The Great Franchisee | Local Opens ProLift Garage Doors Franchise to Provide Needed Home Services in Canyon

David Manley was raised in Canyon and has a deep connection to the city and its people. When he left his management career to open his own business, Manley saw it as a way to create a great work environment for himself and others while also giving back to the community he loves.

On August 29, Manley and his wife, Natascha, officially opened their new business, ProLift Garage Doors, the garage door repair and replacement franchise. Since opening, he hasn’t wasted any time getting involved with his community as a business owner. Manley has already committed to several community events like Canyon’s Trunk or Treat and its WTAMU homecoming parade. The heart of Manley’s business model is to give back to the community that helped raise him.

1851 Franchise spoke with Manley 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?

David Manley: I was in the retail industry for 20 years with Walmart and Kroger as store manager. Before that, I worked with a manufacturing facility that produced copper. When my most recent job got bought out, I realized that it no longer fit with what I wanted for myself. I was working long hours and was on a salary. So I began considering opening my own business in February of last year. By this February, I was seriously looking and ready to make the jump. I knew franchising could be a good option for me because you get all the support you need and a road map to success. I don’t know if I could have opened my own business without a franchise's help.

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?

Manley: I think I had a negative connotation of franchising in the back of my mind. I saw it as a big corporation just trying to make money. When I began looking into franchising, my whole perception changed. I saw that they were truly there to help me and that there were benefits to franchising, like brand recognition and marketing, that you couldn’t get on your own.

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

Manley: I think our business model will help us stand out. At ProLift Garage Doors, we don’t charge service fees, and we offer a free estimate. Also, we can fix 90% of the jobs we take on the first visit. I think that people will appreciate the value that it gives them.

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

Manley: We were working with a franchise coach who presented us with three options. I liked the business model of ProLift Garage Doors the best. They had fewer overhead fees and lower initial investments. ProLift Garage Doors is also a part of Premium Service Brands, which owns several franchises, so by signing with ProLift Garage Doors, I was opening doors to ownership of other brands as well. 

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

Manley: My short-term goal is to have a minimum of two trucks on the road by the end of the year. By the end of year one, I want to be profitable and see a month-over-month increase in revenue. In the future, I would definitely consider expanding into other territories like Lubbock. I would even consider opening other franchises within the Premium Service Brand umbrella.

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

Manley: I’m a local, and because of that, I have a connection with the community and its people. I’m very involved in the community, and with my new business, I plan on being even more involved. I’ve already committed to sponsoring events and being a part of community events like Trunk or Treat and the WTAMU homecoming parade. I really want to use my business to give back to the community that I love.

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

Manley: I would suggest having a very open mind. Make sure you have enough personal capital to support your daily living for at least a year.

ABOUT PREMIUM SERVICE BRANDS:

Headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, Premium Service Brands (PSB) is the leader in home services franchise opportunities. Recently acquiring Andy On-Call and RooterMan in 2022, The Grout Medic and House Doctors in 2021, Renew Crew in January 2020, and Rubbish Works in November 2020, the other brands under the PSB umbrella include 360º Painting, ProLift Garage Doors, Maid Right, and Kitchen Wise*. These home improvement industry brands provide franchisees with comprehensive training and support for every step while viewing customer service as a way of life by also giving back to local communities through their nonprofit, Kids-Lift. Supporting kids and their families is crucial to PSB’s personal values to brighten and care for their communities. More on franchising opportunities at: https://www.premiumservicebrands.com.