Veterans in Franchising: Pete Lawrence

After spending his career in the U.S. Marine Corps and as a consultant for technology companies, Virginia native Pete Lawrence decided it was time to fulfill his dream of business ownership by opening a Right at Home* franchise in Winchester. Now, he works closely with the Veterans Affairs office in Martinsburg to help provide veterans with personalized in-home care.

1851 spoke with Lawrence to learn more about why he decided to transition from his time in the military to franchising.

1851: Why did you decide to join the military?

Lawrence: I had always admired the armed forces and went to college with a guy who joined the Marine Corps reserves. I looked up to him and to his respect and excitement for the Marine Corps and joined the following year.

1851: What was the most valuable thing your military experience taught you?

Lawrence: I learned the importance of gratitude for my ability to serve. I knew people who were unable to serve, and I have always been thankful to fulfill what I felt was an obligation to my country and family.

1851: How did your military service prepare you for franchising?

Lawrence: I learned to improvise, overcome and adapt in the Marine Corps, and that is exactly what I do daily from a structural and a sales perspective as a Right at Home owner.

1851: What is it about Right at Home that attracted you to the brand?

Lawrence: There is a Right at Home in northern Virginia that I saw an advertisement for. When I started researching brands of homecare companies, the impression I had from the ads I remembered, as well as the Forbes article about home care franchises, made it an easy decision.

1851: What advice would you give to veterans who are looking to get into franchising?

Lawrence: Establish a love for and a connection to the community you will serve if you don’t have one already. The most effective sales technique I have is to be part of the local market that my referral sources are also looking to serve.

1851: What does franchising mean to you?

Lawrence: Franchising has meant the opportunity to be my own boss and to live or die by the daily decisions I make, all while having an amazing support system in place from the corporate office.

1851: What would you like to achieve in franchising within the next 5 years? In 10?

Lawrence: I would like to continue to grow my brand locally and still be recognized as the leader in quality and compassion. I would like my three boys to one day get involved with the business and benefit from the feeling of helping seniors and their families and loved ones and friends