1851

Husband and wife team (<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/pdewester?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-corporate-america-to-small-business-ownership-local-couple-opens-painting-business-serving-the-greater-ann-arbor-area-2722348" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Phil DeWester</a> and Debbie Belser) recently took the leap to open their own business this past January. Seeing an opportunity to elevate&nbsp;the level of customer service and professionalism in the residential painting industry, the couple decided to team up and open their own <a href="https://1851franchise.com/premiumservicebrands">360 Painting</a> business to serve the greater Ann Arbor community. Prior to business ownership, Phil earned his MBA at the University of Michigan and had a successful career in marketing and brand management. His wife, Debbie, graduated from Michigan State University and worked as a packaging engineer before taking time to raise her family.&nbsp;Recently, the two decided they were ready for a new journey. After toying with the idea of owning their own business for years, they started researching&nbsp;brands that would make a difference in their community. As longtime homeowners, they realized that the community was in need of more premium home service companies committed to quality and a higher level of customer service.&nbsp;They discovered <a href="https://www.premiumservicebrands.com/360-painting/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-corporate-america-to-small-business-ownership-local-couple-opens-painting-business-serving-the-greater-ann-arbor-area-2722348" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">360 Painting</a>, one of the fastest growing painting franchises in the country. 360 Painting shared their commitment to bringing a higher level of customer service to the painting industry.&nbsp;Not long after, Phil and Debbie officially took the leap and opened 360 Painting of Ann Arbor at the beginning of the year.They are so excited to take their complementary skill sets and blend them together to create a customer-focused business. They only&nbsp;hire the best painting crews in the area and personally manage projects from start to finish to ensure their customers have the best experience possible.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Phil: I am originally from Denver and after graduating from The University of Colorado, I spent five years working in advertising in NYC. I returned to get my MBA at University of Michigan and spent the next 22 years working in marketing and brand management at top CPG companies. I worked in several different states before moving to my wife’s home state of Michigan a few years ago. My wife is a Michigan State grad and packaging engineer. She spent the past few years at home raising a family and is now eager to return to the business world. We both decided to team up and start a business together. She manages the production side, and I am responsible for the sales and marketing side of the business. We toyed with the idea of doing something on our own and we were interested in the home service industry. As homeowners, finding professional, reliable and qualified tradespeople was difficult. We liked the 360 Painting model of hiring existing painting crews with their own equipment and years of experience.&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?Phil: My perception was that it was solely brick and mortar. The idea of home service franchises was very new to me. Overall, I have been very pleased with the training I received, although I did expect there to be a little more painting-specific training. I have been very happy with the 1:1 coaching.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Phil: PSB is a fast-growing and well-respected franchise company in the home services industry. 360 Painting is their largest brand with a roster of successful franchise owners. We were excited to be part of this company that shares our belief in creating a premium, professional painting experience with a higher level of customer service.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Phil: We would like to build a fast-growing, profitable company that employs other members of our community and provides a valuable service to homeowners. We are exploring two opportunities for growth: 1) expand 360 Painting into additional territories, 2) ‘stacking’ brands by purchasing additional PSB companies in our current territory.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Phil: I am a good example of someone who spent their career in Corporate America and wanted to branch out and start their own business. We plan to manage the process from start to finish, which is a little different than some other franchisees in the area. We want our customers to have the best experience possible.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Phil: Look at a lot of different options to ensure you find the best fit. Look at what it will take to scale your business and talk to other franchisees before you make your final decision.&nbsp;Headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, Premium Service Brands (PSB) is the leader in home services franchise opportunities. Recently acquiring Andy On-Call and RooterMan in 2022, The Grout Medic and House Doctors in 2021, Renew Crew in January 2020, and Rubbish Works in November 2020, the other brands under the PSB umbrella include 360º Painting, ProLift Garage Doors, Maid Right, and Kitchen Wise. These home improvement industry brands provide franchisees with comprehensive training and support for every step while viewing customer service as a way of life by also giving back to local communities through their nonprofit, Kids-Lift. Supporting kids and their families is crucial to PSB’s personal values to brighten and care for their communities. More on franchising opportunities at <a href="https://www.premiumservicebrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-corporate-america-to-small-business-ownership-local-couple-opens-painting-business-serving-the-greater-ann-arbor-area-2722348" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">premiumservicebrands.com</a>.

From Corporate America to Small Business Ownership, Local Couple Opens Painting Business Serving the Greater Ann Arbor Area

1851 Franchise

Phil DeWester and Debbie Belser took the leap to business ownership and opened 360 Painting of Ann Arbor earlier this year.

from-corporate-america-to-small-business-ownership-local-couple-opens-painting-business-serving-the-greater-ann-arbor-area

The Cleaning Authority

Franchise Journal Magazine: The Cleaning Authority Sets the Standard in Residential Cleaning

cleaning-authority-franchise-journal-feature

TruBlue Home Service Ally

Build a Business That Supports Your Lifestyle Goals With TruBlue Home Service Ally Franchise

 trublue-home-service-ally-lifestyle-franchise-success

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Photo of Layne's Chicken Fingers restaurant with "Now Open" inflatable on roof

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Opening Blueprint Drives Success From Day One

franchise-opening-playbook

Right at Home

Veterans, Army, Navy, Right at Home franchisees, Veterans Day

Veterans Excel as Right at Home Franchisees: Here's Why

veterans-in-franchising-right-at-home-success

Why This Corporate McDonald’s Rep Decided To Open His Own Franchise With The Cleaning Authority

kent-lewis-franchise-success

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

houses, Why Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

Why the Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

how-franchises-outperform-independent-business-2025-tech-data

Photo of Happinest Brands teams standing together in front of branded vehicles

Happinest Brands Continues Strong 2025 Trajectory With Major Q3 Growth and Strategic Wins

happinest-brands-q3-franchise-growth

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown - 1851 Franchise

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown

franchise-community-support-shutdown

Slim Chickens Opens R&D Center at World Headquarters To Drive Menu Innovation

slim-chickens-rd-center-fayetteville

Nearly 40% of Americans Are Eating Out Less as High Prices Redefine Dining Habits

nearly-40-of-americans-are-eating-out-less-as-high-prices-redefine-dining-habits

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

image of michael panos and michel panos, owners of mellow mushroom in Atlanta

The Panos Family’s Role in Preserving Mellow Mushroom’s Character — and Expanding in Atlanta

mellow-mushroom-franchise-panos-restaurant-group-metro-atlanta

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Waleed Liaqat and Paris Baguette logo

How a Chance Visit Inspired Waleed Liaqat to Bring Paris Baguette to East Plano

paris-baguette-waleed-liaqat-plano-franchisee

graphic image of an 1851 franchisee spotlight brayden and johnny steven of teriyaki madness

Father-and-Daughter Team Bring Teriyaki Madness to Wichita, Kansas, With Big Expansion Plans

johnny-brayden-steven-teriyaki-madness-wichita

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

Photo of group of dogs standing together in day care facility

Top Pet Boarding and Day Care Franchise Opportunities for 2025

top-pet-boarding-daycare-franchises

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

From Corporate America to Small Business Ownership, Local Couple Opens Painting Business Serving the Greater Ann Arbor Area

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS