TruBlue Home Service Ally

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatcher-thornburg-80b887117/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=streaming-technology-veteran-launches-trublue-california-2731353" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Thatcher Thornburg’s</a> interest in aging-in-place services is deeply personal. Watching his grandmother navigate Alzheimer’s and dementia gave him firsthand insight into how challenging everyday home maintenance can become for seniors and their families. Simple tasks and overlooked safety issues can quickly turn into serious risks, especially without reliable support.While continuing to build a career in entertainment technology, leading teams, developing streaming platforms and supporting large-scale content delivery, Thatcher found himself increasingly drawn to more direct, community-based work. He wanted to apply his operational experience and problem-solving skills to something tangible: helping people maintain their homes and remain independent for as long as possible.He chose&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trubluefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=streaming-technology-veteran-launches-trublue-california-2731353" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TruBlue Home Service Ally</a> because it allowed him to combine that mission with a professional, structured business model. As he prepares to open his location, Thatcher&nbsp;is focused on building a trusted local service that emphasizes reliability, transparency and long-term relationships with customers.Thatcher took the time to chat with 18 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what he had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Thatcher Thornburg:&nbsp;I spent over 15 years in corporate America working in entertainment technology for one of the world’s leading studios. My team helped build a significant portion of their streaming platform, developing workflows, tools and systems that supported global content releases. It was a challenging and rewarding environment that taught me how to lead teams, manage complexity and deliver reliable results.Alongside that career, I always had a strong interest in home improvement and helping others. That motivation really came into focus when my grandmother developed Alzheimer’s and dementia. I spent a lot of time with her in hospitals and later in assisted living, and I saw how important home safety and maintenance are to quality of life. Volunteering during that time left a lasting impact on me.When my department was eventually shut down, I took the opportunity to reassess what I wanted to do next. I explored more than 18 different business options before finding a model that allowed me to help people age in place while also building a sustainable business.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Thornburg:&nbsp;My background is in emerging technology. I worked across DVD, Blu-ray, on-demand and streaming platforms, supporting global releases and helping test new systems for content delivery and vendor management. It was a fast-moving industry that required adaptability and strong collaboration.Franchising made sense to me because it aligned with my values and gave me a clear framework to bring a much-needed service to my community. Having access to established systems, training and a support network removes many of the early obstacles that come with starting a business from scratch, while still allowing you to build something of your own.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?Thornburg:&nbsp;My concept of franchising was that it was food-only — big chains like McDonald's where you needed millions of dollars to buy property and get involved. It never occurred to me that there were non-food franchises focused on serving the community.Now that I’m in it, I want people to know that there are hundreds of options that aren't just big global conglomerates driving a "race to the cheapest burger." You can find businesses that fulfill a massive community need. The best part is that while you are building a business yourself, you are not alone. You have a support network, which is different from my experience trying to launch an independent company where I hit constant roadblocks.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Thornburg:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">TruBlue</a> checked all the boxes for the kind of business I wanted to build. The focus on home safety, especially for seniors and busy families, really resonated with me. I was also drawn to the preventive maintenance and subscription-based services, which help homeowners stay ahead of issues rather than reacting to emergencies.In my community, there are many senior care organizations, and I see a real opportunity to partner with them by providing reliable aging-in-place updates and a trusted handyman service. TruBlue’s model emphasizes professionalism, vetted technicians and clear communication, which gives customers peace of mind. That level of trust and consistency is something I’m excited to bring to my area.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Thornburg:&nbsp;My immediate goals are to launch successfully, build the right team and reach profitability so we can reinvest back into the business and the community. I want to work with nonprofits, churches and schools to help address needs I’ve seen locally.From a growth perspective, I believe in reinvesting profits to scale responsibly. I want to build a company that values its customers and takes the time to educate them, provide excellent service and earn long-term trust.1851:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Thornburg:&nbsp;It’s really about bringing a connection back to the community. Especially in California, I see companies that come in, slap something together and leave. I want to build something that provides jobs and careers while serving seniors and busy families. I’m currently in the process of getting our support vehicles ready and ensuring we have a team that is friendly, communicative, reliable and educational.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Thornburg:&nbsp;At the core, this is about community connection. I want to build a business that creates local jobs, offers career paths and truly serves seniors and homeowners. Right now, I’m focused on preparing our support vehicles, finalizing systems and assembling a team that is friendly, knowledgeable and dependable.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.

image of thatcher thornburg franchisee owner of trublue home service ally Santa Clarita California

Streaming Technology Veteran Launches TruBlue Home Service Ally in California

1851 Franchise

After 15 years building streaming tech for a major studio, Thatcher Thornburg joined TruBlue Home Service Ally to help California seniors age in place through home modifications.

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

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

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