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Franchise of the Month: Ben Teaford’s Path to Success

Starting a new business is a daunting task. This is something Ben and Renee Teaford know firsthand. With over 15 years under his belt as the owner of a tax preparation franchise, he knew the ins and outs of the business world. So, when he was looking to start the next stage of his career, he found Signal and knew it was exactly what he was looking for. 

Since his launch, Teaford has seen tremendous success in all aspects of the Signal brand. His first franchise, Signal of Orlando, is regularly a top performer in both Sales and the Signal Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). He’s purchased additional franchises in four other states and was a finalist for the 2023 Franchise of the Year and was named our Franchise of the Month for November 2023. 

As an experienced business owner, Teaford was drawn to franchising for many reasons, but the largest is the support a franchise system brings. Unlike the competitive atmosphere found in many small businesses, franchising brings a sense of unity and shared goals throughout its network. When researching different organizations, Teaford saw the camaraderie among Signal owners and knew that the support system was there to encourage growth and collaboration throughout the network. 

As a prior business owner, Teaford had many requirements for his next endeavor. He knew he wanted to work in the security business, and he didn’t want a company that was too large. As he puts it, he was looking for a company that wasn’t brand new, but rather in its adolescence, somewhere he could have a voice, make change and be more than a number. 

“I wanted somewhere I could bring in my knowledge and excel,” Teaford said. “I really saw that with Signal. And now we’re growing so fast and have so many initiatives that I feel like we’ve graduated past that adolescent stage, so obviously I made the right decision.” 

After the initial launch of his franchise in 2020, Teaford said that the biggest challenge he faced was adapting to a new set of procedures and implementing the system Signal has set out for owners. Trusting that these processes will work is a challenge for many owners, and Teaford was no different. 

“When you’re buying into a franchise,” Teaford said. “You’re buying into a proven system that works. Learning the system and the processes and then executing them to the best of your ability was the hardest part of the launch for me. A lot of times there’s a policy or a procedure that you may not agree with at first, but you have to trust the process and get it done. Ultimately, it’s been proven in the past and that’s why you’ve chosen to be there.” 

While monetary growth and expansion are notable achievements, Teaford says that his biggest success is the impact he and his franchises are able to have on the people they serve. Last year his franchise in Orlando was able to donate backpacks to Title One schools in the area, sponsor charity events and give over a thousand cans of food to a food drive hosted by the Home Office. This year he’s hoping to continue serving even closer to home and find a way to help support employees who experience emergencies or disasters. 

Teaford attributes his success to three main things: setting teams up for success, learning from mistakes and fostering open communication. As a multi-market franchise owner, he knows that he has a lot on his plate. He is in constant communication with the management groups from each of his franchises and he estimates that 90% of impactful business decisions are discussed with him and his co-owner and wife, Renee. Teaford says that building the right team starts with a gut-feeling before setting expectations and mentoring. 

“We mentor our team so we can empower them to do things themselves,” he said. “On our first day we go over the vision Reed and the Home Office have and then what the vision is for our franchises. After that we talk about expectations and things like that. I set my people up for success, so they set their people up for success. Ultimately, our job is to set the officers up for success, they’re the ones making us successful. Secondly, I tell everyone that mistakes are a wise man’s education. As long as we’re learning from that and not making it over and over again, we’re always going to be better.” 

Now in his fourth year as a Signal franchise owner, Teaford and his team’s future looks bright, and he has no intention of slowing down. As the owner of four successful franchises, he is excited to see the new initiatives the Home Office is bringing on and he has big plans for his business. 

“I’m going to be the first one to $100 million, I’ll tell you that now.”  

For Barb Alekna and Greg Pencosky, building Signal of West Virginia has always been about more than growing a security business. It’s about creating an organization where people can build meaningful careers, develop into leaders, and make a lasting impact in the communities they serve.

Since launching Signal of West Virginia in September 2024, that vision has guided the team’s approach to growth. From earning their first client to developing their first leaders, Barb and Greg have focused on building the business one relationship, one employee, and one client at a time.

That commitment to people, consistency, and continuous improvement is helping Signal of West Virginia establish a reputation for professionalism and dependable service across the state.

Building a Culture People Can Grow In

When Barb and Greg reflect on what makes them most proud, their answer comes back to their team. From the beginning, they wanted to create more than a successful security company. They wanted to build a career culture where employees could grow, take pride in their work, and become leaders.

