Heaven's Best Franchise Owner - David Hillman - Central California

by FBR

Franchise: Heaven's Best

Name: David Hillman

Location: I own 7 territories in Central California. The areas covered are Fresno, Clovis and Kings County with a total population of about 1 million.

Age: 49

# of Years Franchising: 5 years

Previous Occupation: I was a Commander for Kings County Sheriff’s Department

Top Reason you chose your Franchise: I was fed up with the politics of the Sheriff’s Department and wanted to work for myself to get away from politics or situations I could not control. I had thought about starting my own carpet cleaning company but that seemed too risky so I started looking into franchises. I had actually contacted another carpet cleaning business because I had heard of them, but all I got was a recording. I left my name and told them I was interested in buying a franchise and a few weeks went by with no response.

Out of the blue I saw an ad in my local newspaper that read something like “Number One Carpet Cleaning Franchise Available in Your Area” so I called. Dan Child answered the phone and said “Heaven’s Best!” Well I was kind of puzzled because I had never heard of Heaven’s Best. But I had a list of questions for him and he was so helpful and I never felt pressured in anyway.

I immediately started searching the internet for anything I could find on the company and was very impressed with the information I was able to find. I called Dan several more time with follow-up questions and he was again very helpful. I also called several other Heaven’s Best Franchise Owners and could not find anyone to tell me ANYTHING negative! It just sounded too good to be true!

Dan invited me to the California Seminar for Franchise Owners that was being held the following weekend in Sacramento so I gladly accepted. My wife on the other hand was like “you want to do what!” She was hesitant to say the least but I was very excited by everything I had leaned about the company to that point. I explained to my wife that it was important for her to go because she needed to be on board with me in this venture or it would be impossible to do this on my own if I had to fight her all the way. So we went to the seminar.

We were so impressed with Cody Howard, Dan Child and all the 20 franchise owners that were there and our smiles grew larger and larger as the day went on. By the time lunch came around my wife and I were so impressed we told Dan and Cody that we wanted in! Although it hasn’t all been a walk in the park, it was the best decision I have made and I have never regretted it! The company is solid, the corporate office and Dan is always there to help and it’s growing so fast!

The week after I signed the contracts, the first carpet cleaning business I called finally returned my phone call. I was so fortunate to have found Heaven’s Best first. I really don’t know where I would be now if I had gone the other way but I don’t think I would be happy and content like I am right now. I guess things really do happen for a reason.

Best part of being your own boss? There are so many, but the best would be the flexibility in my schedule.

Worst part of being your own boss? Taxes, but other than that NOTHING!

Craziest/most interesting thing that has happened to you as a franchise owner? Nothing really crazy but I would say that the most interesting thing to happen is the success of my business. I was able to not only make a profit my first year but I was able to replace my income as a Commander for the Sheriff’s Department in my first year. Not only that, my business volume doubled the second year and again in my third year as well. The volume has tapered off a little but I could continue to double my business each year if I added more vans and crews. It really has been a great adventure free of the headaches of corporate life. Don’t get me wrong! Nothing comes effort free, without worries of any kind, but I would never trade my life now for my life before I joined the Heaven’s Best Family, Never!

Advice for prospective franchise buyers? It’s a big step but the best thing I could tell anyone is talk to as many H.B. Franchise owners as you can. They are ALL very helpful and will be totally honest with you. Make sure you have enough money for start-up and make sure you put money to pay taxes on all that money you’ll be making. Plan on living and breathing Heaven’s Best for your first few years to get the name out there and build up your business and have fun!

What was the total length of time from when you started researching franchises to when you purchased? About two or three weeks and I was in training about a week after that. When I returned from training I started working immediately. I started by cleaning for family and acquaintances and the referral work just started coming in. I also had flyers inserted in my local paper. This worked very well until my company information was in the phone book.