With a background in engineering, Matt Hamm wouldn’t have guessed his career path would include business ownership, first in pharmaceuticals, then in tree and lawn care.
Matt Hamm has worked in the pharmacy industry for three decades. Now, in addition to offering healing services to people, he is trying his hand at healing trees.
Hamm has been a part owner in his pharmacy for years and has enjoyed many aspects of business ownership, but he was keen to learn something new and subsidize his retirement fund at the same time. Franchising wasn’t Hamm’s first thought, but he spoke to a friend of his who happens to be a franchise broker. After hearing about the benefits of the franchise model, Hamm decided to look into potential opportunities. He researched several brands, but kept coming back to Joshua Tree Experts, the emerging tree care franchise.
“I loved that it felt like three franchises in one. There are multiple streams of revenue with tree service, lawn care and pest control,” he said.
Hamm also felt that the corporate team put a lot of trust in him and welcomed him with open arms, making him feel confident and supported in his new business (which currently covers three large territories). Hamm was drawn to the stability of the model, but he also was interested in the brand’s emphasis on tree care.
“The brand doesn’t just go and cut down trees. They specialize in tree preservation, which is something I really appreciate,” he said.
He looks forward to offering his services in North and West Central Indiana in the coming spring.
1851 Franchise spoke with Hamm about his journey into franchising with Joshua Tree Experts and his plans for the future.
PROFILE QUESTIONS
1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?
Hamm: I have been in the pharmacy business for 30 years; funnily enough, I have a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, which hasn’t been all that useful in pharmacy or my new business venture.
I am a part owner of a pharmacy and have been in the industry for a long time, but I wanted a way to subsidize my retirement, along with something that would allow me to make a bigger change down the road.
I was really cautious when selecting an industry. In some industries and with some franchise concepts, so many new locations are opening and oversaturating the market. I wanted a concept that felt stable and safe. It feels like something I can contribute to even after I am retired, in addition to just being an owner.
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?
Hamm: I didn’t know a whole lot beforehand. I had heard about the concept, but a friend of mine became a franchise broker and he educated me on it. Everything I have done in the past involved me opening a business from scratch.
But with franchising, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. You take something that already exists and you can run with it. You have the support of a group of people who are helping you and overseeing what you are doing. Their success requires your success, so it is mutually beneficial.
1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?
Hamm: I loved that it felt like three franchises in one. There are multiple streams of revenue with tree service, lawn care and pest control. That is appealing to me.
The brand doesn’t just go and cut down trees. They specialize in tree preservation, which is something I really appreciate. I love the cleanliness of the persona and professional look. The brand is just starting out, so they’re very interested in supporting me and gave me a great deal by allowing me to buy two territories and get one free. Then on top of that they expanded my territory, giving me a bigger map to run with. They really opened their arms to me and welcomed me into their family.
1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?
Hamm: I hope to have multiple crews within a year or two. I’d like to expand further into other territories, but I think I’ve got a pretty hefty territory right now to maintain. I’m mostly looking forward to providing the lawn care and the pest control services and seeing what I can accomplish with that.
1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?
Hamm: Don’t close your mind to looking into new concepts. This isn’t something I am an expert in, and I didn’t go to school for this. I know nothing about trees. I am a pharmacy guy, but I also love the outdoors and so I’m willing to learn.
1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?
Hamm: It didn’t happen overnight. It took me eight months to make a decision. I talked it over with a lot of people and then the numbers and projections are really what convinced me. It was a lower risk than a lot of other concepts.
If you put your mind to something, and have some confidence, you can do it. I’ll have a good team with solid knowledge there to support me.
ABOUT JOSHUA TREE EXPERTS
Founded in Lehigh Valley, PA, in 2005 by Joshua Malik, Joshua Tree Experts started as a general tree services and plant healthcare company. After nearly a decade of perfecting the business model, Joshua Tree Experts launched new services, including lawn care and pest control, to cater to client demand and offer prospective franchisees multiple revenue streams. In 2021, the brand began franchising. It now seeks qualified franchise owners to bring this much-needed service to markets throughout the country.
1851franchise.com
https://1851franchise.com/joshua-tree-experts-new-franchisee-from-pharmacy-owner-to-tree-lawn-and-pest-control-2725099
