Mister Sparky Franchise - Dayton Success & Toledo Expansion

Ben and Trisha Gordon opened Mister Sparky of Dayton, Ohio, in August 2023 after realizing the stability and growth potential the electrical services market offers. Before launching their franchise, Ben brought over a decade of experience in sales within the manufacturing industry, while Trisha had spent more than a decade in health care.

Trisha, who grew up in a construction family with her father building houses, had been around the trades her entire life. That background gave her confidence in the stability of the electrical industry.

"My dad builds houses, so I've been around it my whole life,” Trisha said. “It's definitely recession-proof. Everybody has electrical issues that happen in their home.”

While exploring different franchise opportunities, she and Ben visited several locations, including one in West Virginia, where they were struck by the culture and atmosphere the brand was creating. Inspired by what they saw, the Gordons took the leap into business ownership with Mister Sparky.

Launching with only two electricians meant long hours and tough calls about how to cover 24/7 service. Trisha often answered phones herself before bringing in an after-hours call center to ensure every customer was heard. That commitment to responsiveness quickly set the Gordons apart.

“People are often surprised when I pick up the phone myself,” Trisha said. “I tell them, ‘Yes, we answer the phone, and we can be there tonight or first thing tomorrow.’ Coming from a contractor’s background, I know how hard it can be to reach someone when you really need help, so being responsive has always been a priority for us.”

At first, the biggest hurdle was credibility. With few reviews and a small team, potential customers wondered if the company was new or untested. Trisha leaned on the Mister Sparky brand’s national reputation to build trust with Dayton homeowners.

“We may be a newer location, but Mister Sparky has been trusted across the U.S. for years,” Trisha said. “Homeowners in Dayton can count on that same level of experience and reliability here.”

Wasting no time, the Gordons immediately embedded themselves in Dayton’s business community. Early sponsorships and regular participation in chamber of commerce events gave Mister Sparky visibility and helped build lasting relationships.

“Being integrated into our local chamber of commerce has been essential to our growth. Our chamber of commerce puts on a wide range of events — from drive-through trick-or-treating and Christmas celebrations to weekly coffee connections for business owners,” Trisha said. “It gives us visibility in the community, helps us build relationships and has even led to new business.”

One of the most rewarding surprises of franchising has been the peer support network. Trisha says that other Mister Sparky owners were only a call away when questions came up. "I attribute all of our success right now to our fellow franchises who helped with not only all the questions that we've had, but the encouragement to do better," she said.

Now, just over two years into their journey, the Gordons find themselves on the other side of the conversation, mentoring newer owners who are where they once were.

With demand in Dayton keeping their team booked out in advance, the Gordons are preparing to expand. They’ve hired additional electricians and are now working to open a new location in Toledo. “When marketing reached out about launching in Toledo, it gave us the motivation and support we needed,” Trisha said. “That extra push has been a real benefit.”

The Gordons have gone from answering every phone call themselves to getting ready for expansion into new cities, showing how far they’ve come in just two years.