By Jacqueline Gathers, Pillar To Post Home Inspectors

How Trust, Consistency, and Visibility Are Reshaping What Success Looks Like In Franchising

When I first stepped into the world of franchising, I wasn’t trying to change an industry. I was trying to build a future for myself, my family, and my community. As a Black woman in a male-dominated field like home inspection, I didn’t know anyone who looked like me doing this work. But instead of walking away, I chose to stay and to lead.

After 30 years with the New York City Housing Authority, I retired and found a new way to serve my community: through entrepreneurship. My late husband and I had started exploring franchise ownership together. After he passed, I held the keys to our new business and made the decision to move forward on my own. It was one of the most difficult and transformative decisions of my life.

At the Housing Authority, I worked closely with families navigating the city’s complex housing system. That experience taught me how to listen deeply, communicate clearly, and build trust — all qualities that now define how I serve clients as a franchise owner.

The decision to franchise rather than start a business from scratch was about partnership and standards. I didn’t want to build everything from the ground up; I wanted a model that worked, a brand that cared, and a system that respected my time. Pillar To Post gave me all three. It gave me the freedom to lead while staying aligned with a network of professionals.

Women Lead with Consistency

I’ve found that consistency is where women often shine. In my business, that means showing up early, dressed professionally, and delivering the same quality experience every time. Our clients know what to expect, which is: no surprises, no excuses. That kind of dependability builds trust fast, especially with first-time homebuyers or those who may not have grown up learning about homeownership. In that way, consistency becomes its own form of leadership.

Building a Brand, Not Just a Business

For many of us, franchising isn’t just about income, it’s also about identity. I’m proud that people now refer to me as “the lady inspector.” I built a brand that reflects who I am: detail-oriented, responsive, and rooted in the community. My son works with me now, allowing me to focus more on marketing and education. I speak at events, sponsor seminars, and lead conversations around Black homeownership, property management, and wealth-building.

Creating Access and Representation

There’s something powerful about being visible. I live in Staten Island and work in neighborhoods where real estate offices didn’t always welcome me. But I kept showing up. I brought cookies. I brought professionalism. And I built trust.

Today, I’m still one of the only women — and certainly the only Black woman — inspecting homes in some parts of New York. But I’m not alone. I mentor others, especially women and young people of color, who want to learn this business. Because when people see someone who looks like them succeeding, their dreams feel possible.

Over the years, I’ve received calls from women across the country, many of whom never imagined themselves in home inspection, who saw my story and felt encouraged to pursue it themselves. Representation opens doors, but mentorship holds those doors open. I’m proud to have mentored several aspiring inspectors, especially women of color, through their first certifications and early business decisions.

The Real Impact of Female Franchise Business Owners

Women franchise owners bring more than just business acumen; we bring lived experience. We understand the value of relationships, of empathy, of building something with purpose. For me, franchise ownership isn’t about being the exception. It’s about showing that women at any age, with any background, can thrive when given the tools and opportunity.

Franchising with Pillar To Post gave me that foundation; the structure, support, and community I needed to turn my vision into a reality. I’m proud to be part of a brand that empowers entrepreneurs to lead with confidence and impact.

Yes, we bring unique perspectives. But more importantly, we bring results.

Jacqueline Gathers is a New York State Licensed Home Inspector and a franchise business owner of Pillar To Post Home Inspectors, specializing in educating first-time homebuyers and underserved communities in Brooklyn and Staten Island. For more information about IFA franchisor member Pillar To Post Home Inspectors, please visit franchise.org/franchise-opportunities/pillar-to-post-home-inspectors/.