U.S. Military Veterans Find Success as Franchisees With Property Management Inc.

For Rockville, Maryland-based Matthew and Susan Mangan, the journey from Air Force couple to Property Management Inc. franchise co-owners isn’t as improbable as it might sound.

This powerhouse couple raised four children around the world all while managing their own multiple rental properties across multiple time zones. Matthew, who served in the Air Force for 30 years after graduating from the Air Force Academy, and Susan, who graduated from Georgia Southern University and has held numerous corporate accounting roles, know what it takes to be great property managers and have the discipline and skills to do it.

So when Matthew retired from the Air Force at the rank of colonel, the globetrotting couple set down roots in the Maryland/Washington, D.C. area and began their next adventure together as franchisees with Property Management Inc.

A Playbook for Success

The Mangans said their military background made them a natural fit for the 300-plus-unit franchise brand. “In the military, there’s a playbook,” Matthew said. “If you follow it, you will be successful. That’s what really appealed to us about PMI — they have a proven formula for success that really made us feel comfortable.”

THe Mangans aren’t the only military veterans who have been able to find success through PMI’s proven playbook. Orange County, California-based Shane Barker, who became a PMI franchisee in April, got his start in property management at a young age. His grandparents owned rental properties, and Barker helped out in a variety of ways. “I schlepped, I painted, I collected rent, I did whatever had to be done,” he said. “When I started looking at franchises and what I’m good at, I knew property management was something I could not only do but do well.”

Part of Barker’s confidence comes from his experience as a biometric specialist with the U.S. Army. Deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Barker learned how to manage the unexpected. “Military service members need to be adaptable to any situation,” Barker said. “We need to adjust quickly, and that translates to the business world, especially to the property management industry, when you have to be prepared for anything.”

PMI’s Four-Pillar Structure

Founded in 2008 at the start of one of the most dramatic real estate downturns in United States history, part of PMI’s history of success can be attributed to its four pillar model that allows franchisees to gain expertise in one area and expand into others if and when they’re ready.

For Barker, who worked at a hotel near Disneyland before joining the military — wearing a variety of hats as a valet, doorman, bellman and concierge — starting out with PMI’s short-term vacation rental segment fell into his personal comfort zone. “Looking back on my life, I’ve always had a passion for hospitality, so this ticked off a number of my boxes,” he said. “But I see myself branching out to the other pillars eventually, probably after the first year.”

The Mangans, on the other hand, decided to focus on residential property management, focusing on single-family homes and small apartment buildings.

Besides the fact that they’re both experienced residential property managers, Matthew is a local Realtor who knows the market well.

“The market here is crazy right now,” Matthew said. “A home in Chevy Chase just sold for $1.1 million over asking price. There were multiple offers, and the buyers who lost said they’d name their first child after the seller. In a climate like this, young people are being priced out of the market, so that’s putting upward pressure on the rental market.”

Market ups and downs aside, the Mangans are in it for the long haul. “There will always be demand in the rental market, and there will always be landlords who need help managing their properties,” Susan said. “We’re here to help them.”

A Strong Leadership Team

Offering its franchisees full-fledged support teams that include business coaches, blog writers and marketing managers, Barker said he appreciates the help PMI offers as he works to get his business off the ground.

“They’ve been great so far and it’s nice to be able to pick up the phone and call if I have a question,” he said. “They offer a lot of support.”

For the Mangans, PMI’s extensive, ongoing training program really sets it apart.

Having access to PMI’s network of knowledge is a huge bonus, said Matthew. “If we had done this on our own, it would have taken us two years to get to where we are now with PMI.”

For Susan, franchising with PMI has allowed her and her husband to find a supportive community that’s proven to be the perfect transition from military life. “A lot of it for me is the attitude at the corporate office,” she said. “They want to make property management a positive experience for everyone — the owners, the tenants and the franchise partners. We’re all in it together.”

PMI President Danessa Itaya couldn’t agree more. “We continue to find new ways to help and support our owners as they enter the system,” she said. “We’re proud and honored to work with veterans like Shane Barker and Matthew and Susan Mangan. Their success is our success.”

The startup costs for a Property Management Inc. franchise range from $53,225 to $190,050. The franchise fee ranges from $45,000 to $190,050. To learn more about franchising with Property Management Inc., visit https://propertymanagementincfranchise.com/.