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

from-corporate-to-franchise-how-trublue-empowers-career-changers-to-become-business-owners

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

Learn

Download Brochure

Visit Website

TRUBLUE HOME SERVICE ALLY

Facebook 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

SOCIAL MEDIA 

Why This Franchise Broker Became a TruBlue Home Service Ally Franchisee

TruBlue Home Service Ally Ranked No. 70 on Entrepreneur’s Top Low-Cost Franchises for 2025 List

TruBlue Bridges Health Care and Home: A New Standard in Aging-in-Place Support

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

why-this-franchise-broker-became-a-trublue-home-service-ally-franchisee

graphic image of a franchisee spotlight cassondra and miles bottoms of tru blue franchise

How the Bottoms Family Is Bringing TruBlue Home Service Ally to Denver West

trublue-denver-west-bottoms-family

A picture of Trey Keith from Tru Blue franchise in Mt. Juliet Tennessee

Trey Keith Launches TruBlue Franchise To Support Seniors and Busy Families in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee

trublue-franchise-trey-keith-mt-juliet

graphic image of a franchisee spotlight jeff kinkade of trublue home service ally

After Building One Home Services Business, Jeff Kinkade Is Doing It Again — This Time With His Son

jeff-kinkade-trublue-north-johnson-county

image of trublue health professional franchisee's

Why the Medical Community Is Investing in TruBlue Home Service Ally

trublue-medical-community-investment-home-safety

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

a-booming-industry-the-future-of-the-home-service-market-and-why-trublue-is-poised-to-lead

TruBlue Franchisees Champion Fall Prevention To Keep Seniors Safe at Home

trublue-franchisees-champion-fall-prevention-to-keep-seniors-safe-at-home

TruBlue Accelerates Growth in 2025 With Record-Breaking Midyear Momentum

trublue-accelerates-growth-in-2025-with-record-breaking-midyear-momentum

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

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS