Fresh Coat

Although&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/north-tampa/about-us/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=long-term-painter-turns-hobby-to-career-by-franchising-with-fresh-coat-painters-2721909" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Matt Boden</a> started his career in the restaurant industry, where he remained for 20 years working his way up the ranks from a bartender to an owner-operator, he has always had another passion on the side: painting. Taking the odd painting job here and there for friends and family over the past 20-plus years, the hobby gradually evolved into a real source of joy for Boden. When he found himself burnt out with the hectic and draining restaurant lifestyle, he decided he was ready to try something new.&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=long-term-painter-turns-hobby-to-career-by-franchising-with-fresh-coat-painters-2721909" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Painters</a>, the residential and commercial painting franchise, proved to be the perfect fit.“I wanted to start spending more time with my family, and I wanted to be able to watch my kids grow up,” said Boden. “I enjoy serving clients and utilizing my entrepreneurial spirit though, so I knew I wanted to stay in business wherever it was possible. That’s when I found Fresh Coat.”And as someone who had owned and operated his own businesses, Boden says he recognized the strength of the franchise model right away.&nbsp;“The franchise model is very much turnkey, which is what made me look into it,” he said. “I could’ve started my own company, but I like having the backbone and support that the model offers.”Boden researched a few franchise concepts. But deep down, he says he knew painting and Fresh Coat was the way to go. With&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/cost/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=long-term-painter-turns-hobby-to-career-by-franchising-with-fresh-coat-painters-2721909" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">affordable startup costs</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/fresh-coat-painters-closes-out-year-with-34-systemwide-increase-in-commercial-sales-and-several-new-additions-to-its-national-account-portfolio-2720893#featured">multiple revenue streams</a> and impressive brand recognition, Boden says there was a lot to love about the franchise opportunity. But the biggest selling point? Support.“Fresh Coat stood out to me because of the support from corporate,” said Boden. “I was able to speak with the leadership team, and really understand their process. I shared a lot of similar backgrounds with them as well. They are former restaurant people themselves. Overall, the leadership and chemistry helped me to make my decision.”This corporate support is why&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-fresh-coat-painters-franchisee-2720587#trending">Fresh Coat franchisees</a> don’t need to be painting experts or focused on reinventing the wheel. The team provides the business model, trusted brand name and support so they can be successful with Fresh Coat, including access to training, business coaches, digital marketing, PR, estimating/quoting technology, painter-recruitment systems, regional/national conferences, online seminars, peer-to-peer educational programs, national supplier/vendor alliances and more.This level of support has allowed the brand to attract a uniquely diverse group of franchisees, including veterans, women and those from underrepresented communities. Owners come from all types of industries and backgrounds, whether it be tech, consulting, teaching, manufacturing, construction, home improvement or working for the state.Boden officially opened his Fresh Coat operation in&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/north-tampa/about-us/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=long-term-painter-turns-hobby-to-career-by-franchising-with-fresh-coat-painters-2721909" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">North Tampa</a> this year and is already thinking about&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/this-fresh-coat-painters-franchisee-is-determined-to-become-the-brands-first-3-million-franchise-2718939#trending">scalability</a>.&nbsp;“Within two years, I plan to have a commercial division, mainly focused on commercial clients, but I will still be doing residential,” he said. “I will also be doing two-minimum&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/about-us/fresh-coat-cares/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=long-term-painter-turns-hobby-to-career-by-franchising-with-fresh-coat-painters-2721909" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Cares charity projects</a> per year, if not three. Within the next five years, I plan on opening another one or two more units.”Overall, when it comes to Boden’s advice for other entrepreneurs, he says it comes down to one thing: passion.&nbsp;“You are your own boss, so you have to be passionate and let that passion grow as you get further in,” he said. “I’ve had a passion for painting for about 20 years. In addition, the restaurant industry showed me that I had a passion for teaching and coaching younger employees to become successful. I hope to use that same experience with Fresh Coat. I can build my business and give back to the community at the same time. Fresh Coat delivers more than most franchises do.”Now, the Fresh Coat team is looking to help more passionate, qualified entrepreneurs like Boden to achieve their goals while expanding the brand’s footprint across the country. The Fresh Coat team has identified several markets that are primed for franchise development, including Florida, Texas, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and additional states throughout the Northeast.“In order to be iconic, we need to be industry-leading in our customer service, our franchise system, our business model and our size,” said Fresh Coat President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tararileymba?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=long-term-painter-turns-hobby-to-career-by-franchising-with-fresh-coat-painters-2721909" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tara Riley</a>. “In five years, we want to be the number-one painting company in the U.S. We know that means we have to find the right franchisees, help them grow profitable businesses and continue to expand our footprint. Now, as we achieve those goals faster than ever, the time has never been better to join the Fresh Coat team.”The total investment required to start a Fresh Coat franchise ranges from&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/cost/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=long-term-painter-turns-hobby-to-career-by-franchising-with-fresh-coat-painters-2721909" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">$53,850 to $76,750</a>, including the $44,900 franchise fee. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=long-term-painter-turns-hobby-to-career-by-franchising-with-fresh-coat-painters-2721909" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">freshcoatfranchise.com</a>.&nbsp;

Long-Term Painter Turns Hobby to Career by Franchising with Fresh Coat Painters

1851 Franchise

With the backing of the residential and commercial painting franchise, former restaurateur Matt Boden has found a new way to service his community of North Tampa without having to suffer through the late nights and long hours of restaurant ownership. 


This brand page has been paid for by FRESH COAT. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

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For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fonsecaapr">Alex Fonseca</a>, owner of&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com">Fresh Coat Painters</a> of Muskegon, building a high-performing team has been crucial to business growth. As he has expanded, Fonseca has consistently focused on his team’s role in the business's broader trajectory, emphasizing culture and demeanor as well as more technical requirements such as accuracy and efficiency.“We get many of our customers through word of mouth,” he said. “So a customer being happy and telling their neighbors about us and our results… The painters who deliver that result are probably the most important people on our team.”<h2>Quality and Care as the Foundation</h2>What makes a “good team member,” for Fonseca, may be a bit more nuanced than expected.“Obviously, a very basic level would be someone coming in below the budget that we have for a project and being productive and efficient,” he said. “But for us, it’s just people who, when they show up, have a good presence about them.”In the home services space, a team's attitude is especially important, as they’re working in customers’ homes and often making significant changes to their biggest investment. Building teams that both make customers feel at ease and meet the quality expectations set for them lays a healthy foundation for Fonseca to further develop technically proficient painters.Shifting the definition of success from just speed and industry knowledge to a level of care, ability to build customer rapport, and potential for long-term value can be quite beneficial for the business.“Sometimes I would rather have a slightly slower painter who does a good job,” he said. “Customers are happy with that person and write reviews for them, and we’re going to get more jobs from those over time.”<h2>The Practical Approach To Building These Teams</h2>Since establishing these expectations, Fonseca has worked to develop a clear, actionable hiring and team development process. First and foremost, he focuses intently on hiring the right people, not just anyone who can do the job.“My initial thought was to hire people who have a lot of experience, but that’s when I realized that just because someone is a good painter doesn’t mean they’re a good person,” he said. “It’s really tough to teach someone how to be polite and mind their manners when they’re in someone’s home. We’ve been successful at hiring people based on their personalities and training them in the painting skills.”Fonseca doesn’t ignore the painting skills required to succeed as a part of the team by any means. He uses the resources available to him through the Painting Contractors Association and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> franchise system.“We’re a part of the PCA, and they put out a lot of material on how to train painters,” he said. “Fresh Coat also put together a painter advancement system. So we can place people in different categories based on their levels of expertise, and it shows them the skills they need to level up.”These tools allow Fonseca to hire and train effectively while also setting the stage for talent retention and increased profitability. As painters continue to learn and develop their skills, they can take on more complex, higher-paying jobs, boosting their earning potential and increasing revenue for the franchise.<h2>A Person-First Staffing Approach and Long-Term Vision</h2>As the scaffolding he has provided within his business supports the professional growth of his teams, Fonseca has also worked diligently to build and maintain a team that truly supports each other, collaborates naturally and celebrates one another’s wins.“Instead of seeing anything as a competition, we try to evaluate who is really great at something and pair them with someone else who is trying to develop that same skill,” he said. “Our painters are really open to giving each other feedback on the work that they do, and it comes from a place of love. They’re approaching it saying, ‘Hey, let me try to help you out.’”In addition to supporting painters’ professional development and advancement, Fonseca and his teams also celebrate one another’s personal successes.“I want my painters to enjoy their work, but I understand that they’re here to make money and support their families,” he said. “Understanding how work can be rewarding but also helps them meet their own personal goals encourages us to celebrate their wins outside of just work, too.”Over time, Fonseca has carefully and intentionally built a team that not only works well together but also brings the soft and technical skills that propel the business forward. Often, this requires a more disciplined approach and a true investment in team building rather than taking a “just hiring” approach, but the results are always worth the effort.“I’m willing to take longer to hire the right person rather than rushing to hire a bunch of people then realizing they’re not the right fit,” he said. “It’s important to try to envision, five years from now, what you want your company to look like. Who are the types of employees you want to have? And be intentional about hiring, supporting and developing those people now.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info</a>.&nbsp;

