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“Why would anyone start a business during a pandemic?”It’s a question&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiankint/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=where-theres-a-kilt-theres-a-way-2718953" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kristian Kint</a> repeatedly answered when, in 2020, he decided to leave his job and open a home-services business in the Greater Houston area. But Kint, a Marine Corps veteran, had several things going for him, including experience in the construction and home services industry. That experience taught him that big challenges often led to big opportunities — and in this case, opportunity came in the form of&nbsp;<a href="https://meninkiltsfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=where-theres-a-kilt-theres-a-way-2718953" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Men In Kilts</a> (MIK), a residential and commercial cleaning franchise.“My wife [Sara] and I were working from home at the start of the pandemic, and we just decided it was time to try something new,” he says. “We wanted to own our business, which led us toward franchising. We checked on some painting businesses first. But when we started looking into Men in Kilts, we both fell in love with the brand.”While Kint had experience in the industry, both as a carpenter and construction manager, he’d never operated a business independently. Because of this, he thought franchising would be a good idea since it came with a built-in support system. “I liked that [Men In Kilts] was a relatively small franchise,” he said. “It’s not fully national yet, but it’s growing substantially.”He also liked that the business seemed recession-proof and had proven successful in similar markets. Additionally, he liked the company’s veteran-friendly ethos and family-friendly environment.&nbsp;But most of all, he liked the kilts.“It’s just brilliant marketing,” he said. “It’s definitely eye-catching. When we’re out in public, people stop and take pictures and talk to us. Plus, being in [Houston], you can’t beat wearing a kilt in the summer heat.”The first Men In Kilts was opened in 2002 by Nicholas Brand, a Vancouver native with Scottish roots. The company specializes in window cleaning but also offers power-washing and gutter-cleaning services. Recently, it became part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thresholdbrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=where-theres-a-kilt-theres-a-way-2718953" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Threshold Brands</a> portfolio, which includes other home-services franchises such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usainsulationfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=where-theres-a-kilt-theres-a-way-2718953" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">USA Insulation</a>,<a href="https://www.phparamedics.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=where-theres-a-kilt-theres-a-way-2718953" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;Plumbing Paramedics</a>,<a href="https://www.heatingairparamedics.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=where-theres-a-kilt-theres-a-way-2718953" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;Heating + Air Paramedics</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.sirgrout.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=where-theres-a-kilt-theres-a-way-2718953" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sir Grout</a>,<a href="https://www.maidprofranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=where-theres-a-kilt-theres-a-way-2718953" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;MaidPro</a>,<a href="https://www.flyfoefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=where-theres-a-kilt-theres-a-way-2718953" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;FlyFoe</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://pestmasterfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=where-theres-a-kilt-theres-a-way-2718953" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pestmaster Services</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://granitegaragefloors.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=where-theres-a-kilt-theres-a-way-2718953" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Granite Garage Floors</a>.&nbsp;There are now nearly 50 Men In Kilts locations across the country, with more on the way. A big reason for the brand’s success, Kint believes, is the company uniform.“It felt a little weird the first time I put it on, not going to lie,” he says of the kilt. “But you get used to it, and after a while, you love it. You must embrace it and have a little swagger about yourself.”Aside from the kilts, Kint attributes much of his company’s success to the significant franchisor backing it.“Their support system is incredible,” he says of Threshold Brands. “You get so much — from marketing to ongoing coaching — you get everything you need to run a business.”<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-sutton-0b878823/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=where-theres-a-kilt-theres-a-way-2718953" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">R. Scott Sutton</a>, chief growth officer at Threshold Brands, said Kint’s success is a testament to his resolve as a business owner and the resilience of the MIK brand.“The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for Americans to improve their homes,” Sutton said. “And because of that, we saw a boom in the home-services industry today. Some companies didn’t embrace the opportunity, but we (Threshold Brands) continued to grow with our local communities despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic. It’s a strategy that’s certainly paid off.”Kint says his past experiences have helped him run the business successfully.“I was in the Marine Corps from 2006 to 2010 as a rank Corporal,” he said. “After that, I was in construction for six years and worked for three different companies in North Dakota, Oklahoma and Texas. In the construction industry, I learned how to be personable and have people skills. And from the Marine Corps, I learned discipline and time management.”Those skills are now paying off as he continues to grow his customer base. While he’s excited about the potential of becoming a multi-brand owner with Threshold Brands, he’s currently focused on growing Men In Kilts in the Greater Houston area. “There are a lot of new homes being built here,” he said. “The area is definitely growing.”What would he say to others considering a Men In Kilts franchise?“Just go for it,” he says. “My wife and I 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:&nbsp;Men In Kilts offers interior and exterior window cleaning, gutter cleaning, house washing and pressure washing for residential and commercial properties. All locations are locally owned and operated.&nbsp;The total investment required to begin the operation of a Men in Kilts franchised business ranges from $157,290 to $191,950. This includes a $38,000 franchise fee that must be paid to the franchisor. For more information about Men in Kilts, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://meninkiltsfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=where-theres-a-kilt-theres-a-way-2718953" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">meninkiltsfranchising.com</a>.

Where There’s a Kilt, There’s a Way

1851 Franchise

How Men In Kilts Franchisee Kristian Kint found success in the middle of the pandemic.

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