Meet the Founders
Kathleen Austin Kuhn, Founder and CEO
Kathleen Austin Kuhn, Founder and CEO
Kathleen Austin Kuhn, Founder and CEO
Kathleen Kuhn has dedicated her career to helping home services businesses thrive. Starting in the home inspection industry shortly after college, she grew and led one of North America's largest home inspection brands. Kathleen also launched networks for drywall repair and holiday lighting businesses and assisted in launching several ho
Kathleen Kuhn has dedicated her career to helping home services businesses thrive. Starting in the home inspection industry shortly after college, she grew and led one of North America's largest home inspection brands. Kathleen also launched networks for drywall repair and holiday lighting businesses and assisted in launching several home service franchises, including Green Light Mobility and Elder Well Adult Care.
Kathleen sees many parallels between the emerging home watch industry and the home inspection industry 40 years ago. "I deeply appreciate what it takes to succeed in a home services business. I know that when you provide busy business owners with the right tools, everyone wins," she says. "I'm eager to bring new resources to the home watch industry, raise awareness of this essential service, and elevate standards within the field.
Bridget Karl, Founder and President
Kathleen Austin Kuhn, Founder and CEO
Kathleen Austin Kuhn, Founder and CEO
Before founding Home Watch Central, Bridget was the CEO of the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce, where she played a pivotal role in fostering business growth and community engagement. During her tenure, she implemented various initiatives to strengthen local businesses and enhance their visibility within the community. Her leadership was
Before founding Home Watch Central, Bridget was the CEO of the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce, where she played a pivotal role in fostering business growth and community engagement. During her tenure, she implemented various initiatives to strengthen local businesses and enhance their visibility within the community. Her leadership was marked by a commitment to collaboration and innovation, which helped elevate the Chamber's profile and effectiveness.
Bridget's extensive experience in nonprofit management is complemented by her passion for community service and advocacy. She has a proven track record of developing strategic partnerships and programs that benefit businesses and residents. Her career reflects a deep dedication to enhancing the quality of life in her community through effective organizational leadership and support for local enterprises.
The Home Watch Central Story
Home Watch
Kathleen Kuhn and Bridget Karl's partnership is rooted in a friendship that began during their college years in New Jersey, where they first met. Both women built successful careers focused on supporting entrepreneurs in various capacities.
Years later, their paths crossed again in Southwest Florida, where Kathleen had launched a home watch company with partners Allison and Pat Francis, after extensive research into this emerging home service category. Coincidentally, Bridget needed someone to manage her unoccupied home and coordinate various services, including home maintenance and furniture delivery.
Allison and Pat Francis
Recognizing the potential for a business opportunity, Bridget approached Kathleen with her idea. The two quickly realized they were on the same wavelength, exemplifying the saying, "Great minds think alike." They saw an opportunity to combine their resources and experience to create a program that would support home watch entrepreneurs, raise awareness of the value of home watch services, and elevate the industry.
Allison and Pat Francis are Kathleen's business partners in Away Team. They launched the first Away Team location in Central Jersey, Helping coach Allison and Pat and build out the resources they needed to build their business were a big part of the inspiration for Home Watch Central.
