1851

A veteran of the construction and home inspection industry,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-soong-csi?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=jean-soong-trublue-brooklyn-franchise-2729758" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jean Soong</a> has spent the past two decades helping homeowners understand the bones of their buildings. But in 2022, when her father became disabled overseas, Soong found herself navigating home safety from an entirely new perspective. From installing grab bars to modifying stairways, she saw firsthand how overwhelming it can be to care for an aging loved one. That experience, combined with gaps she noticed in her own business’s ability to support clients with small-scale jobs, sparked a new purpose. In May, Soong launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trubluefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=jean-soong-trublue-brooklyn-franchise-2729758" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TruBlue</a> of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trublueally.com/nw-brooklyn?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=jean-soong-trublue-brooklyn-franchise-2729758" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Northwest Brooklyn</a> — the area’s first&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">TruBlue franchise</a> — with a mission to make aging-in-place safer, simpler and more accessible for her community. 1851 spoke with Soong to learn more about her story and her journey to the TruBlue brand. Here’s what she had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Jean Soong: I’ve been in the construction industry for almost 20 years, working with contractors. I moved to NYC in 2019, and my husband and I opened a home inspection business. We were learning a lot about the buildings here, understanding how issues come up — now we have a team of inspectors and have become a very well-known company serving Brooklyn and Manhattan.In 2022, my father became ill overseas in Taiwan, and I went there to help care for my parents. He became disabled and bedbound, and it was so hard getting him the support he needed — grab bars, safe access, even just navigating a wheelchair. My mom also fell down the stairs once because there weren’t proper handrails. That whole experience made me wish there was a service that could help people live more comfortably and safely in their homes.In 2024, I was home with my one-year-old daughter, and I was looking for the next business venture. We had clients from our inspection company who needed small repairs, but most contractors weren’t willing to do those handyman jobs. I found TruBlue at 4 a.m. one night and thought — this is it. I submitted an inquiry right away. My husband and I fell in love with the concept. It was a way to own a business and help people at the same time.1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know now that you’re in it?Soong: It would have been fine to start from scratch, but I liked the structure of the franchise. TruBlue offered senior home modifications and handyman services together — that was such a perfect fit for my background and what I saw my parents go through. We had to do that work for them both in Taiwan and the U.S.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Soong: I liked that the entry cost for TruBlue wasn’t astronomical — it was doable for us. And at the time, there was no TruBlue presence in the NYC metro area. That was really attractive. Other handyman businesses didn’t want to come into this market because of how complex it can be — you need insurance, licenses, etc., just to get into a building. The demand here is huge, especially in Manhattan and Brooklyn.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Soong: I really want to become a household name in this area. I want to be one of the top TruBlue franchises in the network because of where we’re positioned, our expertise and our experience. I’m also hoping to expand in the future — the region is huge and there’s a lot of need.1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Soong: I want to give back to the community. In construction, there are a lot of opportunities, but the industry doesn’t always treat people well. I want to change that and elevate the standard. My husband, who’s my partner in this business, is also a veteran. We want to give back through veteran programs and create a business that people want to be part of — as clients and employees.1851: What advice do you have for others thinking about becoming franchise owners?Soong: Really plug into the network and start making relationships right away, especially if you’re coming from a different background. Hire slow, fire fast — you need the right people to represent your business. And you have to hustle. Put in the work. Follow the system. Listen to the corporate team. They really do give you a roadmap.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.

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Jean Soong and TruBlue Home Service Ally logo

Jean Soong: Building a Mission-Driven TruBlue Franchise in Brooklyn

1851 Franchise

After a personal caregiving experience overseas, Soong launches Brooklyn’s first TruBlue franchise to provide safe, reliable home modifications and handyman help for aging adults.

From Home Inspections to Handyman Services, Jean Soong Builds a Mission-Driven Business with TruBlue in NYC

jean-soong-trublue-brooklyn-franchise

Caring Transitions

Why Consider a Corporate Career Change? Find Meaningful Work Helping Others With Caring Transitions

why-consider-a-corporate-career-change-find-meaningful-work-helping-others-with-caring-transitions

Comfort Keepers

How This Financial Strategist Built a Flourishing Purpose-Driven Business With Comfort Keepers®

how-this-financial-strategist-built-a-flourishing-purpose-driven-business-with-comfort-keepers

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier: A Legacy of Excellence, Built on a Foundation of Fitness

fitness-premier-a-legacy-of-excellence-built-on-a-foundation-of-fitness

Busy Bee Jumpers

From Solo Hustle to Franchise Muscle: Why Converting to a Busy Bee Franchise Just Makes Sense

busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-conversion-opportunity

Paris Baguette

Paris Baguette Franchise - Anusha Jonnala and Swapna Varala - 1851 Franchise

Blending Tech, Hospitality and Health Care: How Three Women From Different Worlds Came Together to Build a Paris Baguette Franchise

paris-baguette-franchise-flower-mound-texas

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

Dickey's Franchisee Backlash - Lawsuits - Disputes - 1851 Franchise

Texas-Based Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Grapples with Franchisee Backlash

dickeys-barbecue-pit-franchisee-lawsuits

Design with person in blazer, with laptop, holding sign that reads "LOOKING FOR A JOB"

Uptick in Jobless Claims Points to Continued Instability in Labor Market

jobless-claims-franchise-growth

Extraordinary Brands Acquires CycleBar and Rumble, Shaking Up Boutique Fitness Franchising

extraordinary-brands-cyclebar-rumble-boxing-acquisition

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

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K to Support Texas Flood Relief - 1851 Franchise

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K To Support Texas Flood Relief

planet-fitness-texas-flood-relief

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Navy Veteran and Professional Artist Couple Open Caring Transitions in Texas

Navy Veteran and Professional Artist Couple Set Out to Build a Purpose-Driven Business With Caring Transitions in Texas

navy-veteran-and-professional-artist-couple-set-out-to-build-a-purpose-driven-business-with-caring-transitions-in-texas

Why This Real Estate Broker Decided To Bring Caring Transitions to Central Texas

caring-transitions-san-marcos-kyle-chad-hardin

graphic image of a franchisee spotligh aman kaur of voodoo brewing

How This Trio of Friends Is Brewing Up Community With Voodoo Brewing Co. in Prosper, Texas

voodoo-brewing-franchisee-aman-kaur-prosper-texas

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

From Home Inspections to Handyman Services, Jean Soong Builds a Mission-Driven Business with TruBlue in NYC

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS