For many professionals, retirement no longer means stepping away from work entirely. Instead, it represents the freedom to pursue something more meaningful. That's exactly why more retirees are turning to franchising. They bring decades of leadership, financial discipline and operational experience, but they're looking for a business model that lets them stay engaged on their own terms.
TruBlue Home Service Ally has become an attractive option for that next chapter. Combining handyman services, recurring home maintenance and a rapidly growing aging-in-place business, the brand allows franchise owners to make a tangible difference in their communities while building an asset that can support future generations.
Several TruBlue franchisees have already proven that retirement doesn't have to mean slowing down. It can be the beginning of an even more rewarding entrepreneurial journey.
After spending more than two decades building one of Kansas City's leading window and door replacement companies, Jeff Kinkade knew he wasn't ready to completely step away from business.
"I was technically retired for a few years," Kinkade said. "But I never lost interest in the industry. We evaluated all the major brands in that space. When we broke down the benefits and value proposition of TruBlue, we felt they were superior in a lot of ways."
Unlike many retirees looking for a hobby, Kinkade wanted another business that could truly grow. But this time, he wanted the freedom to operate differently than he had during his first entrepreneurial career.
Many experienced entrepreneurs spend years trapped in the day-to-day operations of their companies. For Kinkade, retirement presented an opportunity to build a business where he could focus more strategically.
"I am present and available five days a week," he said. “I enjoy going into the office and being with the team, but it's essentially half days and only as needed.”
That flexibility has become one of the biggest benefits of his second entrepreneurial act. "It's terrific in that regard," Kinkade said. "I get to stay engaged and it's gratifying to know that I can still compete and win. That is fun. But it doesn't have to be a full-time commitment."
Instead of managing every service call himself, Kinkade focuses on guiding the business from a leadership perspective. "Being able to really focus on the 30,000-foot view," he said. "When you are an owner-operator, which I was with my prior company, you are really in the fray daily. It can be hard to look at things from above and plan long-range. That has pretty much been my role and I really do enjoy that. I don't have to be as involved in the day-to-day."
For many retirees, financial success alone isn't enough. They want to spend their time making a meaningful impact. That mission is what ultimately convinced Kinkade to choose TruBlue. "I watched my mother care for my father, who had Alzheimer's, during and after COVID," he said. "As he became less mobile, navigating their home became really difficult. That stuck with me."
Learning about TruBlue's aging-in-place services transformed what began as a business search into something deeply personal.
"When I read more about the need for home safety modifications, it struck a personal chord," Kinkade said. "This is a chance to help people who need a service not many companies are offering — and do it through a strong business model. One of the biggest differentiators is their full-on commitment to setting franchisees up for success in senior home modification. That's significant on multiple levels — it's an attractive revenue stream and it meets a real, growing need."
For many retirees, the next business isn't just about themselves. It's about creating opportunities for their children and grandchildren. That's exactly what motivated Kinkade.
"Also, having my son Will involved is really exciting," he said. "His older brother was part of our previous business, and now I get to work with Will. It's a family story, and we're interested in helping other families."
Tim and Kay Diemont, long-time franchisees with the brand in Yorktown, Virginia, understand that same motivation. After successful corporate careers, the couple wanted something they could build together while remaining active in the community where they raised their two sons.
"Tim was tired of the corporate demands, traveling and wanted to be home more," Kay said. "He also wanted to be doing something that would be rewarding and help in our community... Since we had always wanted to work together, the timing seemed perfect for both of us."
More than a decade later, the business has become exactly what they hoped. "Hopefully, we have built a business that either one of our sons would be proud to carry on in the future," Kay said.
Even experienced business owners recognize the value of a proven franchise system.
"It couldn't have been just any franchise," Kinkade said. "But I knew that if we partnered with the right group, a franchise could really help us facilitate a quicker startup, especially with the tools required in today's market. For us, the investment was well worth it."
That sentiment is shared by Air Force veteran Jeff Sloan, who turned to franchising after leaving military service.
"Franchising is a great model for people who have a desire to become entrepreneurs but don't necessarily have a background in business," Sloan said. "A good franchisor will provide all the training and support necessary to enable their franchisees to be successful."
Even those without home services experience can confidently launch because TruBlue provides comprehensive onboarding, coaching and operational support.
"You don't need to be a handyman, contractor or senior care expert to run a successful TruBlue franchise," said Sean Fitzgerald, president of TruBlue. "High demand, simple business model and less complexity and regulation than in-home medical care or senior care. That’s what makes TruBlue such a smart franchise choice."
Retirement often means gaining control over how time is spent. TruBlue's home-based model allows owners to remain active without sacrificing flexibility.
The Diemonts have experienced that firsthand. "Since we work together, our schedules are the same," Kay said. "We can take as much time off as we want or need, and we enjoy traveling extensively every year."
For Tim, the business ultimately delivered exactly what retirement was supposed to provide. "Overall, everything we dreamed about running our own business has come true," he said. "This is a great way of life."
Kinkade agrees that TruBlue fits retirees not because it's easy, but because it offers a smarter way to build. "Any business that you're going to commit to post-retirement is still going to require work," he said. "It's not that TruBlue's systems or concept is any easier, it's that the strategy is upgrading from the other handyman offerings that I've looked at. With a better plan and a better identity and concept, it's in some ways an easier and better startup."
For retirees who still enjoy building businesses but want greater flexibility, stronger systems and the chance to make a meaningful impact, TruBlue offers something many second careers cannot: the opportunity to stay competitive, stay connected and leave behind a legacy that extends well beyond retirement.
To learn more about how TruBlue empowers new entrepreneurs and career-changers alike, visit: https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally.
