The Great Franchisee | 25-Year-Old Businessman Opens Second Business, Brings ProLift Garage Doors to Denton, Texas

Davis Keene figured out early in his career that he wanted to be a business owner. After only four months of working as a car salesman, he decided to make a leap and buy his own business. Keene owned and operated a successful residential garage flooring company for two years, taking the annual revenue from $2 million per year to $7 million per year. Keene eventually sold the business and began looking for his next career move. At 25, Keene soon discovered Premium Service Brands and ProLift Garage Doors.

Keene aims to set himself apart from other home service brands in the area by providing excellent customer service. He is looking forward to supporting the community through his new business as well as creating new jobs for the community.

1851 Franchise spoke with Keene to learn more about his franchising journey with ProLift Garage Doors.

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

Davis Keene: My first career role was selling cars for a local dealership. I was there for four months before I realized I wanted to be in business for myself. Soon I was buying my own residential garage flooring company. I ended up selling that business and began looking for my next career move. I found Premium Service Brands and then ProLift Garage Doors through them. Franchising with Premium Service Brands made sense because I had opened a business from scratch before. I knew how much work it was and wanted the support a franchise system brings. A good franchise system will offer coaching and support. With a franchise, you get more credibility, which I think is important, especially as a 25-year-old business owner.

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?

Keene: My perception was very different than it is now. I honestly looked down on franchising. I looked at it as a way people who couldn’t open their own businesses could be business owners. That is nowhere near what I think of franchising now. It’s a way to jumpstart your business. You still have to put in a lot of effort. You are still doing everything; you just have a framework to execute on.

1851: What makes you stand out as business owners in your local community?

Keene: As a business owner, I want to do a spectacular job for our customers. I want to make sure my customers feel heard and valued. My team will pay attention to the customer and their needs. I know that if we do a great job and treat people fairly, we will succeed as a business.

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

Keene: I knew that Premium Service Brands’ values matched my own. I could tell they really cared about their customers. I knew Premium Service Brands was a company with which I wanted to be associated.

I’m excited about the community events. I get to attend these events and be a part of what makes our community so special. I want to show people here that ProLift Garage Doors truly cares about the community and its people.

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

Keene: As far as the business itself, I want to get to the point that I have a great team and general manager, so maybe I can expand to another Premium Service Brand. I can look at what the community needs and open a trustworthy and respectful business that provides that service.

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

Keene: I’m in this business to care for my customers and not just profit off them. We are here to solve a problem for our customers; everything else is secondary to us. At ProLift Garage Doors, we stand behind our work and our products.

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

Keene: Do it. Franchising is a great way to multiply your skills, knowledge and efforts. You have this massive team of people to help and encourage you.