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In 2022,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodney-washington/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=first-time-franchisee-how-a-covid-layoff-convinced-this-uwrg-franchisee-to-bet-on-himself-2723543" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rodney Washington</a> made the decision to leave corporate America behind and franchise with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration">United Water Restoration Group</a> (UWRG), a trusted leader in damage restoration services. 1851 Franchise spoke to Washington about his franchising journey with the brand and what he learned as a first-time franchisee.&nbsp;<h3>Washington’s Franchise Journey</h3>Before going into franchising, Washington’s career took several turns. He started as an insurance adjuster after college, but later pursued an opportunity to become a project manager in the oil and gas industry. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led the company he was working for to widespread layoffs, including Washington. Faced with the decision of returning to corporate work or pursuing his entrepreneurial aspirations, Washington decided it was time for a change.&nbsp;“I always wanted to do something on my own, but I didn’t really know how to get it going, so they did me a favor by pushing me out the door,” he said. “And I decided to bet on myself.”&nbsp;After trying to get some of his own businesses off the ground and coming up short, Washington decided to start doing some research on franchising. He came across&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=first-time-franchisee-how-a-covid-layoff-convinced-this-uwrg-franchisee-to-bet-on-himself-2723543" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">UWRG</a>, which was a business he never thought would be a franchise.&nbsp;“My frame of reference for franchising was simply McDonald’s, Burger King — fast food,” he said. “That’s all I really knew. So I went down this rabbit hole of realizing what a huge industry there was full of all types of different businesses.”He spent some time getting familiar with other brands, but Washington ultimately decided to go with the company that first caught his eye: UWRG. The franchisee noted that he was attracted to how the brand was still emerging and wasn’t a huge corporation.&nbsp;“I saw all of the investments they were making in their franchising operation and how they were supporting their franchisees,” he said. “That was huge to me. I also wanted to work with a company where ownership was still involved, and the team fit all of that.”&nbsp;He became the owner of UWRG of Missouri City, Texas, in March 2022.&nbsp;<h3>The Biggest Lessons Learned</h3>One of the biggest lessons that Washington has learned in his first year is that franchising is not necessarily just a “business in a box.”&nbsp;“You still have to take the playbook and you have to run the play,” be said. “It's not gonna just be some automatic machine that runs on its own. And there's going to be some tough months. There's gonna be some good months. It's just knowing how to navigate that.”&nbsp;For other people looking into becoming a franchise owner, Washington advised people to understand what they are getting into and that it is not going to be easy. He recommended doing as much research as possible before signing on the dotted line.&nbsp;“Go down that rabbit hole,” he said. “Understand what you're getting into because you might ultimately decide it's not for you — and that's okay. I really don't think franchising is for everyone. I don't think business ownership is for everyone. So it's an exercise of research before you make that decision.”&nbsp;<h3>Washington’s Plans for the Future</h3>Looking ahead to the future, Washington said he is driven by his “why?” and what’s important to him.&nbsp;“It’s all about my legacy,” he said. “I have a beautiful wife and three amazing children. I want to be a great example for those children, and I want to make my wife proud and make her feel secure in the future that I'm building for us. I'm just going to be a part of building a really great brand.”&nbsp;

First-Time Franchisee: How a COVID Layoff Convinced This UWRG Franchisee to Bet on Himself

1851 Franchise

Rodney Washington, a first-time franchise owner with the damage restoration franchise, shares insights on his journey, what he has learned along the way and why franchising is not necessarily just a “business in a box.” 

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Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Ramps Up Growth in First Half of 2025 With Strategic Expansions, Franchise Signings, and New Headquarters

childrens-lighthouse-ramps-up-growth-in-first-half-of-2025-with-strategic-expansions-franchise-signings-and-new-headquarters

Right at Home

Right at Home® Named a 2025 Top Franchise Brand for Multi-Unit Owners by Entrepreneur Magazine

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Dog Training Elite

Dog Training Elite -Tips-to-Ease-Dog Anxiety-for-4th of July- July-2025

Dog Training Elite Shares Tips To Ease Dog Anxiety for 4th of July

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Melting Pot

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Lexington Herald Leader: This Restaurant Chain Eyes a Return to Lexington After 10 Years

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Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Keke's Breakfast Cafe - John and Kimberly Ehrhard - 1851 Franchise

Empowering Leadership, One Pancake at a Time: How John and Kimberly Ehrhard Are Building a Franchise Legacy with Keke’s Breakfast Cafe

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