Fresh Coat

With his background as a Finish Carpenter and a General Contractor,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/seph-duggan-899a3310a/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lakeland-franchisee-story-2731070" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">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/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lakeland-franchisee-story-2731070" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">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 Lakeland Franchisee Seph Duggan's Success Story

1851 Franchise

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

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

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

lakeland-franchisee-story

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

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

Fresh Coat Painters Eyes 200 Territories in 2026, Strengthens Franchisee Support

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

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.

Inside a High-Performance Fresh Coat Franchise: How This Owner Built a Team To Scale

franchise-team-building

image of Ken Sandy, owner of Fresh Coat Painters from Spring, Texas 

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

fresh-coat-painters-franchise-ken-sandy-spring-tx

Photo of Fresh Coat Painters team member working on ladder

Keys to Team Retention for Fresh Coat Painters Franchisees

team-retention-strategies

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of James Burkhart and Fresh Coat Painters

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

fresh-coat-painters-bastrop-james-burkhart

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

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

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS