home improvement

Scott and Connor Farkas to lead Mt. Laurel team

MT. LAUREL, N.J. — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has announced the opening of a new location in New Jersey. Gotcha Covered of Mt. Laurel is owned and operated by Scott and Connor Farkas.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, the new center provides the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in Mt. Laurel and the surrounding areas by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

“Scott and Connor both have entrepreneurial spirits that will thrive within the Gotcha Covered family,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “Our franchise culture is a wonderful fit for a father-son team, and I have no doubt their community is going to benefit from their passion and experience.”

With backgrounds in business and consumer goods, Scott and Connor Farkas say they’re looking forward to the freedom and flexibility a franchise will offer.

“I have experience as a small business owner, and I’m looking forward to taking my entrepreneurship to the next level,” Connor Farkas said. “I first approached my father years ago about how we should open a franchise together, but we wanted to wait until the right time. That time is now, and Gotcha Covered is the right opportunity.”

Adding 30 new franchise locations in 2023, Gotcha Covered currently has over 170 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

“My uncle and aunt owned a window treatment business, and I always remember my Aunt Ruth saying how she loved turning a blank window or wall into a work of art,” Scott Farkas said. “She made all the curtains and drapes herself. I enjoy imagining what customers envision their windows should look like and helping them realize that vision.”

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Mt. Laurel, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/western-suburbs/https://www.gotchacovered.com/mt-laurel/.

Jeff Barnum to lead Western Suburbs location

MINNEAPOLIS — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has announced the opening of a new location in Minnesota. Gotcha Covered of Western Suburbs is owned and operated by Jeff Barnum.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, the new center provides the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in the Western Suburbs including Elk River, Albertville, Delano, Chaska and the surrounding areas by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

“Jeff’s analytical mind and problem-solving skills make him an ideal fit for Gotcha Covered,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “Customers often come to us with unique requests or unusual window designs, but Jeff loves a good challenge. I’m certain he’ll come up with the perfect solution to meet the customer’s needs.”

Barnum served seven years in the United States Navy. He’s spent the last 27 years in engineering, quality and customer experience roles, including 16 years at a consumer durable goods company.

“Gotcha Covered is going to provide a much-needed service for this community while also allowing me to build something of my own,” Barnum said. “I relish having the ability to grow something that will benefit my family and allow me the flexibility and quality time to enjoy the things I enjoy most, like theater and musical events. It also allows me to pursue a passion of mine, which is working with seniors. I’ve been a hospice volunteer for the past four years, and I’ll be able to do even more now.”

Adding 30 new franchise locations in 2023, Gotcha Covered currently has over 170 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Western Suburbs, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/western-suburbs/.

Tim and Michelle Schultz to lead Saratoga team

SARATOGA, N.Y. — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has announced the opening of a new location in New York. Gotcha Covered of Saratoga is owned and operated by Tim and Michelle Schultz.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, the new center provides the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in Saratoga and the Capital Region by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

“The Capital Region is seeing consistent growth, and there’s no shortage of homeowners and business owners that need high-quality products and services,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “Tim and Michelle are passionate about this community and helping others, so I know this new location is going to thrive.”

Tim Schultz has over 25 years of technology sales experience, providing consultative service to healthcare, government and commercial accounts who need secure technology solutions. Michelle Schultz has more than 20 years of design experience, having owned a design center that helped thousands of clients achieve their vision within their homes.

“There’s a freedom that comes with owning your own business and creating your own success,” Tim Schultz said. “There are challenges and uncertainty associated with corporate America, but partnering with Gotcha Covered has given us the ability to take control of our future and follow our dreams.”

The couple has lived in the area for more than 30 years and enjoys spending time at the lake, trying new restaurants and enjoying the vibrant arts community.

“We enjoy helping people transform a space to meet their specific design vision,” said Michelle Schultz. “Helping them achieve their design goals within their most important space is always very rewarding.”

Adding 30 new franchise locations in 2023, Gotcha Covered currently has over 170 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Saratoga, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/saratoga/.

Independent survey shows female franchise owners are highly satisfied with the leading custom window treatment provider’s performance

DENVER — Gotcha Covered, the leader in custom window treatment across the U.S. and Canada and part of the innovative, growing Five Star Franchising platform of home service brands, has been named a Top 100 Franchise for Women by Franchise Business Review.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, Gotcha Covered provides homeowners and businesses with the best in soft and hard window treatments, including a variety of blinds, draperies, and smart home solutions.

“Gotcha Covered is committed to the success of all of our franchise owners, who come from a wide range of backgrounds and bring a diversity of expertise,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “Franchise Business Review rankings stand out in the industry. They represent the real-world experience of franchise owners and show the true value of Gotcha Covered’s proven support and systems.”

Franchise Business Review, a franchise research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction, provides the only reviews of franchises based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. Franchise Business Review publishes its rankings of top franchises in its annual Guide to Today’s Top Franchises, as well as in quarterly reports throughout the year that recognize the top franchises in specific sectors.

Gotcha Covered was among 350 franchise brands, representing over 8,500 female franchise owners, that participated in Franchise Business Review’s research on the Top Franchises for Women. Gotcha Covered franchise owners were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including leadership, training and support, financial opportunity, and work/life balance.

“Franchising is a terrific option for women seeking business ownership on a full- or part-time basis,” said Michelle Rowan, president and COO of Franchise Business Review. “With so many franchise opportunities to choose from, it’s critical to do in-depth research to understand how satisfied current female franchise owners are with the training and support, work/life balance, financial opportunity, culture, and leadership of any brand they’re considering before making an investment. When you look at the brands on this year’s list of the Top Franchises for Women, 89% of women said they enjoy being part of their franchise organizations and 88% said they enjoy operating the business, making them all excellent options for women looking to make the transition to business ownership.”

Gotcha Covered was named to Franchise Business Review’s Top 200 Franchises list in 2023 and 2024. In 2023, the company appeared on FBR’s lists of Top Low-Cost Franchises, Top Recession-Proof Franchises, Top Franchise Cultures and Most Innovative Franchises.

For more information on franchising with Gotcha Covered, visit gotchacoveredfranchising.com.

For more information about Five Star Franchising, visit http://fivestarfranchising.com/.

New franchise owner to lead Parkland, Florida location

WESTON, Fla. — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has announced the opening of a new center in Parkland, Florida. Gotcha Covered of Parkland – Sunrise is owned and operated by Maria De La Salas.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, the new center provides the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in Parkland, Coral Springs, Tamarac, Sunrise and Plantation by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

“Florida is a very important market for the Gotcha Covered brand, so we want to ensure we are meeting the needs of our customers across the state,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “The Parkland location isn’t just providing home and business owners with window treatments. Maria (De La Salas) is bringing an essential service that will be an asset to the entire community. We are proud and happy to have her as an ambassador to the brand.”

As former president of Welcome Wagon and past general manager of Dropoff, De La Salas brings a wealth of knowledge to Gotcha Covered including experience in business transformation, new movers marketing, general management and business operations.

It was De La Salas’s passion for building and growing successful businesses that inspired her to join a franchise.

“I wanted to start and grow a business that created true value for consumers by solving their problems and making their lives easier,” said De La Salas. “I love being part of the homeowner journey, and offering immediate and qualified solutions to their window covering needs is a great way to help them through the many steps of renovating or moving into a new home.”

In addition to helping homeowners, De La Salas said that owning a franchise gives her the flexibility to be active in her community.

“My passion is to create meaningful relationships with people in my community,” De La Salas said. “Owning a Gotcha Covered is an exciting opportunity that allows me to continue being active in my community while helping homeowners by beautifying their homes.”

Adding 30 new franchise locations in 2023, Gotcha Covered currently has over 170 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Parkland Sunrise, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/parkland-sunrise/.

Local entrepreneurs Russell and Kathy Dull to lead location

PALM BAY, Fla. — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has announced the opening of a new center in Florida. Gotcha Covered of Palm Bay is owned and operated by Russell and Kathy Dull.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, the new center provides the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in the Palm Bay area by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

“We have nearly 30 locations in Florida, and it’s because homeowners and business owners there are savvy and want innovative design solutions, which are a staple of the Gotcha Covered brand,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “Russell and Kathy will continue the standard of excellence our brand offers, and I’m confident they’ll deliver amazing customer experiences at their Palm Bay location.”

With a background spanning manufacturing to software engineering, Russell Dull and his wife Kathy — who also shares a robust manufacturing career — believe they will bring a fresh perspective to the industry.

“Launching Gotcha Covered of Palm Bay is a dream realized, fueled by our ambition to set new benchmarks in service excellence and design innovation,” Russell Dull said.

The Dulls said their approach combines cutting-edge digital marketing strategies with personalized customer engagement events, aiming not only to grow their business but also to enhance the customer experience in every interaction.

“The joy of transforming a space and witnessing the immediate impact of our work is profoundly gratifying. It’s about creating moments of delight for our clients through meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail,” Kathy Dull said.

Adding 30 new franchise locations in 2023, Gotcha Covered currently has over 170 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Palm Bay, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/palm-bay/.

