Leaving the predictability of a paycheck behind to become your own boss is one of the most rewarding — and challenging — moves a professional can make. For many, franchising offers a smart path forward, blending the freedom of business ownership with the structure and support of an established brand.
Lisa Hudson, president of Fresh Coat Painters and former franchisee of The Growth Coach — two brands within the Strategic Franchising Systems (SFS) portfolio — knows the journey firsthand.
“I transitioned from a corporate career to owning a franchise which allowed me more flexibility that was needed due to a family loss,” said Hudson. “I was able to manage my schedule based on both client needs and my young family.”
Before entering the world of franchising, Hudson built her career at Macy’s, where she spent 26 years leading multimillion-dollar stores and national leadership programs. Her background in team coaching and operational strategy provided the perfect foundation for business ownership — but that didn’t mean the transition was seamless.
“When you go from leading big teams to suddenly being a business of one, it’s a transition,” she said. “There’s no IT team. No HR. That’s when you realize how critical systems and support are.”
That’s also when Hudson fully appreciated the structure that franchising provides.
“What I loved about franchising is that a franchise coach was walking the journey with me,” she said. “The SOPs, the tools, the support — they were all there. I wasn’t alone. I always found that when I called a franchisee partner or they called me, we both had great learnings and takeaways. I was filling someone else’s bucket, but they might not have even realized that they said something that filled my bucket.”
SFS franchisees benefit from thorough onboarding, technical training, marketing support and a nationwide network of peers — a critical resource for new owners navigating uncharted waters.
“Franchising provides that community,” said Hudson. “I talked to my peers a couple of times a week. Just having that support — people who are going through the same journey— can make all the difference.”
For professionals who are comfortable with the rhythms of traditional employment — set schedules, teams of specialists, a stable paycheck — becoming a franchise owner can be a dramatic shift. Hudson remembers the moment she realized just how much had changed.
“All of a sudden, I was a business owner of one until you build your team ,” she said. “You really start to understand how important it is to have a system because you have so many things coming at you. If you don’t have the right foundation — whether it’s people, processes or structure — it can be overwhelming.”
Fortunately, SFS brands are built with that transition in mind. With business models that emphasize simplicity, scalability and comprehensive support, they’re designed to help franchisees hit the ground running.
The transition from employee to franchise owner requires a mental shift as much as a professional one. Hudson says mindset — not money — is often the biggest hurdle.
“You’re going to make mistakes. But if you think, ‘What’s the best that can happen? What’s the worst?’ — it usually lands somewhere in the middle,” she said. “You have to get out of your comfort zone. As a business coach, I helped others do that — and I had to do the same for myself.”
That mentality has now shaped the coaching philosophy she brings to her leadership at Fresh Coat Painters.
“You buy a franchise because you want to invest in a system,” she said. “Our job is to support that journey. We help keep franchisees on track — through coaching calls, conferences, and by making sure they’re using the tools available to them. And because I was a franchisee, I can lead my team to provide exactly what they need to succeed.”
After years of success as a franchisee, Hudson rose through the ranks at Strategic Franchising, eventually becoming president of The Growth Coach. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped shift the brand’s business coaching services from live to virtual — supporting owners during one of the most uncertain periods in business history.
She later joined Fresh Coat Painters as executive vice president, overseeing a 27-person team and leading efforts in strategy and process improvement. Now, as brand president, Hudson is guiding the 190+ unit painting franchise through a new era of growth.
“We’re actively expanding in markets across the U.S., and we’re looking for passionate, driven entrepreneurs who want to build a meaningful business in their community,” she said. “While painting is our service, we are looking for those that have a passion for building a team to build their business in their local communities.”
Hudson emphasizes that leadership — not technical skill — is what makes the difference in this business. “As an owner, you need to be the the leader sharing the vision and culture guiding the team, building relationships, growing the business,” she said. “You hire painters. You lead the organization.”
Hudson’s experience — from Macy’s executive to franchisee to franchisor — gives her a unique vantage point. Her advice for aspiring business owners?
“Be honest with yourself about your behaviors. If you want to grow, you’ll have to push through discomfort. That’s where the growth is,” she said. “You also have to stay visible — in your community, in your marketing, in your networking. If you disappear, your business disappears.”
And finally, Hudson says the most overlooked asset in franchising is the community itself.
“Franchisees aren’t just joining a brand — they’re joining a network,” she said. “I still talk to my peers regularly. Sometimes you’re helping someone else, and sometimes they say something that helps you in return. That connection is powerful — it fills your bucket and helps you move forward.”
For more information on franchising with SFS, visit: https://1851franchise.com/strategicfranchising/info.
