After Two Decades Helping Homeowners Rebuild, Asheville Couple Finds the Right Fit with United Water Restoration Group

Mike and Maria Tempesta have spent more than 20 years running businesses and helping people recover after property damage. Their background in insurance and restoration gave them a strong understanding of what customers need during difficult times. After living in Florida for many years, they decided to relocate and start a new chapter in Asheville.

They chose United Water Restoration Group because the company’s values matched their own. They wanted a business that focused on honesty, reliability and supporting people when they need help the most. With the backing of a proven franchise system, they are now focused on growing their location and serving homeowners and businesses across the area.

The Tempestas picked Asheville, North Carolina, as the place to put their years of experience to work. They were drawn to the lifestyle, but also to the chance to build a business that could serve neighbors when help is needed most.

1851 Franchise sat down with the Tempestas to discuss their franchising journey with UWRG and their plans for the future. 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?

Mike Tempesta: We’ve been in business for ourselves for quite a while. I was a public adjuster in Florida for more than 10 years, working for myself, and Maria helped me out in that as well. From there, we purchased a pool supply franchise in Florida and then another franchise. We’ve been serial entrepreneurs for some time.

With my insurance background and a year of experience working as a mitigation project manager for another restoration concept, I gained a good understanding of how the restoration industry works. We were looking for the next opportunity, and this seemed like a good fit.

Maria Tempesta: I’ve always been the support for the different businesses we’ve run. I also worked for the same restoration company as Mike did for a short time after we moved here from Florida. With that experience, along with handling administration for the public adjusting business, it felt like a natural fit. That’s why we’re here now.

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?

Mike: Franchising is great for people who don’t have a lot of business experience and want a partner in the process. The saying goes, you’re in business for yourself but not by yourself.

To be frank, there are strong franchise systems and some you may not want to work with. As a model, though, franchising offers many advantages. There’s the support, the insight into the industry and the connections you make with other owners. You also gain supplier advantages and economies of scale that independent operators usually don’t have.

Franchising provides real value as a partnership with the franchise owner. You pay for that, but ideally, the trade-off is worth the investment.

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

Mike: It’s a growing brand, and you really get the family feel from it. Not all franchises have that. This system creates a close, supportive environment in the way they work with each other and with their franchise owners. That isn’t something you find everywhere. In a previous franchise I worked with, it was family-owned and you could feel that same sense of connection. That’s what stood out to me here — you feel like you’re part of the family.

For United Water Restoration Group, it’s definitely the support they offer. They provide insight, they’re invested in your success and they’re always willing to help. Their marketing program is strong and helps you get a quick start in the organization and in your business. It was also a good financial deal. The royalties we pay are very competitive compared with other franchises, if not better, which is especially helpful when you’re first starting out.

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

Maria: We hope to grow as much as we can, while making sure we serve our customers the right way. We’re both very excited for the future. We started off pretty quickly, which was encouraging because I thought the ramp-up phase would take longer.

It’s exciting to see the relationships with plumbers and other partners start to grow and pay off. When you put the plan in motion that United Water gives you, you see that it works. That’s been really rewarding.

Of course, growth comes with challenges. As jobs come in, we have to scale quickly — adding employees, equipment and other resources to handle the work properly. We’ve already ordered more equipment from our initial order and are now looking to add a vehicle and another employee. We're headed in the right direction.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Mike: We just feel really good about being here. It feels like home, and we’re glad we made the move after living in Florida for more than 20 years. We enjoy the people and the way of life here. Beyond that, I don’t know what more there is to say.

Maria: We have two daughters, who are 21 and 17, and two aging chihuahuas. That’s our family dynamic.

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

Mike: Be very careful. There are a lot of franchises out there, and like anything else you might get involved in, there are very good partners and there are partners you should be cautious about — ones that may not offer the support you expect from a franchisor. You really have to watch your numbers and try to understand the industry because it’s a big upfront investment. Ultimately, if for some reason you don’t make it in the business, you’re the one taking on that risk. The franchisor will continue on. So, you need to be careful about who you partner with, what business you enter and where you establish it to give yourself the best chance of success.

Maria: The history of franchising is generally good. The percentage of successful franchises is much greater than if you go into business on your own. But there are still pitfalls and challenges that can arise along the way. The key is to be as prepared as possible.

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 50 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 $300,000 - $700,000. For more information on franchising, visit https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/.