How a Heavy Metal Concert Led to a Marriage and HomeTeam Inspection Services Franchise Success

Mark and Stephanie Leard's marriage and entrepreneurial journey, sparked unexpectedly in the electric atmosphere of a Van Halen concert, has evolved into a thriving partnership with HomeTeam Inspection Services, the 200-plus-territory home inspection franchise known for its unique team-based approach to conducting more efficient and thorough home inspections. 

The couple's transition from college kids at a heavy metal concert to parents pursuing individual careers to becoming joint franchise owners illustrates the strength of collaboration, passion and a shared vision.

“It started with us evaluating what we were trying to do with our retirement and our future,” Mark said. “Some of the different franchises we looked at just didn't make a lot of sense. But HomeTeam checked all the financial boxes for us, and we liked that everyone we spoke to had a Christian perspective, emphasizing doing right by people.”

Despite early hurdles, including launching their business in the face of a pandemic, the duo displayed resilience. Their narrative illuminates the intricacies of stepping into the franchising sphere and underscores the importance of due diligence and having a supportive partner.

The enterprise is more than just an income stream for the Leards — it's a mirror of their joint expedition. Their story can act as a roadmap for couples contemplating a similar route, highlighting that shared objectives and mutual reinforcement are key to triumph in both personal and professional spheres.

PROFILE QUESTIONS

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

Mark Leard: I was an engineering manager for years, working at companies like John Deere and Mercury Marine. We moved around a lot, from the West, in Oklahoma and Kansas, to Georgia, South Carolina, and ended up in Florida. Stephanie, at times, ran her own daycare and worked for various retailers. 

In 2017, I was laid off and started looking for another job, but everything fitting our needs was up north, while all our family was down here. That's when we discovered franchising. After looking into several opportunities, HomeTeam felt right from the start, though we did our due diligence before ultimately choosing them."

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?

Mark: Quite frankly, our opinion of franchising wasn't that high initially; we had heard that franchises could be controlling and take too much profit. But after researching, we were surprised by how many businesses are franchises and by the support some offer. 

Stephanie Leard: Our eyes were opened to the variety and potential of franchising, leading to a very supportive experience with HomeTeam.

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

Mark: HomeTeam checked all the financial boxes for us, and we liked that everyone we spoke to had a Christian perspective, emphasizing doing right by people. Visiting the Ohio team solidified our choice. What excites us most is the support and freedom HomeTeam offers, allowing us to make our business our own while being part of a supportive franchisee network."

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

Mark: We aim to make enough from our business to build a house and eventually sell the franchise as our retirement fund. Despite challenges like COVID-19 and market fluctuations, we've adapted our strategy, focusing on social media, community involvement and maintaining relationships with real estate agents to foster growth.

Stephanie: We had just been open four months before COVID hit.

1851: Tell us about your romance story: How did you meet and what was the spark that led to this marital partnership?

Mark: Our story started at a Van Halen concert. We were both there with mutual friends, not as a couple, but ended up sitting together and hit it off. After the concert, we spent hours talking in the parking garage. 

That was with [Van Halen frontman] Sammy Hagar, not David Lee Roth.

Stephanie: That’s him dating himself.

Mark: Living in different cities, we weren't up for a long-distance relationship and went our separate ways. Over a year later, after I moved for college to the town where Stephanie lived, we reconnected at a party through mutual friends. We started dating soon after that and got married six months later. Our meeting was by chance but felt like it was meant to be, especially after reconnecting so unexpectedly.

1851: You two work closely together on just about every facet of your work. Tell us about that.

Mark: Initially, after we got married, we worked together at a small typewriter and computer-based company. Stephanie worked in the front office, and I did deliveries. Despite swearing never to work together again after that experience, here we are, co-owners of our business. We've found a system that works well for us, dividing inspection tasks and communicating effectively during our jobs. 

Sure, like any couple, we have our moments of disagreement, but our shared commitment to our business drives us. Working together has strengthened our relationship, allowing us to spend more time together, align our schedules, and support each other through the ups and downs of running a business. It's not always easy, but the benefits of working closely outweigh the challenges.

Stephanie: Everybody — when they hear we work together — they say, “Oh, it must be great!” And we say, “Yeah. Most days.”

It would be harder if we had children in the house but it’s just the two of us so we have the freedom to be gone as long as we need to and don’t have to worry about competing schedules.

What’s the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Mark: Our journey wasn't straightforward, from being laid off to navigating the challenges of starting and growing our franchise. The key has been adaptability, understanding our goals, and continuously strategizing to meet them.

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

Mark: Do your homework and understand the market you're entering. Not all franchises are the same, and success can depend heavily on the specific conditions of your market and the support structure of the franchisor. Our growth and the ability to navigate challenges were significantly aided by thorough research and the supportive network within HomeTeam.

About HomeTeam Inspection Service

Founded in 1992, HomeTeam Inspection Service is a full-service, independent home inspection franchise serving home buyers, sellers and real estate agents. For 30 years, HomeTeam has built a reputation for providing professional, reliable, efficient and accurate inspections on both residential and commercial property, focusing on electrical and plumbing systems, HVAC, exterior and siding, gutters and drainage, mold inspections, air quality reports and much more. Unlike other inspection companies, HomeTeam sends a team of certified inspectors to every appointment in order to provide a better and faster inspection, every single time. The brand’s reputation for excellence has made them a top choice among real estate agents and earned them the title of #1 home inspection franchise by Entrepreneur magazine's 2022 Franchise 500 listing. Now, HomeTeam Inspection Service has grown to include over 200 territories nationwide. For more information about HomeTeam please visit https://www.hometeam.com.