TruBlue Home Service Ally

Can you run a home service business if you can't fix a leaky faucet? Craig Lutz openly admits he’s not the handiest guy — his wife might even call him “the least handy person she’s ever met.” However, what he lacks in technical know-how, he makes up for in the kind of steady leadership that has defined every chapter of his life.&nbsp;Raised as a military brat, Lutz bounced around a lot before honoring the family tradition to enlist. He served in the Air Force during the Gulf War era, providing the foundation for him to earn two business degrees and forge a career in the private sector. Despite undeniable career success, he felt called to serve his community more directly through local government. In his decade of local politics, including four years as a Hall County Commissioner, Lutz has done far more than hold office; he’s actively built support systems for veterans in need.Now, he is channeling that drive into&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trubluefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=craig-lutz-trublue-home-service-ally-franchise-interview-2731104" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TruBlue Home Service Ally</a>, creating a legacy for his family while helping seniors remain independent in their own homes. Lutz opened his location in late 2025 and is already serving Georgia’s Hall, Gwinnett, Barrow and Jackson counties. He proves that successful franchising isn't all about the technical; it’s about identifying a need, building a strong team and executing a vision.Lutz took the time to chat with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what he had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Craig Lutz:&nbsp;I always say I grew up a military brat, meaning we moved around a lot. I actually went to nine schools in twelve years. The fortunate aspect was that the last high school I went to is where I met my wife, and we have been married for over 36 years. We’ve got two daughters; one is a Navy veteran, and the other is a graduate from Georgia Tech. More personally, I served in the Air Force during the first Gulf War period. Then, after getting business degrees from Mercer and Kennesaw State, I went into private practice.&nbsp;I had an opportunity to serve the community through politics as well. I’ve always enjoyed serving the community in some tangible way, either through the military, politics, or most recently, through veteran service organizations. I saw a lot of situations where people were coming back from war, and they didn’t have the services they needed; some of them were getting into trouble with the law. We worked really hard here in Hall County to develop a court system specifically for veterans. Of all the things I was able to do in local politics, that was the thing I’m most proud of.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Lutz:&nbsp;I’ve worked a lot of different management roles in my time—from being a manager for a large telecommunications provider to several distribution companies. I got to the point in my career where I wanted to do something where I could bring my family along. The business model that we’re running here is family-run; my youngest daughter is currently acting as my office manager, and her fiancé is my field manager. I looked at a bunch of franchising roles, but this one had a great niche that I didn’t see with a lot of others—aging in place. I felt like this lens made the franchise opportunity worthwhile, not only financially, but personally gratifying as well.&nbsp;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?Lutz: One of the perceptions I had was, ‘Why would I want to pay somebody to work for them?’ The second thing was, ‘Why would I pay you for something I could probably do myself?’ I had to sit down and think about where I could add value within the structure. After starting this franchise, I don’t think I could have gotten this thing off the ground nearly as fast as I did without the support. Our franchisor does a great job of not necessarily holding your hand, but putting all the checkmarks in front of you so you can plan everything out. I found that it makes sense to follow a franchise model when the model has been laid out for you. I don't mind paying a franchise fee when I can see the impact of the services I’m receiving back.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Lutz: I was approached by a franchise consultant out of the blue, and whatever he said intrigued me enough to take another call. In talking to my friends and family about the different options, almost all of them perked up when I brought up&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">TruBlue</a>. On our neighborhood sites or Facebook, somebody is always asking around for somebody who can lend a hand or help out—whether it's hanging up a picture or putting up a simple TV mount. A lot of people have a real need for that. So that’s kind of what got us involved with it. I thought, ‘I've got some pretty handy people around my family and friends, and we could certainly put together a business that we think can go out and help the community.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Lutz: First of all, I want to set up a business that can be generational. I’m really looking forward to making the business successful and then handing it off to my kids—in this particular case, one child and her fiancé. As far as growth goes, I believe that the growth needs to be somewhat realistic. If you were to buy up territory and grow your area, then your service is going to diminish based on your resources. Could I go buy another franchise with the franchisor? Absolutely—and it’s probably the smarter way to grow. If I were to pull everything into this franchise, eventually you spend more time driving to locations than you do actually helping people. My intent is to have our guys spend more of their time in customer contact than behind the wheel driving in Atlanta traffic.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Lutz:&nbsp;Don’t be afraid of getting into something that you don’t necessarily know. Get excited about the things that you believe will have a personal impact. If you were to have asked my wife a few years ago about me owning a handyman franchise, she would have said I was the least handy person that she’d ever met! A man has to know his limitations, so you’re not going to find me out swinging hammers and climbing ladders. But what I can do is identify great opportunities to engage with the public, put together big teams, and develop them. The fear of not knowing has to be put behind you. You really just need to get excited about what you can do to enhance your own happiness or self-gratification and then move forward from there.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.

