Why Franchising With Garage Up Was Challenging But Rewarding

Who is the owner of Garage Up Rochester Hills?

The owner of Garage Up Rochester Hills is Larry McDonald, a Michigan entrepreneur who officially launched his business in April of this year. Although he has only been operating for a short time, Larry is already building traction in the Rochester Hills area. His journey has been shaped by hands-on learning, a builder mindset, and the courage to step into franchise ownership after years of research and reflection.

Before joining Garage Up, Larry spent several years looking into different business opportunities, but nothing felt like the right fit. It was only when he discovered Garage Up that everything clicked, and he decided it was finally time to take the leap into entrepreneurship. His story reflects many of the fears, questions, and breakthroughs that new franchise owners experience, making his journey a relatable and inspiring one.

What was Larry’s experience during Garage Up training?

Larry describes his Garage Up training as extremely hands-on and practical, which was exactly what he needed as a new franchise owner stepping into a technical service industry. From the very beginning, the training program made sure owners were learning through real projects, not just classroom materials.

One of the core experiences of training was completing a full epoxy garage floor. Larry and the other new franchisees worked together on installation, giving them confidence with the products, tools, and techniques they would soon be offering to customers. Getting to perform an actual epoxy floor installation helped Larry understand the workflow, timing, and craftsmanship of the service.

In addition to flooring, the training also included a full hands-on session with garage doors. The group completely disassembled a garage door and then put it back together, giving them direct exposure to the mechanics behind repairs, replacements, and maintenance. This level of hands-on training helped remove uncertainty and build technical confidence before launching into the field.

Beyond the skills themselves, Larry appreciated that training gave him the chance to connect with two other franchise owners in his cohort. Meeting people on the same journey provided connection, encouragement, and early friendships within the franchise community. For Larry, the entire training experience felt strong from start to finish, and he left feeling prepared, supported, and excited to get started.

How does Larry describe running Garage Up Rochester Hills?

Larry explains that running Garage Up Rochester Hills feels like solving a Rubik’s cube every day. As someone with what he calls a “builder mentality,” he thrives on analyzing moving parts, understanding how they fit together, and constantly adjusting to keep the business moving forward.

He compares ownership to evaluating what is happening left, right, up, and down at all times. Scheduling, customer communication, supply management, quotes, installations, marketing efforts, and team coordination all play a part in daily operations. While this can be challenging, Larry views it as a puzzle that rewards effort and consistency.

Each completed job, each positive customer experience, and each operational breakthrough gives him a sense of accomplishment. For Larry, the complexity of business ownership is not a burden but part of the appeal. It pushes him to grow, stay sharp, and think strategically about how to continue improving every day.

What fears did Larry face when starting the business?

For Larry, one of the most honest parts of his journey is acknowledging the fear that came with starting Garage Up Rochester Hills. He spent almost three years researching different franchise opportunities, exploring possibilities, and imagining what business ownership could look like. Even with all that exploration, there was still hesitation.

He often reflects on where he might be today if he had started three years earlier. Like many new franchisees, Larry recognizes that fear can delay progress and create doubt. The unknowns, the financial investment, the shift in routine, and the responsibility of ownership can all make the early stages feel overwhelming.

But Larry also emphasizes that fear is natural, and it should not be a stopping point. He believes the most important moment is the one when you move past hesitation and finally take action. Once he committed to launching Garage Up, things began to change quickly. He started seeing progress, momentum, and confidence build day by day.

That first step forward was the hardest, but it unlocked a sense of accomplishment that continues to grow as the business evolves.

How does Larry view progress and momentum as a new franchise owner?

Larry explains that the early wins, even small ones, make a major difference in confidence and motivation. When he started Garage Up Rochester Hills, he approached it with the understanding that it would take effort, patience, and problem solving. He expected challenges, but he also expected growth.

What surprised him most was how quickly momentum began to build once he put in the work. Completing training, taking on his first projects, talking to customers, and watching the business take shape gave him tangible markers of progress.

For Larry, each step forward proves that the fear he felt in the beginning was worth pushing through. Every new skill learned, every customer served, and every completed job reinforces that he chose the right path.

What has Larry learned about entrepreneurship so far?

Through the early months of ownership, Larry has developed a clear understanding of what it takes to succeed as a new franchisee. His biggest lessons include:

1. Fear is normal, but action builds confidence

Larry believes fear is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign that you are entering something meaningful. But the real transformation happens once you move forward anyway. Taking action reduces fear and replaces it with clarity.

2. Progress comes from consistency

Entrepreneurship is built on consistent effort. Larry has learned that showing up daily, solving problems as they come, and taking small steps creates long term momentum.

3. Challenges can be rewarding

As Larry continues navigating ownership, he sees challenges as opportunities to grow. Each new obstacle teaches him something that ultimately makes his business stronger.

4. Hands-on learning accelerates success

The hands-on training environment helped Larry launch with confidence, and the ongoing experience of real-world projects continues to sharpen his skills.

What advice does Larry offer to people considering a franchise?

Larry offers clear, simple advice to anyone thinking about franchising:

Fear is normal, but it should not stop you.

He encourages aspiring business owners to trust the process, take the leap, and believe in their ability to grow. Research is important, preparation matters, but at some point the next step is committing.

Once you make that decision, the progress you see becomes motivating. The accomplishment you feel becomes energizing. And the pride of building something of your own becomes deeply meaningful.

Larry believes that many people hold themselves back because they wait for the perfect moment. His advice is to stop waiting and start building. The earlier you begin, the sooner you see what you are capable of.

How does Larry feel about his journey with Garage Up Rochester Hills today?

Larry is still early in his business journey, but he already feels proud of how far he has come. He loves the mix of challenge and reward that comes with ownership. He appreciates the hands-on nature of the work and the strategic thinking required to run the business well.

Most importantly, he feels energized by the progress he sees each day. Ownership has helped him build confidence, develop new skills, and step into a role where he controls his future.

For Larry, Garage Up Rochester Hills is more than a franchise. It is a chance to grow, build something meaningful, and prove to himself that he can succeed in a business of his own.