From Engineering to Restoration: Why Gervasse Talbot Chose to Franchise With United Water Restoration Group

Gervasse Talbot, the latest United Water Restoration Group (UWRG) franchise owner, is a former chief electrical engineer with a strong background in both the military and civilian sectors. His career began with hands-on experience in the military, where he gained expertise in rocket science and jet engine maintenance. Transitioning to the civilian workforce, he climbed the ranks at a New Jersey power plant, eventually taking on the role of chief electrical engineer and trainer. 

The turning point for Talbot came in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Witnessing the extensive damage and the urgent need for large-scale restoration services, he realized a significant gap in the industry, particularly in the industrial sector. This sparked his interest in franchising as a way to address these unmet needs. Talbot saw franchising as more than just a business opportunity; it was a way to provide crucial services to communities around Doylestown, Pennsylvania, that were recovering from disasters. 

Talbot chose UWRG because he was impressed by its strong brand and mission, which matched his own values. Through his research, he found that UWRG had a great reputation and a supportive network, which are essential for success in franchising. He was also excited about the company's growth potential, both in the U.S. and internationally. Talbot's goal is to expand UWRG's services to places like Ghana, where disaster recovery is urgently needed.

1851 Franchise spoke to Talbot about his franchise journey with United Water Restoration Group and his plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Gervasse Talbot: Before franchising with UWRG, I was a chief electrical engineer at a power plant in New Jersey. My role at the power plant was mainly as a trainer. I started off in the department that handled jet engines. We rebuilt them, swapped them, and ran them — everything. This experience ties back to my background in the military, where I learned about rocket science.

After Hurricane Sandy, I realized there was an absolute need for restoration on a large scale, beyond just residential and commercial. That's what drew me to franchising. While we're good with residential and commercial remediation and loss mitigation, there's a huge gap in the industrial sector that has great potential. I wanted to provide a service that I saw was really needed.

Restoration done right is crucial, especially for owners who've suffered a loss or damages. It's important to have someone who genuinely wants to restore their property to satisfactory conditions rather than just making a quick buck. This is often missing in the restoration industry. I saw disappointed agents, unhappy property owners and particularly frustrated industrial managers due to a lack of vision in what's necessary for recovery efforts.

In franchising, I wanted to take ownership of something. I left my electrical engineering job to get into restoration because I saw an opportunity. Some people said I had it good where I was, but I love this opportunity. I'm confident that when everything is up and running, this will propel United Water to the next level of restoration. There's a huge need for large-scale infrastructure restoration, and I want to be part of that decision-making group.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchise owner, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Talbot: I didn't have a clear opinion of franchising initially. I thought it was just a way for big businesses to make money off smaller ones. But now I see that franchising offers a huge support system and complete guidance. If you lack motivation, you can get it with the right franchise team, which I know I have. I have some great mentors who've been helping me, and I'm excited to impress them and get everything going.

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

Talbot: I picked United Water because they have a great logo and a compelling story. From my research, I found nothing negative about them.

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

Talbot: I want to expand to an international scale, starting with Ghana, which has been in a natural disaster state for hundreds of years. My goal is to provide them with true guidance and a new headquarters. It might sound ambitious, but I've had to fight very hard to get here, and I'm willing to keep fighting. I've always been considered an underdog, and every day I get one step closer.

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

Talbot: I want you to know it wasn't easy. The odds were monumental, especially for someone new to this industry. The franchise has a strong foothold because they take care of their people. UWRG has shown up for their employees, and the growth I've seen in their franchises has been motivating.

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

Talbot: Study and read. Educate yourself thoroughly. Don't just watch a few videos and think you're ready. Take the time to understand the industry and see where you can make a difference. If you're only in it for the money, you're not going to succeed. You need to see where you can provide real value.

With my background in electrical engineering, I want to bring immediate services after a disaster, like providing electrical power. People don't often think about this, but after a loss, power needs to be restored as soon as possible. There's a lot of knowledge required that you must be willing to acquire. If you want to come into this franchise, you must be committed to doing the work and seeing what is needed before making any decisions.

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 $159,342 to $441,874. For more information on franchising, visit https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/.