Why These Tenured Franchisees Continue To Grow With TruBlue

For more than a decade, Kay and Tim Diemont have been the backbone of TruBlue in Yorktown, Virginia. As one of the first franchisees to join the brand, their journey with TruBlue, the franchise that provides senior modifications, home maintenance and handyman services, has been nothing short of remarkable. Their story is a testament to the enduring benefits and deep satisfaction that come with being part of the TruBlue family.

A Perfect Partnership

Before entering the world of franchising, Kay worked as an administrative assistant for the mayor of a nearby city and later for an architectural firm, where she dedicated 20 years. Her husband Tim, after spending four years in the Air Force, accumulated over 25 years of experience in the retail industry as a regional director. When Tim’s company asked him to relocate across the country, he realized it was a sign that it was time to seek a new opportunity.

But Tim says they weren’t looking for just any opportunity — they wanted something that would be fulfilling and particularly wanted to serve seniors and the veteran community. “That is what we were looking for when we found TruBlue,” he said. “We were actually looking at another brand, Home Helpers, which was part of their franchise group at the time, but that was more of a senior care concept. When I talked to the team, they mentioned that they were just starting up this new franchise called TruBlue. They ran through the concept, and the more we heard about it, the more we loved it.”

Since opening TruBlue of Yorktown in March of 2013, the Diemonts have grown the business by about 25% each year. Today, in addition to working with residents and property owners, the Diemonts also work with military housing departments, senior apartment complexes and apartment buildings. They currently have about 20 employees and serve Yorktown, Poquoson, Newport News and properties on the Peninsula.

Tim, with his hands-on expertise, and Kay, with her office management prowess, say they have found an ideal balance that has allowed them to thrive as a husband-and-wife team. 

“Working together has been terrific,” said Tim. “We’ve been able to utilize our strengths effectively. I focus on the hands-on tasks, while Kay excels in managing the office. This division of labor has been crucial to our success.”

Kay, having grown up in the area, also knew the importance of building a strong local reputation. “One of our main goals was to develop a really good reputation,” she said. “We knew a lot of people, and the most important thing was to deliver more than expected. Our first customer is still with us, which is a great feeling.”

A Day in the Life

After 11 years, Tim and Kay’s typical day now involves more managerial duties than hands-on work, thanks in large part to TruBlue’s simplified business model. While most senior care concepts require medical accreditation or training, for example, TruBlue is completely non-medical, saving the franchise owner money, time and energy. 

“Our day-to-day is very good,” said Kay. “We can set our own schedule. We have a team that manages and does everything for us. After 11 years, it’s really just managing staff and doing quality control. We can take loads of vacations. It’s been a perfect fit for us.”

The Diemonts highlight several key benefits of being TruBlue franchisees. “The primary benefit is the freedom to be your own boss and feeling good about yourself,” said Kay. “You have employees who are working, you’re giving them a way to make a living and they help your customers — and you get to reap the benefits. Having that nationally backed franchise gives you more of a trust factor, especially for seniors.”

“It’s also a great feeling to have that safety net and support from TruBlue to ensure that we do everything correctly,” Tim added. “You have a much better chance of being successful with their support behind you.”

The TruBlue franchise provides entrepreneurs like the Diemonts with a scalable and cost-effective business model. Key advantages include a subscription-based revenue model, innovative marketing incentives like the Pioneer’s Program and substantial support from TruBlue’s corporate team. This strategic positioning makes TruBlue a compelling investment opportunity for those looking to make a positive impact in their communities.

Growing with TruBlue

As one of TruBlue’s earlier franchisees, the Diemonts say they have enjoyed watching TruBlue grow from a fledgling franchise to a robust network. “It’s been great to watch this franchise expand,” Tim said. “We started with three people in the room, and now our annual meetings are filled with a diverse group of successful franchisees.”

Looking ahead, the Diemonts are excited about the future. The couple recently renewed their franchise agreement for another 10 years — the first renewal in the brand’s history. “We are very happy to sign on for another 10 years,” Kay said. “We jumped in for more.”

But Kay and Tim’s success story isn’t just about financial gain. “It’s not just about money,” Kay said. “The goal was to make a successful business and be proud of it. I’m so proud of Tim and our TruBlue, our clients and our staff. We’ve built a nice business here.”

As they continue to grow with TruBlue, the Diemonts remain committed to their community and their business. “Overall, everything we dreamed about running our own business has come true,” said Tim. “In 10 more years, I’ll be 79 years old, so maybe I’ll want to settle down at that point. But for right now, this is a great way of life.”

TruBlue is actively seeking new franchise owners in markets across the country and has identified Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville and Naples in Florida as well as Dallas and Austin in Texas as key development markets.

For more information, visit: https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally.