Entrepreneurs Bring TruBlue to Accomack-Worcester, Virginia, Maryland, with a Mission to Support Military Families

Kim Motyka and Todd Gadoua are bringing TruBlue Home Service Ally, the full-service home maintenance and handyman franchise, to Accomack-Worcester in Virginia and Maryland. With a mission to support military families — giving back to their communities while building a family legacy — the duo officially opened their TruBlue franchise in early 2025.

Motyka and Gadoua, long-time family members and now business partners, were inspired to bring TruBlue to their area after personally experiencing the challenges of home maintenance. With both families deeply rooted in military values, they saw TruBlue as a perfect fit to provide essential services while creating meaningful opportunities for their community.

1851 spoke with the duo to learn more about their backgrounds, what drew them to the brand and their plans for the future: 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Kim Motyka: Our family has been interested in franchising for many years — entrepreneurship is in our blood. A few years ago, we bought a home in Virginia and realized this is where we wanted to lay down roots. That house required a lot of work, and we did most of it ourselves. Those experiences sparked conversations about home improvement, and the idea of starting a business began to snowball from there.

Todd Gadoua: It’s been in the works for a while. I’ve been in a corporate role for eight years, but I wanted to leave that behind to build something for our families and community. Franchising made sense because it allowed us to follow a proven model while focusing on what matters most: giving back and starting a great business in the place we love.

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?

Motyka: We’ve opened businesses on our own before, and it’s a ton of work. We knew this was an even bigger venture, and since I already run a small travel business and my husband has a demanding corporate job, we knew we needed support. Franchising offers systems and structure that make the process more manageable, and that’s what drew us in.

Gadoua: We talked to many franchises and did our homework. Franchising gives you the ability to own and operate a business with the support and tools you need.

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

Motyka: The reason TruBlue stood out to us is that we’re big believers in the idea that what’s meant for you will find you. We had recently purchased a new boat and chose to name it “Out of the Blue.” Not long after, we started looking into franchises and TruBlue was one of them. During this process, we had many “signs” that seemed to keep leading us back to TruBlue. For example, one day, we drove by a gas station called True Blue.  This theme of the color and word “Blue” kept showing up for us throughout the weeks. There were so many little moments like that, we lost count, which pushed us to explore TruBlue more than other options.

As a military family (USAF active duty reserves), it’s also very important to us that anyone we align with supports the military as well. We were dreaming of ways to make a meaningful impact, and TruBlue felt like the perfect way to do that. It turned out to be a great fit — there’s a big gap in the market here, and we’ve experienced that need firsthand as homeowners.

Gadoua: We looked at many franchises, but TruBlue stood out. The team was welcoming and supportive, and the connection to the military sealed the deal for us.

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

Motyka: Our first goal was to make a positive impact in the community. We love this area so much, even as transplants, and we want to build a family legacy here. Family is at the core of everything we do. We want to involve our kids in the business while building a future with them and for them.

We see ourselves owning several territories eventually and really growing our presence in the area. My husband and I have four kids, and our oldest is already excited to get involved. Our youngest daughter is graduating high school and is eager to help as well. Between our two families, we have eight kids in total, so there’s no shortage of family members ready to jump in, if they so choose.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Gadoua: I am a veteran with the United States Marine Corps. So personally, having TruBlue support military families means a lot to me. After working for 8 years at a well-known big-box home improvement store at a high managerial level, I have also been very submerged in my local community in the home improvement space. As a result, I bring an extensive amount of knowledge to the business while being able to have a much more impactful role in my community. 

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

Motyka: Trust your gut. That’s a huge part of being a business owner. Mistakes will happen, but they’re not the end of the world; it’s what you learn from them that matters the most. Franchising offers a lot of support, which is crucial for beginners, in my opinion. 

Gadoua: TruBlue wants you to succeed. The training they provide is extensive, and the team is there for you every step of the way.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a TruBlue franchise ranges from $65,050 to $91,400. This includes $44,900 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate. For more information, please visit https://1851franchise.com/trubluehousecare/info. 

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.