Utah Veteran Franchisee Wants to ‘Help People and Pay It Forward’ Through TruBlue Home Service Ally

Tom Kinnick, as a veteran with several years’ experience with independent business ownership, is no stranger to hard work. His cell phone repair store that he has owned for the past five years has done well and is well-respected in his community. However, he recently found himself wanting something more.

While Kinnick initially started looking at franchise opportunities to increase his wealth and bulk up his retirement fund, he came across TruBlue Home Service Ally, the home maintenance and handyman franchise “with a purpose.” It was then that he found another motivation: helping seniors.

He was inspired by personal experiences, as his mother had dementia about five years ago and it was very challenging for her. He believes a maintenance program like TruBlue would have benefited her greatly, making living at home more accessible. Now, Kinnick looks forward to expanding his business portfolio while also doing some good for the seniors in his community.

1851 Franchise spoke with Kinnick about his journey into franchising with TruBlue and his plans for the future. 

FEATURE 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?

Kinnick: Currently, I own a cell phone repair store where we sell cell phones and accessories and repair phones. We're the only phone store here in Tooele County. I've been fortunate because we have a really good footprint here in the community. I've been doing that for nearly five years. Before that I worked for cell phone companies for about 12 years, selling phones and as a training manager. I was the training manager for Verizon and AT&T, and figured I’d do this on my own after some more corporate changes. Working for somebody else, I was at the mercy of whatever the company wanted to do.

When I started my company, I started from scratch and nobody taught me how to do it. I felt like I was trying to reinvent the wheel and made some costly mistakes. TruBlue, like many franchises out there, has a system set up to help me succeed.  It was like buying a cart with four wheels already installed and having a friend give you a push in the right direction.

It got to the point that I felt as though my own business was paying the bills, but not going to make me rich. I really don't have much retirement funds built up, so I decided that I needed to do something else. 

I was looking at different opportunities and came across TruBlue. What attracted me most was the senior assistance services they offer and I was hooked. 

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?

Kinnick: I thought of McDonald’s and places like that where you need a million dollars to invest. I thought it was completely out of reach.

I learned that it can be affordable. Fortunately, I just sold my house a couple years ago, so I had money in the bank that I could invest in something like this. 

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

Kinnick: When I decided to start looking into franchising, I looked at a list of the top 100 franchises to join and TruBlue was on there. I read their description and I figured I could do the handyman services; I rebuilt bathrooms and did loads of modifications around my house. What really drew me to the brand, though, was the senior modifications they offer. The focus on providing seniors assistance and safety was really appealing to me. 

My mother, about five years ago, ended up selling her house. She could have bought another house at that point, but after my stepdad passed away, she couldn't take care of the house on her own. She had dementia and it was rough for her. She moved in with my sister and comes and stays with me, but I think, had a program like this been set up back then, she could have gotten a house. The maintenance program would have set her up to be able to take care of the house and be safe. 

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

Kinnick: I hope to become an ally in the community that people can call and depend on for these services. I tested out of the Age Safe America and got the Home Senior Certification, as well as the CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) training. I want to know as much as I can. I always want to be the expert in whatever I am doing.

As far as future growth, I already have a deposit down on my second territory. Over the next two years, I’ll hopefully have the opportunity to serve all of Salt Lake County.

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

Kinnick: I’m a humble person, I always want to help people out and pay it forward. Every day, I wake up and try to think of what I can do for somebody else that will make their day.

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

Kinnick: Don’t waste your time. I wish it was something I had done years ago. My only regret is not looking into something like this ten years ago. Time is more valuable than money, but you need money to enjoy that time. Do your research and you can find some really good support through franchise systems. Choose a company that aligns with your values and trust their system.

About TruBlue Home Service Ally:

TruBlue Home Service Ally® provides a unique and affordable approach to helping busy adults and seniors live a worry-free life by offering trustworthy handyman, home maintenance and senior modification services. Helping you maintain your home both inside and out, TruBlue’s services include handyman projects and to-do list chores, preventative home maintenance programs, kitchen and bath remodels, seasonal work, and senior modification services, all handled by professional, bonded and insured Tru-Pro® Technicians. TruBlue franchise owners are required to complete senior home safety certification programs through the NAHB and Age Safe America. As certified specialists, TruBlue franchisees are able to perform aging in place home safety assessments and can make recommended safety modifications as needed.

All locations are independently owned and operated. Service offerings, certifications, and licenses vary by location.