Why This Experienced Interior Designer is Now a TruBlue Franchisee in Nashville

Dara Sharma, the newest franchisee joining the TruBlue Home Service Ally family, has spent the last 23 years becoming a well-established figure in the realms of interior design, architecture and construction. Dara also has extensive design experience that includes health care facilities, higher education buildings, commercial office spaces, hospitality spaces, and luxury development. After facing roadblocks and hitting a glass ceiling in her corporate journey and having a pressing desire to champion women in her industry, Dara was ready to take control of her own destiny and ensure she would never be in a position to hit a glass ceiling again.

She envisions her TruBlue franchise not just as a business, but as a means to give back to the Middle Tennessee communities she has lived in for three decades. She hopes to merge her expansive design expertise, first hand understanding of busy families lives, heartfelt empathy for the elderly aging in place and dedication to championing women in the industry in order to forge a comprehensive service business that gives back to and enriches her community.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Dara: I’ve been in the Nashville area for 30 years. I went to college at O’more College of Architecture and Design in Franklin and graduated from there with a B.A. in Interior Design and have been a practicing Interior Designer in this area ever since except for a brief stint in NYC before we had kids. My experience is mostly in interior design, architecture and construction. I have extensive experience in healthcare design, hospitals, free standing emergency rooms as well as higher education/ universities, commercial office spaces, hospitality, and luxury home designs. 

My husband is a real estate investor. We have often collaborated on long term rentals, short-term rentals, multi-family projects, renovations and property management. During this time I was also a freelance residential interior designer So, I’ve really had a wide array of design, architecture and construction experience over the last 23 years or so.

My most recent role, prior to purchasing the Franklin and Brentwood TruBlue territories, was Director of Architecture and Design for a prominent local luxury golf resort community. I really hit the glass ceiling hard there,  resulting in a difficult ending no one should ever have to endure. That experience really inspired me to reevaluate my life and career. I ultimately decided to take a leap and to go out on my own. My husband has always been an entrepreneur, and I knew it was time for me to do something on my own as well. Throughout my work experience, while climbing the corporate ladder as a woman, it was incredibly difficult for me to get into the leadership roles I knew I was capable of. That is why I have a strong passion to have a woman owned business.

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?

Dara: I also teach interior design at Belmont University as an adjunct professor. I teach all about the importance of having processes. I really believe that when you are working on any project, you have to have systems and processes in place. That is one of the main reasons I chose a franchise and the TruBlue franchise - because they have these very systems and processes in place.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Dara: When we found TruBlue, it really felt like the perfect fit. I have so much experience with home design, managing properties, and knowledge about caring and designing healthcare spaces for the elderly. On a personal note, we have been caring for my husband’s aging parents for the past 15 years or so. We lost his mom to Alzheimer's 4 years ago. TruBlue focuses on aging in place services for seniors, and I have a lot of understanding and compassion after watching my husband's parents age in place, dealing with grab bars, ramps, modifications to the home, cleaning, lawn care etc. It really hit home for me. We know first hand how hard it is for adult children of elderly parents who are trying to help them age in place in their home.

With my background and my experience, I am confident I can successfully operate a premium handyman, home repair, remodeling, and home maintenance business. I am also very proud to be a  women owned business in the design and construction industry. That is really what drove me to deciding that TruBlue was the best fit for me —  I can give back to my community. Giving homeowners time back in their life to spend with their kids on the weekends and evenings, and help the elderly age in place in their homes. 

When we were doing our research, it was also clear that TruBlue offered a lot of support being a national company. We’re not going to be just another handyman company, we are part of a growing, thriving family of TruBlue owners. 

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Dara: After getting the business off the ground, I would love to market it across all of Middle Tennessee. My plan is to bring on a supportive team to manage the two territories I currently own. Beyond that, my goal is to have a premium local business that has a stellar reputation in our community.  

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Dara: My husband and I have raised our three sons here in this community. We are very much in tune with what we are offering to busy families because we are one ourselves. We are in a sense giving back to other families as a family. Our boys are very familiar with property maintenance, property management, renovations and home repairs and we think this will be an amazing family-run business. 

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Dara: If someone is interested in owning their own business but is afraid of the unknowns that come along with it, finding the right franchise can be a great fit for an aspiring business owner. The right franchise will assist you every step along the way and make sure you are being held accountable to be a successful business. If you are a sole owner, acquiring a franchise is a great way to get your foot in the door to owning a business with a ton of support. 

For more information on franchise opportunities with TruBlue, please visit https://1851franchise.com/trubluehousecare/info.

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, seasonal work, and senior modification services, all handled by a professional, bonded and insured TruPro® Technician. TruBlue franchise owners are required to complete the Senior Home Safety Specialist certification program through 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.