How Franchising Gave Drew Yoder The Freedom To Love What He Does

Why did Drew Yoder leave the telecom industry for business ownership?

Before becoming a franchise owner with That 1 Painter Fort Collins, Drew Yoder spent nearly 20 years working in the technology and telecom industry. Over the course of two decades, he experienced three separate layoffs and reached a point where he felt the future of his career was hanging by a thread. With the rise of AI, automation, and shifting corporate structures, Drew found himself constantly bracing for the next wave of job cuts.

He describes himself as being “at the end of the plank,” waiting for automation to push him off. That feeling of instability, paired with the lack of fulfillment in his day-to-day corporate role, pushed him to reconsider what he wanted out of his working life.

Drew realized he wanted to be closer to real, hands-on service work. He wanted to contribute to something tangible. He wanted to be part of an industry where people were needed, where craftsmanship mattered, and where work could not be automated away. That realization led him to intentionally search for opportunities in the service industry.

When he found That 1 Painter, he discovered exactly what he had been hoping for: a stable, high-demand service business backed by strong systems, deep training, and a community that felt like family.

Three months after launching, Drew says the growth curve is already starting to look like the hockey stick trajectory he had hoped for.

What was Drew’s training experience like with ResiBrands?

Drew describes the ResiBrands training experience as incredibly thorough, detailed, and robust. He was especially impressed by the massive library of resources inside Trainual, the training platform franchisees use.

According to Drew, “What’s available in Trainual is insane.” He explains that any time a franchisee requests a resource, a template, or a guide, the ResiBrands team quickly produces it and adds it directly into the system. For a new business owner stepping into an industry they have never worked in before, having such comprehensive resources made all the difference.

One of Drew’s biggest concerns before signing the franchise agreement was whether support would fade once the contract was finalized. Instead, he says the opposite happened. The support became stronger. The resources increased. The coaching intensified. As he puts it, “The lights turned on instead of turning off.”

With an estimated 300 hours of curriculum, Drew believes the training has been fundamental to his early success. It gave him clarity, confidence, and step-by-step direction for every part of the business.

What does Drew appreciate most about the ResiBrands community?

Drew often talks about how much he values the community within ResiBrands. To him, it feels less like a company and more like a family. Franchisees help each other, share advice, and push each other to succeed. There is a culture of openness that makes it easy for new owners to ask questions, get help, and learn faster.

He says the coaching team is the best he has ever experienced in any company he has worked for. Coaches do not simply give advice. They act like quarterbacks, connecting people to the right resources, coordinating support, and making sure every owner has access to the same playbook and the same systems.

Drew believes this kind of community is rare. It creates a sense of belonging and confidence that he never had in his previous corporate roles. He knows he is building his own business, but he never feels like he is doing it alone.

What are Drew’s long-term goals as a franchise owner?

For the first time in his career, Drew feels like the next ten years of his professional life are mapped out clearly. He plans to continue growing That 1 Painter Fort Collins and maturing the territories he owns. Once he reaches a stable level of growth, he sees several possible future paths:

• He could continue scaling the business
• He could sell it
• He could eventually pass it on to his kids

Drew has three children, and he loves the idea of building something that could become a family legacy. The flexibility and potential of franchising excite him. For him, this is not just a job. It is a long-term opportunity with multiple pathways, and all of them lead to a strong future.

He describes this feeling as “thrilling,” especially compared to the dead-end feeling he often had in corporate telecom.

How does business ownership compare to Drew’s previous career?

The difference between working as an employee and working for himself has been life changing for Drew. In his prior career, he often had to force himself to get up in the morning and start working. The motivation was minimal and the excitement was nonexistent.

With That 1 Painter, everything is different.

Drew says that now he springs out of bed each morning. From the moment he becomes conscious and thinks, “I should wake up,” he is already excited about the day ahead. Within minutes, he is at his computer, energized and ready to go. The work motivates him naturally. He does not need to push himself to start the day. Instead, he has to force himself to stop.

He describes this shift as “night and day.” The emotional energy, the sense of purpose, and the daily excitement are things he did not expect but now deeply values.

Why does Drew find business ownership so empowering?

For Drew, entrepreneurship has unlocked a sense of empowerment he never experienced as a corporate employee. Instead of waiting for decisions to be made above him, he now has full control over the direction of his work, his energy, and his long-term goals.

He loves:

• The autonomy
• The ownership
• The clear connection between effort and results
• The ability to build something real
• The opportunity to shape his future

Business ownership gives him renewed confidence and excitement about his career. He no longer feels stuck or replaceable. He feels valuable, essential, and motivated to keep growing.

Even on tough days, he says the experience is exciting. The challenges strengthen him instead of draining him. The wins remind him why he took the leap. And the forward momentum makes him feel more alive than he has in years.

How has franchising reenergized Drew’s personal and professional life?

Drew’s journey is not just about work. It is also about personal reinvention.

He says he feels more energized, more confident, and more driven than he has in decades. The shift from corporate employee to entrepreneur has awakened a sense of purpose that was missing for years. He feels present. He feels productive. And he feels excited about building a future that he owns completely.

This new mindset impacts every part of his life, from his mornings to his outlook on the future. It has given him a renewed sense of direction that continues to grow stronger each day.

What advice does Drew have for people considering franchising?

Drew encourages anyone thinking about franchising to take a serious look at what ResiBrands offers. He believes the systems, training, and support are unmatched, and the sense of community makes all the difference, especially for new owners.

His biggest advice is simple:

Do not let fear stop you.
Trust the process.
Surround yourself with the ResiBrands community.

Drew’s story shows that stepping into entrepreneurship after years of corporate uncertainty can lead to a fulfilling and empowering new chapter. The early days may feel unstable, but with resilience, support, and the right franchise system, success becomes not only possible but exciting.