First appeared in Black Enterprise Magazine

Initially, Jacqueline Gathers had plans to start and run her Pillar To Post franchise in Brooklyn, NY with her husband, as shared in our first BLACK ENTERPRISE profile of Gathers in the 2018 article Pillar To Post Franchisee Carries On Legacy After Losing Her Husband.  Now, six years later, Gathers has resurrected that dream of a family business by bringing her son, Tim Gathers, aboard.  BE caught up with Gathers to learn more about how that decision was made and how it has impacted the business.

[Black Enterprise] In our previous interview, you talked about the plan to run your Pillar to Post franchise with your husband, who passed unexpectedly.  When and why did you decide to bring your son into the business?

[Jacqueline Gathers] It just made sense. Tim witnessed me getting the business up and running, and when he decided he was unsure of his career path, I invited him to get his license and join the business while he figured out what he wanted to do. He actually discovered he enjoyed conducting home inspections and his reviews from clients were extremely positive! He also discovered that he liked working with his hands, which made bringing him into the business the perfect decision. Not just for him, but for the business as well.

[BE] How has running the business with your son different and what advice do you have to parents who are trying to decide if bringing children in is the right decision?

[Gathers] My son is in the Gen-Z bracket and their mindset is quite different from a baby boomer to say the least. He has initiated certain changes in the business that I didn’t agree with at first, but they really seem to make a good difference. His use and implementation of technology has been beneficial for us. Tim is very bright and is already helping shape the business for the future. He now takes the initiative to start conversations about ideas and technology he feels we should implement in our business. Prior to that, he just took instructions for me and let me lead the way. It’s a joy to see his growth within the business, but also, I’m just proud of my son.

I think when considering having a child work in the business, it should be a choice not a directive. At the end of the day, a career choice should be something they enjoy, not an obligation.

[BE] We talk a lot about family legacy and generational wealth, are there things you’re doing, or steps you’re taking to ensure your business is around for generations to come?  If so, what are those things?

[Gathers] It is so important that we have a solid and reliable team to assist with running the business. We spent a lot of time training inspectors, so they perform inspections at a high standard, which is expected from Pillar To Post. Eventually when Tim steps away from conducting inspections, we will have reliable people to meet the demands of the business. Tim is starting to learn the business side of the franchise so when the time comes, he can take a front seat with managing and continuing to grow the business.

[BE] As a black woman in a predominantly white, male, industry, what challenges have you encountered and how have you dealt with them?  Do you find clients more receptive to your son?

[Gathers] It was difficult. Most inspectors did not look like me. I had a hard time convincing folks that I knew what I was doing. But I was good at it, so I maintained consistency. Eventually, I started to build trust with the realtors in the neighborhood, and I saw them repeat with me for different properties. Then, those repeats began recommending my services to other realtors, and my clients started to recommend me as well. I’ve grown my territory further than I previously could have and each step of the way, I’ve continued to build relationships in the community and help not only lead quality inspections but also to help educate the community on homeownership and building wealth in the black community. I am a member of the Brooklyn chapter of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) and I am also currently the 2nd Vice President of the Bedford Stuyvesant Real Estate Board, Brooklyn chapter. NAREB’s platform is to increase black home ownership across the U.S. I assist by educating first time home buyers on the importance of the home inspection component when purchasing a home. Especially those coming out of the pandemic in my son’s age bracket that might not have any idea of whether they even can buy a home. I also mentor individuals interested in becoming a home inspector.

When my son shows up for an inspection, they do not bat an eye. It appears they seem more welcoming towards him and began asking him questions and approaching him, as opposed to just following me around and observing me. Looks like there’s still room for me to continue shifting people’s perspective on me as an inspector. However, it hasn’t stopped me before. I’m happy my son is respected as he’s grown in the business, but there’s still more for me to fight for as a black woman in home inspection.

[BE] Do you think you could have built such a successful business as an independent?  In other words, what is it about franchising that has led to your success?

[Gathers] In my opinion franchising is a no-brainer. I didn’t have to create a logo, figure out colors, build a website, create marketing materials, etc. All I had to do was focus on inspecting and targeting my clients. In addition, I have an entire management team to go to for advice and guidance for any unique situation inspections may bring. I still speak with my Regional Director once a month about any issues I may have. And he’s always available if I need to call him aside for my monthly call if I have any concerns or issues. That alone is priceless!

Submitted by Nancy Williams, Expert Franchise Consultant