Forensic Engineer Revs Up TruBlue Franchise in Florida

After a nationwide career spanning multiple sectors, including stints as an aerospace engineer in Puerto Rico, a mechanical engineer in Michigan and a testing engineer for Cooper Tires in Texas, Paul Hines has embarked on his next big adventure — franchise ownership with TruBlue Home Service Ally, the fast-growing handyman franchise, in Florida. 

The world of franchising came into focus for Hines through a former boss, who signed on as a TruBlue franchise owner a few years ago. The candid conversation about his friend's positive experience as a franchisee was the extra push Hines needed to transition from his 9-to-5 job to business ownership. Despite his enthusiasm for forensic engineering, a role he took on after moving to Florida, his passion for business ownership, the ability to control his own future, and a desire to have an impact on his community led him to franchising.

The decision to join TruBlue in particular was influenced not just by the brand's reputation, but also by Hines' personal experiences. As a family-oriented individual who has witnessed the challenges of caring for elderly relatives, he saw an opportunity to contribute positively to his community. He recalled the poignant memory of rescuing a family member suffering from dementia and the subsequent home modifications needed for his grandmother battling cancer. 

Looking ahead, Hines is excited to work alongside his wife Rhine Batiancila, a veteran in the hospitality industry, to establish TruBlue as the premier handyman service in his community — a place with a significant senior citizen population. Being handy around the house himself, the opportunity to serve the community while doing something he excelled in was a perfect match. His goal is to establish TruBlue as the go-to source for home services, providing trusted support to seniors and busy adults in his community of East Manatee, Florida. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Paul Hines: I am originally from Puerto Rico. I graduated from a university as an aerospace engineer. After that, I worked for several big companies as a mechanical engineer, including working for Crystler at their proving grounds in Michigan. I didn’t love that weather, so we moved down to Texas, where I started working for Cooper Tires as a testing engineer. I did that for about four years. 

When that company was bought out, I decided to start looking for other opportunities. I always wanted to live in Florida. We have two kids, so being closer to Puerto Rico and my family was very important. I’ve been a forensic engineer in Florida for about two years. I love it as a job, but it isn’t my passion. I’ve always had a desire to own my own business. I want to have the power and the ability to control my future and my family’s future — moving forward the way we want to move forward. 

I also wanted to work alongside my wife Rhine Batiancila. She is the mother of our two-year-old son and our eight-year-old daughter. She studied hotel management and restaurant management, working for seven seasons at Gran Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan. She also worked for seven seasons at a resort in Vero Beach, Florida. 

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?

Hines: I have a good friend and former boss who bought a TruBlue franchise two years ago. I found the company through him. I called him up just to catch up and see how the business was going after all these years. We talked, and he told me that he loves being a franchise owner. That was really the extra push that I needed to think about franchising — to find out that I had friends who were successful with this business model was very eye-opening. Those are real stories that I can relate to, not just some random story that someone is telling me. It helped me make the decision to move away from the 9-to-5 life into business ownership. 

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

Paul Hines: Everyone understands the challenges of taking care of the elderly in their family. Once you reach a certain age in your life, you look around and realize that your parents or elderly family members may have health issues or need assistance. 

I’ve had many experiences of elderly family members who were dealing with health issues. My great-aunt was living by herself with dementia, and we had to rescue her from that situation. She never let anyone inside the house for years, so when it became obvious that something was going on, the family had to step in. That is when we learned she had dementia. I remember going inside her house and being shocked at the conditions she was living in. That experience has always stayed in my mind. 

My grandma also had cancer and needed some modifications in her home. I am a handy person myself, so I tend to do everything around the house. That is why TruBlue was really a perfect match. I am able to serve the community by offering something I am already good at. I can also connect with people and give something back. 

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

Paul Hines: Long-term, I would love to see TruBlue as the number one handyman service in our community. There are a lot of senior citizens here, with 55-year-old-plus communities everywhere, but I would also love to see TruBlue become the number one source for home services in general. Everyone from seniors to busy adults should know that they can trust TruBlue for any of their home service needs. 

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

Paul Hines: The main thing is really that our mission is all about trying to help others. We are also very family-oriented. My wife is going to work alongside me in the business. I am a simple, family guy. I have two kids — 8 and 2 years old. I also love racing cars. 

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

Paul Hines: Don’t think too much. I got caught up in the past because I was afraid to take that huge step. You can start thinking and analyzing too much. It is already hard to quit that salary job, and doing it to start a new business from scratch is even scarier. I’ve tried multiple times to start other businesses by myself, but it was far too difficult to get it off the ground without having that structure in place. I would advise that the best way to go is through a franchise like TruBlue. It is a game-changer. Having the support of the corporate team and TruBlue has been so helpful. They have so many resources that you can tap into.

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit: https://1851franchise.com/trubluehousecare/info

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 and home maintenance services. Helping you maintain your home both inside and out, TruBlue’s services include: handyman projects and to-do list chores, preventative home maintenance, seasonal work, and senior modification services, all handled by a professional, bonded and insured TruBlue Home Service Ally Technician. TruBlue franchise owners are required to complete the Certified Aging In Place program through CAPS and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). As certified specialists, TruBlue franchisees are able to perform Certified Aging in Place Home Safety Assessments and can make recommended safety modifications as needed.