Adam and Meredith Gilpatrick own two Five Star franchises in North Carolina’s fast-growing Research Triangle area. They are self-described “do-it-yourselfers.” Before buying their franchises in 2006, the couple renovated housing properties on the side. Adam says one key to their success is their opposite – but compatible – work styles. Meredith is the detail person. Adam is the big thinker. The Gilpatricks also share tasks and learn from one another. Adam started out as the lead manager, though Meredith is now in charge of day-to-day management tasks.

FS: How long have you been Five Star Painting franchisees?
Meredith: We are going into our fifth year. We started when Five Star was relatively new and bought the 17th and 18th franchises.

FS: Why Five Star?
Meredith: We have a knack for housing-related projects. We’d bought and renovated apartments and designed our own home. We felt like painting would be a great business in any economy and started doing research. We looked into competitors, such as Certapro. Quite frankly, once we found out about Five Star and actually met their team it was an easy decision to go with them — a no-brainer. A lot of franchises sound good on paper, but as a new franchise owner you want to be sure you are working with a team that really believes in you and wants to see you succeed. When we meet the guys behind Five Star, it was very clear to us that we’d found a home.

FS: How did you hear about us?
Adam: We found Five Star on the Internet. We liked the idea of being with a company that was new, innovative and so energetic. I’ll never forget going to our first Five Star Painting conference. After a day’s worth of work we all hung out at the CEO’s house and played video games in his basement. We responded not only to Five Star’s expertise and business savvy but to the natural, family-friendly feeling of the franchise.

FS: How do you work as a husband and wife team? Meredith, what’s it like being a female in the business of painting?
Meredith: Right now I am managing our two franchisees. When we started out it was just the opposite. Adam took the lead.  As the kids got bigger, I naturally grew into the job and gradually picked up the reigns. Adam is now able to work another job in corporate finance, so we have two very healthy incomes coming in.

I do think there’s a stereotype, which is true to some extent, that the painting industry is made up of mostly men. Of course, that means it’s a great opportunity for women. I can tell you, I’ve learned to be a lot more assertive. It’s pretty much required if you are a female boss in this industry. You have to have a bigger personality than you thought you could have. I don’t think any of our painters have had a female boss before me. A lot of our painters have been with us for a long time and they know I’m not out to kill them with work. I can be strict, but I’m also very fair. We have a mutual respect and are like family.
Adam: We are a great combination. I am a big picture person, a dreamer and big thinker. Meredith dots all the i’s and crosses the t’s.

FS: What are your backgrounds?
Adam: I’ve worked mostly in corporate finance with corporate budget analysis. Meredith and I always pursued housing investments and projects on the side, so you can say we both have a love of beautiful homes and most things housing-related.

FS: What do you like best about the Five Star franchise opportunity?
Adam: Five Star has a phenomenal grasp of technology, marketing and brand awareness. They are visionary thinkers and are always thinking about the next big thing. They are just very smart and savvy people.
Meredith: It’s an exciting franchise. It’s been great seeing all the changes they’ve gone through in the past few years. I’m so glad we were one of the people who got in early. We’ve grown with them. As Five Star gets bigger, there’s more momentum. The brand just keeps getting better and more exciting.

FS: Can you share one of your secrets? What really works for you in your market?
Meredith: We are taking a unique approach to the way we manage our franchises, and it’s really working for us. We manage our employees, including a sales staff. Many franchisees perform direct sales themselves, but we have two residential sales professionals who’ve been with us for a long time. We were just able to bring on someone for commercial sales. We do all the hiring, accounting, management, marketing and make sure leads are coming in. I think it makes sense to hire people who are best at what they do. If you aren’t the best at sales, then it makes sense to find someone who is. (Additionally, Five Star’s call center in Utah generates leads and makes appointments for local owners).
Adam: Our philosophy is that we’ll paint anything. We do have a three-room minimum, but beyond that every job is important. Jobs range from a quick $500 three-room painting contract to a 56,000-square-foot warehouse job. That one was an $18,000 contract! Small jobs are just as important as the big ones. Not only are they more manageable, they are a great way of getting your name out there.

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned?
Meredith: When Adam first came to me with the idea of buying a painting franchise, I couldn’t believe that many people would hire out for painting. We are do-it-yourselfers. I just didn’t realize how big of a market there is for painting. It really blew my mind when I saw how many people want to hire out for interior and exterior painting.
Adam: During our first year in business we bit off more than we could chew and grew too fast, especially on the commercial side. We went back and regrouped and got back to basics. We actually made less money on paper during our second year, but it was sustainable, managed growth. So, one of our secrets, which we learned the hard way, is that it’s OK to grow at your own rate.

FS: What keeps you active in your free time?
Meredith: Our girls, Addyson and Josie, are both involved in dance. We go to competitions and conventions. Last year I took an adult dance class and decided I would have love a second career as a hip-hop dancer. Owning a Five Star franchise gives me the flexibility of also being a hands-on mom. I can write paychecks in my yoga pants. I can still volunteer at my kids’ school.
Adam: I used to only have one hobby – home renovation. Two years ago I took up golf. Now I love it. My four-year-old likes to come out to the course with me and “drive” the golf carts.

Why would you recommend Five Star Painting to someone interested in owning a business?
Adam: There’s a built-in market for painting. There’s always going to be a need for it. Five Star has a low barrier of entry, which makes is easier to get your franchise up and running. And last, but not least, the guys behind Five Star are great people who want to help you succeed. You are not a number at Five Star. You are a member of the family.
Meredith: The corporate management at Five Star wants you to be as successful as you can possibly be and they back that up. The support is just amazing. For example, the call center performs a vital function for the franchisees. Over the years, we’ve worked with them closely, exchanging endless emails and phone calls. They are essential to our success.

(Source: 5starfranchising.com)