Educator and Army Veteran Launch Preservan Franchise To Increase Impact in Community

When Brianna and  Nate Miles began considering business ownership, Nate knew franchising would offer the support he wanted for his first time as a business owner, but Brianna was skeptical about how much control they would have over their business. Through an extended research process, emphasizing franchisor support, culture and values, the pair found Preservan, the emerging wood rot repair franchise.

After connecting with the corporate team and learning more about the model, Brianna notes she felt a “full-body yes.” Now, they are preparing to launch in Northwest Florida with plans to become the household name for wood rot repair in their community.

The Miles took the time to chat with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what they 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?

Nate Miles: I started in the Army, serving from 2006 to 2011. When I retired, I joined the private workforce and ended up jumping into IT. I spent the bulk of my corporate career working with software development teams and coaching them on delivering efficiently and effectively. I focused a lot on culture, empowerment, and self-organization.

I liked my work but wanted to take more ownership. I had been thinking of owning a business for a long time, and after a lot of research and soul-searching, I found franchising to be the best way to get my foot in the door.

Brianna Miles: I’ve been in education for 13 years. I worked as an elementary school teacher in second, third, and fifth grade; I served as an instructional coach and I was an assistant principal. Now, I work part-time in mathematics and leadership consulting for elementary schools in Colorado, virtually. We’re a homeschool family, and I’m also involved with our three kids’ homeschool program.

Nate brought up the idea of starting a franchise, and we had played around with the idea for a long time. I was super unsure at first, it felt risky, and it didn’t feel like the right time for a long time. But now, we’re launching with Preservan, and we’re super excited. We’ve fallen in love with the company we’ve chosen and the service we’ll be offering.

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?

Brianna: I wasn’t too sure about franchising. I’d heard of it in the past, but I was concerned about whether it would actually feel like our own business and if we’d be able to make a true impact. I was definitely skeptical at first, but once we found Preservan I started sitting in on calls and I felt a very quick full-body yes. I think people should know that, if you’ve heard things about franchising and aren’t sure, just keep looking. There are so many brands and you can absolutely find a brand that makes you think, “Oh, this is what people have been talking about!”

Nate: I like the franchise model because of the structures and systems we have. That’s very helpful as we’re getting launched as first-time business owners rather than having to do it all on our own.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Brianna: I was waiting for something that resonated. Preservan is so new, unique and different. People who have rot will be excited to have us in the area. Also, early on, we went out to Oklahoma City to meet Ty [McBride] and his family, and it felt like we had known them for so long. So not only did we love the service and product, but our identities and values aligned as well. 

Nate: I agree with all of that. Also, when it comes to wood rot repair, it’s either a repair or a complete replacement. Just like us, homeowners in our area are looking for convenient, sustainable, affordable options to make their homes feel and look a lot nicer. That tied it all together for us, and we knew it was a great fit.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Nate: Honestly, we’re hoping that Preservan becomes a household name in Northwest Florida. We’re excited to be launching. We’re mostly focused on Destin and the surrounding areas right now, but as we expand, getting to serve neighbors from the Gulf to the state line will be a big deal for us.

Brianna: We want to become a company that everyone knows and goes to. We’re not just a business; we want to have relationships with our neighbors and come to be known as the reliable, neighborly business that people can turn to and count on.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Nate: Especially given the area that we’re in, where there’s a high concentration of veterans, I want people to know that we’re veteran-owned. Brianna and I are very community-focused, and we’re excited to get out there and help people — veterans and otherwise — with a service that saves them time and money.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Brianna: The biggest thing is to keep an open mind and really just trust the process. There are so many options, which is great, because it means there’s a niche for everyone. As you go through the process with a franchisor, hear them out and understand what you can accomplish based on what they can offer you and how they can support you.

Nate: I would emphasize that people should believe in themselves. Throughout your experience in life, you’ve likely developed a skill set that you can lean on to help you be successful. Find the franchisor that aligns with your values and can provide support that supplements your skills.

ABOUT PRESERVAN WOOD ROT REPAIR

Preservan Wood Rot Repair is a category-creating franchise in the home services industry specializing in eco-friendly wood restoration and repair that preserves building materials instead of replacing them. Established by industry veteran Ty McBride, Preservan stands out because of its unique 100% epoxy-based wood rot repair technology that offers a sustainable alternative to traditional wood replacement. This method saves homeowners millions of dollars each year while preserving architectural heritage and craftsmanship. With nearly two decades of experience, the brand has evolved into a national franchise with locations across Oklahoma, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Today, Preservan provides a compelling opportunity for entrepreneurs seeking a low-cost, high-impact franchise in the booming home services sector. For more information, visit: https://gopreservan.com/.