Paul and Angel Milhoan stepped into franchise ownership with a clear-eyed sense of risk and resolve when they opened their Archadeck Outdoor Living business in Colorado Springs on February 1, 2024. The couple invested fully in the venture, viewing it as both a professional turning point and a test of their long-held ambition to build something of their own. Angel, who serves as chief executive, has been candid about the pressure of that first year, when financial stability was not just a goal but a necessity. With Paul’s extensive background in sales, the pair entered the market determined to make their new business viable from the start.
Archadeck Outdoor Living specializes in a wide range of exterior construction projects, including decks, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, and custom shade structures. While the breadth of services created strong potential, the Milhoans quickly discovered that success depended on more than craftsmanship alone. Marketing and lead generation proved to be early obstacles, particularly within a territory that spans roughly 750,000 households. Angel described the process as a lesson in patience, noting that identifying effective marketing channels required experimentation and constant adjustment to local conditions.
Despite these challenges, the couple found momentum through experience and persistence. Each completed project reinforced their confidence and clarified their long-term vision for the business. Entrepreneurship, they learned, was less about immediate certainty and more about adapting to evolving demands. Their focus gradually shifted from daily operations toward building a structure that could support sustainable growth over time.
About six months into the business, the Milhoans reached a milestone that signaled that progress. They hired their first employee to assist with project management and sales, a move that allowed them to step back from some operational tasks and concentrate on strategy. The decision marked an important transition, reflecting both increased workload and growing confidence in the business’s direction.
Founded in 1980, Archadeck has completed more than 200,000 outdoor living projects and continues to expand across North America. For Paul and Angel Milhoan, the brand’s established model provided a foundation, but their journey has been shaped by hands-on learning and resilience. Their experience illustrates the realities of franchise ownership, where ambition is tested daily and success is built through persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to grow alongside the business itself.
