Daisy, the national smart space installation and services company, has announced the expansion of its Florida footprint with the opening of a new branch in Ocala, FL. Just a few months after Daisy acquired First Priority Audio (FPA), its founder, Bert Herrero, is now launching a new Daisy franchise location in one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the nation.
Ranked as the top city in the U.S. for in-flow of newcomers during the first quarter of 2024, Ocala offers an opportunity for Daisy to support an exclusive community with a dynamic mix of new families and retirees whose lifestyles can benefit from advanced technological solutions through enhanced security, energy efficiency, convenience, and entertainment. With an opening planned for January 2025, Daisy Ocala will mark the company’s seventh franchise and 13th branch location.
“Ocala and The Villages, in particular, are prime areas for growth, with a rapidly expanding population eager to adopt the latest smart home solutions,” Herrero said. “We’re excited to bring cutting-edge technology and our unique recurring service model to a community ready to embrace it. Our new venture aligns perfectly with this region’s evolving needs and population boom.”
Entrepreneurial since the age of 18, Herrero has been building businesses for decades that incorporate his passion for technology, home services, and personalized client experiences. Building from his track record of running a best-in-class operation for over 20 years at FPA, Herrero will leverage Daisy’s robust branch support systems to establish a strong presence in Ocala.
“For over two decades, I led First Priority Audio with a strong focus on delivering exceptional customer service, ensuring that every client received personalized support in understanding and using the latest home technology,” Herrero said. “My approach centered around not only integrating cutting-edge solutions but also ensuring our clients were fully supported long after installation, making leading-edge technology both accessible and easy to use. On the team-building front, I successfully cultivated a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and innovation. By empowering my team to embrace new technologies and take ownership of their roles, we were able to scale the business and consistently exceed client expectations. This foundation of trust and expertise was key to our growth and operational excellence, and it remains a core principle in everything I do.”
Herrero also pointed out that the growth potential of Daisy franchisees is fueled by access to its sales and marketing programs, talent recruitment and training solutions, product and supply chain support, integrated technology infrastructure to run the business end-to-end.
“This, combined with a track record of 96% client retention and a 5-star rating at FPA gives me the confidence to deliver the same exceptional experiences to the residents of Ocala and The Villages,” he said.
To maximize the potential of the new branch location, Daisy will introduce tailored technology and recurring services that cater to the needs of Ocala residents, while investing in the community by providing new jobs and partnering with schools and technical training centers to cultivate local talent. “Our mission is to not only improve the homes and lifestyles of our clients but to also make a lasting, positive impact on the communities we serve,” Herrero concluded.
Hagan Kappler, CEO and co-founder of Daisy, added, “The service requirements of Ocala’s community are significant. They expect and deserve high-end technology solutions with reliability, simplicity, and strong support. With Bert’s leadership and experience, combined with the Daisy team’s franchise support operation, Daisy Ocala is well-positioned to meet these expectations and deliver world-class solutions that not only enhance people’s homes but also enrich their lives.”
Kappler noted that in the coming months, Daisy will continue expanding through franchising in both existing markets and new regions across the U.S.
“The franchise business model is a true win/win for both our clients and business partners,” she said. “We are involved in many discussions to add new locations across the U.S. that will provide large-company backing with small-company feel and service. Our national brand presence gives us the ability to bring reliable home technology solutions to clients across the country as we launch new businesses across the nation. Together, we can ensure our customers are happy and our partners can build their businesses with more support and less risk.”
To learn more about becoming part of Daisy’s family of integration firms, new business owners can visit https://daisyco.com/franchising/, and existing integration firms can head to https://daisyco.com/for-integrators/
