Cassondra and Miles Bottoms didn't leave their financial services careers to abandon their purpose; they embraced a new one. After two decades of helping retirees plan their futures, they're now enabling seniors to live safely and independently at home through their new TruBlue Home Service Ally of Denver West franchise. Their shift from corporate life to business ownership was driven by a shared dedication to their community and the understanding that they could achieve a greater, more personal impact. With two territories already secured and big plans for expansion, the Bottoms are just beginning their journey.

1851 spoke with the Bottoms to learn more about their backgrounds, what drew them to the TruBlue brand and their plans for the future. 

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

Cassondra Bottoms: I’m a Colorado native — I’ve moved away a few times, but I always come back. We’re raising our family here. Both Miles and I spent the last 20 years working for a nonprofit financial institution, serving our community in that way. Now we’re pivoting to continue serving, just from a different perspective — through handyman services and home maintenance. We’re taking that same love of community and applying it to a whole new space.

Miles Bottoms: We both spent 20 years in corporate America, and as we were transitioning out, we started looking for an opportunity that would help us give back to the community. We never really saw ourselves as business owners, but the more research we did into franchising, the more TruBlue really spoke to us. It just felt like a great fit.

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

Miles: We worked in financial services, specifically with an annuity company focused on retirement. So we were already serving the aging population — just from a financial standpoint. Now we’re supporting them physically, helping them stay safe in their homes. It aligns perfectly with the mission we’ve followed throughout our careers.

Cassondra: We actually met at that company 16 years ago. We both started in customer service roles, helping people understand retirement. Most of my career since then was in HR, helping others become better leaders and grow professionally. That’s always been my passion — making sure people have what they need to succeed. So much of that translates to what we’re doing now.

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?

Cassondra: For me, it was knowing I wasn’t doing this alone. Having corporate partners and support helped us wrap our arms around all the stuff we didn’t know — from hiring to websites to marketing. That support was a big deal. And the TruBlue network is incredibly collaborative. We’re not competitors. Everyone genuinely wants to help each other succeed.

Miles: Coming from corporate, we were used to team environments. No one does everything solo. Franchising isn’t a magic button, but it’s a proven blueprint for success. That gave me a lot more comfort than going at it alone. The franchise model really helps fast-track your learning curve.

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

Miles: We started by researching different franchises, and I knew I didn’t want to do food. I wanted something home-based and meaningful. When I came across TruBlue, it immediately clicked. Both of my grandmothers lived into their 90s, and I saw firsthand how hard it was for our family to help them stay in their homes. As I talked to the brand and shared my story, I realized I wasn’t just convincing them — I was convincing myself. It just made sense.

Cassondra: At first, this was going to be Miles’ next chapter, but the more he told me about the model, the mission and his grandmothers, I saw the value too. There’s this huge, underserved population of seniors who need support. I told him, “Let’s do it together.”

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

Miles: The sky’s the limit. We plan to open a second territory later this year, and we want to grow as much as we can over the next several years.

Cassondra: Long-term, we’re thinking about succession. Maybe we sell it down the line, or maybe our kids take it over when we retire. Either way, we want to build something meaningful and sustainable.

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

Miles: Our kids have seen us go to work for years, but probably couldn’t tell their friends what we actually did. Now, they get it. They see the impact. They ask questions. This is something they can be part of — something that helps people. And that means a lot to us.

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

Cassondra: Talk to as many current owners as you can. Hearing their stories really helped us feel confident in our decision. Everyone in the TruBlue network has been so welcoming — but you have to be willing to ask. People want to help you.

Miles: Understand it’s a process. Nothing happens overnight. Be patient with yourself. There will be ups and downs, but the payoff is there. Do the research, and once you say yes to the opportunity, take it one step at a time. The playbook is there — you just have to follow it.

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.