Sometimes, leaving a stable career isn’t just a leap of faith—it’s a carefully calculated next step. That’s exactly what Sarah Ross did after 10 years in corporate accounting, when she chose to step away from spreadsheets and into entrepreneurship through a Fresh Coat Painters franchise in Austin, Texas.
On a recent episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Sarah shared how a blend of practical thinking, gentle strength, and family support helped her build a thriving painting business and a peaceful life.
Why She Chose Franchising
Sarah knew herself well: she was strong in operations and finance, but marketing and sales weren’t her comfort zone. That’s what drew her to franchising.
“I liked the idea of owning a business, but I wasn’t ready to build from scratch,” she said. “Franchising let me step into entrepreneurship with structure and support.”
Fresh Coat was the perfect fit—budget-friendly, available in her desired Austin territory, and rooted in an industry that was here to stay.
The Leap of Faith (With Backup)
Despite being risk-averse, Sarah made the jump—with a backup plan in hand and the support of her spouse, who continued working in nursing during the transition.
“I told her, if it doesn’t work, I’ll go back to accounting,” Sarah shared. “We were young enough to recover, and that gave me the confidence to try.”
From Franchisee to Family Business
Over time, Sarah brought her twin brother into the company—a perfect complement to her introverted, detail-oriented style.
“He’s the outgoing one,” she laughed. “I’m behind the scenes, and he’s out meeting clients. It works beautifully.”
Together, they’ve grown the business, scaled across multiple territories, and created a family-first culture that puts relationships and integrity at the center.
Her Business Motto: Givers Gain
Sarah credits much of her business growth to her participation in BNI (Business Network International). The group’s motto—Givers Gain—became her personal philosophy.
“We give back through our Fresh Coat Cares program,” she said. “We paint for people in need and support other small businesses. The more we give, the more our community supports us in return.”
Advice for New Franchisees
Sarah’s advice? Trust the system and do what the franchisor tells you to do.
“They’re never going to ask you to do something they haven’t proven works,” she said. “It took me a few years to fully follow the model—and when I did, we scaled fast.”
Other tips include:
- Know your strengths, but be coachable
- Push through your comfort zone (especially if you’re an introvert)
- Have the drive—because franchising still takes work
- And when it gets tough? “Take a deep breath.”
What’s Next?
Though she’s not looking to take over all of Austin, Sarah is focused on scaling sustainably—and eventually selling her business for retirement. With a high-growth territory, great local partnerships, and strong brand recognition, that plan is well on track.
Final Thoughts
Sarah Ross is proof that introverts make incredible leaders. That peace, trust, and hard work are a winning formula. And that business done with purpose can truly transform lives—starting with your own.