How This Veteran Built a Family-Oriented Business with Balance, Purpose, and Top Gun Success

When Jim and Tina Cook opened The Grounds Guys® of Pflugerville and Cedar Park in 2018, they weren’t just choosing a franchise—they were choosing a different kind of life.

After years of demanding corporate jobs and constant travel, Jim was missing the moments that mattered most. Tina, Jim’s wife, saw it clearly. “There was absolutely no work-life balance. He wasn’t happy,” she says.

They both knew something needed to change.

Jim began researching dozens of franchises, looking for a business that matched their vision for the future. The turning point was discovering Neighborly® and its commitment to integrity, service, and community. “The value system was important to me,” Tina recalls. “They didn’t just have pretty words on the wall—everyone truly believed in them.”

For Tina, who had long shouldered the weight of being home for everything while Jim traveled constantly, the idea of finally building something together felt right. And for Jim, the chance to be more present for their family was priceless.

Even during the toughest days of their first year, one thing stayed constant: “He was happy,” she says. “And he was there every day.”

Running a business with your spouse isn’t always simple—but for Jim and Tina, it’s been deeply rewarding. “Our office is in our home,” Tina laughs. “There are days… but it’s nice. I like it.”

Together, they’ve built the kind of workplace they always wished they’d had. “We wanted to be the kind of bosses we never had,” Tina shares. “The kind who care about people, choose the right team, and serve the community.”

With control over their hours, their environment, and their culture, they’ve found a rhythm that works for both their business and their family.

Early in their journey, Tina set her sights on becoming a Top Gun franchise—a recognition given to the strongest performers system-wide.

One day, while he was out working, she texted him: We did it.

But the recognition wasn’t about awards or bragging rights. “It meant we were doing all the right things,” Tina explains. “That we were the kind of leaders we had always admired. That we were part of this class of champions.”

To them, that validation meant everything.

The Cooks built their business with clear expectations. “Our standards are incredibly high,” Tina says. “If we promise customers professionalism and quality, we have to deliver it.”

Neighborly’s systems and processes made that possible. “We didn’t have to overthink things—they were already there. We just had to plug them in.”

Even when Tina doubted herself, she trusted Jim’s confidence. “He believed 100%, and I believe in him. So I said, ‘Okay—let’s do it.’”

For anyone thinking about franchising, Jim and Tina have simple advice: “You can do this. Sit down, decide what your dream is, and make it a reality.”

With the right systems, support, and belief in yourself, you can build the life—and business—you’ve always imagined.