# She Started a Niche Business in Her Basement with $10,000. Now It Does $113 Million in Sales Colette and Andy Bell's small repair business was acquired by Ace Hardware. - **Source:** [Entrepreneur – Latest](https://brifing.si/source/1bee40f8-abda-4cd6-b055-05148ce79f53) - **Published:** 2026-07-20 - **Topic:** [Entrepreneurship](https://brifing.si/c/entrepreneurship) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/0efc4570-82bf-429a-952b-77a504752f2c ## The Beginning Colette and Andy Bell started a company in Denver, Colorado, in 1998 for small home repair jobs. They noticed that big companies weren't interested in small projects and decided to fill this gap. ## First-Year Success The company grew rapidly in its first year and 'took off like a rocket.' The Bells gained customer trust by offering professional and reliable service. ## Franchising Process In 2001, they began franchising under the name Handyman Matters. They created protected territories based on ZIP codes to shield franchise owners from competition. ## Partnership with Ace Hardware After meeting Ace Hardware in 2018, the Bells sold their company to Ace Hardware in 2019. Colette continues her role as vice president of franchise development. ## Growth Strategies The company prioritized punctuality and professional appearance to enhance customer satisfaction. They also offered follow-up calls and a one-year warranty to build customer loyalty. ## Advantages of the Franchise Model The Bells saw that the franchise model was more suitable for national expansion. Local owners, rooted in their communities, could operate more effectively. ## Franchise Relationships Colette emphasized the importance of strong relationships between franchise owners and the franchisor, noting that franchisees' ideas contributed to the company's growth. ## Success and Future Ace Handyman Services exceeded $113 million in sales in 2025. Colette continues to lead franchise development efforts to sustain the company's growth. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.entrepreneur.com/buying-a-franchise/how-ace-handyman-services-grew-to-113-million-in-sales — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._