Franchisee Profile: Ray Fonos of Pittsburgh, PA

Franchisee: Ray Fonos
Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Q: What did you do before becoming a HomeTeam franchisee?
A: I spent 25 years in corporate America working in sales and service product management. I was starting to get tired of the whole corporate culture, having all the responsibility without all the power and the “more with less” mentality. When my company was bought out, I took my chance to strike out on my own.

Q: How did you learn about HomeTeam?
A: A former employee I kept in touch with owned a HomeTeam franchise and was very happy with it. He said he thoroughly enjoyed the work, and after doing some research I decided it sounded like something I would enjoy.

Q: What steps did you take to validate HomeTeam as a brand?
A: I did lots of research online into HomeTeam and its competitors, checking the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 and other resources. I ended up choosing HomeTeam because of their marketing program. None of the other brands I looked at could match the professionalism, content or quality of HomeTeam’s material.

Q: What are some career milestones for you? Is there anything unique about your business?
A: My growth has been exponential every year we’ve been open. Last year I was in the top 10 for HomeTeam franchises, and we’re set to do so again this year. Even though it’s been a tough year for the housing industry, we’ve done very well. We continue to gain market share. My strong service background enables us to deliver the highest quality service and superior customer care.

ABOUT HOMETEAM INSPECTION SERVICE:
For more than 20 years, HomeTeam Inspection Service, a 175-plus-unit home inspection franchise, has brought exceptional quality, value and dependability to the home inspection industry.  HomeTeam franchisees work with homebuyers, home sellers and real estate professionals to service home inspection needs.  Today, HomeTeam Inspection Service continues to expand throughout the United States by offering franchise opportunities.  For more information on HomeTeam Inspection Service, visit www.hometeaminspection.com.

Franchisee Profile: Terry Campell

Franchisee: Terry Campbell
Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Q: What did you do before becoming a HomeTeam franchisee?
A: I was working as the general manager for an engineering firm. When the company was sold, I was told I’d be relocated to Europe. I decided that wasn’t right for me, so I began looking into other business opportunities.

Q: How did you learn about HomeTeam?
A: I initially decided to go into franchising because of the ease of entry into the market. The format of a ready-to-go business caught my eye. While researching inspection services, HomeTeam really stood out because of their professionalism. That sense of professionalism was reinforced when I met with members of their corporate staff and spoke to other franchisees. They’re not the biggest company in the industry, but I think they’re the most stable.

Q: What are some career milestones for you? Is there anything unique about your business?
A: Last year I was the fastest growing franchise in the system and ranked in the top 10 for sales. I also offer a few uncommon services not many other HomeTeam franchises do, including mold testing and heating and cooling services.