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

A veteran of the construction and home inspection industry, Jean Soong 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 TruBlue of Northwest Brooklyn — the area’s first TruBlue franchise — 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.