Franchisee Stories
Nathan Sherman acted on his sense of duty, launching a business that will both support his family and make meaningful change for other members of his community.
After serving in the Air Force and working at Ford, Nathan Sherman began exploring the idea of building something for himself. Leveraging the discipline and persistence he developed in the military, Sherman turned to franchise opportunities in the restoration industry. As he prepares to open his United Water Restoration Group franchise in Hickory, North Carolina, he looks forward to providing top-tier restoration services to local residents.
Sherman took the time to chat with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what he had to say.
1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?
Nathan Sherman: Before coming to franchising, I served in the Air Force for four years and worked with Ford for about a decade. While in the military, I gained a strong sense of leadership and maturity. During my work with Ford, I was supporting my family well, but I wanted to feel like I was making a more tangible difference in my community.
Starting a business would allow me to build something for myself. Franchising made sense for me because it provided a better structure for me to work off of rather than me trying to do everything from scratch. I worked closely with franchise consultant Greg Mohr to help identify the perfect opportunity for me.
1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?
Sherman: I had always kind of had an entrepreneurial mind and just never started something. I had always thought and dreamt of doing it, and my father-in-law brought the idea of franchising to me.
I knew the general benefits of franchising in terms of the business model and support, but when we got in touch with a franchise broker, he solidified the perks in my mind.
I think people should know that, with franchises, you have the support structure and business model in front of you. Once you start, the biggest remaining factor is you. It’s up to you to follow the system and do what you need to do to succeed.
1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?
Sherman: I was initially looking in the restoration industry in general, but I did not resonate with any of the brands I was researching. I ended up seeing a United Water Restoration Group vehicle in the grocery store parking lot after work one day, and it caught my eye.
As I began to research, I really liked the brand and was impressed by the fact that the leadership team at the franchisor level are also franchisees of the brand. They genuinely understand the challenges and nuances of the industry. They’re “in it” the same way we, as owners, are. That level of hands-on experience and support is invaluable.
1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?
Sherman: I’m excited to build a strong reputation in the Hickory area and to be the person the community comes to when they need help navigating the stressful time following property damage. Long-term, I also want to grow the business to be something that supports me in building the life I want.
1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?
Sherman: I was fortunate to have purchased a home when the housing market was low, selling it when it was pretty high. My in-laws are also my business partners. I’m very fortunate that all of those things came into play in my life — and at the right time. Otherwise, this may have never happened for me to begin with.
1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?
Sherman: Even though we didn’t end up going with one of the brands he suggested, working with the franchise broker was great for us. He sent a whole bunch of ideas that we’d never thought of and was very helpful throughout the process even though he didn’t make a dollar off of us.
About United Water Restoration Group
Since 2008, United Water Restoration Group (UWRG) has helped thousands of home and business owners restore properties to pre-loss condition. Through a commitment to excellence and a focus on personal attention, clients’ expectations are exceeded every time, without exception. Today, with a philosophy of hiring the best staff to provide professional restoration services, UWRG has grown to more than 80 locations and maintains a level of customer service rarely seen in the industry. Although UWRG assists those experiencing disasters, this growing, recession-proof industry is also supported by fundamental infrastructure issues like aging systems and reconstruction.
The initial investment to open and begin operation ranges from $214,300 (single unit) to $627,400 (six units). For more information on franchising, visit https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/.
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