TruBlue Home Service Ally
SPONSORED
TruBlue offers retirees a fulfilling second career, combining a flexible, impactful business model with the support needed to build a lasting legacy.
For many professionals, retirement no longer means stepping away from work entirely. Instead, it represents the freedom to pursue something more meaningful. That's exactly why more retirees are turning to franchising. They bring decades of leadership, financial discipline and operational experience, but they're looking for a business model that lets them stay engaged on their own terms.
TruBlue Home Service Ally has become an attractive option for that next chapter. Combining handyman services, recurring home maintenance and a rapidly growing aging-in-place business, the brand allows franchise owners to make a tangible difference in their communities while building an asset that can support future generations.
Several TruBlue franchisees have already proven that retirement doesn't have to mean slowing down. It can be the beginning of an even more rewarding entrepreneurial journey.
After spending more than two decades building one of Kansas City's leading window and door replacement companies, Jeff Kinkade knew he wasn't ready to completely step away from business.
"I was technically retired for a few years," Kinkade said. "But I never lost interest in the industry. We evaluated all the major brands in that space. When we broke down the benefits and value proposition of TruBlue, we felt they were superior in a lot of ways."
Unlike many retirees looking for a hobby, Kinkade wanted another business that could truly grow. But this time, he wanted the freedom to operate differently than he had during his first entrepreneurial career.
Many experienced entrepreneurs spend years trapped in the day-to-day operations of their companies. For Kinkade, retirement presented an opportunity to build a business where he could focus more strategically.
"I am present and available five days a week," he said. “I enjoy going into the office and being with the team, but it's essentially half days and only as needed.”
That flexibility has become one of the biggest benefits of his second entrepreneurial act. "It's terrific in that regard," Kinkade said. "I get to stay engaged and it's gratifying to know that I can still compete and win. That is fun. But it doesn't have to be a full-time commitment."
Instead of managing every service call himself, Kinkade focuses on guiding the business from a leadership perspective. "Being able to really focus on the 30,000-foot view," he said. "When you are an owner-operator, which I was with my prior company, you are really in the fray daily. It can be hard to look at things from above and plan long-range. That has pretty much been my role and I really do enjoy that. I don't have to be as involved in the day-to-day."
For many retirees, financial success alone isn't enough. They want to spend their time making a meaningful impact. That mission is what ultimately convinced Kinkade to choose TruBlue. "I watched my mother care for my father, who had Alzheimer's, during and after COVID," he said. "As he became less mobile, navigating their home became really difficult. That stuck with me."
Learning about TruBlue's aging-in-place services transformed what began as a business search into something deeply personal.
"When I read more about the need for home safety modifications, it struck a personal chord," Kinkade said. "This is a chance to help people who need a service not many companies are offering — and do it through a strong business model. One of the biggest differentiators is their full-on commitment to setting franchisees up for success in senior home modification. That's significant on multiple levels — it's an attractive revenue stream and it meets a real, growing need."
For many retirees, the next business isn't just about themselves. It's about creating opportunities for their children and grandchildren. That's exactly what motivated Kinkade.
"Also, having my son Will involved is really exciting," he said. "His older brother was part of our previous business, and now I get to work with Will. It's a family story, and we're interested in helping other families."
Tim and Kay Diemont, long-time franchisees with the brand in Yorktown, Virginia, understand that same motivation. After successful corporate careers, the couple wanted something they could build together while remaining active in the community where they raised their two sons.
"Tim was tired of the corporate demands, traveling and wanted to be home more," Kay said. "He also wanted to be doing something that would be rewarding and help in our community... Since we had always wanted to work together, the timing seemed perfect for both of us."
More than a decade later, the business has become exactly what they hoped. "Hopefully, we have built a business that either one of our sons would be proud to carry on in the future," Kay said.
Even experienced business owners recognize the value of a proven franchise system.
"It couldn't have been just any franchise," Kinkade said. "But I knew that if we partnered with the right group, a franchise could really help us facilitate a quicker startup, especially with the tools required in today's market. For us, the investment was well worth it."
That sentiment is shared by Air Force veteran Jeff Sloan, who turned to franchising after leaving military service.
"Franchising is a great model for people who have a desire to become entrepreneurs but don't necessarily have a background in business," Sloan said. "A good franchisor will provide all the training and support necessary to enable their franchisees to be successful."
Even those without home services experience can confidently launch because TruBlue provides comprehensive onboarding, coaching and operational support.
"You don't need to be a handyman, contractor or senior care expert to run a successful TruBlue franchise," said Sean Fitzgerald, president of TruBlue. "High demand, simple business model and less complexity and regulation than in-home medical care or senior care. That’s what makes TruBlue such a smart franchise choice."
Retirement often means gaining control over how time is spent. TruBlue's home-based model allows owners to remain active without sacrificing flexibility.
The Diemonts have experienced that firsthand. "Since we work together, our schedules are the same," Kay said. "We can take as much time off as we want or need, and we enjoy traveling extensively every year."
For Tim, the business ultimately delivered exactly what retirement was supposed to provide. "Overall, everything we dreamed about running our own business has come true," he said. "This is a great way of life."
Kinkade agrees that TruBlue fits retirees not because it's easy, but because it offers a smarter way to build. "Any business that you're going to commit to post-retirement is still going to require work," he said. "It's not that TruBlue's systems or concept is any easier, it's that the strategy is upgrading from the other handyman offerings that I've looked at. With a better plan and a better identity and concept, it's in some ways an easier and better startup."
For retirees who still enjoy building businesses but want greater flexibility, stronger systems and the chance to make a meaningful impact, TruBlue offers something many second careers cannot: the opportunity to stay competitive, stay connected and leave behind a legacy that extends well beyond retirement.
To learn more about how TruBlue empowers new entrepreneurs and career-changers alike, visit: https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally.
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