Back in August, I worked with Grace and Bret Grady as they took a major step forward by launching their HOMEstretch franchise.

Their journey is a great example of how franchising can open doors to new opportunities – professionally and personally.

How It All Began
Grace and Bret, already entrepreneurs, hadn’t considered franchising until a friend’s experience with me sparked their curiosity.

Like many, they initially thought franchising meant big-box fast food or traditional brick-and-mortar models. Through a series of detailed conversations, I took the time to understand their background, priorities, and what they truly wanted in a business. After exploring various paths, I presented a few options that aligned closely with their vision.

HOMEstretch—a home prep franchise—stood out as a natural choice. With its high-margin, service-based solutions and potential for recurring revenue, HOMEstretch connected them to the expansive real estate market and provided opportunities to build strategic partnerships that cater to the growing demand for home preparation services.

Building Momentum
Since launching, Grace and Bret have taken an intentional approach to growing their business, focusing on purposeful collaboration rather than traditional networking. By aligning with like-minded professionals in real estate and service industries, they’re setting the stage for sustainable growth.

As Grace put it, “It’s not about networking for the sake of it; it’s about building meaningful relationships with people who can help each other grow. We’re working with partners who share our vision and are committed to mutual success.”

Keys to Success
One thing Grace emphasized during our chat is the importance of preparation and support. Here’s her advice for anyone considering franchising:

• Assess your bandwidth: Franchising usually isn’t a “set-it-and-forget-it” model. It requires work, but the rewards are there if you’re committed.
• Lean on support: Grace appreciated being able to reach out anytime—whether it was a quick text or a detailed conversation. When questions came up, I was there to help or connect them with someone who could.

Grace and Bret’s success is a testament to finding the right fit and taking the time to understand what they truly wanted.

If Grace and Bret’s story resonates with you and you’d like to explore the possibilities of franchising, feel free to book a call.

– Jim