Blue-collar jobs often get overlooked, especially by younger generations seeking office careers. However, Steven Montgomery, Founder & CEO of ResiBrands, believes these traditional home services can be a source of financial freedom and wealth creation. In his conversation on 21st Century Entrepreneurship, Steven shared his journey from a college dropout to building a $100M franchise empire. His insights highlight how blue-collar work, combined with a thoughtful business model, can fuel long-term success.
Bringing Dignity Back to Blue-Collar Work
Steven Montgomery’s entrepreneurial story began with a simple mission—freedom. Fresh out of college and newly married, he dropped out of a job and started painting houses with just $12 in his bank account. His initial focus wasn’t on building a massive company but on making customers happy. “If I can make a customer really happy with the work that I did, they would talk about me, and I would get more work,” Steven explains. Thoughtfulness and attention to detail were the core values he instilled in his business from the start, setting the foundation for growth.
Steven recognized early on that blue-collar trades had been dismissed by many, especially millennials, in favor of desk jobs. However, he noticed a growing shift: “Millennials are realizing that working in marketing or some of these roles just isn’t as fulfilling as they thought it would be. Being stuck behind a screen isn’t as fulfilling.” This realization is driving more people toward the home services sector, where opportunities for steady cash flow and team-building abound.
Building Businesses, Not Just Jobs
At the heart of ResiBrands’ success is the ability to turn what many consider mundane tasks—painting, window cleaning, garage door fixing—into scalable businesses. Steven emphasizes that franchisees don’t need to know everything about these trades before starting. “You don’t have to know anything about paint, or window cleaning, or necessarily garage doors, because when you get into a franchise system, you get taught a lot of that stuff.” This business model allows owners to focus on scaling and building teams while leaving the technical work to experts.
The franchise system’s appeal lies in its ability to create both financial independence and wealth for franchisees. ResiBrands has expanded rapidly, with over 400 territories across the U.S.
Steven advises aspiring franchise owners to think big: “Start dreaming about beating the biggest painting or window cleaning company in your city. That’s what we help people do.”
The Power of Thoughtfulness and Storytelling
One of the key differentiators for Steven’s brands is the focus on thoughtfulness—a concept often overlooked in the home services industry. ResiBrands emphasizes treating customers’ homes with care, going the extra mile with small, unexpected services. “The secret to referral marketing isn’t some app or survey. It’s giving customers a story to tell,” Steven explains. Whether it’s changing a lightbulb or offering a crumble cookie at the end of a job, these thoughtful gestures leave lasting impressions and fuel word-of-mouth marketing.
By creating memorable customer experiences, ResiBrands has built a powerful referral network. Steven’s advice to business owners:
“You need to give them a story to tell. People only talk about really great things and really bad things. Normal doesn’t get talked about.”
Franchising as a Path to Wealth
For Steven, the decision to franchise was a game-changer. Inspired by Michael Gerber’s book The E-Myth, Steven realized that franchising allowed him to expand his brand while empowering others to become business owners. “Instead of building something just for myself, I could build my brand by empowering other people to become business owners, build legacy and wealth for themselves as well, using my system.”
ResiBrands now includes multiple brands, such as That 1 Painter, GarageUp, and Pinks Window Services, with new concepts like Action Exteriors and a handyman brand soon to launch. The company’s success attracted the attention of entrepreneur Codie Sanchez, leading to a partnership aimed at scaling the brand even further. Steven believes that focusing on the craft and empowering franchisees is key to success: “Just build something you’re proud of. Don’t worry so much about the attention. Focus on the craft, and people will notice.”
Key Takeaways
Blue-collar opportunities are rising: Trades like painting, window cleaning, and home services offer a path to wealth and independence, especially with the right business model.
Thoughtfulness drives referrals: Going the extra mile in customer service can lead to powerful word-of-mouth marketing.
Franchising empowers others: By creating scalable systems, Steven has helped others achieve financial freedom while growing his brand.
Mindset matters: Steven stresses the importance of positive thinking and speaking your goals into existence.
Conclusion
Steven Montgomery’s journey from painting houses to leading one of the fastest-growing home service franchises shows that blue-collar work can fuel wealth, freedom, and legacy. With a focus on thoughtfulness, empowering franchisees, and building systems, ResiBrands is revolutionizing the trades industry—one franchise at a time.
If you’re ready to explore a franchise opportunity that offers financial freedom and the chance to build a lasting legacy, visit ResiBrands.com to learn more and schedule a call with one of their team members.
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