Veteran-Turned-Franchisee Launches TruBlue To Help Rural Seniors Age Safely at Home
Drawing from his military background, corporate career and personal experience with aging parents, Jonathan Baughman is bringing much-needed handyman and home maintenance services to rural Ohio.
After years in the military and pharmaceutical industries, Newark, Ohio native Jonathan Baughman is embracing a new mission: helping seniors live safely and independently in their homes. Through his new TruBlue Home Service Ally franchise, Baughman aims to become the go-to resource for aging-in-place solutions in Licking County — a rural region where many residents are underserved. With a hands-on mindset and a heart for service, he's ready to step out from behind the desk and into a purpose-driven business that supports both homes and the people who live in them.
1851 spoke with Baughman to learn more about his background and what drew him to the TruBlue brand.
1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?
Jonathan Baughman: I’ve lived here in the Newark area my whole life, and my drive with this franchise is really to help the community however we can. I want to give back by being a resource. This franchise isn’t just about houses — it’s about people. That’s where I want to focus: being that trusted person the community can rely on regularly.
1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?
Baughman: I worked the regular corporate American job for years — 13 years in the pharmaceutical and nutritional industry doing calibration maintenance. Before that, I was in the military, working in maintenance there too. I always try to do my best and always pay attention to details as people's lives are on the line.
Now, being an owner. I can get out in the community instead of in a factory. That’s one of my biggest missions — getting out and being able to bless people in many different ways.
1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?
Baughman: I had a little business of my own that I ran on the side as a hobby for the past 13 years, —JBDetecting, LLC a Metal Detecting and Locating Services—. So I already had a small step into business ownership. But I’d been looking for a while for that next chapter, and franchising really stood out as a resource. It provides the playbook — I just have to put in the hard work. And more importantly, TruBlue services are really needed in my community.
1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?
Baughman: What drew me in was that it’s not just handyman work — there’s recurring maintenance and a big focus on seniors. That’s such an important population, and there’s a real need for more education around aging in place. It’s about helping prevent injuries and giving people the tools to maintain their independence in their homes. That was a big selling point for me.
1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?
Baughman: I want to reach everyone in the county and be the trusted aging-in-place resource. My area is more rural than Columbus next door, and a lot of people out here aren’t getting serviced because others don’t want to travel out this way. My goal is to build a quality team that can serve the entire area and neighboring areas.
1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?
Baughman: Both of my parents — and my wife’s parents — are in that aging-in-place phase, and I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to have trusted support. You don’t think about it until something happens. That’s another reason I got into this — to learn and provide that resource through proper vendors. Being part of a franchise with a national name gives us the tools to do that.
1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?
Baughman: Find your passion. Figure out what makes you tick and keep learning — education is key. You also have to take a big step in faith. If you’re committed to growing and doing the work, franchising can give you a solid rock foundation. Pray about it.
About TruBlue Home Service Ally:
TruBlue Home Service Ally® provides a unique and affordable approach to helping busy adults and seniors live a worry-free life by offering trustworthy handyman, home maintenance and senior modification services. Helping you maintain your home both inside and out, TruBlue’s services include handyman projects and to-do list chores, preventative home maintenance programs, kitchen and bath remodels, seasonal work, and senior modification services, all handled by professional, bonded and insured Tru-Pro® Technicians. TruBlue franchise owners are required to complete senior home safety certification programs through the NAHB and Age Safe America. As certified specialists, TruBlue franchisees are able to perform aging in place home safety assessments and can make recommended safety modifications as needed.
All locations are independently owned and operated. Service offerings, certifications and licenses vary by location.
By Luca Piacentini 1851 Franchise Managing Editor
https://1851franchise.com/jonathan-baughman-trublue-franchise-ohio-2730279