Fresh Coat

In the heart of Austin, a heartwarming story is unfolding as&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat">Fresh Coat Painters</a>, the renowned residential and commercial painting franchise with over 170 units, steps up to make a difference in the life of an elderly woman. Through its&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/about-us/fresh-coat-cares/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-franchisee-provides-free-house-painting-for-elderly-woman-in-austin-2723835" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Cares</a> corporate responsibility program, the franchise is on a mission to provide no-cost painting services to individuals, charities and nonprofits, making a tangible difference in communities across the nation.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/erickestradamba?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-franchisee-provides-free-house-painting-for-elderly-woman-in-austin-2723835" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Erick Estrada</a>, a&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-franchisee-provides-free-house-painting-for-elderly-woman-in-austin-2723835" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat</a> franchisee based in Austin, is at the forefront of the latest iteration of this initiative. While Estrada comes from a background in higher education, he also holds an MBA and always knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur. After facing lay-offs eight years ago, he and his wife decided they were ready to take control of their own destiny and finally start a business of their own. When they discovered the Fresh Coat franchise, all the stars aligned.&nbsp;"After facing layoffs at the University of&nbsp;Phoenix, I transitioned into this role,” said Estrada. “We were very interested in the painting industry, and while I wasn’t a painter by trade, I had an MBA that I wanted to put to good use. That is why we decided to go the franchising route. Right away, we could tell Fresh Coat was a leading brand in the painting sector.&nbsp;Estrada officially opened his&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/round-rock/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-franchisee-provides-free-house-painting-for-elderly-woman-in-austin-2723835" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat of Round Rock, TX</a> franchise in 2016. “The timing was just right, and my wife and I decided to launch this franchise,” he said. “It has been a blessing to watch it grow."When Estrada first heard about the Fresh Coat Cares program, he says it resonated deeply with his community-driven aspirations. Fresh Coat Cares is an opportunity available to all franchise owners that provides assistance to offset $500 of the labor costs for any charitable projects, with Sherwin Williams also contributing a $500 donation of paint.&nbsp;After being introduced to a local elderly woman in need of assistance, Estrada knew it’d be the perfect opportunity to finally take part in the program and didn't hesitate to say yes.&nbsp;"This woman was introduced to me through&nbsp;<a href="https://pihtx.org/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-franchisee-provides-free-house-painting-for-elderly-woman-in-austin-2723835" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Partners in Hope</a>, a local organization here in Texas,” Estrada said. “When I met her and heard her story, my wheels started turning. She is in a tough situation — there is a homeowners association that is on her about the appearance of her home. We decided to help her by painting the exterior of her house. The joy and appreciation she expressed were heartwarming."Partners in Hope is an independent, collaborative ministry that addresses social isolation in communities across the Central Texas area.&nbsp;Their mission is to empower communities to work together to end social isolation and the hopelessness it causes."We connected with this client after a neighbor recommended her — she is the type of person who is always helping others, but it is difficult for her to ask for help herself,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/b-j-rogers-11243317?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-franchisee-provides-free-house-painting-for-elderly-woman-in-austin-2723835" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">BJ Rogers</a>, Ministry Director for Partners in Hope. “After listening to her story, we were able to partner with her. We’ve had volunteer work days cleaning up her house, and now, thanks to Fresh Coat, we are excited to get the house painted. Our goal is to connect people in need with a solid network so they can see the mental, emotional and spiritual health benefits that come with that. This kind of partnership helps us fulfill our mission.”Estrada says the painting project will most likely be completed later this year. “We are excited to put a smile on her face,” he said. “This is just a great way to say thank you to a community that has given so much to me as a small business owner.”&nbsp;Looking ahead, Estrada's commitment to impacting his community is unwavering, and he is eager to find more ways to make a difference through his Fresh Coat franchise.&nbsp;“We are in the business of changing lives through paint,” said Estrada. “This is even more fulfilling because we aren't getting anything out of it — making one customer’s life better is a small token of our appreciation. I wish we could do this for every one of our clients. The fact that Fresh Coat gives us the platform to do this as a franchisee really is amazing. I can’t wait to see her reaction!"Overall, the collaboration between Estrada and Partners in Hope is a testament to the power of community and is a perfect example of the type of connections the Fresh Coat Cares program fosters.&nbsp;For more information on franchising with Fresh Coat Painters, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-franchisee-provides-free-house-painting-for-elderly-woman-in-austin-2723835" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://freshcoatfranchise.com/</a>.

Fresh Coat Franchisee Provides Free House Painting for Elderly Woman in Austin 

1851 Franchise

Teaming up with local ministry Partners in Hope - Texas, Erick Estrada is taking part in the Fresh Coat Cares Program, a systemwide charity initiative that offsets costs so franchisees can give back to their communities. 

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 Franchisee Provides Free House Painting for Elderly Woman in Austin

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