Fresh Coat

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-dew?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-a-layoff-sparked-a-new-journey-for-this-fresh-coat-painters-franchisee-in-lumberton-texas-2725818" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Patrick Dew</a>, the new franchisee with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat Painters</a> in Lumberton, Texas, is all about putting passion into everything he does. Before embarking on this new chapter, Dew's professional background was deeply rooted in the manufacturing sector, where he held roles that emphasized support, management and continuous improvement. His career was characterized by a focus on optimizing operations through automation and waste reduction, alongside a people-first approach that occasionally clashed with corporate cultures.&nbsp;Following this impressive corporate career, his life took a pivotal turn in 2023 when — shortly after the birth of his daughter — he was laid off. This setback, however, serendipitously led him to consider franchise ownership, a path he had previously contemplated for its potential to generate passive income.Dew was drawn to&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-a-layoff-sparked-a-new-journey-for-this-fresh-coat-painters-franchisee-in-lumberton-texas-2725818" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat</a> due to the comprehensive training and support they offered, recognizing the brand's two decades of industry experience as a solid foundation for his business aspirations. The decision to open a Fresh Coat franchise aligned with his professional ethos of establishing efficient processes and his personal desire to make a meaningful impact on his community through service.Since opening his&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/beaumont/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-a-layoff-sparked-a-new-journey-for-this-fresh-coat-painters-franchisee-in-lumberton-texas-2725818" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat of Beaumont</a> franchise at the beginning of 2024, Dew's ambitions have rapidly translated into tangible achievements. His goals extend beyond the operational success of his business; he envisions becoming a leading painting service in Southeast Texas and a top customer of Sherwin Williams.His vision for growth is intertwined with a commitment to community engagement, notably through initiatives like&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/fresh-coat-franchisee-provides-free-house-painting-for-elderly-woman-in-austin-2723835">Fresh Coat Cares</a>, aiming to give back to the community in significant ways. This includes projects like painting for families affected by cancer, thereby cementing his company's reputation for quality, reliability and philanthropy. 1851 Franchise spoke with Dew to learn more about his background, his franchise buying journey and his aspirations for the future.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Dew:&nbsp;I have been in the manufacturing industry since 2017, in roles ranging from support to management. My focus was always on the people, ensuring they had everything they needed to complete their tasks effectively and that their voices were heard. Unfortunately, this approach led to me being run off from a few jobs because it didn't align with the corporate culture. I found myself in Texas in 2021, working as a continuous improvement manager, where my role involved cutting costs through the implementation of automation and minimizing waste.In 2023, just six weeks after my daughter was born, I was laid off from my job. Shortly after, I received an email that introduced me to the concept of franchise ownership. Having always had an interest in ventures that generate passive income, I engaged in a conversation where I was interviewed and asked various questions about my interests and goals. This led me to explore different opportunities, and ultimately, Fresh Coat stood out as the most fitting option.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?Dew:&nbsp;I only thought of franchising as fast food chains — I didn't even realize there were franchises of every business. This realization opened up the opportunity to ask questions and identify the franchise that was the right fit for me. The support is really what appealed to me about franchising. Starting something on your own means your mistakes can be quite costly and, in my mind, there was more risk involved. With the franchise, I have an unbelievable process to follow. My previous career revolved around establishing processes that others could follow, and this franchise has a thorough process already laid out. The roadmap is clear; all I need to do is bring my willingness to learn and follow the system. There's an accumulation of 200 years of knowledge across the leadership team, and their response time is almost immediate.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Dew:&nbsp;The level of training and support offered by Fresh Coat was impressively thorough, clearly backed by two decades of experience. The business model appealed to me because it's scalable, quicker to establish and revolves around dealing with people, which is what I loved in my previous career.We officially opened our Fresh Coat franchise on January 1st of this past year. We've been operating for a few months now.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Dew:&nbsp;I want to be the leading painting company in Southeast Texas. Additionally, I aim to be the leading buyer of Sherwin Williams products in this area. We launched our operations in January and secured our first job by February. Our growth is rapid, and the success of our marketing efforts has been unbelievably impressive.&nbsp;My aspiration is to expand the business to a point where we can more frequently engage in&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/about-us/fresh-coat-cares/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-a-layoff-sparked-a-new-journey-for-this-fresh-coat-painters-franchisee-in-lumberton-texas-2725818" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Cares</a> initiatives, allowing us to assist those in need within our community. This could involve projects such as painting a room for a child with cancer or a church that hosts after-school activities for children. It's important to me that people in our community recognize our brand not just for our services, but for our commitment to giving back in any way possible.1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Dew:&nbsp;People here are so starved for good quality and reliable painting in our area — with us, there are no hidden fees. The price we quote is the price you pay. We prioritize communication and problem-solving because we understand that people are looking for good customer service. That is really the biggest piece that we want people to take away.&nbsp;My entire savings is tied up into this, and I have nothing to fall back on. Failing at this means I’ve failed my family. Naturally, there are nerves, but failure is not an option for me. Initially, the idea of giving someone $49,000 for a franchise fee was daunting, but as I began closing deals and improving my communication with clients, I learned the best ways to grow the business. Those initial fears have dissipated, and now I'm eager for the business to hurry up and grow!1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Dew: It's a journey of knowledge and figuring out what the best fit is for you. You're given months before you even need to make a decision. I was unaware of many aspects before starting this process. The focus wasn't on selling me a franchise; it was about introducing me to a lifestyle. In this role, I call my own shots, and my earnings are up to me. The franchisor isn't responsible for my success. They provide all the necessary tools. I've spent months learning the system. For those considering franchising, asking questions is crucial. There's no harm in exploring to determine which franchise suits you best.&nbsp; For more information on franchising with Fresh Coat Painters, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info</a>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 170 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 Franchisee Brings Brand to Lumberton, TX

1851 Franchise

With his entire life savings invested in the business, Patrick Dew is ready to do whatever it takes to create the number one leading painting company in his community.

How a Layoff Sparked a New Journey for This Fresh Coat Painters Franchisee in Beaumont, Texas

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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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Former McDonald’s Technology Manager Opens Fresh Coat Painters Franchise to Beautify the Klein Community

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Keys to Team Retention for Fresh Coat Painters Franchisees

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Painting a New Life: Why This Seasoned Management Leader Walked Away From the Oil Industry to Scale a Fresh Coat Painters Franchise

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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

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How a Layoff Sparked a New Journey for This Fresh Coat Painters Franchisee in Beaumont, Texas

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