The Great Franchisee Kristian Kint, Men In Kilts, Houston

Kristian Kint, a local Marine Corps veteran is putting his construction experience to use and capitalizing on the real estate growth in Richmond with his newly launched Men In Kilts franchise. After working in carpentry and project management for six years in three different states, Kristian has now opened his own residential and commercial cleaning franchise with hopes to grow across the Greater Houston area. The growing brand offers exterior window cleaning, gutter cleaning, house washing, and pressure washing.

1851 Franchise: Tell us your story – what did you do before franchising?

Kristian Kint: I was in the Marine Corps from 2006 to 2010 as a rank corporal. After that, I was in construction for six years. I worked for three different companies in North Dakota, Oklahoma, and in Texas as a carpenter and a project manager. With the construction industry, I learned how to be personable and have people skills. And from the Marine Corps, we learn discipline and time management.

1851: How did you initially find out about franchising? 

Kint: I wanted to own a business and I thought franchising would be best since I have never owned my own business before. I wanted to look for something that was recession-proof, like home services. That’s when I landed on Men In Kilts.

1851: Why did you pick franchising over starting your own business?

Kint: For the support system. You get so much — from marketing to ongoing coaching — you get everything you need to run a business. I didn’t really have the financials or time to start from scratch.

1851: What types of brands did you look at?

Kint: I looked at some other painting franchises, but not many.

1851: Why did you pick Men In Kilts? What excited you most about the potential?

Kint: I liked that it was a small franchise. It’s not national yet, but it’s growing substantially. The current size of the franchise will benefit us long term, as well. I also like how the brand markets itself: the vans and shirts and of course the kilt wearing.

1851: What trends are you seeing in your local community?

Kint: There are a lot of new homes being built, the area is definitely growing. Right now, there’s a lot of mom-and-pop competition, but I plan to grow bigger than their coverage area.

1851: What are your dreams with the business? What does the future look like?

Kint: I’m excited for potential growth into multi-brand ownership with Threshold Brands. But for right now, I’m focusing on our Men in Kilts business and growing to the Greater Houston area.

1851: What advice would you have for others looking at buying a franchise?

Kint: Just go for it! We jumped in feet first and we’re still learning to swim. There’s definitely a learning curve, but it’s so rewarding.

About Men in Kilts: 

Men In Kilts offers interior and exterior window cleaning, gutter cleaning, house washing, and pressure washing for residential and commercial properties. All Men In Kilts locations are locally owned and operated.