How a Layoff Sparked a New Journey for This Fresh Coat Painters Franchisee in Lumberton, Texas

Patrick Dew, the new franchisee with Fresh Coat* Painters in Lumberton, Texas, is all about putting passion into everything he does. Before embarking on this new chapter, Dew's professional background was deeply rooted in the manufacturing sector, where he held roles that emphasized support, management and continuous improvement. His career was characterized by a focus on optimizing operations through automation and waste reduction, alongside a people-first approach that occasionally clashed with corporate cultures. 

Following this impressive corporate career, his life took a pivotal turn in 2023 when — shortly after the birth of his daughter — he was laid off. This setback, however, serendipitously led him to consider franchise ownership, a path he had previously contemplated for its potential to generate passive income.

Dew was drawn to Fresh Coat due to the comprehensive training and support they offered, recognizing the brand's two decades of industry experience as a solid foundation for his business aspirations. The decision to open a Fresh Coat franchise aligned with his professional ethos of establishing efficient processes and his personal desire to make a meaningful impact on his community through service.

Since opening his Fresh Coat of Beaumont franchise at the beginning of 2024, Dew's ambitions have rapidly translated into tangible achievements. His goals extend beyond the operational success of his business; he envisions becoming a leading painting service in Southeast Texas and a top customer of Sherwin Williams.

His vision for growth is intertwined with a commitment to community engagement, notably through initiatives like Fresh Coat Cares, aiming to give back to the community in significant ways. This includes projects like painting for families affected by cancer, thereby cementing his company's reputation for quality, reliability and philanthropy.

1851 Franchise spoke with Dew to learn more about his background, his franchise buying journey and his aspirations for the future. 

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

Dew: I have been in the manufacturing industry since 2017, in roles ranging from support to management. My focus was always on the people, ensuring they had everything they needed to complete their tasks effectively and that their voices were heard. Unfortunately, this approach led to me being run off from a few jobs because it didn't align with the corporate culture. I found myself in Texas in 2021, working as a continuous improvement manager, where my role involved cutting costs through the implementation of automation and minimizing waste.

In 2023, just six weeks after my daughter was born, I was laid off from my job. Shortly after, I received an email that introduced me to the concept of franchise ownership. Having always had an interest in ventures that generate passive income, I engaged in a conversation where I was interviewed and asked various questions about my interests and goals. This led me to explore different opportunities, and ultimately, Fresh Coat stood out as the most fitting option.

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?

Dew: I only thought of franchising as fast food chains — I didn't even realize there were franchises of every business. This realization opened up the opportunity to ask questions and identify the franchise that was the right fit for me.

The support is really what appealed to me about franchising. Starting something on your own means your mistakes can be quite costly and, in my mind, there was more risk involved. With the franchise, I have an unbelievable process to follow. My previous career revolved around establishing processes that others could follow, and this franchise has a thorough process already laid out. The roadmap is clear; all I need to do is bring my willingness to learn and follow the system. There's an accumulation of 200 years of knowledge across the leadership team, and their response time is almost immediate.

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

Dew: The level of training and support offered by Fresh Coat was impressively thorough, clearly backed by two decades of experience. The business model appealed to me because it's scalable, quicker to establish and revolves around dealing with people, which is what I loved in my previous career.

We officially opened our Fresh Coat franchise on January 1st of this past year. We've been operating for a few months now.

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

Dew: I want to be the leading painting company in Southeast Texas. Additionally, I aim to be the leading buyer of Sherwin Williams products in this area. We launched our operations in January and secured our first job by February. Our growth is rapid, and the success of our marketing efforts has been unbelievably impressive. 

My aspiration is to expand the business to a point where we can more frequently engage in Fresh Coat Cares initiatives, allowing us to assist those in need within our community. This could involve projects such as painting a room for a child with cancer or a church that hosts after-school activities for children. It's important to me that people in our community recognize our brand not just for our services, but for our commitment to giving back in any way possible.

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

Dew: People here are so starved for good quality and reliable painting in our area — with us, there are no hidden fees. The price we quote is the price you pay. We prioritize communication and problem-solving because we understand that people are looking for good customer service. That is really the biggest piece that we want people to take away. 

My entire savings is tied up into this, and I have nothing to fall back on. Failing at this means I’ve failed my family. Naturally, there are nerves, but failure is not an option for me. Initially, the idea of giving someone $49,000 for a franchise fee was daunting, but as I began closing deals and improving my communication with clients, I learned the best ways to grow the business. Those initial fears have dissipated, and now I'm eager for the business to hurry up and grow!

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

Dew: It's a journey of knowledge and figuring out what the best fit is for you. You're given months before you even need to make a decision. I was unaware of many aspects before starting this process. The focus wasn't on selling me a franchise; it was about introducing me to a lifestyle. In this role, I call my own shots, and my earnings are up to me. The franchisor isn't responsible for my success. They provide all the necessary tools. I've spent months learning the system. For those considering franchising, asking questions is crucial. There's no harm in exploring to determine which franchise suits you best. 

For more information on franchising with Fresh Coat Painters, visit: https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info

ABOUT FRESH COAT PAINTERS:

Fresh Coat Painters, the residential and commercial painting franchise under the Strategic Franchising Systems umbrella, offers a low-cost, high-margin business model that gives entrepreneurs from all walks of life the chance to become successful business owners in the communities they serve. Since starting in 2004, Fresh Coat has expanded to over 170 franchise locations nationwide. Thanks to its unparalleled professionalism and affordable business model, it has become one of the leading concepts in the booming residential and commercial painting segment. With continued year-over-year growth, Fresh Coat is well on its way to achieving its overall goal of becoming a truly iconic painting brand.