Strategic Franchising
SPONSORED
Fresh Coat Painters Brand President Lisa Hudson shares her journey from corporate life to franchisee to franchisor-and what it takes to shift from employee to entrepreneur with Strategic Franchising.
Leaving the predictability of a paycheck behind to become your own boss is one of the most rewarding — and challenging — moves a professional can make. For many, franchising offers a smart path forward, blending the freedom of business ownership with the structure and support of an established brand.
Lisa Hudson, president of Fresh Coat Painters and former franchisee of The Growth Coach — two brands within the Strategic Franchising Systems (SFS) portfolio — knows the journey firsthand.
“I transitioned from a corporate career to owning a franchise which allowed me more flexibility that was needed due to a family loss,” said Hudson. “I was able to manage my schedule based on both client needs and my young family.”
Before entering the world of franchising, Hudson built her career at Macy’s, where she spent 26 years leading multimillion-dollar stores and national leadership programs. Her background in team coaching and operational strategy provided the perfect foundation for business ownership — but that didn’t mean the transition was seamless.
“When you go from leading big teams to suddenly being a business of one, it’s a transition,” she said. “There’s no IT team. No HR. That’s when you realize how critical systems and support are.”
That’s also when Hudson fully appreciated the structure that franchising provides.
“What I loved about franchising is that a franchise coach was walking the journey with me,” she said. “The SOPs, the tools, the support — they were all there. I wasn’t alone. I always found that when I called a franchisee partner or they called me, we both had great learnings and takeaways. I was filling someone else’s bucket, but they might not have even realized that they said something that filled my bucket.”
SFS franchisees benefit from thorough onboarding, technical training, marketing support and a nationwide network of peers — a critical resource for new owners navigating uncharted waters.
“Franchising provides that community,” said Hudson. “I talked to my peers a couple of times a week. Just having that support — people who are going through the same journey— can make all the difference.”
For professionals who are comfortable with the rhythms of traditional employment — set schedules, teams of specialists, a stable paycheck — becoming a franchise owner can be a dramatic shift. Hudson remembers the moment she realized just how much had changed.
“All of a sudden, I was a business owner of one until you build your team ,” she said. “You really start to understand how important it is to have a system because you have so many things coming at you. If you don’t have the right foundation — whether it’s people, processes or structure — it can be overwhelming.”
Fortunately, SFS brands are built with that transition in mind. With business models that emphasize simplicity, scalability and comprehensive support, they’re designed to help franchisees hit the ground running.
The transition from employee to franchise owner requires a mental shift as much as a professional one. Hudson says mindset — not money — is often the biggest hurdle.
“You’re going to make mistakes. But if you think, ‘What’s the best that can happen? What’s the worst?’ — it usually lands somewhere in the middle,” she said. “You have to get out of your comfort zone. As a business coach, I helped others do that — and I had to do the same for myself.”
That mentality has now shaped the coaching philosophy she brings to her leadership at Fresh Coat Painters.
“You buy a franchise because you want to invest in a system,” she said. “Our job is to support that journey. We help keep franchisees on track — through coaching calls, conferences, and by making sure they’re using the tools available to them. And because I was a franchisee, I can lead my team to provide exactly what they need to succeed.”
After years of success as a franchisee, Hudson rose through the ranks at Strategic Franchising, eventually becoming president of The Growth Coach. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped shift the brand’s business coaching services from live to virtual — supporting owners during one of the most uncertain periods in business history.
She later joined Fresh Coat Painters as executive vice president, overseeing a 27-person team and leading efforts in strategy and process improvement. Now, as brand president, Hudson is guiding the 190+ unit painting franchise through a new era of growth.
“We’re actively expanding in markets across the U.S., and we’re looking for passionate, driven entrepreneurs who want to build a meaningful business in their community,” she said. “While painting is our service, we are looking for those that have a passion for building a team to build their business in their local communities.”
Hudson emphasizes that leadership — not technical skill — is what makes the difference in this business. “As an owner, you need to be the the leader sharing the vision and culture guiding the team, building relationships, growing the business,” she said. “You hire painters. You lead the organization.”
Hudson’s experience — from Macy’s executive to franchisee to franchisor — gives her a unique vantage point. Her advice for aspiring business owners?
“Be honest with yourself about your behaviors. If you want to grow, you’ll have to push through discomfort. That’s where the growth is,” she said. “You also have to stay visible — in your community, in your marketing, in your networking. If you disappear, your business disappears.”
And finally, Hudson says the most overlooked asset in franchising is the community itself.
“Franchisees aren’t just joining a brand — they’re joining a network,” she said. “I still talk to my peers regularly. Sometimes you’re helping someone else, and sometimes they say something that helps you in return. That connection is powerful — it fills your bucket and helps you move forward.”
For more information on franchising with SFS, visit: https://1851franchise.com/strategicfranchising/info.
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