OIF Veteran and Property Manager Team Up to Bring TruBlue to Cleveland

Tom Gray and Jason Rowland may come from diverse backgrounds, but the duo has found common ground in their new venture as franchisees for TruBlue Home Care Ally, the home maintenance and handyman franchise, in Cleveland. Both devoted dads, the two are not only looking to start a winning business by shaking up the home maintenance and senior care market; they are also looking to become their own bosses in the process — ensuring they can spend more time with their own school-aged children.

The two partners also bring an especially useful expertise to TruBlue:Rowland’s extensive property management and home repair knowledge, along with Gray's experience in public relations. As they move forward, their primary goal is to provide a premium service, capitalizing on the array of offerings that TruBlue brings to Cleveland.

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

Rowland: My background is in private estate management in the Northeast Ohio area. We had staff on site and on call 24/7 helping with everything that needed to be maintained or constructed around the home. I spent the bulk of my career there in property management, mechanical maintenance, etc. After that, I spent a lot of time handling other remodeling and light construction home projects. 

Gray: I am an OIF veteran. In 2005, I started my career in NYC, working in progressive politics as the district director for Bill de Blasio. I also ran a chamber of commerce. I then moved into the private sector with lobbying and public relations in 2014. Jason and I have a small real estate portfolio, and we are both the primary caregivers for our kids, who are school age. So, we thought of starting our own business as our next endeavor. We found TruBlue, and because of our backgrounds, we knew it could be a perfect match for our collective skill sets. 

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?

Rowland: Tom and I independently had this idea for subscription-based maintenance services a while ago. How could we bring this to the masses — people who can’t afford to have a staff at their home 40 hours a week? How could we get our foot in the door to build this business from the ground up? That seemed pretty daunting. We are already very busy with our families. Taking the franchise route provided us with a framework, a name to stand behind and processes that were already in place. We have a team of people we can bounce ideas off of. That is why the franchise idea was appealing. 

Gray: Having that national brand behind you is invaluable as an entrepreneur. We are on the ground floor of this concept, and that is exciting. 

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

Gray: I found an ad for TruBlue on YouTube actually. We started talking with their onboarding specialists, went back and forth with the team, did our due diligence and research. We loved the possibility of providing service within the senior care industry. There is such a big baby boomer population; it creates an endless pool of potential customers. Jason and I were both waiting for the new school year to start up before committing to the business, so it gave us a ton of time to plan and wrap our heads around what we wanted and how to get it right. 

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

Rowland: Our goal is to truly provide a premium service that we don’t feel is common in this industry. I want to change the nature of maintenance work and home service work. I want to make a difference in people’s lives by helping them and educating them on how to maintain their biggest asset: their home. TruBlue gives us the opportunity to lead with integrity and honesty, which is something we've always done, in a space where that can at times be challenging to find. We want to be client focused, first and foremost. 

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

Rowland: As we start this experience, it is clear that the need for the types of service TruBlue offers is absolutely there, whether it be senior home modification, safety assessment, landscaping, maid service, etc. There are so many different facets, but across the board, it is all in demand and necessary. 

Gray: We have been on both sides of the table when it comes to having home repair services performed. Both as providers and as customers. We understand how challenging it can be to find excellent people that we would trust in our own homes. So, to be able to fill that demand and do it well at this level is very exciting. 

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

Rowland: All of the other franchise owners that we have spoken to have said that the support that the home team provides has been outstanding. Even if you have never run a business, you can lean pretty heavily on that to make sure that you are achieving what you set out to do. Make sure you are able to devote your full attention to the business, as it is a pretty large beast when you are getting started. 

The total investment estimate for a TruBlue Home Service Ally franchise ranges from $65,050–$91,400. To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit: https://1851franchise.com/trubluehousecare/info

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 and home maintenance services. Helping you maintain your home both inside and out, TruBlue’s services include: handyman projects and to-do list chores, preventative home maintenance, seasonal work, and senior modification services, all handled by a professional, bonded and insured TruBlue Home Service Ally Technician. TruBlue franchise owners are required to complete the Certified Aging In Place program through CAPS and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). As certified specialists, TruBlue franchisees are able to perform Certified Aging in Place Home Safety Assessments and can make recommended safety modifications as needed.