“We strive to create an environment where each security officer and team member understands they’re not simply filling a security post,” they explain. “They’re protecting people, building relationships, solving problems, and representing the Signal brand with professionalism and integrity.”

That philosophy shapes how the team approaches every client and every assignment. Whether supporting apartment communities, healthcare facilities, major retailers, or special events, officers are expected to bring more than security expertise to the job.

Professionalism, reliability, communication, and dedication are all part of the standard.

For Barb and Greg, some of the most rewarding moments come from watching that culture take shape: seeing a new hire gain confidence, an officer advance into a leadership role, or a client recognize a team member for going above and beyond.

Earning Growth One Relationship at a Time

Launching a new franchise comes with challenges, but building Signal of West Virginia meant starting almost entirely from scratch.

Before the first contract, the organization had no established presence in the state, no existing clients, no employees, and no revenue. Barb and Greg had experience leading successful Signal operations, but they understood that success in another market wouldn’t automatically translate to West Virginia.

Instead, they relied on proven Signal processes while taking the time to understand the local market and build credibility from the ground up.

“Everything we’ve built since then has been earned one relationship, one employee, and one client at a time.”

That approach required humility, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. Not every proposal became a contract, and not every challenge had an immediate solution, but each experience became an opportunity to improve.

From securing their first client and hiring their first employee to celebrating their first promotion and major contract, each milestone represented another step toward building a reputation in West Virginia.

Continuous Improvement Drives the Team

For the Signal of West Virginia team, showing up at their best starts with a mindset of continuous improvement.

“We never want to become complacent or assume we know everything,” they explain. “Every conversation with a client, every interaction with an employee, every success, failure, and every challenge give us an opportunity to learn, improve, and become better than we were yesterday.”

That mindset extends beyond individual performance. Barb and Greg see clear communication as one of their most important responsibilities as leaders.

By staying connected with clients, supporting their team, and being proactive instead of reactive, they work to build trust and strengthen relationships.

For them, long-term growth isn’t something to chase. It’s something to earn through consistent effort, strong relationships, and exceptional service.

Redefining Professional Security

As Signal of West Virginia continues to grow, Barb and Greg want the community to see private security as more than simply placing officers at a post.

Their goal is to build long-term partnerships, invest in the communities they serve, and create a career culture where employees are empowered to make a positive difference.

“We’re here for the long-term, and we genuinely care about making West Virginia a safer place to live, work, and do business.”

That commitment is supported by the combination of Signal’s global resources and local, owner-led leadership.

The team benefits from Signal’s technology, innovation, experienced leadership, and proven operating model while maintaining a local presence built around responsiveness, accountability, and lasting relationships.

For Signal of West Virginia, that means officers aren’t simply providing security. They’re becoming an extension of their clients’ teams—protecting people, safeguarding property, assisting employees and visitors, and representing both the client and Signal with professionalism.

The goal is to become a trusted partner that helps reduce risk, strengthen operations, and provide lasting peace of mind.

Developing People and Leaders

For Barb and Greg, one of the most rewarding parts of ownership is watching people grow.

Whether it’s mentoring an officer into a leadership role, helping an employee build a long-term career, or developing a client relationship into a trusted partnership, those moments represent the impact they hope to create.

They also recognize that growth doesn’t happen in isolation.

The Signal network has provided opportunities to learn from experienced security leaders, including Paul Alekna and the team at Signal of Canton-Youngstown. Their mentorship and willingness to share experiences have played an important role in the growth of Signal of West Virginia.

That collaboration reflects another strength of the Signal network: franchises supporting one another and sharing knowledge to help each other succeed.

Building What Comes Next

For Barb and Greg, the most exciting part of the journey is knowing they’re still building.

“Every new team member we develop, every client relationship we earn, and every opportunity to strengthen our team is another chance to make a lasting impact.”

Their focus remains straightforward: invest in their people, serve clients with excellence, and build an organization that employees, clients, and the community can be proud of.

Being named Franchise of the Month for May 2026 is an important milestone, but the recognition is viewed as motivation rather than a finish line.

Barb and Greg credit their entire team for the franchise’s success and remain focused on creating a career culture where great people can grow, delivering exceptional service, and making a lasting impact throughout West Virginia.

Congratulations to Barb Alekna, Greg Pencosky, and the entire Signal of West Virginia team on being named May Franchise of the Month in 2026. Their commitment to developing people, serving their communities, and growing with purpose is a powerful example of what’s possible across the Signal network.

 

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