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How Two First-Time Franchisees Built a Thriving Roofing Business — Without Construction Backgrounds

In this episode, the team sits down with Kevin and Kathy, first-time franchise owners of Action Exteriors, to unpack how two non-constructors turned a leap of faith into a fast-growing exterior restoration business.

They share how they mastered insurance claims, learned the trades on the fly, built a team-first culture, and turned single-scope roof jobs into multi-trade projects that scale. Expect a real conversation about cash flow, subs, support, and the realities of ownership—not a highlight reel.

You’ll learn:
• Why Kevin and Kathy chose Action Exteriors based on culture and coaching, not hype
• How they turned insurance roofs into profitable multi-trade projects
• The keys to hiring slow, firing fast, and protecting culture early
• How to manage 30–90 day insurance receivables without running dry
• The right way to use subcontractor networks for scale and quality
• What “selling outcomes over items” really looks like in home services
• How they planned funding with ROBS and HELOC backup
• The path from residential to commercial roofing (and licensing in Oklahoma)
• Why local relationship marketing beats vanity social posting
• How they’re already thinking about their exit strategy and unit acquisitions

This episode is packed with real franchise ownership lessons—from managing cash and crews to building a scalable, sellable business with no prior construction experience.

👉 Interested in exploring franchise ownership yourself?
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Send us your questions for an upcoming episode at 305-710-0050.
From your pals in franchise ownership, Jack and Jill Johnson.

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Want a business that doesn’t just pay you—but can be sold for a multiple? We dive with Thomas Scott into the playbook behind low-investment, high-potential franchises and why home services are the quiet engine of real, sellable equity. From custom closets to dryer vents, Thomas breaks down how to “build the box”: modern marketing, a tight CRM stack, accessible SBA financing, and a category with durable demand. We talk strategy, not hype—how to win in crowded markets by studying the customer journey, undercutting legacy pricing, and delivering faster, cleaner experiences that today’s buyers expect.

We explore why closets deliver some of the highest ROI in home improvement, how Millennials and Gen Z are driving 24% industry growth, and what makes the business model so satisfying: one-hour design consults, clear proposals, and single-day installs that compound into referrals. Thomas opens the hood on support that actually moves the needle—intense onboarding, weekly group coaching, and specialist access with staff-to-owner ratios around 1:5 to 1:8. The message is simple: stop being the technician; step up as a small-business CEO. Track the right metrics, hire deliberately, and run the proven play.

We also map the path to liquidity. A top salary can’t be sold; a well-run franchise can. Learn how to structure territories around an EBITDA target, why month 18 is the turning point, and how resales move quickly—often inside the system—using creative structures like partial seller financing. You’ll hear the traits that define top performers (hint: they follow the system), why coachable Gen Z owners are surging, and the exact inputs for predictable growth: reps, consults, and disciplined marketing spend.

If you’re ready to trade rented income for real equity, press play, take notes, and choose one metric to own this week. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs this roadmap, and leave a review to help more builders find the show.

Visit www.weboughtafranchise.com to subscribe.
Send us your questions for an upcoming episode at 305-710-0050.
From your pals in franchise ownership, Jack and Jill Johnson.

Send us a text

Looking for the real playbook behind franchise growth in a high-rate, AI-shaken market? We sat down with Aaron Harper—architect of Rolling Suds’ explosive rise—to unpack why niche, recurring service businesses are beating capital-heavy food brands and how honest expectations turn into better outcomes. From the Patch Boys turnaround during COVID to building the largest power washing brand by units nationwide, Aaron shares the decisions that mattered: targeting a service with commercial recurrence, claiming a category before an 800-pound gorilla forms, and funding support so franchisees can actually scale.

We get practical fast. Want to buy into an emerging brand? Ask about capitalization, headcount plans, field support ratios, and how much of your franchise fee funds support versus sales.

Hear why “hire a GM and keep your day job” is usually fantasy, how W-2 versus 1099 labor shapes resale value, and why private equity favors operators with predictable, commercial contracts.

We dig into fencing, roofing, and commercial cleaning as compelling categories, contrast execution advantage with first-mover advantage, and reveal the KPI mindset owners need to build real enterprise value.

There’s also a bridge for ETA searchers who’ve spent 12–18 months chasing unicorn acquisitions. High-quality franchises deliver speed to cash flow, proven systems, and full ownership without surrendering equity to a fund. The throughline is simple and strong: pick a focused niche, commit to active ownership early, and build recurring revenue that compounds. If you’re ready to stop hunting for “absentee” myths and start constructing a business worth buying—and one day, worth selling—this conversation lays out the path.

Enjoy the episode, then subscribe, share with a friend who’s exploring franchises, and leave a quick review so more builders can find this show.

Visit www.weboughtafranchise.com to subscribe.
Send us your questions for an upcoming episode at 305-710-0050.
From your pals in franchise ownership, Jack and Jill Johnson.