Assisted Living Co-Owner Expands Senior Care Legacy with TruBlue Franchise in South Dayton

Born and raised in Dayton, Bryan Nelson carries a deep-seated passion for senior care that dates back to his family’s involvement in the senior living industry in the 1970s. After co-owning the Carlyle House assisted living community since 2013 and spending years in legal research sales and bank management, Nelson recognized an unmet need in South Dayton: helping aging residents stay safe and independent in their own homes.

In June, he launched TruBlue of South Dayton, focusing on handicap ramps, fall prevention, and monthly home maintenance. Now three months into operation, Nelson is combining turnkey franchisor support with his 13 years of business experience to scale his TruBlue team and serve local seniors.

Bryan sat down with 1851 Franchise to discuss his transition into home services, his focus on fall prevention, and why TruBlue was the perfect fit for his passion. Here’s what he had to say:

1851 Franchise: Tell us your story in one sentence.

Bryan Nelson: I've always had a special place in my heart to help seniors in the Dayton area, and through TruBlue, I can carry on my family's long tradition of senior care by providing home modifications and maintenance that help them stay safe in their homes as long as possible.

1851: What was happening in your life that made you realize it was time to make a change?

Nelson: It came down to my own professional and personal growth and wanting to start a new business, but I also recognized a strong need in the Dayton area for these types of senior services. There aren't many people around here who specifically focus on helping seniors stay independent.

1851: Why did you choose this franchise over every other opportunity?

Nelson: Mainly their dedication and focus on helping seniors. My parents owned nursing homes and assisted living facilities growing up, so helping local seniors has been a long tradition in our family since the 1970s. TruBlue felt like a natural extension of that passion—just another way to help seniors live at home as safely and for as long as they possibly can.

1851: What is it really like owning a TruBlue franchise?

Nelson: We've only been open a few months, but it has been very rewarding. Like any business, you get a lot of support from the corporate team through weekly calls and having your questions answered. Everything from a marketing standpoint is already set up for you, making it very turnkey.

1851: How has owning this franchise changed your life?

Nelson: It has definitely made life busier, but in a really good way. It’s been very rewarding to help local residents over our first three months, and I look forward to helping a lot more seniors in the future.

1851: If your best friend had enough money to buy this franchise tomorrow, what would you tell them?

Nelson: I would tell them it's a great opportunity if you are passionate about serving your local community, especially with a focus on seniors. It is deeply rewarding work; if you have that passion, it is definitely something you should consider.

1851: What's the one thing you wish someone had told you before you bought this franchise?

Nelson: The franchise team did a thorough job explaining the model upfront, and my 13 years of experience co-owning a business definitely helped. I pretty much knew what to expect, so nothing has shocked me at this point.

ABOUT TRUBLUE HOME SERVICE ALLY:

TruBlue Home Service Ally® provides a unique and affordable approach to helping busy adults and seniors live a worry-free life by offering trustworthy handyman, home maintenance and senior modification services. Helping you maintain your home both inside and out, TruBlue’s services include handyman projects and to-do list chores, preventative home maintenance programs, kitchen and bath remodels, seasonal work, and senior modification services, all handled by professional, bonded and insured Tru-Pro® Technicians. TruBlue franchise owners are required to complete senior home safety certification programs through the NAHB and Age Safe America. As certified specialists, TruBlue franchisees are able to perform aging in place home safety assessments and can make recommended safety modifications as needed.

All locations are independently owned and operated. Service offerings, certifications, and licenses vary by location.