March 03, 2026
Rick and Jess Hardt prove what is possible when partners build with purpose. What started as a bold decision to leave corporate life and pursue ownership has grown into 10 MaidPro locations across eight states.
Their journey reflects leadership, trust, and the power of a proven franchise system.
Why They Chose Franchising
When Rick left the corporate world, they made a bold decision to build something of their own.
"When Rick left the corporate world, we took a leap of faith to build something of our own. We wanted to be our own bosses, challenge ourselves, and create a business we could grow together. Franchising appealed to us because it offered a strong foundation and proven systems while still allowing us the freedom to lead, grow, and innovate, says Rick."
The Lesson That Strengthened Their Business
"Running a business together comes with its own learning curve. One of their most powerful takeaways centered on communication. "One unexpected lesson has been just how important clear communication and defined roles are. Learning when to lead, when to listen, and how to trust each other's strengths has made both our business and our partnership stronger, states Jess."
Defined roles created clarity. Trust created growth.
Building a Strong Foundation
Their partnership was not built overnight.
"We've been together for nearly 20 years, and our first challenge wasn't business. It was blending a family. We learned early on how to navigate change, communicate through tough moments, and support one another, which gave us the confidence that if we could do that together, we could handle building a business too, says Rick."
What Their Story Shows
Can spouses successfully run and scale a franchise together? Yes. With clear roles, strong communication, and the right infrastructure, growth becomes achievable and sustainable.
Rick and Jess Hardt did not just open a business. They built momentum across eight states. Their story highlights what is possible when commitment meets a proven model.
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