Adam Shaffer to lead Farmington Hills and Northville location

DETROIT — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has announced the opening of a new center in Michigan. Gotcha Covered of Farmington Hills and Northville is owned and operated by Adam Shaffer.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, the new center provides the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in the Farmington area by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

“Design know-how, creativity and problem-solving skills can be integral to a Gotcha Covered owner, and Adam has an abundance of all three,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “He’s built a career helping people find food solutions to fit their needs. Now, he’ll be helping Michigan homeowners and business owners find solutions to make their design dreams become reality.”

Known as the “Food Wizard,” Shaffer spent more than 15 years serving as a food scientist for nationally known brands before deciding to utilize his critical thinking skills in a new way.

“I love brainstorming solutions and finding new ways to do something,” Shaffer said. “I’ve not met a problem yet that I couldn’t solve. Gotcha Covered has a multitude of options and resources, so I know I’m always going to be able to help a customer design the perfect setting for their home or business.”

Adding 30 new franchise locations in 2023, Gotcha Covered currently has over 170 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Farmington Hills and Northville, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/farmington-hills-northville/.

New franchise owner to lead Canton, Georgia location

CANTON, Ga. — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has announced the opening of a new center in Canton. Gotcha Covered of Canton is owned and operated by Eric Gitonga.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, the new center provides the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in Cartersville, Canton, Holly Springs and Woodstock by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

“The center in Canton is our sixth location in the state of Georgia,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “We are excited to offer the Gotcha Covered experience to the homeowners and businesses in the community. We pride ourselves in providing first-class service, and we are confident Eric (Gitonga) will be an asset to our brand and the Canton community.”

A five-year U.S. Navy veteran, Gitonga brings an attitude of hard work to the Gotcha Covered brand. He also brings over six years of experience as an electrician, earning his electrical journeyman certification.

It was Gitonga’s desire to control his own destiny that inspired him to enter the franchising world.

“I wanted to own my own business so that I had the flexibility and freedom to determine how I wanted to run the company,” said Gitonga. “That’s why joining Gotcha Covered was a no-brainer. They give me the flexibility that allows me to control my own destiny.”

When asked what he enjoys the most about the window treatment business, Gitonga replied, “turning dreams into reality.”

“I use my problem-solving, communication and analytical skills to deliver high-quality, tailored services that meet the expectations of my customers. With the goal of providing an excellent customer experience, I aim to design and execute innovative projects that enhance the aesthetic and functionality of the spaces I work on. I want people to be in awe after I’m finished with a project.”

Adding 30 new franchise locations in 2023, Gotcha Covered currently has over 170 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Canton, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/canton/.

The leading window treatment consultation franchise opens second location in Louisiana

PONCHATOULA, La. — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, recently welcomed Jason and Heather Roper to their growing list of franchise owners. The couple are the owners and operators of Gotcha Covered of Mandeville Covington, the second location in Louisiana.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, the new center provides the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners on the North Shore by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

“We are always looking for opportunities to expand the Gotcha Covered brand nationwide,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “The new location in Louisiana is a testament to how quickly we are growing. Jason and Heather (Roper) have a tremendous opportunity to showcase to the Mandeville and Ponchatoula communities the importance of having a trusted window treatment business locally. We are confident that they will have a positive impact on the community by delivering an excellent customer experience.”

The Ropers bring diverse backgrounds to the Gotcha Covered family. Jason spent the bulk of his career as the owner of a landscape management company. He also spent time as the supervisor of Los Robles Golf Course in California.

Heather learned the elements of design early through cosmetology, which led to a career in sales management with Procter and Gamble. She also served as the director of e-commerce at Coty Inc. and Wella Company.

The idea of buying a franchise came when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and the couple started looking for opportunities closer to home.

“After our daughter, Rachael, graduated from high school, Heather and I moved to California for a few years to expand Heather’s corporate career in sales leadership,” said Jason Roper. “When COVID-19 hit, we started looking for an opportunity to come back home to Louisiana and be near our family and friends. We wanted a business that would combine both our strengths and allow us to retire from something we built together. We also wanted more flexibility with our time so we could spend it with our grandchildren and family.”

“Gotcha Covered allows us to continue to grow and achieve many short-term and long-term goals. This franchise is the means for us to stay challenged and productive, serve the people in our community, fulfill our purpose and enjoy our future.”

Regarding the window treatment industry, it’s building relationships and the one-on-one time they get to spend with customers that the Ropers enjoy the most.

“Working with customers to design their perfect look is something we love to do. Our products also allow us to solve any issues homeowners may have,” Heather Roper said. “We love working together and the time this business affords us.”

Adding 30 new franchise locations in 2023, Gotcha Covered currently has over 170 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Mandeville Covington, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/mandeville-covington/.