The Lethbridge Brothers: Building Family, Business, and Community Bonds in Fredericksburg

Photo Credit: Karen Presecan Photography

In the heart of Fredericksburg, the Lethbridge brothers set an inspiring example of unity, service, and entrepreneurial spirit. Brothers Zach (36), Matt (33), and Jake (33) all share a passion for their community and country. Their journey from military service to diverse professional fields culminated in the establishment of Kitchen Tune-Up Fredericksburg & Stafford in July 2021, marking a new chapter of collaboration and shared endeavors.

Military Roots

Like many families in the area, the Lethbridge family is rooted in a legacy of service; their father, Mark Lethbridge, instilled in his sons a commitment to excellence and dedication, while their mother Linda certainly reinforced the ideas of service and sacrifice– as you can imagine raising identical twins and their older brother while being a military spouse is not for the faint of heart.

“Our father, Mark, attended the Naval Academy (graduating in 1980) and was a Naval Flight Officer," explained Matt. Following their father's footsteps, Zach, Matt, and Jake embarked on military journeys, each serving the United States but with their own distinct paths.  Zach attended Duquesne University and was commissioned in the US Marine Corps in 2009. Matt and Jake both graduated from the Naval Academy in 2013, with Matt commissioning into the US Marine Corps and Jake into the US Navy. 

In 2013, Zach, a Marine Corps officer, settled in  Fredericksburg while serving at Marine Corps Base Quantico and later decided to stay upon exiting the service.. His decision to build his life here paved the way for his brothers to soon follow. Both Zach and Matt were Combat Engineer Officers and Jake was training to become a Naval Flight Officer, like their father. 

In 2017, Matt found not just a duty station but a home in Fredericksburg. With both his love of the area and the proximity to family, he chose to stay in 2020 after separating from the service. Soon after, Jake followed suit, along with his beloved cat, Mr. Kitty, drawn by the magnetic pull of their brotherly bond, and made Fredericksburg home as well.

By the time the ball dropped to ring in 2021, all of the Lethbridge boys could call Fredericksburg home.

After growing up in Florida and Georgia, each embarking on various military journeys, being sent to various duty stations, and after separating from their service, Fredericksburg became  “home” and the brothers were finally together again.

Embracing Entrepreneurship & Education

“After our service, we all worked in different industries and fields including construction, consulting and sales, which allowed each of us to bring a unique skill set and strength to our business,” explained Zach. The trio started Kitchen Tune-Up Fredericksburg & Stafford in July 2021. 

Kitchen Tune-Up offers a diverse range of services, including full kitchen remodels, refacing, painting, and a unique one-day "Tune-Up" to rejuvenate wood cabinetry. The brothers view their company not merely as a construction firm, but as a service provider focused on assisting customers in creating functional and aesthetically pleasing kitchens tailored to their needs.

Like all small businesses the brothers have experienced many good days as well as bad.  The brothers will be the first to admit that starting a business, especially a family business can be extremely challenging and brings with it a host of difficulties. Despite such trials the brothers center on remaining committed to one another along with their mission of serving the community. The trio is extremely passionate about giving back to the young adults who are aspiring entrepreneurs and tradesmen in the area through Kitchen Tune-Up’s partnership with Spotsylvania County Public Schools (SCPS) Career & Technical Education (CTE) Program. 

“We believe in the CTE’s mission and strongly believe in the importance of highlighting the value of the trades to our local communities and country as a whole. One way we show support is through the ‘SCPS CTE Student of the Month’ Program,’” Matt said. “Every month Kitchen Tune-Up and CTE, through social media and the radio on B101.5, highlight a student that has gone above and beyond during their studies.” 

The Lethbridge brothers emphasized that they have been fortunate to hire several of these highly skilled professionals who have undergone such training in the trades, ensuring that they possess the expertise needed to excel in their role.

“Several employees have been truly integral to the company's growth and have in many ways even become like family,” said Zach. “Their commitment to continuous learning and mastery of their craft is evident in the exceptional quality of work they deliver, making them an invaluable asset to our company.”

Aside from being veterans themselves, the brothers have also dedicated themselves to fostering a community that values and supports the contributions of veterans. Their commitment to hiring veterans is centered on not only recognizing the unique skills, discipline, and dedication they bring to the workplace, but also on contributing to the well-being and prosperity of the veteran community. Because of the impact made on the veteran community, the International Franchise Association (IFA) named the brothers “Franchisee of the Year” in 2022, a highly-coveted award. 

Growing Their Families in FXBG

Beyond their business pursuits and accomplishments, the Lethbridge brothers are integral members of a community they hold dear. Fredericksburg’s location– nestled between DC and Richmond and the Shenandoahs and Virginia Beach– offers the perfect blend of urban vibrancy, rich history, and natural beauty, for the family. They enjoy savoring the diverse seasons and partake in local attractions like the Fred Nats baseball games and local hikes and savor downtown Fredericksburg’s “fantastic” culinary delights as well.

Matthew and his wife Dr. Blair Ryland Lethbridge, a Woodbridge native, enjoy the outdoors, sports, and local spots with their son, Christian (2), and his best friend: their dog, Remington. Dr. Blair Ryland Lethbridge is a Pediatrician for Mary Washington Healthcare. While Blair cheers on Virginia and DC sports teams, Matt is an Atlanta Falcons and Manchester United Fan. Both agree on one form of entertainment, however, and love country music.

Zach and his wife Rosemary, a Pittsburgh native, also appreciate the amenities of the outdoors, the rich, local history and the community involvement in the area. Both have also established fulfilling careers in the area. As mentioned previously, Zach joins his brothers at Kitchen Tune-Up, while Rosemary is currently a Physician Assistant with Mary Washington Healthcare and professor for South University Richmond. 

Much of Jake’s time remains dedicated to the business, but he enjoys his role as cat dad and “Cool Uncle” to his niece and nephews. 

“The community at large is a wonderful place to grow as a family. The many great social structures (schools, churches, etc.) within the community make for an ideal place to live,” Matt explained. Zach and Rose agree, as their three children, Connor (10), Andrew (8), and Madison (5), have all been born and raised here.

While the brothers clearly appreciate the area and the local community, what is most important is that after individually serving their country, pursuing different endeavors over a number of years, they have been able to come back together in an amazing area to create something special.  

Family Adventures

While Lake Anna and Motts Run Reservoir are their favorite local bodies of water, the Lethbridge brothers hope to see much larger bodies of water again– and soon. The brothers had some bonding time during a treasured visit to Glacier National Park a few years back and “are looking to take a trip with all of the families” to create even more memories together. 

While they may have to wait a few more years for that next great family adventure on the horizon, the Lethbridge brothers will continue to add to their journeys here on the home front. Their commitment to each other is reflected in their business and the impact they continue to make here in Fredericksburg, showcasing that often, the blueprint for success in building strong businesses and communities is merely extending those family values beyond individual homes.