Franchise Owners Bring Compassion and Professionalism to Restoration Work
Charles and Sharon Atkins like to help people. For many years, the couple volunteered with their church in disaster relief efforts in Florida and North Carolina. They noticed that many property owners displaced by storm and flooding struggled to find dedicated remediation resources to help them restore their homes and return to normalcy. Looking for a business opportunity that combined their values and a desire to aid their community, the Charles purchased a PuroClean franchise in Cleveland, Tenn., in May 2014.
Founded in 2001, PuroClean serves both families and businesses impacted by water, fire, mold and other conditions that result in property damage. “Florida was where we became interested in restoration because of all the issues we faced due to mold,” says Charles, who had run an independent restoration business with his wife for 10 years. Sharon was a registered nurse for 18 years.
Core Values
When the couple decided to purchase a franchise, they were immediately drawn to PuroClean’s culture of servant leadership — a core value that emphasizes building strong local relationships and serving others, which deeply resonated with them. Their dedication was recognized at last year’s PuroClean International Convention, where they received the PuroClean Cares Award for their selfless service and commitment to giving back.
“We had several conversations with the PuroClean brand ambassadors, which convinced us that it was the best franchise for our family,” Charles says. The fact that the company encouraged buyers to leverage their professional experience was another bonus for Charles, who already had his Institute of Inspection and Restoration Certification prior to purchasing the franchise. He’s also been a disaster response chaplain for many years. Charles says the ease of setting up the company was another positive. “The staff at corporate was very supportive,” he says, providing assistance in everything from marketing to operations to employee training through the PuroClean Academy.
“The training provided through PuroClean Academy is excellent,” Charles says. “It introduces the employee to the PuroClean culture, as well as providing a great basic knowledge of the restoration industry. We expect all our new hires to complete the training.” Initially, the couple was challenged to find the right hires for their franchise, but utilizing the resources offered by PuroClean resulted in what today Charles today calls “a great team!”
Growing the Business
Since opening the franchise, which serves both residential and commercial customers, in 2014, the couple has grown the business to include five full-time and three to five part-time technicians, front-office staff, an in-house mechanic and an accounts payable assistant.
A typical day begins with a team meeting and a prayer and then Charles is on the go. “Every day is different,” he says. “I handle the logistics of most of the larger jobs, local or in the disaster field, so I’m seldom in the office.”
But being out in the field and taking an active role in their Tennessee community is what it’s all about. The company supports many local nonprofits and employs a part-time business development representative who serves as a Chamber ambassador and meets weekly with a lunch group of small businesses.
“We’re in a small town and we know the best way to get new business in our area is by word of mouth,” he says. “It’s also extremely important to do a great job for every customer, and we provide professional service with a personal touch. We always strive for that 5-star rating!”
Most importantly, the couple says that choosing to become part of the PuroClean family has allowed them to bring their values to their business. They continue to do outreach, taking an annual mission trip to distribute food and clothing in Appalachia, for example, and working with a nonprofit that provides medical care to the less fortunate.
“I love helping people and being able to calm them in their disaster, whether it is a small loss or a large loss,” Charles says. “Our role is beyond just repairing the property — it’s also repairing lives.”
For more information about the PuroClean franchise, visit the company’s website.
