The Great Franchisee: Lisa Parks, Maid Right, Austin

Twenty years ago, Lisa Parks began what would become a thriving career in marketing and advertising. Now, the business development expert is starting a new career as one of the newest franchisees with Maid Right, the 21-unit eco-friendly residential cleaning franchise from Premium Service Brands.

Parks says her passion for business development and a growing demand she identified in the home services industry prompted her to make the pivot into business ownership with Maid Right. She says she saw a real need for a cleaning company that focused on service, premium products and equipment and a commitment to enhancing the community. 

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

Lisa Parks: I was born and raised in Austin, Texas and went to Westlake High School. I graduated college from the University of Texas and spent the next twenty years working in radio, television, and digital advertising. 

1851: How did you initially find out about franchising and what was your perception of franchising before becoming a franchise owner?

Parks: About ten years ago, a neighbor of mine, who was a franchise consultant, told me how she was in the business of matching people with franchise opportunities based on their skill sets. At the time, I had young kids and was working in advertising but I thought, when I am ready to start my own business, I’m going to utilize her service. My daughters are now 22 and 16, and I felt like it was the right time for me to start the next chapter in my career. With residential cleaning in particular, I’ve had mixed experiences. I really wanted to create a company culture where best-in-class service was at the heart of what we do.

1851: How did you decide you wanted to be a franchisee?

Parks: I decided to become a franchisee because the idea of being a part of a community of owners across the country, made franchising through Premium Service Brands very compelling to me. Now that my daughters are older, I have the time and energy to focus on building a business. I wanted the support, infrastructure, and benefit of all of the best practices other owners had acquired through their experience. 

1851: How did you perform your research?

Parks: I worked with my franchise consultant at FranNet, and we went through an entire assessment to find the best fit for my personality and skill set. I knew I wanted to do something in home services and enhance my community through my business. Maid Right was the right opportunity for me.

1851: Why did you pick Maid Right? What excited you most about the potential?

Parks: I liked Maid Right’s eco-friendly commitment, along with its “customer-centric” approach. Their affiliation with the other Premium Service Brands franchises aligned well with my plans for the future of the business

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

Parks: I want to continue to grow my business in Austin and the surrounding area. I want to embed myself in the community and eventually offer other service options from the Premium Service Brands family. My goal is to provide a whole-home solution through the brands I offer. 

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

Parks: Find a great franchise consultant. Also, in advance, create a list of your must-haves and must-not-haves. You find yourself honing in on those during your discovery process. You have to be careful going down the path of “what will bring me happiness as a hobby” versus “what will be the best business opportunity.”

1851: What do you do in your personal time?

Parks: I love all things outdoors, particularly if it’s near the lake or the beach, and traveling. I also love cooking and DIY projects.

ABOUT MAID RIGHT

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, Maid Right is one of the nation's leading residential and commercial cleaning service franchises. Maid Right was acquired by Premium Service Brands in 2018 and has since grown to over 20 locations with plans to nearly double in size by the end of 2020. Known for its reliable and consistent service, Maid Right has made a name for itself through the use of safer, healthier, and greener products, all of which are non-toxic, fully eco-friendly and biodegradable, including the brand's proprietary Enviro-Mist® disinfectant, which fights contagions in the home with the most advanced disinfection system in the industry. For more information about franchising opportunities with Maid Right, visit: https://www.premiumservicebrands.com/maid-right/.