After decades in corporate consulting, Jay Ericson was ready for a new chapter — one with a deeper impact. That next chapter began last week with the launch of his TruBlue Home Service Ally franchise serving the Frisco, Prosper and Celina communities in Texas. Inspired by his own experience caring for his late parents, Ericson chose TruBlue for its heart-centered mission and scalable model. His goal? To help seniors live more safely and comfortably at home, all while building a business rooted in service and connection to the community.

1851 spoke with Ericson to learn more about his background, what drew him to TruBlue and his plans for the future. Here’s what he had to say:

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

Jay Ericson: I wanted to be in the business space. I have a master’s degree in business development and went into business consulting — helping businesses improve themselves from an operational perspective, workflow perspective, technology perspective, you name it. I did that for about 25 years. A lot of it was in the financial services industry and mostly in the B2B space, which is another layer removed from real customers.  I was looking for something where I could really have a direct impact on the community and people in my next chapter.

I've been a local resident of Frisco for 10 years, and also lived in Prosper for 10 years — so I've been in the heart of the community for more than 20 years and have seen all the new development first-hand. I am currently an active committee member for the Aging and Disability Resource Center in North Texas. My personal connection to this mission runs deep: I lost both my parents when I was in my 40s, and they both separately struggled with falls inside and outside the home that impacted their mobility and independence. This experience fueled my dedication to senior safety. I am also a Certified Senior Home Safety Specialist, as well as a Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist.

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?

Ericson: I wanted my next chapter to help me build an asset I could scale on my own — something outside of corporate America. I wasn’t necessarily looking for a franchise at the beginning, but it was the path I ended up going down because it checked a lot of the boxes. You can build something for yourself and scale it. One of the main reasons I ended up in the franchise space is that it allows you to be in business for yourself but not on an island. You have an immediate infrastructure.

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

Ericson: TruBlue was one of the brands that stood out to me as having a real heart. I didn’t want a big brick-and-mortar presence. I wanted it to be service- and community-based. The business model resonated with me because it offers a direct impact for people who actually need it. Seniors aging in place is a huge demographic. They want to stay in their homes, so I thought it’d be a great opportunity to help them do that.

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

Ericson: I would like to scale support for the aging-in-place community. I’m already on the aging and disability council, and I’m building strategic partnerships with other senior- and aging-in-place-focused organizations. We're starting with home repair and light remodel work, but my vision is to get more and more into the senior community and be able to support them with home modifications and home safety. That’s the idea.

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

Ericson: My children are in college, and my wife runs her own sewing and design business. Digital Photography is one of my hobbies, and I follow soccer from Spain on the weekends.   We also have dogs — they keep things lively.

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

Ericson: One of the big benefits of going into a franchise is that you get to be in business for yourself, but you’re not by yourself. You get to be part of a home office that supports you. One of the cool things about it is they’re only trying to help you — whatever is good for you is good for them. It’s in their best interest to have your best interest at heart. It benefits them when you do well.

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.