Honoring His Son’s Legacy: TruBlue Franchise Owner Supports Busy Adults and Seniors in Royal Oak, Michigan

For Archie Williams, owning a TruBlue Home Service Ally franchise in Royal Oak, Michigan, is more than a business — it's a tribute to his late son’s memory. After experiencing the profound loss of his son, Williams sought a way to channel his grief into something meaningful. 

His son’s love for helping others and his role as an organ donor who saved five lives inspired Williams to carry on that spirit of service. TruBlue’s focus on safety modifications resonated deeply, aligning perfectly with Williams’ desire to make a positive impact in his community. Now, as the owner of a TruBlue franchise, Williams is creating a trusted resource for seniors and busy adults while building a lasting legacy for his grandson.

1851 Franchise spoke to Williams about honoring his son’s memory and building a legacy for his grandson by serving seniors through his TruBlue franchise. Here’s what he had to say. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Williams: Before franchising, I was mourning. I had lost my son about a year prior to purchasing the franchise. That was one of the reasons I purchased the franchise — to continue his legacy. He loved helping people. When he was here, he was a donor and saved five lives, so I wanted to carry on his legacy.

When I started looking for a franchise, I was initially interested in home care because his mom is a nurse. However, I came across the TruBlue franchise, which focuses on handyman services and aging in place. What really caught my attention was the aging-in-place and senior home safety aspect. So, we decided to go ahead and venture into it, aiming to build something meaningful — a legacy for my grandson, my son’s son.

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?

Williams: I really didn't have a perception of it, to be honest. Like I said, I was in a dark place and trying to pull myself out. That’s why I started looking into franchises, initially with home care. But then I came across TruBlue. I enjoy it. It keeps me busy. I get to interact with a lot of customers and seniors, which I really like. 

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Williams: The aging-in-place and safety modification programs that they offered before I purchased the franchise really stood out to me. The biggest thing, like I said, was helping seniors age in place and supporting their needs. 

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Williams: My plan for the franchise is to build it up to a point where, when I’m ready to retire, I can pass it on to my grandson. I want to leave him with a solid foundation in place to continue growing and sustaining the business after I step away.

As for growth, I’ve been doing a lot of advertising — spreading the word through word of mouth, networking and just the daily grind of getting the business name out there. The goal is to make it a household name. 

1851: What is one thing about your story you want us to know?

Williams: I guess the biggest thing is that we’re here to help and serve seniors because there’s such a need for it. A lot of clients I meet with for estimates — when I introduce the company as one that’s focused on serving seniors — are really just looking for a company they can trust. We’re working to fill that void, not just by gaining customers but by building relationships.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Williams: Do your due diligence. You know, pray about it. There are obviously a lot of franchises out there — McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell — but my advice would be to find a franchise that aligns with something you enjoy doing. That way, it doesn’t feel like a job.

For example, I don’t know how many franchisees out there are doing it completely solo, but I’m currently running everything by myself without any administrative hiring yet. In my shoes, doing everything alone can be overwhelming, but because I’m doing something I enjoy, it makes it easier to manage.

If you’re getting into franchising just for the money, in my opinion, you’re going to run into problems, especially when you hit those bumps or difficult times where you don’t feel like putting in the effort. If you’re in something you’re not passionate about, it’s going to be that much easier to not push through. So, my advice is to make sure you choose a franchise you love so that it doesn’t feel like just another job. 

About TruBlue Home Service Ally:

TruBlue Home Service Ally® provides a unique and affordable approach to helping busy adults and seniors live a worry-free life by offering trustworthy handyman, home maintenance and senior modification services. Helping you maintain your home both inside and out, TruBlue’s services include handyman projects and to-do list chores, preventative home maintenance programs, kitchen and bath remodels, seasonal work, and senior modification services, all handled by professional, bonded and insured Tru-Pro® Technicians. TruBlue franchise owners are required to complete senior home safety certification programs through the NAHB and Age Safe America. As certified specialists, TruBlue franchisees are able to perform aging in place home safety assessments and can make recommended safety modifications as needed.

All locations are independently owned and operated. Service offerings, certifications, and licenses vary by location.