Fresh Coat

March is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.womenshistorymonth.gov/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-womens-history-month-2728848" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Women’s History Month</a> — a time to celebrate the achievements and resilience of women. At&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-womens-history-month-2728848" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat</a>, we're proud to recognize the incredible contributions of women in business, especially our own franchise owners. This year, we spotlight&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/north-sarasota/about-us/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-womens-history-month-2728848" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Amy Wasserman</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/brandon-valrico/about-us/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-womens-history-month-2728848" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mandy Mundh</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/marble-falls/about-us/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-womens-history-month-2728848" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sarah Ross</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-vallejo-42b2b3274/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-womens-history-month-2728848" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mary Vallejo</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/johns-creek-roswell/about-us/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-womens-history-month-2728848" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Isabel Calero</a>, who have transformed their experiences into thriving entrepreneurial journeys.<h2>Diverse Paths, Shared Determination</h2>These women each bring a unique journey to entrepreneurship, yet all share a common thread of determination. Wasserman’s drive to create jobs and give back to her community led her to start her business. Mundh’s story is one of perseverance and passion, showing that resilience can fuel success. Ross, inspired by her mother and grandmother, sought independence and built her business from the ground up. Vallejo, transitioning from a state government career, found a way to merge her love for home improvement with her desire to make a meaningful impact. Calero, aiming for a better work-life balance, found support in both her husband and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> Painters&nbsp;to bring her vision to life.<h2>Leadership: Strength and Support</h2>&nbsp;As mothers and business owners in a male-dominated industry, these women have faced unique challenges. Wasserman reflects, “Juggling motherhood with running a business has made me more resilient.” Each of them has worked tirelessly to earn respect and establish credibility, using obstacles as motivation to prove that true leadership is defined by ability, vision, and unwavering commitment.Their definitions of success are as diverse as their journeys. For Wasserman, success means making a lasting impact and serving as a role model. Mundh is focused on uplifting others and fostering an empowering work culture. Ross sees success in community involvement, supporting women and families through initiatives like food pantry donations. Vallejo defines success by helping clients transform their spaces and demonstrating that determination can overcome barriers. Calero places her focus on building relationships and trust, valuing quality over rapid expansion.<h2>Overcoming Obstacles</h2>Each woman has faced the challenge of proving her competence in a male-dominated industry. Wasserman focused on education and used data to back up her decisions. Mundh learned to trust her instincts and advocate for herself. Ross navigated both gender dynamics and client expectations. Vallejo took the opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals, overcoming the steep learning curve of transitioning careers. Calero found strength in the support of her husband's experience and Fresh Coat's training program.<h2>Inspiration and Encouragement</h2>These women draw inspiration from a variety of sources. Wasserman credits her entrepreneurial mother for guiding her. Mundh is inspired by women who have shattered glass ceilings. Ross looks up to her family and a successful Fresh Coat franchise president. Vallejo is motivated by the increasing number of women in the painting industry. Calero admires her mother and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarablakely27/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-womens-history-month-2728848" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sarah Blakely</a>, founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://spanx.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-womens-history-month-2728848" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Spanx</a>.In honor of Women's History Month, they share their advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Wasserman emphasizes the importance of organization and confidence. Mundh encourages believing in yourself and surrounding yourself with a strong support system. Ross advocates for community involvement. Vallejo celebrates the progress women have made and urges others to connect and support one another. Calero champions education, trust-building, and sustainable growth.<h2>Celebrating Women in Business</h2>At Fresh Coat, we celebrate the strength and determination of these women who pave the way for future generations. This Women's History Month, we honor all women in business — those breaking barriers, building legacies, and inspiring others to follow their dreams.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>.

image with photos of six female Fresh Coat franchisees, celebrating Women's History Month

Fresh Coat: Celebrating Women in Business for Women’s History Month

1851 Franchise

Fresh Coat Painters celebrates Women’s History Month by spotlighting five franchise owners who have overcome challenges, built successful businesses and inspired others.

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

Breaking Barriers and Building Dreams: A Women’s History Month Spotlight

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Transitioning from a steady corporate role to franchise ownership can feel like a big leap. For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandler-register-5326a5150">Chandler Register</a>, a former Sherwin-Williams manager and current owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/cumming/">Fresh Coat Painters of Alpharetta and Cumming</a>, it was a calculated risk. Before becoming a franchise owner, Register experienced the strict demands of corporate roles, especially in one of Sherwin-Williams’ top-performing markets.“Sherwin-Williams managers in Atlanta are committed to working 48 hours per week, so it’s essentially a six-day-a-week job,” Register said. “You’re kind of stuck in the store, which I didn’t love. I like to go out and talk with people.”<h2>Expertise and Connection Built In-Store</h2>However, these 48 weekly hours spent in the store did allow Register to make meaningful connections, one of which ultimately led to the&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com">Fresh Coat</a> pivot. He was approached by the previous owner of the Cumming territory, who was looking to transition out. Having seen the business from the supplier side, he was curious. And after spending some time with the previous owner, experiencing the day-to-day demands firsthand, Register saw the transition as a calculated risk that he was ready to take.“I already had a leg up because&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> is a partner of Sherwin-Williams; we really only use Sherwin-Williams products,” he said. “I could talk for days about what one product does versus the other, and I knew the ins and outs of the products. That, combined with my management experience, made me confident.”Register officially took over the Fresh Coat operation a couple of years ago, and he has grown steadily ever since.As he has expanded, Register has begun to build his team, making his first hire last spring. Coincidentally, this person was also in a managerial role at Sherwin-Williams before transitioning to Fresh Coat.&nbsp;“I probably sped up the onboarding process by about double the time by choosing someone who already had the knowledge of the paints,” Register said. “I didn’t have to teach him that, which was a huge benefit for sure.”<h2>The Flexibility of Franchise Ownership</h2>While existing product knowledge has served Register well, another key motivator for the transition was the autonomy that comes with being his own boss. After years of strict corporate schedules and experience at a desk job before Sherwin-Williams, Register was ready for a lifestyle shift.The shift from a mandatory 48-hour work week to the ability to set his own schedule and create flexibility throughout the week was a major benefit for Register, but the leadership autonomy that business ownership provided was another key perk.“My two biggest things are probably setting your own schedule and the freedom to do what you want with your products and business,” Register said. “You don’t have people over you saying, ‘That’s a great idea, but we can’t do it because of X, Y and Z.’ You’re your own boss. Obviously, Fresh Coat has guidelines that you have to abide by, but the freedom in general is great. Not just from a time aspect, but decision-making, too.”<h2>Scaling Toward the Future</h2>Since taking over the business, Register has seen consistent year-over-year growth. Starting as an owner-operator in his first year, Register added an estimator and nearly doubled revenue in the second year. Now, he’s focused on a long-term plan to reach $1.5 to $2 million in annual revenue, leveraging opportunities with larger commercial projects to draw in additional revenue.“We always have a consistent plan to grow, and we’ve grown every single year,” he said. “We’re already off to a pretty good start.”Looking toward the future, Register remains optimistic, highlighting the resiliency of the industry. Unlike industries and corporate roles that may be drastically impacted by accelerated innovation timelines and the use of artificial intelligence, the painting industry remains human-centric and quite stable.“Painting is recession-proof in that it’s something that always needs to be done,” he said. “It’s not something I see getting taken over by AI. You’re always going to have someone who needs to apply the paint. With painting in general, the only thing that will happen is technology will continue to enhance the process, not take it over.”For others looking to make the leap to business ownership with a high-performing, recession-resistant model, Register highlights that growth requires stepping away from total security. While the risk is real, the reward of ownership and freedom is, too.“It seems scary at first. There may be times where your account might not be where you want it to be because of an unexpected snowstorm, for example,” he said. “It’s just one of those things where you have to find solutions. When you can get through hiccups like that, it’s a pretty successful model. So, take the calculated risk.”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;

Photo of Fresh Coat franchisee Chandler Register

After one of Chandler Register’s regular customers mentioned he was looking to exit his painting franchise, Register took a “calculated risk” and has seen steady business growth since.

Former Sherwin-Williams Manager Transitions to Entrepreneurship With Fresh Coat Franchise

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<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-ross-2646323/">Sarah Ross</a>, a franchise owner with&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com">Fresh Coat Painters</a>, the 190-plus-unit national painting franchise, initially made the leap to entrepreneurship in the early 20-teens in search of a more balanced, fulfilling career. However, leaving the world of corporate accounting brought her much more, including an opportunity and a platform through which she has changed the lives of others in her community.“The biggest rewarding point that I didn't expect was the ability to employ others,” she said. “I knew that was the model with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a>, but I didn’t realize how much some painters struggle. My teams are thankful that I can keep them busy and they’re not out trying to sell the next project every time something winds down. They’re skilled at what they do, and they just want to be respected, be busy and do their trade.”Through steady business growth, Ross has consistently scaled her operation, broadening her impact both in terms of the number of teams she’s been able to employ and the number of satisfied customers she has completed projects with.Notably, though, Ross has also remained engaged with members of her community, consistently completing&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/about-us/fresh-coat-cares/">Fresh Coat Cares</a> projects to support families and organizations in need throughout her community.In recent years, Ross and the Fresh Coat Painters of&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/marble-falls">Marble Falls</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/sw-austin/">Southwest Austin</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/hill-country/">Hill Country</a> teams have partnered with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cc4c.org/">CC4C</a>, an organization that supports families navigating the challenges of rare and undiagnosed diseases in children;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sharingtheharvestkingsland.com/">Sharing the Harvest</a>, a Kingsland, Texas, food bank; and, most recently, she and her teams played a role in helping local families recover from the devastating July 4th floods.“We had the opportunity, through Fresh Coat Cares, to participate in a lot of that recovery effort,” Ross said. “Initially, it was just mucking out homes, which was going in and shoveling the mud out of these homes, which is hard to even fathom. We ended up mucking out several homes, and my team even came back to me and said, ‘Thank you for letting us have this day.’”Through the process of the recovery effort, Ross and her team connected with others involved in the recovery process and neighbors whose homes were impacted.Ross recalled a neighbor whose home had been carried by flood waters across the street. As teams were mucking out a home next door, this homeowner returned and placed a “For Rent” sign on the front door.“This house floated away and was resting against another house, but that was like the heart of the community right then,” she said. “Everyone needed a good laugh, and it was fun to be there. It was sad to see what all these individuals had lost, but we had an opportunity to see the recovery effort all the way through.”Though they originally planned to focus on mucking out homes in need of recovery, Ross and her team ended up being able to drywall and paint two separate homes, seeing the recovery effort through to completion.“It was very rewarding,” she said. “I’m appreciative that the Fresh Coat Cares program is around, and I’m appreciative of the community that I live in… that they quickly responded and gave us the opportunity to do this.”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;

image of  Sarah Ross Fresh Coat Painters franchisee owner

As she scales a successful painting franchise, Sarah Ross provides steady employment opportunities and consistently gives back to local organizations supporting those in need.

How Fresh Coat Painters Empowers This Franchisee To Change Lives in Her Community

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Since launching his&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com">Fresh Coat Painters</a> franchise in 2023,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-boden-79717ba0/">Matt Boden</a>, owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/tampa">Fresh Coat Painters of Tampa</a>, has become deeply ingrained in his community. After a decades-long career in the restaurant space, Boden made the leap to franchise ownership, but he brought the hospitality spirit with him. As he has scaled, this has proven to be a valuable approach.&nbsp;“Having a business that will give you great financial backing and a chance to give back to the community is huge,” Boden said. “I want to be part of my territory and part of my community. I want this to be long-lasting; I don’t want to just be a drop in the bucket. I want to make an impact as much as possible.”&nbsp;<h2>The Mechanics of Scaling the Franchise</h2>To move from restaurants to home services and begin scaling requires clear processes and well-developed support structures.&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> offers both.At launch, Boden already had big plans to add 10 to 15 team members to the organization with a longer-term goal of potentially investing in additional territories. To achieve this, Boden follows the Fresh Coat system closely, leveraging the processes that have already been proven to work and calling on support teams as necessary. Understanding and making the most of the resources available to you is crucial for growth. At the local level, Boden takes a similar approach.“Having the processes to scale and the team around you to grow to a certain level is very important,” he said. “You will never know the capabilities of your team unless you push them. As long as you're continuing to push your team in a better way and get them in a better position to help you grow, that's the only way you can scale this business.”For Boden, this “push” is about providing opportunities and consistent professional development, not overworking teams. Drawing from his years in the restaurant business, Boden takes a coaching approach to mentor employees while ensuring the quality remains consistent, even as the volume of work increases.Systems are just part of the equation, though. Boden also recognizes the crucial role the community plays in his success.<h2>The Importance of Community in Franchising</h2>While Boden is dedicated to the Fresh Coat model and coaching successful teams, he emphasizes the value of looking beyond the franchise organization to set the stage for scale. In each local community, the success of the franchise is largely supported by the residents of that very community.&nbsp;“I chose Fresh Coat because of the sense of community with other owners, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that as I grew my own business,” he said. “And having the opportunity with&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/about-us/fresh-coat-cares/">Fresh Coat Cares</a> was a huge benefit, too, because I can give back to the community and really be a part of it.”When franchisees keep this fact at the forefront of their vision from the early days, they’re naturally positioned for success.“It’s an opportunity to be invested in the community that gives you so much by purchasing paint projects,” Boden said. “We’re leaving our legacy inside our own community.”As Boden has grown, he has taken this mentality a step further, completing Fresh Coat Cares projects that benefit his fellow community members. Through networking events, Boden was connected with the&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalpcf.org/">National Pediatric Cancer Foundation</a>. As a cancer survivor himself, he connected with the team on a higher level, and they began discussing opportunities for collaboration.“We got to repaint the room of a little girl who was going through chemotherapy for almost seven years,” Boden said. “We got to see her face when she came home from school, and that big smile and then grabbing her big old teddy bear and just kind of walking in, and getting that warm feeling. Having that be a part of her life is something that's tremendous.”Boden’s commitment to philanthropy recently earned him the title of Philanthropist of the Year in Tampa Bay, which he views as just a byproduct of doing the right thing. Being celebrated for giving back is a perk, but for Boden, it all comes back to supporting those who support him: “Again, it's a chance for us to give back to the community that's so awesome that gives to us every day,” he said.While he has quantitative goals, Boden isn’t just looking to see how large the business can get. He wants to make sure that growth serves a higher purpose. By the end of his fifth year, he aims to have additional territories and established commercial teams in place, a trajectory that was shaped by both Boden’s hard work and the contributions of the Fresh Coat team, his local team members and his community members.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;

Photo of Fresh Coat team member painting window

Matt Boden, owner of Fresh Coat Painters of Tampa, emphasizes the value of team and community members in addition to the structure offered by the franchisor.

How Fresh Coat Painters Franchisees Build Their Teams and Scale Their Businesses

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After a combined 27 years in food service distribution, Betsy and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-carleton-aa913236/">Alan Carleton</a> were familiar with the corporate scene, but the appeal of the corporate ladder was fading. The pair had become experts at navigating the demands of fast-paced, high-stakes work, but organizational shifts left them underwhelmed.“It got to the point where we got tired of the scene,” Alan said. “New owners would come in, buy our divisions out, and promise us the world. We all know how that goes.”This frustration became the catalyst for a life-changing pivot to&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com">Fresh Coat Painters</a>, the national painting franchise with over 190 units across the country. The Carletons found&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> “by accident,” but years later, the investment has turned into both a successful business and a family legacy defined by flexibility and partnership, providing a “safety net” and security that corporate life couldn’t.<h2>A Partnership Driven by Complementary Skill Sets</h2>The transition from employees to business owners required the Carletons to take a careful look at their individual strengths. Alan, a career salesman, knew he wouldn’t do well stuck behind a desk. Betsy, however, had spent her career as a food service coordinator, mastering the logistics and data that keep a business running smoothly — all from behind a desk.While Betsy originally stayed in the corporate world for benefits and stability, as the business grew, the two began to realize how her skills would benefit Fresh Coat.“His strength is my weakness, and my weakness is his strength,” Betsy said. “I take care of all the back-end books, the scheduling, the P&amp;Ls … All the things he’s not great at. He takes care of everything on the outside: operations, managing crews and taking care of customers.”With Alan’s “sell-anything” mindset, he knew he would need Betsy’s analytical eye to ensure the business would run smoothly.“I would go sell, sell, sell, but I didn’t pay much attention to the back end,” he said. “That’s when we decided Betsy would leave her position and take a leap of faith to work as a partnership.”<h2>The ‘Corporate’ Support Without a Fully Corporate Model</h2>While the Carletons knew they would work well together, they still had some apprehension about the transition from the corporate world to business ownership. For some first-time business owners, the lack of a roadmap can be detrimental. Fresh Coat offered structure through the franchise model without the bureaucracy the Carletons were looking to leave behind.“When Alan decided to do this, it was a really struggling economy,” Betsy said. “He researched and researched, and he just kept going back to Fresh Coat because it had more support. It had structure. With us never owning a company before, it was that safety net for us, and we really caught on to it.”As they’ve grown over the course of 12 years, the Carletons have consistently engaged with the support structures Fresh Coat offers. For example, in High Performance Groups, the Carletons engage with their fellow franchisees, talk through challenges and exchange ideas.“You have the best of both worlds,” Betsy said. “You’re self-employed, but you still have that accountability. Fresh Coat has your back.”<h2>A Family Affair and Legacy of Success</h2>The freedom and flexibility that define the Carletons’ success have to do with time and financial freedom, but the pair is also proud to be building a business alongside people they trust. Fresh Coat has been the backdrop to their family life for over a decade.Their son,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-carleton-4aa88ab9/">Josh</a>, has been a part of the journey since the very beginning. When Alan and Betsy launched Fresh Coat, Josh was in high school, and he was able to join the team through a work-study program. With this, he worked alongside painting teams to learn the trade, and he began to understand the craftsmanship and attention to detail necessary to deliver Fresh Coat-level quality. Now, he has grown into the role of project manager and represents the future of the family business.The family atmosphere in&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/buford/">Fresh Coat Painters of Buford</a> extends beyond blood relatives to long-standing professional relationships and community members. For example, Alan’s former manager from the corporate world joined the family franchise nearly a decade ago, and he’s now the sales manager.“Our sales manager used to be my sales manager in corporate America,” Alan said. “He hired me, and now he works for us. He’s been with us for about nine years, and we just let him do his thing because he’s like family. So, when I say it’s a family affair, I mean it’s a family affair. He’s a very big part of this.”By bringing people who share their values and work ethic into the fold, the Carletons have created a business culture and environment that feels truly personal. This level of trust allows Alan and Betsy to take a step back from the day-to-day grind of the business and rest assured that the operation they’ve built is in good hands.This structure has both fueled growth and provided emotional fulfillment that was missing in the corporate world, turning a business venture into a long-lasting legacy.“It has been a great ride,” Alan said. “It has given us a lifestyle that we were never able to have before. You have some ups and you have some downs, but overall, it’s been the best decision we’ve ever made.”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;

Photo of Alan and Betsy Carleton, Fresh Coat Painters logo

Alan and Betsy Carleton traded the uncertainty of their corporate food service careers for a painting franchise that allowed them to prioritize partnership and a long-term family legacy.

How This Family Left the Corporate World to Find Freedom and Flexibility With a Fresh Coat Franchise

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For nearly a decade,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-luttrell-00299326/">David Luttrell</a> 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&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com">Fresh Coat Painters</a>, 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.<h2>A Top-Down, Bottom-Up Approach</h2>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.<h2>Am I Buying a Business or a Job?</h2>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.&nbsp;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&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> 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.<h2>The Human Element of Fresh Coat</h2>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.”<h2>Luttrell’s Growth Trajectory and Insights for Others Considering a Similar Pathway</h2>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&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info.">https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info.</a>&nbsp;

image of David Luttrel Fresh Coat Franchisee

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.

How One Fresh Coat Franchisee Turned Production Experience Into Ownership

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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

After 15 years as a carpenter, Duggan is leveraging his construction background and hospitality experience to launch a customer-focused painting business.

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