Building With Heart: How Janine Tousignant Grew Fibrenew Brandon
When Janine Tousignant and her husband, Drayson, started their Fibrenew franchise at the end of 2019, they aimed to build something they could scale and sustain over the long term.
As the co-owner of Fibrenew Brandon, Janine leads daily operations, oversees technicians, manages commercial accounts, and continues to expand the business, all while raising two teenagers who are now learning the ropes alongside her.
Her story is a powerful example of what focused, hands-on leadership can build.
From Technician to Business Leader
Janine didn’t begin behind a desk. She began in the field.
“For the first year, year and a half, it was pretty much just me doing the work,” she says.
She handled house calls, furniture repairs, vinyl siding, and PVC window restoration, learning the craft while building credibility. As demand grew, she personally trained her first technician, working alongside him until he could operate independently.
That shift, from doing everything herself to leading others, marked a turning point.
Today, her technician manages the majority of fieldwork, while Janine focuses on operations, growth, and strategic relationships.
Building Stability Through Commercial Work
Like many service businesses, Fibrenew Brandon started with residential jobs. But Janine made an intentional move toward commercial clients.
“When we were ready to branch out, we went more into the commercial zone.”
Now, the business services property managers, holding companies, builders, insurance-related claims, and automotive interior repairs. This diversification created consistent, repeat revenue, reducing reliance on one-off homeowner calls.
For women entrepreneurs, it’s a key lesson: stability comes from intentional positioning, not just hard work.
Expanding the Value Proposition
Janine also recognized that sometimes repair isn’t enough. By integrating complementary upholstery service around Fibrenew’s core offerings, she created a full-scope solution model.
“If you’re starting with a repair, great. But if it’s too far past that point, now we can help with the next step.”
The result? Easier sales conversations, stronger customer retention, and fewer lost opportunities.
The Reality of Entrepreneurship
Janine doesn’t romanticize business ownership.
“If you’re going into business, you have to have heart and just keep at it. You’re going to be tired, but you keep going.”
She understands that leadership carries responsibility, not only for clients, but for the people who work under her. That sense of stewardship drives her consistency.
Her advice is simple but powerful: stay committed, even when it’s exhausting.
A Family Business in the Making
Entrepreneurship in Janine’s household is visible and practical. Her daughters are already involved, one learning technical shop skills, the other assisting with bookkeeping.
“I think it’s good for them to learn,” she says. “Whatever you’re good at, they should be able to learn something.”
For many women business owners, integrating family and business can feel complicated. Janine has turned it into an opportunity for mentorship and legacy.
A Model for Women-Owned Service Businesses
Janine demonstrates what’s possible when you step fully into operational leadership:
- Start hands-on
- Invest in training
- Move strategically toward recurring revenue
- Diversify intelligently
- Build a strong team
- Stay persistent
“You just keep moving,” Janine says. “Find new opportunities and go with them.”
For women entrepreneurs looking to build something durable, scalable, and service-driven, her journey with Fibrenew is proof that growth doesn’t start with size, it starts with heart.
