TruBlue Home Service Ally

Juan Dominguez spent 30 years in the finance world, with the last two decades dedicated to capital risk management at JPMorgan. However, while managing an investment property for 15 years on the side, he grew frustrated with the constant challenge of finding reliable, efficient technicians who showed up on time. Dominguez also found himself stepping in to assist his wife's elderly parents with home maintenance tasks they could no longer handle safely on their own.&nbsp;Recognizing a growing demographic need for trustworthy services that allow seniors to age in place, Dominguez decided to leverage his corporate project management skills to launch his own business. He is now preparing to open&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trubluefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=juan-dominguez-trublue-nassau-handyman-services-2731287" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TruBlue Home Service Ally</a> in northwest Nassau, New York, this December, aiming to provide the same level of care and reliability to his community that he provides for his own family.1851 Franchise spoke with Dominguez about his journey into franchising with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">TruBlue</a> and his plans for the business. Here’s what he had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Juan Dominguez:&nbsp;I’ve spent the past 30 years working in finance, but recently decided that it was time for me to leave corporate life and start my own business. In the process of doing my due diligence, I took account of my life experiences and what types of businesses are needed in the community. I also own an investment property which I’ve managed for the past 15 years. I always had an issue with finding a reliable handyman that showed up on time and did the work efficiently. That experience showed me the need for good handyman services locally.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Dominguez:&nbsp;I worked in capital risk management. I wanted a change at my stage of my life and decided to build a business that I could manage. I wanted to leverage the skills that I've learned over the last 30 years in corporate America.From my experience working as a risk manager, I found franchising to be a less risky option for starting a business. You have the support of the franchise, their knowledge of onboarding new owners and having a proven business model that I could rely on should I get into trouble. The franchise provides a lot of resources like business coaching and the ability to leverage their existing partners. That support was a key attribute that made me choose franchising rather than starting something from scratch.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?Dominguez:&nbsp;I’ve always had a good opinion of franchising. I saw it as a proven business that was modeled and scaled. There’s an existing framework for the business plan and there are lots of people that are of similar mindsets to work with. Being a few months into this journey now, it lives up to my expectations. The corporate office has a lot of good support staff that let me pick their brains whenever I have any challenges. Having that support instead of stumbling through issues on my own is so valuable. I know that I always have someone that I could go to for help even though in the end, it's my decision as the business owner.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Dominguez:&nbsp;I was drawn to TruBlue specifically because of their focus on working with seniors who want to age in place. It's a demographic that's growing. My wife's parents are elderly and I was basically their handyman for the last 10 years. They need someone who can fix little things in their homes. It's harder for older folks to get up on a ladder and change a light bulb.I really see the need for handyman and home modification services. I’m excited to have a presence in the community and provide services that will be impactful. There’s a great feeling of accomplishment being able to directly help people.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Dominguez:&nbsp;I'm definitely trying to follow TruBlue’s road map of targets that they've laid out. I feel confident that the franchise really cares about their owners and that they're supporting them. From a community perspective, I want to prioritize serving people locally. If there's a community-related event or project, I want to be the first one to raise my hand to help whenever it’s needed.1851:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Dominguez:&nbsp;I try to take all the life lessons and challenges and learn from them so I can apply them to what I'm doing in a positive way. When you treat people the right way, good things happen.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Dominguez:&nbsp;Do your due diligence. It’s so important to understand exactly how the business would run day in, day out. Having a list of questions to ask other franchise owners within that franchise is very important. Those conversations are critical to understand the way the business runs. Take your time because it's a big step and it's a financial commitment. Give it the time you need to make that decision.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.

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Juan Dominguez and TruBlue Home Service Ally

Finance Pro Translates Risk Management Skills to TruBlue

1851 Franchise

After acting as a handyman for his aging in-laws, Juan Dominguez recognized a need for reliable home maintenance services and decided to leave his 30-year finance career behind to fill it.

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

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Step-by-Step: What the First Year of Owning a TruBlue Home Service Ally Looks Like

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For new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trubluefranchise.com/">TruBlue Home Service Ally</a> owners, the journey starts with a strong foundation of training and support. Before the first job is booked,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">TruBlue’s</a> onboarding process ensures franchisees feel confident and equipped to launch.<h2>Signing, Training and Launching</h2>For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-smith-50780b364">Michael Smith</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-phillips-298502107">Jodi Phillips</a>, owners of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trublueally.com/culpeper">TruBlue of Culpeper</a> in Virginia, that process began as soon as they signed their franchise agreement.“We spent a week in the in-person training session and that was very informative and helpful,” Jodi said. “There were also multiple calls twice a week, and we felt it was very important to go through those things independently. We both got different things from each section. There was a lot of coaching and support to get things set up.”With her background as a licensed physical therapist assistant, Jodi was looking for a concept that aligned with her experience. “The addition of the senior and aging in place services really sealed the deal for us,” she said. “It seemed like an obvious choice.”For Michael, who spent years in federal investigation work and grew up around construction, the decision was about combining skill and purpose.“The aging population is going to be huge and there isn’t much out there helping,” he said. “We like to help people on a personal level, and TruBlue gives us a way to do that.”The pair purchased their franchise in May, completed training and onboarding in June, and officially launched operations in July. “We had our soft launch in June, reaching out to friends, family and neighbors,” Michael said. “That gave us time to test everything before our official opening.”They funded their business through a 401(k) rollover (ROBS), a common financing path for new TruBlue owners. “It was the right move for us,” Michael said. “We’ve far exceeded expectations in our first four months.”<h2>Building Your First Team and Client Base</h2>Once open, the first 90 days are all about momentum, building the right crew, booking early jobs, and becoming a known presence in the community.For&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trublue-denver-west-bottoms-family-2729944">Miles and Cassondra Bottoms</a>, who own&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trublueally.com/denver-west/About-Us">TruBlue of Denver West</a> in Colorado, the early months were a whirlwind.“It’s a lot of hours, around 60 a week,” Cassondra said. “We’re getting used to our processes, drinking from the fire hose. But we’ve been very conscious about doing things the right way.”The Bottoms quickly learned that hiring strategically would be key to growth. “We’ve already hired an assistant,” Cassondra said. “Some people don’t think it’s a value they can afford, but we realized we couldn’t afford&nbsp;not to have someone helping us. It freed us to go out and sell more business.”Miles agrees that building a reliable team is step one. “There’s a big misconception that you open the business and are immediately out there running,” he said. “Initially, it’s all about getting a team you can sell, one you’re confident can deliver what you promise. Once you dial that in, everything else follows.”Their daily routine became a balance of scheduling, quoting, job management and relationship-building. “You have to know what a successful day looks like,” Miles said. “Otherwise you’ll just bury yourself. It’s about prioritizing and adjusting.”<h2>Community Engagement and Local Marketing</h2>As operations stabilize, TruBlue owners begin shifting focus toward relationship-driven marketing, the backbone of long-term success.Cassondra and Miles discovered that&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/be-a-community-hero-how-trublue-franchisees-are-changing-lives-beyond-business-2730484">local engagement</a> pays off quickly. “We’ve been really intentional about being part of the community,” Cassondra said. “Whether it’s going to a gala, sponsoring a silent auction or joining the Chamber of Commerce, we’ve made those connections a weekly priority. The payoff is real. We’re already seeing organic leads come in.”By taking estimating off her plate and focusing on relationship-building, Cassondra found they could grow more efficiently. “We want to be a vendor of choice,” she said. “If we can work with the VPs of operations in our community, we know that will lead to recurring business.”For Michael and Jodi,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/trublue-and-lifewise-partner-to-deliver-safer-healthier-homes-for-seniors-2730494">TruBlue’s national marketing systems and partnerships</a> provided a strong boost early on.“The franchise path really allowed us to jump three years ahead in business planning,” Michael said. “TruBlue already has national partnerships, the marketing is already there, we don’t have to worry about anything. We just plug and play into our personal vision.”<h2>Scaling, Streamlining and Looking Ahead</h2>By the end of year one, most TruBlue franchisees are focused on growth, adding subscriptions, expanding their team and planning for future territories.“Our goals are adjusting on a day-by-day basis,” Jodi said. “We currently have one territory, but we’re already thinking about expanding into multiple territories — even exploring other brands.”For the Bottoms, culture has been central to scaling. “We have a motto of hiring slow but firing fast,” Cassondra said. “We have Monday morning meetings every week so the guys feel part of the team. Everyone has something that matters to them, and we’re learning what motivates them.”And while every new business comes with challenges, both franchisee teams agree that&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/how-trublue-helps-franchisees-create-lasting-businesses-2728925">TruBlue’s network of support</a> has made the first year smoother.“When we have questions or concerns, we have someone we can reach out to anytime,” Cassondra said. “The biggest help has been talking to other franchise owners. Everyone shares advice, it’s like having a community behind you.”Michael echoes that sentiment. “It’s definitely lived up to our expectations,” he said. “The model works, and we’ve been able to exceed goals faster than we imagined. The support and structure make a huge difference.”<h2>A Year of Hard Work, Growth and Purpose</h2>The first year of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/trublue-franchise-a-unique-and-profitable-opportunity-for-entrepreneurs-2728388">owning a TruBlue franchise</a> is packed with learning, growth and connection. Between training, hiring, community building and delivering meaningful services to seniors and families, new franchisees quickly see how the business can align with their personal and professional goals.It’s a year that requires drive, but one that rewards every ounce of effort with progress and purpose.“It’s amazing to set your own standards,” Michael said. “It’s our product at the end of the day. All of our work goes toward it, and I don’t think I’ll ever go back.”For more information, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info</a>.

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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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Former Reporter Returns to Trade Roots with TruBlue Home Service Ally Franchise

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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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