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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Why This Philanthropist and Pastor Is Starting a TruBlue Franchise in Wilmington, North Carolina

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Hollywood Roots, Home Safety Focus: How TruBlue’s Aging-in-Place Model Draws Purpose-Driven Owners

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Seasoned Entrepreneur Launches TruBlue Home Service Ally Franchise in East Lansing

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

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On a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bbU1xPK_gI">recent episode of the “Pursuit of Profit” podcast</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trubluefranchise.com/">TruBlue Home Service Ally</a> President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/seancfitzgerald">Sean Fitzgerald</a> unpacked why aging in place has quickly become one of the most urgent—and underserved — needs in America. Older adults overwhelmingly want to remain in their homes, but the typical home environment often isn’t maintained or designed to support safe independence.Fitzgerald shared how his leadership path through major franchise brands—and his personal experience losing his mother and later his father-in-law after a catastrophic fall—deepened his commitment to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">TruBlue’s</a> mission. He positioned TruBlue as far more than a handyman concept, explaining that the brand’s niche is helping older adults stay safer at home through a three-step approach:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/trublue-home-service-ally-offers-free-home-assessments-for-fall-prevention-month-2727190">home safety assessments</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/why-trublue-is-the-no-hassle-way-into-the-senior-industry-2729582">senior modifications</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciA12NuaFVg">ongoing maintenance</a> that reduces risk over time.“I believe that most of the falls that seniors experience are due to the home environment not being well-maintained or they’re trying to maintain it,” Fitzgerald said.Throughout the episode, Fitzgerald emphasized that TruBlue wins trust by acting like a long-term partner rather than a one-off service provider — especially for the homeowners 50 and older who make up a majority of customers. The brand’s “Home Service Ally” identity reflects that relationship-first positioning, where small jobs create the credibility to earn larger projects and lifelong customer value.&nbsp;“There’s no job too small,” Fitzgerald said, noting that once a homeowner trusts TruBlue, repeat business follows—and so do referrals from families, neighbors, and even senior care organizations and medical networks seeking reliable in-home support.Watch the full episode&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bbU1xPK_gI">here</a>.&nbsp;For more information visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info</a>.

Fitzgerald explains how TruBlue’s assessments, modifications and ongoing maintenance model helps older adults stay safer at home—while creating recurring, trust-driven demand for franchise owners.

TruBlue’s Sean Fitzgerald on Aging in Place, Fall Prevention and Building a “Home Service Ally”

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<a href="https://www.trubluefranchise.com/">TruBlue Home Service Ally</a>, the national franchise dedicated to helping busy adults and seniors age in place safely and comfortably, closed out 2025 as the strongest year in the brand’s history. Fueled by record franchise development, rising systemwide revenue, and increasing demand for aging-in-place solutions, the brand enters 2026 positioned for even greater expansion.“We had by far our best year ever,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/seancfitzgerald">Sean Fitzgerald</a>, president of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">TruBlue</a>. “We’ve seen tremendous growth in not only new franchise owners, but also in growth and revenue systemwide. We more than doubled our new franchise agreements signed in 2025, and we’ve seen over a 25% increase in systemwide revenue.”According to Fitzgerald, the momentum goes beyond the numbers. TruBlue is attracting a new caliber of franchise owners — professionals with strong leadership, sales and marketing backgrounds who recognize the long-term opportunity in the aging-in-place sector.“Overall growth is really overshadowing any other big developments,” Fitzgerald said. “A lot of new professionals are joining TruBlue with really impressive backgrounds. The level of business acumen of our new owners coming into the system has been very impressive.”As TruBlue’s footprint expands nationwide, the brand is unlocking new opportunities to serve seniors and their families through broader partnerships and programs aimed at supporting safe, independent living.“Because we’ve grown so rapidly and we have much more coverage than we did even a year ago, we’re beginning to develop more strategic partners and programs,” Fitzgerald said. “There’s nothing new about aging in place, but the demand for our services is becoming more and more pronounced.”That demand, Fitzgerald explained, is being driven by a critical gap in the marketplace, one TruBlue is uniquely positioned to fill.“There are not a lot of options for people who need simple and minor senior modifications like grab bars or handheld showers,” he said. “Durable medical equipment companies focus on large installations and don’t want to mess with small projects. Seniors are left struggling to find trustworthy people for these services, and that’s our sweet spot.”As insurance and subsidy models evolve, more age-driven services are becoming eligible for coverage, further accelerating demand.“Historically, health insurance only covered services prescribed by a doctor,” Fitzgerald said. “Now, more services are age-driven instead of need-driven, which is fueling demand. Our opportunities are going to increase because we’re happy to do these minor senior modifications. Our business model is to build long-term customer relationships and not just a transactional business.”Looking ahead, TruBlue’s leadership team sees its expanding coverage as the final piece needed to unlock even more national partnerships.“The only thing holding us back from developing more national partnerships in the past was coverage,” Fitzgerald said. “The demand is there, we just need good operators in more markets. It’s almost an ‘I told you so’ moment. The senior aging-in-place wave is here. It’s no longer coming — it’s evident, and it’s fueling our growth.”As TruBlue prepares for 2026, the brand continues to seek franchise partners who are natural community builders and storytellers.“We’re really looking for people with a sales and marketing mindset,” Fitzgerald said. “Our owners are creating awareness, connecting to the community and becoming the local authority on aging in place. We’re looking for people who can build teams, network and tell the story of why our services matter.”With record-setting growth behind it and powerful demographic trends ahead, TruBlue enters the new year confident in its position at the forefront of the aging-in-place movement.“Our owners have been doing a great job connecting with their communities,” Fitzgerald said. “This trend is only going to continue, and we are well-positioned for it.”To learn more about franchise opportunities with TruBlue Home Service Ally, visit: <a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehousecare/info">&nbsp;https://1851franchise.com/trubluehousecare/info</a>.

The home maintenance, repair, and senior modification franchise caps its strongest year ever, driven by rapid franchise expansion, systemwide revenue gains, and surging market demand.

TruBlue Home Service Ally Closes Out 2025 With Record Growth and Accelerating Demand for Aging-in-Place Services

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

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