From Serving the Country to Franchising with Joshua Tree Experts in Pittsburgh, PA

Seth and Caleb Hill are a father-and-son duo who are committed to leaving a positive and lasting impact on their Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania community. The pair, despite being brand new to the franchising space, have teamed up and signed with Joshua Tree Experts, the tree maintenance, lawn care and pest control franchise, to open two territories in the Pittsburgh region in March 2024.

Caleb was first introduced to the idea of Joshua Tree Experts while serving with the Army overseas in Iraq, where he befriended Dylan DeGroat, the director of franchise development at Joshua Tree Experts. Caleb and Seth had already considered starting their own business but weren’t sure where to begin. Their chance encounter with Joshua Tree Experts helped them realize this was the right opportunity for them to make an impact while building a multi-generational business for their family.

1851 Franchise recently spoke to Seth and Caleb to learn more about their journey and what they’ve learned through the process so far.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Seth: I have over 20 years of experience in manufacturing engineering. I ended up getting laid off during the pandemic and that’s what motivated me to seek employment elsewhere. I was really looking for an opportunity that would allow me to build a generational family business that would also let me spend more time with my children, so when Caleb came to me with this idea, I thought it was worth looking into.

Caleb: I was raised on a farm and joined the Army immediately after high school. My military service spanned approximately eight years, but my ambition had always been to take on my own business. While serving, I had the opportunity to complete a tour in Iraq alongside Dylan DeGroat, the director of franchise development for Joshua Tree Experts. One night, we were talking about our lives back in Pennsylvania and he brought up his family business. It struck me as a fantastic idea, and given my experience, I decided to look into it more. Upon our return home, and after a few years, that idea has transformed into reality. Our friendship overseas evolved into an incredible opportunity.  

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?

Seth: I never really thought about it or anticipated going into business for myself. But it became a dream of ours while Caleb was overseas. He was looking into it a lot, and he would recommend books to me while he was over there. We decided we were going to get into business no matter what when he got back. Before franchising, we opened an LLC where we did some real estate work. What we’ve learned is that getting into business by yourself can be daunting, but having someone to guide us through the process has been incredibly beneficial.

Caleb: I never really looked into franchising before my conversation with Dylan. I didn’t know the specifics of the industry at all. Of course, we still have a lot to learn, but I believe it’s important to surround yourself with people who are smarter and more experienced than you, that way you can learn from their mistakes.

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

Seth: We fell in love with the brand almost immediately. We really connected with the leadership team when we first met them. Not to mention, we were impressed by the positive attitude of the employees and the exceptional level of quality they delivered in their work. It was clear that the workforce was happy to be there. We hope to duplicate that with our own franchise.

Caleb: One of the reasons we picked the brand was because of the outstanding team behind it. The folks from Joshua Tree Experts are not just experts in their field but are also leaders in their community. They are role models that we can admire.

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

Caleb: Right now, our main goal is to meet the demand for our services in our local community. We’re not in a rush to grow too quickly; we’re aiming for sustainable growth. I also see this venture as a game-changer for my entire family. Business ownership isn’t a tradition in our family, so it’s a personal goal of mine to use this opportunity to enhance our financial literacy and attain greater financial freedom. It’s not just about the money; it’s about having the autonomy to live life on our own terms and assist others in doing the same.

Seth: One of my big goals in all of this is to create something I can pass down to my children. I envision turning this into a family legacy – a multi-generational business. That’s a big reason why Caleb and I are in this together, as father and son. I’ve got four sons, a daughter and five nephews who are getting to the age to start getting interested in working together at a business. I’m really hoping to grow this as a family. 

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Seth: The one thing I really want to emphasize is the role of faith in our journey. We went through a lot of praying and soul-searching during the tough times of COVID, and this opportunity seemed to come to us almost like a divine intervention. We truly believe that this opportunity was a message from God, guiding us in the right direction.  

Caleb: I really want people to understand that working with your family can be an incredible opportunity. There’s this stereotype out there that says working with family is a bad idea, but I’m here to say that’s not true at all. I believe we can set a positive example and inspire others to explore similar paths. Also, when I look at people in my generation, I see many who are hesitant to venture into business for themselves. I get it. It can be scary. But I hope I can be an example that shows it’s not only possible but doable. My aim is to encourage my friends, younger siblings and the next generation to take that leap and find their own success.

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

Caleb: It takes a lot of hard work and you’ll face some long days, but if you stay committed and dedicated, it definitely pays off in the end.  

Seth: Be ready to step out of your comfort zone and take some risks. Perseverance is key. We’re still in the early stages of this journey, and I’m sure we’ll encounter numerous challenges ahead. However, I believe that a few years from now, we’ll look back on this as a success story. We have faith and a strong sense that our chances of success are high.