TruBlue Home Service Ally

After more than three decades working as a network engineer at Verizon,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/renzo-contreras-671b9646?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-corporate-to-franchise-how-trublue-empowers-career-changers-to-become-business-owners-2729474" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Renzo Contreras</a> could have coasted into retirement. Instead, he answered a new call to service — one that would change his life and the lives of those around him. In March 2025, he opened a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trubluefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-corporate-to-franchise-how-trublue-empowers-career-changers-to-become-business-owners-2729474" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TruBlue franchise</a> serving Northeast Bergen County, New Jersey, to help seniors live safely and independently in their homes.“I always wanted to do something for myself,” Contreras said. “But when you're in corporate for that long, it’s hard to walk away from that steady income. When Verizon offered early retirement, it just felt like the right time — especially after what happened with my grandfather.”After witnessing his grandfather pass away in a nursing home at 99 under painful circumstances, Contreras knew he wanted to be part of the solution that would allow more seniors to age in place. That mission-driven focus is what drew him to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">TruBlue Home Service Ally</a>, a franchise specializing in handyman services, home modifications and maintenance support for older adults.“It was the mission — helping seniors age in place — that sealed the deal for me,” he said. “I knew this was something I could do and feel good about.”<h2>From Engineering to Entrepreneurship — With a Safety Net</h2>Like many corporate veterans, Contreras was hesitant to dive headfirst into entrepreneurship without support. That’s why&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/5-reasons-to-invest-in-a-trublue-franchise-in-2024-2725668">TruBlue’s franchise model</a>, with its comprehensive training and support systems, stood out.“It’s a big learning curve,” he said. “We’re still growing the team and learning the ins and outs. But TruBlue is very good at hand-holding.”New franchisees participate in a full week of immersive training at TruBlue’s Ohio headquarters. There, they learn directly from the brand’s leadership and other owners — and that support doesn’t stop after the first week.“You do weekly calls with a coach after that,” Contreras said. “You have a designated coach to answer questions and give you guidance. You can call them for anything. If you follow the playbook, you will grow.”That structure gave Contreras the confidence to take a leap into unfamiliar territory.“I had never owned a business, and the thought of going out on my own was intimidating,” he said. “But franchising helped bridge that gap. It’s still your own business, but you’re not doing it blindly.”<h2>Built for Flexibility and Fulfillment</h2>Contreras also appreciated&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/how-trublue-total-house-care-stands-out-in-the-home-based-business-model-industry-2720693">TruBlue’s home-based business model</a> — a key factor in reducing overhead and giving him the freedom to manage his time.“The home-based aspect of the business was huge for me — you don’t have to have that extra expense of a brick-and-mortar,” he said. “So far, it's been great to control my own schedule. I don’t have to ask for permission. That is huge.”That flexibility has been especially important as he builds his presence in the community and looks for ways to give back to other veterans — a core mission of his new business.“I’m an Air Force veteran, and another big part of this for me is supporting fellow veterans,” Contreras said. “That’s an underserved area in so many communities. I want to be part of that solution too.”<h2>Advice for Other Career-Changers</h2>For other professionals considering the leap from corporate life to small business ownership, Contreras has one big piece of advice: plan ahead.“They tell you to have a certain amount of funds, but always plan for more,” he said. “That will kill your dream if you run out of funds or aren’t making as much as you used to. Don’t think you’ll go right back to where you were in corporate. Always plan for the worst.”But ultimately, he believes that fulfillment comes from finding purpose — not just profit.“Follow your gut. Find something that truly matters to you. You can’t just do it for the money,” Contreras said. “If you’re passionate about what you do, it shows in your work.”Now, as a TruBlue franchisee, Contreras is building a business that reflects his values, empowers his future and supports seniors and veterans in his local community.For more information on franchising with TruBlue, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally">https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally</a>.

TruBlue Franchise Senior Care: Air Force Veteran Renzo Contreras Finds Purpose in Career Change

1851 Franchise

After a 30+ year corporate career, Air Force veteran Renzo Contreras traded stability for purpose — and found both in the TruBlue franchise system.

This brand page has been paid for by TRUBLUE HOME SERVICE ALLY. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

From Corporate to Franchise: How TruBlue Empowers Career-Changers To Become Business Owners

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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.

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From Corporate to Franchise: How TruBlue Empowers Career-Changers To Become Business Owners

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