After more than 20 years of managing hospital infrastructure, David Sims decided it was time for a change. As the industry shifted under the weight of AI and automation, he began looking for something that felt more hands-on and meaningful, a search that eventually led him to DRYmedic Restoration, a restoration services franchise that helps communities recover from water, fire and mold damage.

“I was in IT for 25 years,” Sims said. “It was fun for a long time, but there were a lot of ups and downs. There’s been a lot of contraction in the industry recently due to AI and other technology improvements.”

Sims had worked his way into a leadership role at a hospital, but after five years, he was caught in a round of layoffs. “I took some time off and thought about starting my own business, but my financial runway was a little shorter than I needed without seeking outside capital,” he said.

He returned to IT for a year, but this time his mindset was different. “That’s when I discovered franchising,” he said. Sims had never really given it much thought before, but he soon realized it was a very viable option, providing entrepreneurs with a blueprint to follow instead of trying to create the map out of thin air.

Discovering Franchising and Finding DRYmedic

During his search for the right opportunity, Sims realized that the restoration industry checked multiple boxes, such as hands-on work, clear processes and a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

“I’ve always been interested in working with people and with my hands and seeing the fruits of my labor,” he said. “The restoration industry is very scientific in its methodology, which appealed to me coming from IT. Plus, at the end of the day, it’s about helping people.”

Working at the hospital helped Sims realize that purpose-driven work was what really fulfilled him, and DRYmedic felt the same. “If I can help restore something someone has lost and give that back to them, that’s worth it a thousand times over,” he said. 

When Sims discovered DRYmedic, he was immediately drawn to the way the brand’s mission aligned with his personal values. Once he started having conversations with leadership, it was clear they were deeply passionate about what they were doing. 

“They weren’t focused on how many franchises they could open just to make money,” he said. “They wanted to drive those principles, help people and support franchisees as they continue to open. That really resonated with me.”

A Smooth, Purposeful Transition

Despite a quarter century in another field, Sims says the shift felt natural. 

“Honestly, the most surprising thing was how easy it was for me,” he said. “Once I started having conversations with the team, they made it easy for me to fall in love with the industry. I felt like I could make a bigger impact here than I could anywhere else.”

He also found reassurance in the way things began to fall into place. “A warehouse became available five minutes from my house, and other opportunities just aligned,” Sims said. “It made me feel like I was making the right decision.”

Why Charleston Was the Perfect Market

When it came time to decide where to open, Charleston, South Carolina, was an easy choice. Sims saw firsthand how the coastal city’s climate made it a prime market for restoration services.

“Charleston’s a coastal city, and there’s water everywhere,” he said. “I’ve been keeping my finger on the pulse — real estate, local chatter on Nextdoor — and everyone talks about mold or flooding. Flooding issues in Charleston have always been a big deal. The city spent millions and millions of dollars on drainage just for one area downtown.”

Sims’ research revealed a clear gap in the market that DRYmedic could fill. There weren’t many restoration companies in the area with great reviews, and with the disaster restoration services market being valued at $42.93 billion, he knew there was plenty of work to go around.

Getting Involved in the Community

Since launching his DRYmedic of Charleston location, Sims has been focused on spreading the word and building relationships across the community.

“I’ve been mostly leveraging my existing network and getting the word out that way,” he said. “I’ve been pounding the pavement and introducing myself to plumbers, HVAC companies, even competitors. I try to be more collaborative than competitive. I’m not trying to price anybody out; there’s plenty of work for everyone.”

He’s also connecting with local insurance agents and other referral partners to establish long-term relationships. 

A New Sense of Freedom and Fulfillment

For Sims, owning a business has provided more than just flexibility. It has restored his sense of joy in his work.
“What I enjoy most is the newness of it,” he said. “It’s something different, something exciting, and I feel like I’m learning something new every day. I’m kind of a clean freak anyway, so if there’s something out there that can make a home cleaner or safer, and I can share that knowledge, that feels like a positive thing.”

Sims says one of the best parts of running his own business is having control over his schedule. He enjoys the flexibility of setting his own hours and finds the experience less stressful than corporate life. With the freedom to organize his days on his own terms, he feels a greater sense of balance and control than ever before.

“The fact that I don’t have someone else telling me what to do is liberating,” he said. “I get to make my own day and my own rules.”

Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond

As he looks ahead to 2026, Sims’ goals are ambitious yet grounded in the same data-driven mindset that defined his previous career.

“I just want to keep expanding the network and start getting revenue in the door,” he said. “I want to keep networking and marketing myself because I truly believe DRYmedic as a brand stands out. They have more experience, a broader skill set and a better methodology. Everything is based in science and is provable.”

Sims believes DRYmedic’s scientific foundation is one of the brand’s strongest advantages. He says that every decision in a restoration job is backed by measurable data and industry standards, allowing him to justify his methods with confidence when working with insurance adjusters or clients.

“It’s hard to argue when you’re driven by data,” he said. “That’s how DRYmedic operates, and it’s how I’ve always operated. You collect information, give it to the person you’re working with, and back it up with facts. It’s hard to argue with data.”

To find out more information on costs to buy a DRYmedic franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/drymedic-restoration/info.