Fresh Coat

<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=local-partnerships-fresh-coat-painters-2730119" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Painters</a> franchisees can leverage community connections as they build their businesses, becoming trusted local providers. Forging strategic partnerships with other professionals in the area like real estate agents, contractors and interior designers creates a strong network to fuel mutual growth, further build trust with clients and generate a steady stream of referrals.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurilorenzsonn/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=local-partnerships-fresh-coat-painters-2730119" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Yuri Lorenzsonn</a>, owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/west-houston/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=local-partnerships-fresh-coat-painters-2730119" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Painters of West Houston</a>, has mastered this strategy over the past 10-plus years.<h2>Real Estate Agents as a Connection to Homeowners</h2>Partnering with real estate agents can create a direct pipeline to homeowners who need painting services to sell their homes or to new owners who are looking to refresh their purchases. Lorenzsonn has developed a highly successful program that provides value to real estate agents and their clients.“When we work for realtors, we’re technically working for the homeowner, meaning the homeowner approves the project and pays the bill,” he said. “However, we’re introduced to the homeowner by the realtor, and we do that a lot.”Lorenzsonn says&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat’s</a> software, which has a “pick and choose” option, is a key contributor to these relationships.“The realtors love it because we will walk the home with them and the owner, and we quote piece by piece,” he said. “Then, between the realtor and the homeowner, they can remove certain sections, like a door or baseboard, from the quote to stay within the budget while achieving the transformation they hoped for.”To further solidify these partnerships, Lorenzsonn offers a unique touch-up program. When he completes a project in preparation for a home to be sold, he provides the seller or their realtor with a certificate that can be passed along to the new owners, entitling them to four hours of free touch-ups once they’re all moved in and settled.This certificate generally covers the resolution of small scuffs or any other slight damage done by movers — often associated with moving big pieces of furniture like couches or king mattresses through tight hallways or stairwells.“What we get out of this is the new homeowner’s name, phone number and email address, and they get to know us,” Lorenzsonn said. “This way, when they’re ready to change colors or have some other painting need, they think, ‘We already know them because they came and touched up for free when we bought the house. This is the company we want to deal with.’”Lorenzsonn recommends franchisees looking to build these relationships take a direct approach with real estate offices.“You’ve got to go out and meet these people,” he said. “They’re not coming to you.” Visiting offices, bringing pastries or lunch and demonstrating the quoting software, for example, can be a great way to demonstrate the value you provide and make an impression with agents so they are likely to reach out when the need arises.<h2>Contractors: Building Trust Beyond the Bid</h2>When working with general contractors, Lorenzsonn said success is about more than just the bid. While offering a reasonable bid is important, reliability and professionalism are what make a real impact.“Price is a factor, but time and headaches are both bigger factors in the decision-making of a general contractor than pricing is,” he said. “Most general contractors are running multiple projects at the same time. If the price we give the general contractor is within a certain tolerance of the other bids they got, they choose us because we deliver on time, and we don’t give them headaches. We don’t call them for every little thing.”Establishing reliability with contractors can serve as the baseline for long-term professional partnerships, but similar to relationships with realtors, Fresh Coat franchisees must get their foot in the door.&nbsp;Lorenzsonn recommends a similar approach. Becoming friendly with receptionists and project managers at these organizations can keep Fresh Coat top of mind, and when the need arises, Fresh Coat can make a bid and likely secure the project.“That relationship is worth more to a general contractor than the cheapest bid,” he said.<h2>Enhancing Appeal in Partnership with Interior Designers</h2>Interior designers are another key partner for Fresh Coat owners. They support the ideation behind a transformation in a client’s home or the design of a new build, and partnering with Fresh Coat allows them to see great execution, too.&nbsp;Much like with real estate agents, the customizable quoting process is a great asset in these partnerships.“Our pick and choose option allows them to work with their clients to only paint what’s in the budget,” Lorenzsonn said.&nbsp;Lorenzsonn’s success is a powerful testament to the strength and scalability of the Fresh Coat business model. The system is designed to support owners in entrepreneurship, but it also allows them to become integral parts of their communities.Offering a proven framework for diverse revenue streams and strategic, community-based networking, Fresh Coat provides a clear roadmap to establishing a strong pipeline and building a reputable local business.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info.">https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info.</a>&nbsp;

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Local Partnerships for Painters: A Fresh Coat Franchise Guide

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Fresh Coat Painters, the national franchise brand, offers a strong, scalable model that propels owners’ growth through thoughtful local partnerships and reliable, quality delivery.

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

The Power of Local Partnerships: Collaborating With Real Estate Agents, Contractors and Designers

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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.

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

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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

The Power of Local Partnerships: Collaborating With Real Estate Agents, Contractors and Designers

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