For many years, I worked as a hands-on technician in both the plumbing and restoration industries. While I enjoyed the work and learned a lot of skills along the way, I always had the desire to one day run my own plumbing or restoration company. Like many technicians, I knew the work inside and out but was aware that I needed the right support to build the business from scratch.
Today, I’m proud to be a multi-unit franchise owner operating two home service businesses, one in plumbing and another in restoration, serving customers across Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay. Getting here wasn’t simple, but franchising provided me with the framework to help bridge the gap between technician and entrepreneur.
Why I Chose Franchising
My path to entrepreneurship wasn’t always easy or straightforward. I’ve worked in many different industries over the years, from real estate and restaurant management to car sales and water damage mitigation. However, my passion for the trades remained steadfast. So, when I eventually learned about franchising in the home services space, I saw a door to opportunity. In 2023, I decided to make the leap and opened my first franchise with a prominent plumbing brand.
Having previously run independent businesses, I knew how overwhelming it could be to manage every aspect of the business, from staffing and training to marketing and administrative work. With franchising, I was offered a business foundation I didn’t have to build alone. Franchising came with brand recognition, built-in marketing resources, and established operational systems. It offered me more of a roadmap to business ownership rather than the trial-and-error I was used to. This also allowed for a much smoother transition into business ownership compared to my previous experiences.
Franchising also proved valuable to me because of the training and support I received. While my prior technician experience gave me an advantage, this business model helped me in areas where I lacked knowledge, like marketing and social media. I went through a two-week comprehensive training program where I learned effective marketing techniques and how to build brand awareness online. I also gained a stronger understanding of financial systems and tools that I hadn’t used before, which I found beneficial when starting my business.
Multi-Unit Expansion & Support
Later that year, I attended the plumbing brand’s national franchise conference. That’s where I learned about a new restoration franchise their parent company had recently acquired. After meeting with the leadership team, sitting in on several informational sessions, and learning more about the restoration brand’s growth potential, I knew it was the right investment opportunity for me. Since franchising had already given me the right framework and support for my plumbing business, I now had the bandwidth and opportunity to focus on expansion. By January 2024, I launched my second franchise with this new concept.
I’ve found operating two brands under the same parent company has helped my ability to scale. The operational tools, training protocols, and support systems are similar across both brands, which makes juggling dual ownership easier and lets me focus on growing the businesses simultaneously. Both franchise teams have also been incredibly supportive, going out of their way to create supportive environments and welcoming company cultures. And that extends beyond leadership—whether it’s guidance from industry professionals or advice from other franchise owners, there’s always someone to exchange ideas with.
My Advice for Technicians-Turned-Entrepreneurs
As the trades industry continues to grow, I believe franchising in home services will become an even more attractive path for technicians like me with years of field experience. I believe there are a lot of technicians and aspiring entrepreneurs out there who have the talent and skills to be business owners but fear they can’t be because they don’t know where to start. That’s where I found franchising makes a big difference. It takes the guesswork out of the equation and gives you a blueprint to follow. With the right foundation and support, I believe the path from employee to entrepreneur is more accessible than ever. And because the demand for home services isn’t slowing down, there’s plenty of room for growth and for others to shine.
My Advice for Technicians-Turned-Entrepreneurs
As the trades industry continues to grow, I believe franchising in home services will become an even more attractive path for technicians like me with years of field experience. I believe there are a lot of technicians and aspiring entrepreneurs out there who have the talent and skills to be business owners but fear they can’t be because they don’t know where to start. That’s where I found franchising makes a big difference. It takes the guesswork out of the equation and gives you a blueprint to follow. With the right foundation and support, I believe the path from employee to entrepreneur is more accessible than ever. And because the demand for home services isn’t slowing down, there’s plenty of room for growth and for others to shine.
Looking Ahead
I take immense pride in how far I’ve come in my entrepreneurial journey. By leveraging my relevant field experience and aligning with a supportive franchise system, I was able to turn my entrepreneurial dreams into reality. In the future, I have ambitious expansion goals for each brand along the California coast. With two strong franchise businesses under my belt, I’m focused on building on that success for my family and team.
My story is just one example of what’s possible when you combine hard work with the right opportunities. I hope it inspires other technicians and anyone else considering entrepreneurship to consider franchising opportunities. If you have the skills and the drive, franchising is a great way to get you the right support to get started.
Alfred Gelacio
Alfred Gelacio is the owner of DRYmedic Restoration Services of Santa Cruz and a multi-unit owner with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Northern California. With years of hands-on trade experience and a background in small business, Gelacio pursued franchising to build a sustainable business with strong support. He was introduced to DRYmedic Restoration Services through Authority Brands’ annual conference and now operates both home service franchises across Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay, with plans to expand further along the California coast.
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