Former Middle East Contractor Opening Security Franchise In Kent

KENT, OH — Andrew Dusenberry, 39, knows there's a big difference between where he was and where he wants to go. The former national guardsman and security contractor for a U.S. government agency spent a dozen years in the Middle East protecting American assets and avoiding the occasional bullet. Now he wants to bring his expertise to the U.S. in the form of protection services.

Dusenberry will become Northeast Ohio's first franchise owner of Signal 88, a firm that offers protection services to apartment complexes, individuals, and other entities. How did the former contractor enter the business world? It was a year-long journey.

Around 2016, he decided he wanted out of life overseas. He was looking for an exit strategy. He saw his fellow contractors opening up Signal 88 franchises and started tracking their success. Social media allowed him an easy window into their lives and business arcs.

"Looking at the success of my colleagues, I knew, these guys are essentially me," Dusenberry told Patch. "We are all veterans with a specific skill set to keep people safe. How did that apply back to the U.S.?"

The business world scared Dusenberry, which may seem perplexing if you consider his experience in one of the most dangerous regions in the world. But conflict situations are vastly different from boardroom detentes, as Dusenberry quickly pointed out. A career that would allow him to utilize his experience as a defense contractor seemed uniquely promising.

"I have to ramp myself down from the mindset of a high-threat zone. A lot of people come out of a long career in the military and have to adjust to civilian life," he said. "But having that background, that drive, that determination, that is probably my greatest quality."

Seeing his buddies succeed with Signal 88 inspired him to get out of contracting. If his old colleagues, with identical skill sets, could find sound financial footing, why couldn't Dusenberry?

He started exploring the possibility of opening a franchise of his own in the summer of 2016. He pulled the trigger, so to speak, on carving out his own territory with the company in January 2017. Now he has a satellite office, through Regis, in Westlake and a home office in Kent.

He underwent franchise training in Omaha, Nebraska, where Signal 88 is based. He took his mother to the training because of her long career in sales and administration. The duo will work together as Dusenberry looks to get his company off the ground.

The Signal 88 franchise works like this: Franchisees purchase territories throughout the nation. Those territories can only be operated by that specific Signal 88 franchisee. The practice prevents competition within the company. It also means that Dusenberry can service almost all of Northeast Ohio, including Cuyahoga County, Lorain County, and part of Summit County.

Signal 88's calling card is protection and surveillance services for apartment complexes. Those multi-unit residences will be Dusenberry's first target, though he's prepared to take on other forms of protection.

At the moment, Dusenberry and his mother are the only two employees for his franchise. He expects his company to stay in the family until approximately 2018, when he anticipates things will begin growing enough to support additional employees.

You can find more information on Dusenberry's Signal 88 franchise on Facebook, and online.

Photos from Ryan Smas, Black Dog Photography