Fresh Coat Painters franchise owner Alex Fonseca and President Lisa Hudson

Focusing on soft skills and professional development pathways as much as he emphasizes technical skill, Alex Fonseca has built and retained a thriving team of painters who power his business.

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MCALLEN, Texas&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/mcallen">Fresh Coat Painters of McAllen</a> has been recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office, as the 2026 Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year for the Lower Rio Grande Valley District. Owner&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/why-this-army-veteran-chose-fresh-coat-franchise-ownership-as-his-next-mission-2720664#stories">Gilbert “Gil” Perez</a>, a U.S. Army veteran, first pursued franchise ownership following military retirement as he searched for a way to build a business of his own while doing valuable work in his own community.&nbsp;“I’m honored to receive this recognition from the Small Business Administration, not only for myself but for the teams and community members who have made it possible,” Perez said. “Hard work and service have always been a way of life for me. I took those values to the Army, and I still use them today with every&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com">Fresh Coat</a> project. Being named Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year is a testament to the fact that, when you keep your values front and center and commit yourself to your community, the reward is immeasurable.”Perez was selected from business owners across the district, which spans 14 Texas counties, for his leadership, dedication and influence as a small business owner. In addition to his own resilience in business, Perez is celebrated for the commitment he has shown to positively impacting the community.Over his time as a&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> franchise owner, Perez has served the McAllen community with quality, reliable painting services, and by thinking bigger, has been able to have a real impact beyond his organization. As a business owner, Perez is able to create opportunities for others, and he takes great pride in working alongside others who prioritize service and share his family-focused values. That commitment to service extends beyond his business, as Perez serves on the Board of Directors for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhporgv.com/">NHPO-RGV</a>, a professional organization dedicated to promoting enterprise and education for its members in partnership with the community.&nbsp;“After two decades of service, I was looking for another way to find purpose in my community,” Perez said. “Fresh Coat was my pathway, and I’m so proud of what I’ve built in McAllen. As a veteran, I know what it means to be a part of something bigger than myself, and business ownership has given me a platform to not only provide quality service but to become truly ingrained in the McAllen community, which has supported us every step of the way.”ABOUT FRESH COAT PAINTERS:Fresh Coat Painters, the residential and commercial painting franchise under the Strategic Franchising Systems umbrella, offers a low-cost, high-margin business model that gives entrepreneurs from all walks of life the chance to become successful business owners in the communities they serve. Since starting in 2004, Fresh Coat has expanded to over 190 franchise locations nationwide. Thanks to its unparalleled professionalism and affordable business model, it has become one of the leading concepts in the booming residential and commercial painting segment. With continued year-over-year growth, Fresh Coat is well on its way to achieving its overall goal of becoming a truly iconic painting brand.&nbsp;

image of freshcoat McAllen Named 2026 SBA Veteran-Owned Business of the Year

Following his service in the U.S. Army, Gil Perez pursued franchising with the national painting brand as a way to chase his dreams while serving the McAllen community.

Fresh Coat Painters of McAllen Named 2026 Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office

Long-Term Painter Turns Hobby to Career by Franchising with Fresh Coat Painters

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