1851

When Gerald Thompson needed a place to land after a 21-year stint in the U.S. Air Force, he set his sights on a franchise deal with <a href="https://www.premiumservicebrands.com/handyman-pro/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=handyman-pro-takes-off-in-kansas-city-missouri-with-us-air-force-veteran-at-the-helm-2714553" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Handyman Pro</a>, a budding home services franchise with six locations across the country.&nbsp;Handyman Pro, a brand under the Premium Service Brands umbrella offers top-quality maintenance and repairs around the home with skilled technicians and a customer-friendly platform.&nbsp;For Thompson, who eventually moved on to the Air Force reserves, splitting his time between duty and work as a maintenance supervisor, the franchising agreement seemed a natural fit. But to find the right brand, he needed help.&nbsp;“My wife and I had talked about owning our own business several times. I’d told her years ago that for me to entertain owning a business, it would need to be on the franchising side. Whether it's Starbucks, or McDonald’s, franchises work because of the training and systems already in place. There’s a system there you believe in and you follow it to success. That was what intrigued me,” he said.So while Thompson and his family liked the idea of franchising, they didn’t know where to start. Then one day he received a call from a franchising coach out of the blue, and life hasn’t been the same since.“The franchising coach took his time and really felt out what kind of personality I had and what my background was. He was thorough. He knew way more than just Starbucks or McDonalds and introduced me to the deeper world of franchising,” he said. “He figured out what kind of customers that I’d feel comfortable with and be successful.”Thompson, like many entrepreneurs, had a wide skill set and plenty of experience. With the dedication and perseverance he showed while serving his country, he’d likely excel in a number of industries, but the franchising coach helped him decide on a business that fit him exactly.&nbsp;It turned out that Thompson was a hot commodity in the home services franchising industry. He attended four discovery days at four different franchises, and they all wanted him to sign on.&nbsp;“Where do I feel the best fit?” he asked himself. “What makes me feel like I can be myself and be successful?”The coach helped Thompson figure out that home services was the right industry for him. But then his advice drilled deeper. “He narrowed it down to three or four different companies that would fit not only my personality but my desired lifestyle. All the companies that were presented were pretty good, but Handyman Pro stood out,” he said.&nbsp;Even though Thompson never worked as a contractor or professional home repair man, the corporate team at Handyman Pro saw his capability and potential to thrive.“I was just overwhelmed by how well I fit in at Handyman. It isn’t like I’m jumping into an industry I’ve never seen before in my life,” he said. “I can talk the talk and walk the walk.”“My background isn’t entirely in home repairs, but I’ve owned properties and done stuff around the house,” he said. After careful consideration, and a lot of prayer, he made his choice.&nbsp;Ultimately, Thompson picked Handyman Pro because of the support provided by Premium Services Brands. A franchise coach brought him into this business and understood his needs. Now the experts at Premium Service Brands would help guide him through the next phase in his journey.&nbsp;“One of the big things that jumped out at me is that Handyman has a coach meet me every week to sit down on Zoom and go over the numbers,” he said. “We go over anything that’s happened that week. It’s not always about the numbers, sometimes it's about recruiting or maybe an issue with bookkeeping, it can be anything. It’s helped me a lot. That’s what I was looking for when I got into franchising. I welcome someone looking over my shoulder and challenging me.”Since signing on in 2019, Thompson’s said his business has survived the COVID pandemic and the repair industry’s normal winter downturn, thanks in large part to his corporate support.&nbsp;“If I have something come up, I don’t have to wait until my session with the coach,” he said. “I can send him a text or call him, and if he’s available he’ll help me as much as he can.”The average Handyman Pro investment ranges from $99,125 - $139,500. For more information, visit: https://www.premiumservicebrands.com/handyman-pro/

Handyman Pro Takes Off In Kansas City, Missouri With U.S. Air Force Veteran At the Helm

1851 Franchise

When Gerald Thompson left the U.S. Air Force, he landed a franchise deal with Handyman Pro where corporate leadership helped him hammer out the path to business success.


handyman-pro-takes-off-in-kansas-city-missouri-with-us-air-force-veteran-at-the-helm

Right at Home

Right at Home Expanding In-Home Care Services in Wausau, Wisconsin 

right-at-home-expanding-in-home-care-services-in-wausau-wisconsin

The Growth Coach

Top 5 Reasons To Invest in The Growth Coach Franchise

top-5-reasons-to-invest-in-the-growth-coach-franchise

Caring Transitions

Planning Today for Peace Tomorrow: Caring Transitions on the Importance of Estate Planning

planning-today-for-peace-tomorrow-caring-transitions-on-the-importance-of-estate-planning

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Onigilly Franchise - Target Market - San Diego - 1851 Franchise

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen Franchise Sets Sights on San Diego Expansion

onigilly-franchise-san-diego-restaurant-expansion

ServiceMaster Restore

Liberty Restoration Group Renews Proud Partnership with Lindenwood University Athletics

liberty-restoration-group-renews-proud-partnership-with-lindenwood-university-athletics

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

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

Authority Brands Enters Q4 with Record Momentum

Authority Brands Enters Q4 with Record Momentum, Surpassing 200 New Franchise Owners in the First 10 Months of 2025

authority-brands-enters-q4-with-record-momentum-surpassing-200-new-franchise-owners-in-the-first-10-months-of-2025

Franchises, work-life balance, millennials in franchising, millennials work-life balance

The Best Franchises for Millennials Wanting Work-Life Balance

best-franchises-millennials-work-life-balance

Photo of Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza franchisee Lily Wilford

Entrepreneur: This 18-Year-Old Saved Babysitting Money for College — Then Decided to Buy a Business Instead

18-year-old-franchise-owner-lily-wilford

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 Ron Taylor and SweatHouz logo

From Edible Arrangements Leader to Wellness Entrepreneur: Ron Taylor's $53 Million Franchise Journey

ron-taylor-edible-arrangements-sweathouz-franchise-journey

image of matthew yocum from freshcoat painting franchisee in marin county california

How Fresh Coat Helped Matthew Yocum Turn Corporate Experience Into Purpose-Driven Business Ownership

fresh-coat-franchise-marin-county

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

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

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

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

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

Handyman Pro Takes Off In Kansas City, Missouri With U.S. Air Force Veteran At the Helm

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS