Why This Couple Left Corporate America to Build a Community-Focused TruBlue Business in the Town Where They Raised Their Sons

For Tim and Kay Diemont, owning a TruBlue Home Service Ally franchise in Yorktown, Virginia, is a shared purpose. Over the past decade, the couple has built one of TruBlue’s most successful and enduring operations, all while strengthening their marriage, deepening their community connections and setting an example for what family-owned franchising can achieve.

By the time TruBlue came into their lives, both Tim and Kay were ready for a new chapter.

“Tim was working as a regional director of stores and in charge of the East Coast. I had been with the same architectural firm for 20 years,” Kay said. “Tim was tired of the corporate demands, traveling and wanted to be home more. He also wanted to be doing something that would be rewarding and help in our community — the community where we raised our two sons. My employer was getting ready to retire and, since [Tim and I] had always wanted to work together, the timing seemed perfect for both of us.”

The couple’s shared vision aligned perfectly with TruBlue’s mission of helping seniors and busy families maintain their homes with ease and peace of mind.

From Marriage Partners to Business Partners

Transitioning from life partners to business partners came naturally to the Diemonts.

“Since we were already partners, this new partnership was an easy transition,” Kay said. “Tim knew how to manage people and had been in a leadership position for many years. I was already trained administratively and had worked in marketing for both the architectural firm and for a local mayor. So, my community connections were very strong in this area.”

Their complementary skill sets have proven invaluable. A U.S. Air Force veteran originally from Michigan, Tim brought strong operational and leadership experience from his years managing retail teams. Kay, who has lived in the Yorktown area her entire life, leveraged her local relationships and administrative background to handle marketing and office management.

The couple’s oldest son, Derrick, is a systems engineer who has contributed to the business over the years. “His expertise with setting up our computer needs and just his overall help with the business was and continues to be a huge plus,” Kay said.

The Diemonts say that working together has improved their work-life balance rather than complicating it. “Since we work together, our schedules are the same,” Kay said. “We can take as much time off as we want or need, and we enjoy traveling extensively every year.”

Choosing TruBlue for Their Family’s Next Chapter

When the Diemonts first began exploring franchise ownership, they were drawn to opportunities that allowed them to serve their community.

“Tim was looking into a senior care franchise and at the time the one he was interested in pursuing was already taken in our area,” Kay said. “The person he was speaking with at Strategic Franchising mentioned a new franchise they were developing. It sounded like a perfect fit for someone who already knew managerial and handyman skills. We were one of the first to open a TruBlue, and we have been the proud owners since 2013.”

The TruBlue model — focused on home maintenance, handyman services and senior safety — felt like the right blend of purpose and practicality. “Tim always had faith and knew we would be a success,” Kay said. “The model for TruBlue was perfect! Our co-workers, family and friends loved the concept, and we had customers lined up before we ever purchased our territory.”

Family Ownership in Action

As business partners, the Diemonts run their franchise with the same teamwork and communication that have defined their marriage for nearly five decades.

“We have great partners, who are like-minded to bounce ideas through,” Kay said. “All our employees know they can come to either one of us with a question or a problem and 98% of the time, they will get the exact response from us. The other small percentage is only due to Tim’s knowledge of certain handyman jobs and mine would be administrative questions regarding invoicing or payroll.”

That united front has helped them build a loyal team and a strong reputation throughout Yorktown and the surrounding Peninsula communities. “Our client base is strong because we provide our customers with a good service at a great value, and it is continually growing,” Kay said. “Our employees are happy to be a part of our team and we are sure all of them would stay with or continue with any new owner, whether it be family or someone new.”

Building a Family Legacy

After more than 10 years in business, the Diemonts have watched TruBlue grow from a small emerging concept into a nationally recognized brand. But for them, the most important growth has been personal — and local.

“Hopefully, we have built a business that either one of our sons would be proud to carry on in the future,” Kay said. “Our client base is strong because we provide our customers with a good service, at a great value and it is continually growing.”

The couple takes special pride in supporting local seniors, veterans and busy families. “Making our customers and employees happy and doing something good within our community for our seniors and veterans has been the most rewarding,” Kay said. “As a veteran and family-owned business, we take great pride in providing a service to those who have served our country and to their families. For our seniors and busy adults, providing them with peace of mind and someone they can trust in their homes is a very big deal to us as a company and as a family. Everyone’s home is their castle, and we always hope TruBlue of Yorktown makes them feel that way.”

The Rewards of Working Together

When asked about the hardest or most surprising part of running a family business, Kay didn’t hesitate: “Probably how easy it has been to work together. Nothing has been hard about it for us personally. Our skill sets matched pretty good.”

For Tim and Kay, the past decade has been defined by collaboration, connection and community — and the next one promises more of the same.

“Overall, everything we dreamed about running our own business has come true,” Tim said. “This is a great way of life.”