While O’Rear appreciated the low cost required to get his business off the ground, what really sold him on the franchise was the team concept embodied in the name. HomeTeam uses several specialists to inspect homes and commercial buildings, a concept that appealed to O’Rear as a former B-2 squadron commander during OIF. The team concept allows HomeTeam to conduct inspections quickly and thoroughly.
“That resonated with my military background,” he said. “I understand teams, I understand leadership. I understand the power of a team. That was a pretty easy sell for me.”
O’Rear is one of 14 veterans who own a HomeTeam franchise. Their success as franchisees has been impressive, and the company is looking for more veterans to recruit, said Jarid Kossen, vice president of franchise development. “It’s tremendously beneficial for them to get into as a low-cost business,” he said. “You have relatively low overheads. This can be started from home, and most people do. The other great aspect for a younger veteran is that most of these individuals are very driven – they have a lot of enthusiasm, and that’s what you need to make this business successful as well.”
“House Doctors, a sister company that focuses on handyman/home improvements, is another home-based concept ideal for veterans, Kossen said.