After nearly 25 years in the technology industry, Forrest Haverin reached a turning point. His career spanned sales, project management and internal operations, but much of the work felt removed from real-world impact. He wanted a path where effort translated into visible results and where helping people was part of the job.

A lifelong Texan, Forrest settled in The Woodlands three years ago to be closer to family. While updating his own 40-year-old home, he found himself drawn to hands-on maintenance and problem-solving, discovering how meaningful it felt to fix what people rely on every day. That experience sparked a larger idea: stepping away from the corporate world and into business ownership.

Rather than starting from scratch, Haverin chose TruBlue Home Service Ally for its established reputation and community-first mindset. The franchise gave him the opportunity to build something lasting, combining practical home services, a focus on senior safety, and a business rooted in serving his neighbors.

Forrest sat down with 1851 Franchise to discuss his franchising journey with TruBlue and why he wanted work that felt “tangible.” Here’s what he had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Forrest Haverin: I am 45 years old and a native Texan. I lived in East Texas and Austin before moving to The Woodlands about three years ago to be closer to my family and my wife’s family. I spent close to 25 years in the technology industry, working in sales, project management and sales operations.

Eventually, I sought a career change because I wanted work that was tangible. I wanted to see the fruits of my labor and have direct involvement in solving customer problems. That desire led me to the home maintenance and modification space. My interest really stemmed from moving into a 40-year-old home here in The Woodlands that required extensive renovations. I found deferred maintenance work enjoyable and satisfying because I could see the finished product.

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Haverin: Prior to this, I was deep in the tech industry. I initially planned on starting a business from the ground up. However, as I researched, I saw tremendous value in joining an established brand. You get good name recognition, a professional logo, and a mission-driven leadership team right out of the gate. Franchising acts as a springboard, helping you circumvent the challenges of a scratch startup.

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?

Haverin: My initial perception was actually neutral to slightly negative. I didn't have a lot of knowledge about it, and I had concerns that the money I earned might leave the local area rather than staying in the community.

However, upon closer examination of the TruBlue model, I found that the funds generally stay local. This aligned with my strong desire to shop local and support local businesses. I was also worried that a corporate office might be too involved in my daily operations, but I found that TruBlue gives franchisees latitude and trusts us to operate in a common-sense way.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Haverin: Aside from the business model fitting my interests, it was the ability to make a lasting, tangible impact. I love the idea of seeing my work in action. The leadership team is mission-driven, and that resonates with me.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Haverin: I aim to keep the business reasonably local, focusing on The Woodlands and the surrounding zip codes like Spring, Conroe, and Shenandoah. I want to scale the business, but only to a certain point where we can still feed back into the community.

I also aspire to integrate a spirit of volunteerism into the company culture. I have ambitions to work with the local Habitat for Humanity and participate in local volunteer efforts, such as cleaning up parks and neighborhood easements.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Haverin: I am married to my wife, Sarah, and we have a 6 1/2-year-old son named Elliott. My personal interests include aviation, I am an instrument-rated private pilot, and spending time with my son doing activities like BMX riding and flying model rockets.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Haverin: Perform your due diligence. Look into different brands and recognize that franchising can be a valuable option. It really helps you bypass the "ground-up" struggles.

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.