Fresh Coat

When&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-burgess-a8917712?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-this-insurance-executive-left-his-high-paying-job-to-invest-in-fresh-coat-2721500" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Brad Burgess</a> decided it was time to take control of his destiny and invest in himself as a business owner, he started looking at different career paths. Around the same time, he happened to be remodeling his house and was struggling to find a qualified and reliable painting company. Soon, Burgess discovered&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-this-insurance-executive-left-his-high-paying-job-to-invest-in-fresh-coat-2721500" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Painters</a>, the 170-unit residential and commercial painting franchise, and started looking more into the company and the franchise opportunity. The rest, he says, is history.&nbsp;Before Fresh Coat, Burgess spent 25 years in the insurance and data analytics space. “That has really been my life,” he said. “I worked with a couple of great companies within insurance, selling data to underwriters so they could get a better idea of properties on their insurance books. I managed around $30 million in revenue within the largest insurance carriers across the U.S.”But Burgess says being responsible for that much money can get taxing after a while, especially when you are working for someone else.“Even though I had great success, it wasn’t my success,” said Burgess. “In sales, you are only as good as last quarter. I didn’t have control over the customers I worked with, and I was always unsure of the future. I wanted to build something for myself.”&nbsp;Burgess began looking into the franchising space, and after realizing how difficult it was to find a good painting company in his market, he came across Fresh Coat Painters. “I really learned about the brand out of necessity,” he said. “I needed a reliable painter, and I couldn’t find one. I knew it shouldn’t have been that hard to find a good painting company, and when I discovered Fresh Coat, it felt like a great opportunity to fill a gap in my market.”The more Burgess researched the franchise opportunity, the more he loved what he saw and knew he could leverage the brand’s proven systems and support to succeed.&nbsp;“Humans are inherently mavericks — we all have our own way of viewing things,” said Burgess. “As a first-time business owner, it can be fun and exciting, but you don't always know what questions you should be asking. With a franchise like Fresh Coat, you can have that entrepreneurial mentality but still have a system to fall back on, whether it be the quoting software they provide or the established relationships with vendors and suppliers. Ultimately, from a business perspective, I knew the margins were there and there wasn’t a market leader in my area. I wanted to be that leader.”&nbsp;Burgess bought his first territory in the Medina County area of Ohio in late 2020 but continued in his corporate insurance position. Soon, Burgess says he realized he couldn't put in the necessary time he wanted because of his career. So, he decided to double down and purchase the nearby Hudson territory in order to build up his business and make it his sole focus.&nbsp;“I met with the original Hudson Fresh Coat owner and made him an offer two years ago,” said Burgess. “We talked back and forth and came to an agreement in July of this year. Hudson is one of the leading organizations in the Fresh Coat system. That's the nice thing about franchising — having other franchisees that you can talk to and learn from.”Since then, Burgess says everything has been going great, and he is excited to continue bringing a new level of professionalism to homeowners in his community. “We are very focused on growth and making things more effective,” he said. “We are on track to bring in over $2 million this year, and we hope to achieve $3.5 million next year.” &nbsp;Now, with plans to cross the 200-unit mark this year, the Fresh Coat team is looking to help more passionate and qualified entrepreneurs like Burgess 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, California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Missouri.“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=why-this-insurance-executive-left-his-high-paying-job-to-invest-in-fresh-coat-2721500" 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=why-this-insurance-executive-left-his-high-paying-job-to-invest-in-fresh-coat-2721500" 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=why-this-insurance-executive-left-his-high-paying-job-to-invest-in-fresh-coat-2721500" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://freshcoatfranchise.com/</a>.

Why This Insurance Executive Left His High-Paying Job to Invest in Fresh Coat

1851 Franchise

Brad Burgess, an Ohio-based owner of the residential and commercial painting brand, recently purchased his second territory.

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

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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

Why This Insurance Executive Left His High-Paying Job to Invest in Fresh Coat

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