Screenmobile – Meet Luke & Holly Harrington: How Setbacks Turned into Fulfilled Dreams

From personal setbacks to unfulfilling careers, life can look different than planned. However, entrepreneurs are able to turn their challenges into new opportunities. We’re spotlighting Luke and Holly Harrington, owners of Screenmobile of Seacoast NH, who were able to transform unexpected changes in their lives into a rewarding business for their family.

Can you share your journey to becoming Screenmobile franchise owners?

Holly: Prior to owning a franchise, Luke was in carpentry and construction for more than 15 years, and he decided to become a residential and commercial home and building inspector after our son was born in 2014. I worked in the insurance industry for 22 years, but a company buyout had me wanting to get out of the industry for a while.

Our journey to owning a Screenmobile franchise began quite unexpectedly. Luke had a wakeboarding accident on the 4th of July in 2022, knowing he’d need multiple surgeries and recovery, he was home a lot. Since his job was 100% commission-based, if he wasn’t working, he wasn’t getting paid.

His boss was understanding, allowing Luke to work in the office and even offering us the option  to buy the company as he neared retirement. However, Luke didn’t enjoy the office work and realized his field days might be over due to his injury.

We had recently purchased a new home, and he decided to do some work around the house during the summer. He noticed screens in need of repair and local shops said they didn’t have the material to fix them for months. Luke and his dad actually fixed our screens themselves, giving Luke the idea that this was something he could potentially do on the side.

He started Googling and came across Screenmobile. He sent an inquiry to the company that night and the Screenmobile team got back to him the next day.

How was the transition from your previous careers to running a Screenmobile franchise?

Holly: The transition was a significant shift for both of us. My previous skills are customer service based and Luke’s are more field based with construction and carpentry as well as his inspection knowledge.

We attended ScreenSchool in California for two weeks in January 2023, which was amazing for learning how to measure, screen, and install, as well as understanding the business operations. We also got to know vendors and everyone within the Screenmobile organization.

During ScreenSchool, we were able to see the shop and how it was set up as well as the trucks and trailers. We learned the day-to-day operations from knowledgeable instructors and enjoyed learning all the products with hands-on training. Everyone at Screenmobile has been nothing short of amazing.

What challenges have you faced since starting your franchise, and how have you addressed them?

Holly: One of the biggest challenges has been accountability. In my previous job, there were over 100 other people to cover if I stepped away from the phone, but now it’s just us. If I’m away, we could lose a job if no one is available to answer the phone.

Luke has found scheduling and managing his time challenging, especially as he transitions from fieldwork to also handling office tasks. We’re learning every day about managing our finances, scheduling efficiently, and even just organizing our shop space. We work out of our home, so we have a spare bedroom that serves as our office and a two-car garage that’s our shop space. It can be overwhelming to keep it organized.

What does success look like for you and your business?

Holly: If the phones are ringing, we are succeeding. We’re in an unsaturated market, so it’s all about getting our name out there.

When we applied for our SBA loan to open our franchise, we had to write about the business model in the application. Luke wrote, “mobile screen repair,” and the bank almost denied our loan. They asked for more information because they thought we were a mobile cell phone repair company, and those are oversaturated in our area, so they didn’t want to fund another one. Once they realized what we actually do, they approved our loan that day. We’ve actually done some jobs for some of those same bank employees.

Our goals are simple: to grow, make money, and have something to pass down to our son if he wants it. We’d love to buy an adjoining territory or territories within the next couple years. We’d also like to have more employees and handle more jobs. I think we can grow and become the leader in screen products in this area.

What does a typical day look like for you as franchise owners?

Holly: Our day typically starts at 6:30 am, getting our son ready for school. We schedule our job start times around 8:30 am, depending on travel time, so we are both able to walk our son to school in the morning.

The phones turn on at 8:30 am, and I typically work on office items, including requests that came in overnight. I also handle bank deposits, deliveries, and getting materials or supplies.

Luke is out in the field, and I book his calendar depending on the job. We set aside a day each week for requests, so there might be a lot of driving involved on those days. We are the only franchise in New Hampshire and our territory extends into Maine as well.

How has owning a Screenmobile franchise impacted your family?

Holly: Screenmobile has been great for our family life. Luke and I have known each other since we were kids. I love working with him. When it starts getting warm, I like going with him on request days, driving around and meeting new people.

When we worked our previous jobs, we were about an hour and a half from one another, so there were no lunch dates or seeing each other from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. We were away from the house, so we were away from our son as well. Now, we get to walk or drive our son to school in the morning, and I can be there in the afternoon when he gets off the bus.

Professionally, it’s helping us become more organized and more aware of our time. We set goals together and go through the schedule. Being in charge of the business and feeling like we own something that is ours and we can pass it down to our son is amazing. We never thought we’d be our own boss.

Last summer, we were able to move up to a campground so our son could have those outdoor experiences away from technology. We were able to run the business from there, answering the phones, and completing nearby jobs. We plan to do that same next month when school gets out. That’s been amazing.

What advice would you give to someone considering franchising?

Holly: The advice I would give to someone considering this would just be to do research. Make sure this is something you want to commit to for the next 10 years, give or take. Who are your support people? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to succeed? There’s no one to blame but yourself if you fail.

For us, it was totally worth the risk. It got us out of our tiresome jobs and home more. Everyone at Screenmobile and Authority Brands has been great, but it’s still a contract with royalties and brand building, which can be tough for some. To have the support of Screenmobile and Authority Brands has been great as well.

Are You Looking for a Rewarding Career?

Whether your career is less fulfilling than it used to be or personal setbacks have caused you to reevaluate your priorities, franchising can offer a rewarding path to business ownership. Screenmobile franchise owners can take control of their career, enjoying greater flexibility while achieving their goals.

Ready to take the first step? Contact our team today to learn more about the Screenmobile franchise opportunity!