future. Here’s what she had to say:&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Mary Steele:&nbsp;Before getting into franchising, I was an active-duty military spouse. I traveled for many years — over 27 years. I got a divorce in 2024 and decided, “What does Mary want now that she gets to live life on her own terms?” Things were different. What did I want to do?I started digging into my past and the dreams I had, the things I wanted to do. I’d always wanted to become a franchise owner, but I thought that space would be in the food industry. Then I started working with a career coach, and we did a personal assessment to see what I liked to do. That turned out not to be what I wanted.We pulled up several franchises, and I did some research. I realized that one thing I love — because I also have a real estate background — is that every time we moved over the past 27 years, the first thing we did was paint. We’d either paint in preparation to sell the home for curb appeal or repaint once we arrived at a new place to make it feel like home.When I started looking at painting franchises, I connected with the culture at Fresh Coat and what the franchise had to offer. It just looked like a great fit. Once I started talking with the professionals there — especially the gentleman I spoke with for several months before he retired — and then my new franchise development coach, I felt at ease and comfortable.There was no hard-pressure sales, just transparency. They shared what their 20-year history looks like and what other franchisees say about Fresh Coat. It felt good. It felt right. That’s how I ended up with the Fresh Coat franchise.I have a background in real estate sales and the military, working with service members who were preparing to leave active duty and transition into civilian life. That’s what I did for 10 years. That was what I was used to, and that’s how I ended up coming to Fresh Coat.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?Steele:&nbsp;I think my perception was that if you decided to join a franchise, you’d have this big, established brand — something national or even international that everyone already knew about. I thought that was it. You join the franchise, they hand you the brand, and then say, “Now go make it your own.”What I found out is that it’s so much more than that. Especially with Fresh Coat, you have a built-in network of people who are rooting for you — people who want to see you win. When you partner with a national brand, they want to help you succeed because your success is their success.I gained a network of professionals who could help me with marketing and establishing my territory, as well as all the background support you need to be successful. Since going through training, I feel that even more. I had the opportunity to meet with other franchisees, hear their stories, learn what works, and understand what to focus on at 30 days, 90 days and six months in.I really value that because I’ve never been a franchise owner before; you don’t know what you don’t know. Having that built-in network of professionals who understand what I’m about to experience and can help me through it has been incredibly rewarding.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Steele:&nbsp;I think what excited me most about the company was that it’s something I’m genuinely interested in. Mind you, I’m a person who doesn’t color well inside the lines at all. When it comes to painting, I make a big mess — but I know what colors I like and what looks good. That part I’m great at.Knowing that Fresh Coat has been established for many years and has such a diverse collection of owners really stood out to me. We’re talking men and women, people born in the United States, people who weren’t, people who have lived here long-term and even those who live here part-time. It’s a great, diverse group of owners, and that was engaging to me.I liked seeing myself reflected in the ownership and the willingness of other owners to say, “Hey, if you need something, I’m here. Give me a call.” I love that sense of community.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Steele:&nbsp;I hope to be a successful small business owner — replacing the income I had when I worked for someone else by working for myself and continuing to grow and expand.When I worked for other people, I often thought about why I stayed with a company. What did they offer that made me want to stay? Some things were great, and others, not so much. So, as I grow my business and eventually bring on my own staff, I want to be the kind of small business owner employees want to stay with because they’re treated well, have great benefits, and have steady painting opportunities.Starting out, I’ll be using subcontractors to get the business off the ground, and I’m glad to have that flexibility. My ultimate goal is to have my own crew — to employ several painters and build strong relationships with them so they don’t want to leave. I want them to stay and grow with me as the business grows.1851:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Steele:&nbsp;Don’t give up on your dreams. Don’t give up on your goals. Life will throw all kinds of curveballs, but as long as you can embrace the pivot, you’ll be okay. That’s what I call this stage of my life: embracing the pivot.“Pivot” has been used in military marching terms for years, but to me, it means being able to adjust and move in a new direction. As long as you don’t lose hope, stay optimistic and keep a positive attitude, you can embrace that pivot, go in a new direction and not be afraid. Life can be scary. We don’t always win or succeed right away. But one thing’s for sure — if you stop or quit, you’ll never grow or be successful. If you keep going, one step at a time — slowly but surely — you’ll get where you want to go. I truly believe slow and steady wins the race.You could not have told me 20 years ago that this would be my franchise. My mind was totally somewhere else. But because I stayed open to a different type of franchise, I’m so glad I embraced that pivot.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Steele:&nbsp;Do your research. Do your due diligence. Don’t rush; take your time and ask all the questions. If it’s something you feel strongly about, go for it. You don’t want to live with a bunch of regrets or a bunch of “woulda, coulda, shouldas.” Go for it, and that way, when it’s time to tell your story, you can say, “This is something I wanted to do.”&nbsp;ABOUT FRESH COAT PAINTERS:Fresh Coat Painters, the residential and commercial painting franchise under the Strategic Franchising Systems umbrella, offers a low-cost 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.

Fresh Coat Painters - Mary Steele - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

How a Major Life Pivot Led This Military Spouse to Open a Fresh Coat Franchise in Melbourne, Florida

fresh-coat-franchisee-mary-steele-melbourne-florida

Father-Son Duo Brings Fresh Coat Painters Franchise to Northwest Arkansas

joe-david-deitzer-father-son-fresh-coat-painters-franchise-arkansas

Former Project Manager and Executive Assistant Swaps Corporate Life for Fresh Coat Painters Ownership

former-project-manager-and-executive-assistance-swaps-corporate-life-for-fresh-coat-painters-ownership

After Health Concerns Pushed Jeff Berry to a New Opportunity, He Earned Fresh Coat Rising Star of the Year in Year One

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS