TruBlue Home Service Ally

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernando-degwitz-202227202/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=trublue-franchisee-fernando-degwitz-miami-2731107" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fernando Degwitz</a> grew up in Venezuela and built his career in civil engineering and real estate development before moving to Miami to pursue an MBA at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. As he dug into entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) opportunities, he realized the heavy leverage involved did not match the level of risk he was comfortable taking.A friend introduced him to franchising as a way to bypass startup risks without taking on massive debt. Initially skeptical, Degwitz quickly saw the value: a proven brand, strong support systems and the ability to combine his construction expertise with a personal mission — helping families care for aging loved ones, inspired by his own mother’s struggles with mobility.In October, Degwitz officially launched his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trubluefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=trublue-franchisee-fernando-degwitz-miami-2731107" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TruBlue Home Service Ally</a> franchise, bringing professional home maintenance and aging-in-place solutions to the Miami market. His vision is to grow a $30 million business while creating meaningful impact for families throughout South Florida.Degwitz took the time to chat with the 1851 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?Fernando Degwitz:&nbsp;I am originally Venezuelan, born and raised. I went to an American high school, which is where I learned how to speak English. Once I graduated, I went to college in Boston — Tufts and then MIT — where I did civil engineering and economics. When I graduated, I went back to Venezuela where I did real estate development and construction. I did all sorts of projects from residential to industrial, retail and commercial.It became difficult to operate any of my business lines in Venezuela. I started to look outside and began a real estate development project in Panama. At the same time, I started doing my MBA at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, which has a campus here in Miami. I moved to Miami and then the pandemic hit. I finished the MBA virtually and, last year, started investigating franchises1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Degwitz:&nbsp;When I was doing my MBA, there was a concept that is really popular in MBA schools right now called “entrepreneurship through acquisition” where you essentially buy a company that's already operating to get past the startup risk. I did a lot of research, went to the ETA conference and interviewed brokers. As I was doing it, I realized that other buyers were willing to take much bigger risks than I was.I realized that buying an existing business replaces "startup risk" with "leverage risk." In Miami, you would need to buy a larger company to make a decent living, meaning you take on a significant amount of debt and put in a personal guarantee without really knowing what you are buying. A friend of mine from Kellogg was really into franchising and started to talk to me about it. I started to look at it as another way of getting past the startup risk without having the leverage. You don't have the operation in the location you are trying to open, but you do have that brand experience at a national level1851: 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?Degwitz:&nbsp;Honestly, my own sense of franchising was that it is entrepreneurship for people who don't have the experience. I kind of looked down on it initially. This might be affected by my experience in Latin America. Once I was here in the U.S., and perhaps through my MBA experience, I started to understand the importance of a brand and not having to create it yourself. It took me a while to understand that my way of looking at it was completely wrong. The value in joining a franchise and not having to take that startup risk is immense.Now that I am in it, I would say that the day-to-day is very similar operationally to running your own business, because you are. It feels just as exciting as running your own thing, but it removes a lot of the negative emotions that come from the uncertainty of not knowing if you are doing the right thing, especially in marketing.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Degwitz:&nbsp;Beyond the economic sense tied to my construction background, I wanted to do something valuable for the community. On a personal level, my mother lives in Europe and has recently suffered falls. It is difficult to make modifications to her rental unit from so far away. I wanted to be in a business where I could make a difference for families in similar situations.&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">TruBlue</a> offers that perfect combination of operating a successful business while "doing good" for society.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Degwitz:&nbsp;My vision is to expand from our current location in Pinecrest all the way North to West Palm Beach with professional management in place. To achieve that, I am focused on two key elements: finding the right people, starting with technicians and eventually office staff, and implementing the right systems and operational processes.1851:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Degwitz:&nbsp;Family is the most important thing to me. If I can help families take care of their homes, I believe that creates happier families. That is my personal and professional mission1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Degwitz:&nbsp;Do a lot of validation calls. You need to understand how current franchisees feel about the brand. Don't get discouraged by one bad call, as it might just be a bad match for that specific person; instead, look for the general sentiment. I personally "dodged a couple of bullets" by doing thorough validation calls.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 fernando Degwitz from tru blu franchise franchisee owner of Pinecrest, Brickell

TruBlue Franchisee Fernando Degwitz Brings Senior Home Safety to Miami

1851 Franchise

After exploring acquisition entrepreneurship, Degwitz decided that franchising offered the best path to scale a business while minimizing risk.

Civil Engineer and MBA Grad Fernando Degwitz Combines Business and Community Impact With TruBlue Franchise

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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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