Image of Craig Lutz Hall County   Tru Blu Franchisee

From Veteran Craig Lutz on TruBlue Home Service Ally

1851 Franchise

After a lifetime of service as a veteran and local politician, Lutz finds purpose with a new chapter in the ‘aging in place’ space.

The Ballot Box or the Toolbox? Craig Lutz Puts the ‘Service’ in TruBlue Home Service Ally

craig-lutz-trublue-home-service-ally-franchise-interview

FRANCHISE INFORMATION

Own a TruBlue Franchise

How TruBlue Empowers Career-Changers to Become Business Owners

Turning Your Passion for Helping Others into a Profitable Business with TruBlue

Why is the Medical Community Investing in TruBlue?

The Future of the Home Service Market

Learn

Download Brochure

Visit Website

TRUBLUE HOME SERVICE ALLY

Facebook 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

SOCIAL MEDIA 

Step-by-Step: What the First Year of Owning a TruBlue Home Service Ally Looks Like

TruBlue & Lifewise Partner To Create Safer Homes for Seniors

A Booming Industry: The Future of the Home Service Market and Why TruBlue Is Poised To Lead

TRUBLUE HOME SERVICE ALLY MOST READ STORIES

1851 LOGIN

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

ABOUT TRUBLUE HOME SERVICE ALLY

CONTACT TRUBLUE HOME SERVICE ALLY

facebook

instagram

linkedin

youtube

First Name

Last Name

Email

Phone

City

State / Province

Zip Code

How did you hear about us?

What excites you about owning a TruBlue Franchise?

