Former Serviceman Finds Purpose and Structure in a Values-Driven Remodeling Business
After serving in the U.S. Navy from 1985 to 2008 and spending many years in corporate America, Jim Waldman was ready for a new challenge. “I always wanted to be my own boss, but I worried about the risk,” he says. “I knew I could figure it out, but I wasn’t ready to take that step until my wife Christine (above) and I became empty nesters.”
Jim spent years exploring business opportunities and attending discovery days for various franchises in several industries, but nothing ever felt right. Then he discovered Cabinet IQ. “It checked all the boxes,” he says. “The company had very organized processes that gave me confidence, but it was the people and their core values that truly resonated with me.”
In May 2025, he officially opened his Cabinet IQ franchise in New Braunfels, Texas, a city between San Antonio and Austin. Since then, he’s been running the business from home, meeting with customers and managing projects remotely. Now, he’s getting ready to open his showroom — a full retail space where customers can see and touch cabinet and countertop options in person.
The Cabinet IQ Franchise
Founded in 2016 and franchising since 2022, Austin-based Cabinet IQ offers high-end design and professional installation of cabinets and countertops, helping homeowners create beautiful, elevated kitchens and bathrooms with ease. The company was created to modernize and simplify the remodeling process, offering expert design and professional installation of cabinets and countertops.
With demand for home upgrades continuing to rise, it is a great time to be in the business. The U.S. residential cabinet market was valued at $37.5 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $51.48 billion by 2029, according to Research and Markets. Knowing the industry is on the rise gave Jim even more confidence to invest in a brand that shared his values.
And he found that in Cabinet IQ. The company’s focus on transparency, communication and craftsmanship creates a seamless experience from start to finish. “We want to wow our customers,” Jim says. “Our goal is to make every project enjoyable, predictable and exceptional.”
The company provides franchisees with comprehensive training, marketing support and software tools that streamline the entire design-to-installation process, enabling owners to focus on customer relationships and growth. For Jim, that structure made all the difference. “In the military, I learned leadership and communication skills that have been invaluable,” he says. “Those skills, combined with Cabinet IQ’s processes, gave me the confidence to build something great.”
Running the Business
Jim’s daily routine always starts with a workout. “I get up early, exercise and I’m in the office by 7 a.m.— that hasn’t changed since the Navy,” he says. “I spend the morning answering emails, preparing for calls and meetings, making sales calls and visiting projects. I also attend chamber events and network with potential partners.”
Christine manages back-office operations, overseeing payments, vendor relations and bookkeeping, while Jim focuses on sales and customer relations. “She’s the back of the house and I’m the front,” he says. “Working with my wife for the first time, I’ve learned what a rock star she is at keeping everything organized. After running a military household for years, she was built for this.” The Waldmans also have a full-time designer who manages client projects and helps homeowners visualize their new kitchens and baths in 3D through advanced design software.
Jim says Cabinet IQ’s core values align perfectly with his leadership philosophy. “One of their values is ‘Take Accountability for Your Actions, and Inactions,’ which reinforces accountability and training,” he says. “Another is ‘Do What’s Right, Not What’s Easy.’ We don’t cut corners, and we own our mistakes. Integrity is everything.”
That focus on integrity helped Jim realize a Cabinet IQ franchise was ideal for him. Jim encourages other veterans considering franchising to take their time and understand the franchise and get to know the people behind it. “Do your research to make sure your values and personality are aligned with the franchise,” he says. “I’m very happy I waited for the right opportunity — the product, the people, the values. It all lined up.”
Visit the CabinetIQ franchise website for more information.
