Why This Longtime Technician and Former Preservan Employee Became the Brand’s Very First Franchise Owner

Blake Elwell started his journey with Preservan, the emerging home service franchise specializing in wood rot repair, as a technician. When the corporate team shared their idea of franchising with him, he jumped at the opportunity and became the brand’s very first franchise owner. 

Since 2023, Elwell has been doing great things as a franchisee in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Not only was he Preservan’s first franchisee, but he came into the role with minimal business experience. 

“I want people to know that I came into it with no business experience,” he said. “[The Preservan team] has helped me along the way. All the questions I had, they answered.” 

Elwell was driven to franchise with Preservan because he truly loved what the brand has to offer. “It’s the vision that Preservan has,” he said. “We're able to go in [and] save people money, whether it's wood, windows, doors or other exterior fixtures on the house. Instead of replacement costs, we just come in and repair it and save money.”

1851 Franchise spoke to Elwell about his franchise journey with Preservan and 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?

Elwell: I was actually working at the corporate Preservan location before they started franchising. Before that, I was a wireless technician. I’ve worked as a technician for probably about 10 years now. They got the idea and started franchising Preservan out, and I was really interested in that. I really enjoy the work we do and the vision that Preservan has. We got talking about it and I just went with it.  

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?

Elwell: I didn't really have any clue about franchising, or business in general. As you know, I've been a technician. I knew the business I was going into as far as the work and operations, but when it comes to marketing and all that other stuff, I was pretty clueless.

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

Elwell: It’s the vision that Preservan has. We're able to go in [and] save people money, whether it's wood, windows, doors or other exterior fixtures on the house. Instead of replacement costs, we just come in and repair it and save money. I'd seen that while I was working with them, and I think that's ultimately why, when the opportunity arose, I just jumped on it. 

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

Elwell: I want to grow it to three or four employees. Two technicians, someone in sales and someone in operations. Right now, I'm just a one-man band. 

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

Elwell: That I came into it with a little to no business experience. They've helped me along the way. All the questions I had, they answered. 

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

Elwell: Really look into the industry and what the work is and, if you really align with the vision that the franchise has, go for it. 

ABOUT PRESERVAN:

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/.