After 30 years with the NYC Housing Authority, Jacqueline Gathers made a bold leap into entrepreneurship — becoming a Pillar To Post franchise owner in Staten Island and Brooklyn. Today, she stands as one of the few Black women in home inspection, reshaping what leadership, trust, and visibility look like in franchising.
For Jacqueline, the move wasn’t about disrupting an industry. It was about building a future rooted in service, consistency, and representation. Along the way, she has become not just “the lady inspector” in her market, but also a mentor, speaker, and advocate for aspiring inspectors and Black homeownership.
Who Is Pillar To Post Franchise Owner Jacqueline Gathers?
Jacqueline Gathers is a Pillar To Post® franchise owner serving homebuyers and real estate professionals in Staten Island and Brooklyn, New York. Drawing on three decades of public service experience, she has built a home inspection business focused on consistency, education, and opening doors for women and people of color in franchising.
At a Glance: Pillar To Post® Franchise Owner Jacqueline Gathers.
- Location: Staten Island & Brooklyn, New York
- Franchise Brand: Pillar To Post® Home Inspectors franchise
- Background: 30 years with the NYC Housing Authority
- Focus: Consistent service, representation, and community education
- Roles: Franchise owner, mentor, speaker, advocate for Black homeownership
From Public Service to Entrepreneurship.
After three decades of serving New York families through the Housing Authority, Jacqueline was ready for a new chapter. She and her late husband had begun exploring franchise ownership, and when she was left to decide whether to move forward alone, she made the courageous choice to continue.
“It was one of the most difficult and transformative decisions of my life,” Jacqueline recalls.
That decision led her to the Pillar To Post® home inspectors franchise, whose structure, support, and credibility gave her the foundation she needed to succeed. For Jacqueline, franchising wasn’t about starting from scratch — it was about partnering with a system that cared.
“I didn’t want to build everything from the ground up. I wanted a model that worked, a brand that cared, and a system that respected my time,” she explains.
By combining a proven Pillar To Post® franchise model with her deep experience in public service, Jacqueline created a business that feels both stable and mission-driven. Her story shows franchise candidates that they don’t have to leave their past careers behind — they can build on them.
Women Lead with Consistency.
As one of the only women — and one of the only Black women — in home inspection in her area, Jacqueline found her edge not in standing out, but in showing up.
In her words, consistency is leadership. For her, that looks like:
- Arriving early
- Dressing professionally
- Delivering the same quality experience every time
This approach quickly built trust with her clients, especially first-time homebuyers navigating the process with uncertainty. By removing surprises and excuses, Jacqueline created an environment of confidence and reliability around her Pillar To Post® franchise.
“Because when people see someone who looks like them succeeding, their dreams feel possible,” she says.
For brokers and candidates, her story is a reminder that women franchise owners bring more than a different perspective — they bring a level of consistency, empathy, and follow-through that can elevate an entire brand.ry is a reminder that women franchise owners bring more than a different perspective — they bring a level of consistency, empathy, and follow-through that elevates the entire brand.
Building a Brand, Not Just a Business.
Jacqueline has never seen her Pillar To Post® franchise as just a way to earn income. For her, it is a brand identity that reflects her values: detail-oriented, responsive, and rooted in the community.
Her son now works alongside her, freeing her to focus more on education and visibility. She speaks at real estate events, sponsors seminars, and leads discussions on topics ranging from property management to Black homeownership and wealth-building.
That visibility has turned her into a recognizable figure in her market — “the lady inspector” — a title she carries with pride because it represents the trust she has built with homebuyers, agents, and community partners.
Creating Access and Representation in Home Inspection.
Representation is at the heart of Jacqueline’s mission as a franchise owner with Pillar To Post®. In an industry where she wasn’t always welcomed, she kept showing up — bringing cookies to real estate offices, professionalism to every meeting, and trust to every client interaction.
Today, she mentors other aspiring inspectors, especially women and people of color, guiding them through certifications, early business decisions, and the realities of owning a home inspection franchise.
Her story has inspired women nationwide who never imagined themselves in home inspection. Many have reached out after seeing her featured in Franchising World, sharing how her visibility encouraged them to pursue their own path.
“Representation opens doors, but mentorship holds those doors open,” Jacqueline emphasizes.
The Real Impact of Female Franchise Owners.
Women franchise owners like Jacqueline bring more than operational skills — they bring empathy, lived experience, and the ability to build with purpose.
For Jacqueline, franchising with Pillar To Post® provided the structure and support to align her vision with a proven model. With that foundation, she has not only built a thriving business, but also reshaped what leadership looks like in her field.
“Yes, we bring unique perspectives. But more importantly, we bring results,” Jacqueline affirms.
Her experience highlights how women in franchising often lead with service, consistency, and long-term relationships — qualities that benefit clients, brands, and local communities.
What Jacqueline’s Story Means for Brokers, Candidates, and the Industry.
For Franchise Brokers, Jacqueline’s journey demonstrates how the right match between candidate and brand can unlock transformation — not just in business, but in communities. A candidate with deep service experience found a home in a franchise system built around trust, standards, and support.
For franchise candidates, especially women and people of color, her story proves that becoming a Pillar To Post franchise owner can be a pathway to leadership and ownership with the backing of a supportive system. You don’t need to fit an outdated mold of an “owner” to succeed — you can lead as yourself and build a business rooted in your values.
For the industry at large, Jacqueline is proof that visibility, consistency, and mentorship can redefine success and open doors for the next generation of entrepreneurs. When a Black woman franchise owner in home inspection becomes a trusted local authority, it shifts what future owners and clients believe is possible.
For brokers and candidates who want a more data-driven look at the model behind Jacqueline’s story, this independent Pillar To Post Home Inspectors franchise analysis from Franchise Chatter breaks down franchise costs, fees, and financial performance representations based on the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
FAQ: Pillar To Post® Franchise Ownership and Representation.
Why did Jacqueline choose a franchise instead of starting a business from scratch?
Jacqueline wanted a proven model, a recognizable brand, and a support system that respected her time. After 30 years in public service, she knew she could serve clients well — but she didn’t want to reinvent every process. The Pillar To Post® franchise structure gave her a framework so she could focus on delivering high-quality inspections and building relationships.
How does Jacqueline support other women and people of color in home inspection?
In addition to running her Pillar To Post® franchise, Jacqueline mentors aspiring inspectors, especially women and people of color. She shares guidance on certifications, launching their first inspections, and navigating the early stages of business ownership. Her visibility and mentorship help others see home inspection as a realistic and welcoming career path.
What can franchise brokers learn from Jacqueline’s story?
Brokers can see how powerful it is to connect candidates with brands that align with their values, experience, and long-term goals. Jacqueline’s transition from public service to franchise ownership shows that the right brand match can turn professional expertise into a scalable business — and into a platform for representation and community impact.
Ready to Help Your Candidates Find Their Place at the Table?
Jacqueline’s journey shows what’s possible when the right candidate connects with the right franchise brand at the right moment. With informed guidance, franchise ownership can become a path to leadership, representation, and long-term impact in local communities.
The Franchise Brokers Association partners with franchise brokers and their candidates to make those matches thoughtfully and responsibly. Explore franchise opportunities with the Franchise Brokers Association and find the brands that align with your clients’ values and goals.