Own a TruBlue Total House Care

For new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trubluefranchise.com/">TruBlue Home Service Ally</a> owners, the journey starts with a strong foundation of training and support. Before the first job is booked,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">TruBlue’s</a> onboarding process ensures franchisees feel confident and equipped to launch.<h2>Signing, Training and Launching</h2>For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-smith-50780b364">Michael Smith</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-phillips-298502107">Jodi Phillips</a>, owners of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trublueally.com/culpeper">TruBlue of Culpeper</a> in Virginia, that process began as soon as they signed their franchise agreement.“We spent a week in the in-person training session and that was very informative and helpful,” Jodi said. “There were also multiple calls twice a week, and we felt it was very important to go through those things independently. We both got different things from each section. There was a lot of coaching and support to get things set up.”With her background as a licensed physical therapist assistant, Jodi was looking for a concept that aligned with her experience. “The addition of the senior and aging in place services really sealed the deal for us,” she said. “It seemed like an obvious choice.”For Michael, who spent years in federal investigation work and grew up around construction, the decision was about combining skill and purpose.“The aging population is going to be huge and there isn’t much out there helping,” he said. “We like to help people on a personal level, and TruBlue gives us a way to do that.”The pair purchased their franchise in May, completed training and onboarding in June, and officially launched operations in July. “We had our soft launch in June, reaching out to friends, family and neighbors,” Michael said. “That gave us time to test everything before our official opening.”They funded their business through a 401(k) rollover (ROBS), a common financing path for new TruBlue owners. “It was the right move for us,” Michael said. “We’ve far exceeded expectations in our first four months.”<h2>Building Your First Team and Client Base</h2>Once open, the first 90 days are all about momentum, building the right crew, booking early jobs, and becoming a known presence in the community.For&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trublue-denver-west-bottoms-family-2729944">Miles and Cassondra Bottoms</a>, who own&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trublueally.com/denver-west/About-Us">TruBlue of Denver West</a> in Colorado, the early months were a whirlwind.“It’s a lot of hours, around 60 a week,” Cassondra said. “We’re getting used to our processes, drinking from the fire hose. But we’ve been very conscious about doing things the right way.”The Bottoms quickly learned that hiring strategically would be key to growth. “We’ve already hired an assistant,” Cassondra said. “Some people don’t think it’s a value they can afford, but we realized we couldn’t afford&nbsp;not to have someone helping us. It freed us to go out and sell more business.”Miles agrees that building a reliable team is step one. “There’s a big misconception that you open the business and are immediately out there running,” he said. “Initially, it’s all about getting a team you can sell, one you’re confident can deliver what you promise. Once you dial that in, everything else follows.”Their daily routine became a balance of scheduling, quoting, job management and relationship-building. “You have to know what a successful day looks like,” Miles said. “Otherwise you’ll just bury yourself. It’s about prioritizing and adjusting.”<h2>Community Engagement and Local Marketing</h2>As operations stabilize, TruBlue owners begin shifting focus toward relationship-driven marketing, the backbone of long-term success.Cassondra and Miles discovered that&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/be-a-community-hero-how-trublue-franchisees-are-changing-lives-beyond-business-2730484">local engagement</a> pays off quickly. “We’ve been really intentional about being part of the community,” Cassondra said. “Whether it’s going to a gala, sponsoring a silent auction or joining the Chamber of Commerce, we’ve made those connections a weekly priority. The payoff is real. We’re already seeing organic leads come in.”By taking estimating off her plate and focusing on relationship-building, Cassondra found they could grow more efficiently. “We want to be a vendor of choice,” she said. “If we can work with the VPs of operations in our community, we know that will lead to recurring business.”For Michael and Jodi,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/trublue-and-lifewise-partner-to-deliver-safer-healthier-homes-for-seniors-2730494">TruBlue’s national marketing systems and partnerships</a> provided a strong boost early on.“The franchise path really allowed us to jump three years ahead in business planning,” Michael said. “TruBlue already has national partnerships, the marketing is already there, we don’t have to worry about anything. We just plug and play into our personal vision.”<h2>Scaling, Streamlining and Looking Ahead</h2>By the end of year one, most TruBlue franchisees are focused on growth, adding subscriptions, expanding their team and planning for future territories.“Our goals are adjusting on a day-by-day basis,” Jodi said. “We currently have one territory, but we’re already thinking about expanding into multiple territories — even exploring other brands.”For the Bottoms, culture has been central to scaling. “We have a motto of hiring slow but firing fast,” Cassondra said. “We have Monday morning meetings every week so the guys feel part of the team. Everyone has something that matters to them, and we’re learning what motivates them.”And while every new business comes with challenges, both franchisee teams agree that&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/how-trublue-helps-franchisees-create-lasting-businesses-2728925">TruBlue’s network of support</a> has made the first year smoother.“When we have questions or concerns, we have someone we can reach out to anytime,” Cassondra said. “The biggest help has been talking to other franchise owners. Everyone shares advice, it’s like having a community behind you.”Michael echoes that sentiment. “It’s definitely lived up to our expectations,” he said. “The model works, and we’ve been able to exceed goals faster than we imagined. The support and structure make a huge difference.”<h2>A Year of Hard Work, Growth and Purpose</h2>The first year of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/trublue-franchise-a-unique-and-profitable-opportunity-for-entrepreneurs-2728388">owning a TruBlue franchise</a> is packed with learning, growth and connection. Between training, hiring, community building and delivering meaningful services to seniors and families, new franchisees quickly see how the business can align with their personal and professional goals.It’s a year that requires drive, but one that rewards every ounce of effort with progress and purpose.“It’s amazing to set your own standards,” Michael said. “It’s our product at the end of the day. All of our work goes toward it, and I don’t think I’ll ever go back.”For more information, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info</a>.

step-by-step-what-the-first-year-of-owning-a-trublue-home-service-ally-looks-like

For decades,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-dawes-09067411/">John Dawes</a> has successfully built businesses from the ground up. Most recently, it was his work in bathroom safety remodeling that shifted his perspective. While helping seniors modify their homes for safety, Dawes saw firsthand the immense relief and joy his work brought to families.Now, at 60 years old, Dawes isn't looking to retire, he is looking to continue making a difference. Determined to spend the next decade doing meaningful work, Dawes has launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trubluefranchise.com/">TruBlue Home Service Ally</a> in Sioux Falls. By pivoting to franchising, he is skipping the "start-up" headaches he faced in previous ventures to focus entirely on what drives him: providing peace of mind to the Sioux Falls community and helping neighbors stay safe and comfortable in their homes.1851 Franchise sat down with Dawes to discuss the launch of his new business. Here’s what he had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?John Dawes: I've been in sales and management for most of my career. I bounced around from the auto industry to the mortgage industry, then onto the advertising agency world. I owned a mortgage company for many years here in Sioux Falls. Then I became their national sales trainer and their sales manager for 34 locations. I also owned an auto dealership leads and credit repair company called The Right Track Solution for five years.For the last year and a half, I headed up a national bathroom remodeling company. About 75% of my business was working with seniors, and I really enjoyed seeing firsthand how we impacted our customers and the new peace of mind our services provided for them. This really motivated me to open a business centered around seniors. I still have 10 to 15 years left to work, so I thought, “Why not open a senior service-centered business?”1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Dawes: My first two businesses that I owned, there was not really a model to go by. So, you pretty much had to do everything from figuring out your CRM and your marketing approaches. I did not want to go down that road again because it takes a lot of work and a lot of time. What really attracted me to franchising is that they've already got everything completed for you. It’s like a turnkey business. You go in, follow the instructions and here you go.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?Dawes: I have a lot of friends that own franchises in different industries, so a lot of my perception of franchising comes from their experiences. Some of them were given a ton of freedom and leeway, others not at all. I thought initially that the franchisor would give me everything, but it turned out that they did give me some decision-making power, and I really appreciate that.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Dawes: When I found&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">TruBlue</a> it was just a perfect match. I've always had a heart for helping people, especially seniors. With what they get for compensation and then the amount of things that they give you and the amount of support they give you, there really aren’t any franchises out there like them. They go above and beyond what many other companies do.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Dawes: I grew up in North Dakota in Grand Forks, so there might be possibilities of expanding to my home areas. I would definitely like to expand further south, maybe to Sioux City. There aren’t too many TruBlue territories in this area, so there is plenty of opportunity to expand.1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Dawes: I've always had just a passion for helping people and treating them how they should be treated. With my sales background I always aimed to not put a ton of pressure on customers to purchase or not purchase.Also, I've played racquetball for probably 40 years, 50 years, and I’m a new grandparent! I have one grandchild right now, with 2 more on the way. A lot of my time is spent with my family these days.1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Dawes: I would definitely say that if you've got the inkling that franchise ownership is something you want to do, then you should do it. The nice thing about franchising is that there's always going to be help and support at the ready for you. If you have the drive to succeed, you will succeed.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.

TruBlue Home Service Ally - John Dawes Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

Sioux Falls Business Owner and Sales Veteran To ‘Finish Strong’ With TruBlue Home Service Ally Franchise

trublue-home-service-ally-franchisee-john-dawes-sioux-falls

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Juan Dominguez and TruBlue Home Service Ally

Former Finance Professional Brings TruBlue Home Service Ally Franchise to Nassau, New York, To Support Local Seniors

juan-dominguez-trublue-nassau-handyman-services

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Brian Keaney & TrueBlue Home Service Ally logo

Former Reporter Returns to Trade Roots with TruBlue Home Service Ally Franchise

former-reporter-trublue-home-service-ally-franchise

The Ballot Box or the Toolbox? Craig Lutz Puts the ‘Service’ in TruBlue Home Service Ally

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS