Retired Accountant Signs On with TruBlue Total House Care Franchise to Help Local Seniors and Honor His Grandfather

For John Smallstey, having a job is about more than a paycheck. It’s about finding a way to help others. During his time as a controller for a national hair-care company, he knew that he wanted something more. He wanted to open his own business, take control of his destiny and have a more positive impact on the world at large. When he discovered TruBlue Total House Care, the 85-plus unit handyman franchise that strives to provide affordable, worry-free living for seniors and hassle-free living for busy adults by providing trustworthy home maintenance services, he knew he had found his calling. 

“I decided I didn’t want to be involved in numbers all day,” said Smallstey. “I wanted to have a more positive impact on the world and make better relationships. Ultimately, I wanted to do something where I could be helping people and helping my family as well. I have three kids, and I wanted to do something that I could eventually pass down to them and inspire them with.”

TruBlue offers support inside and outside the home to help busy adults stay on top of maintenance and help seniors stay in their homes longer. With various customizable, subscription-based service packages, clients can bundle maintenance selections to fit the specific needs of their homes and family. 

Not only did TruBlue align with the type of service Smallstey wanted to offer his community, but it also allowed him to honor his grandfather, the person who raised him after losing his father at a young age.

“One of the things that drew me towards the brand was their interest in helping the senior community age in place,” said Smallstey. “As I was growing up, my biological father passed away and my grandfather became my father figure. There was a point when he moved in with me, but the home maintenance and everything involved was very hard for us. We ended up having to put him in a care center. I really saw how doing that changed him, and this business would help me honor my grandfather and help other families age in place.”

As a first-time business owner, Smallstey says he also recognized the value of entering the franchising industry with a proven system like TruBlue. 

“I knew if I wanted to go into business for myself, it made sense to get into a franchise because of the network they have and the support you get from other franchisees,” Smallstey said. “You basically get a community and a team while also being able to do your own thing. You get access to other franchisees that are on the same path as you. In contrast, when you start your own business, you’re in it alone without any community or support because they see you as competition instead.”

Now, after officially signing on with TruBlue earlier this year, Smallstey is excited to make a difference in the Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, New Port Richey and San Antonio communities. 

“Being able to work with the senior community to make sure their homes are safe is something that attracted me to the brand,” said Smallstey. “Also, busy adults and families with kids can use our services. There’s construction in our area, and the housing market is booming. All the families moving in can really take advantage of our service.”

Looking ahead, Smallstey hopes to be known as the top aging-in-place home modification company in the area and to be an inspiration to his three children. “I see this as a mission-driven business, and I want to be able to go to sleep knowing I helped someone every day,” he said.

Sean Fitzgerald, TruBlue’s President, says the team is equally excited to welcome Smallstey to the franchise system and is eager to watch his growth as a business owner. “John is a great addition to the TruBlue family, and we are excited to see his impact on the community with TruBlue’s much-needed service,” he said.

The TruBlue team is eying continued growth in new markets across the country while looking to partner with additional franchisees like Smallstey in the retirement-friendly state of Florida. The brand has identified room to add dozens of TruBlue locations in Orlando, Tampa and across Florida. 

The total investment estimate for a TruBlue Total House Care franchise ranges from $65,050–$91,400. To learn more about franchising with TruBlue, please visit https://trubluefranchise.com/.