Fresh Coat

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-boden-79717ba0/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=matt-boden-brings-community-support-to-life-through-fresh-coat-cares-and-hands-across-the-bay-2728254" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Matt Boden</a>, franchise owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=matt-boden-brings-community-support-to-life-through-fresh-coat-cares-and-hands-across-the-bay-2728254" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Painters</a> of&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/tampa/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=matt-boden-brings-community-support-to-life-through-fresh-coat-cares-and-hands-across-the-bay-2728254" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tampa</a>, is taking a heartfelt approach to community involvement with his work through&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/about-us/fresh-coat-cares/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=matt-boden-brings-community-support-to-life-through-fresh-coat-cares-and-hands-across-the-bay-2728254" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Cares</a>. His recent project with&nbsp;<a href="https://handsacrossthebay.org/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=matt-boden-brings-community-support-to-life-through-fresh-coat-cares-and-hands-across-the-bay-2728254" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Hands Across the Bay</a> is a testament to his dedication to making a difference in the lives of others.Hands Across the Bay is a nonprofit organization focused on supporting survivors of domestic violence. The organization helps these individuals transition to new homes, restart their lives and find stability. Boden’s personal connection to this cause stems from his own childhood experiences. “I experienced domestic violence as a child, so it was one of those things that was close to me. I could definitely connect with it,” said Boden. This connection, combined with the opportunity to directly impact lives, made his partnership with Hands Across the Bay an easy decision.Through this collaboration, Boden and his&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat Painters</a> team recently completed a transformative project for a family in need. “We met with Jennifer, who’s the mother, and we repainted her daughter Cheyenne’s room in a unicorn theme. And then she had two stepsons that were just moving in soon, and we repainted their room half blue and half red to kind of help them give a separate style in each half of the room,” Boden said. The team also created an accent wall for Cheyenne’s room, blending seven colors to bring vibrancy and life to her space. “Seeing the joy on Cheyenne’s face when she saw her newly transformed room — it was a simple change, but it made a world of difference for her and her mom,” Boden said.Boden’s journey with Fresh Coat Painters began in 2022 after a 20-year career in the hospitality industry. Seeking a new path, Boden explored various franchise opportunities before deciding on Fresh Coat Painters. “Back in 2022, I decided to go into the franchise industry,” he said. “Went through a couple different concepts and fields and really kind of honed in on the painting industry and got to meet with Fresh Coat and it just felt like a great fit.”One of the aspects of Fresh Coat Painters that stood out to Boden was its emphasis on community involvement. “In the hospitality industry, you’re always connected to your community and want to stay close with them, so I knew after conversations with Fresh Coat that would be a good fit for us,” he said. “That’s why I’ve done a few projects with Fresh Coat Cares.”Fresh Coat Cares encourages franchisees to engage in philanthropic efforts, offering support and resources for meaningful projects. Boden’s work with Hands Across the Bay is just one example of how he’s taken this mission to heart. While this was his first project with the nonprofit, Boden is committed to continuing the partnership. “We’re planning to do something similar once a quarter, though we’re open to doing more as opportunities arise,” he said.For Boden, the impact of these efforts goes beyond the paint on the walls. “It’s always great to have a personal connection to whatever you’re supporting. But at the end of the day, you want to help people living in your community because those are the people who are help pushing your community forward,” he said.With projects like these, Boden exemplifies how Fresh Coat Painters franchisees can make a significant difference in their communities, one brushstroke at a time.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>.

Strategic Franchising - Fresh Coat Cares Project Hands Across the Bay - December 2024

Fresh Coat Cares and Hands Across the Bay: Matt Boden’s Inspiring Community Projects

1851 Franchise

Through meaningful projects like transforming rooms for families in need, Boden showcases how Fresh Coat Cares fosters impactful community connections.

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

Matt Boden Brings Community Support to Life Through Fresh Coat Cares and Hands Across the Bay

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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

Matt Boden Brings Community Support to Life Through Fresh Coat Cares and Hands Across the Bay

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