United Water Restoration Group

After building a thriving restoration business in Charlotte, North Carolina,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-fischmann-a816348/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=first-time-franchise-owner-2729678" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rob Fischmann</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-high-fischmann/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=first-time-franchise-owner-2729678" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Cindy High-Fischmann</a>, longtime franchisees with&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=first-time-franchise-owner-2729678" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">United Water Restoration Group (UWRG)</a>, have officially passed the reins to new owner&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-michael-oconnell?trk=public_post_feed-actor-name&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=first-time-franchise-owner-2729678" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kevin O’Connell</a>. The transition marks a new chapter for all three — one defined by legacy, opportunity and a commitment to quality.<h3>Building a Business With Purpose</h3>Rob and Cindy didn’t come from the restoration world. Both were former executives at Kodak who wanted a second act that combined their operational expertise with a more personal mission.“We had a house in the Charlotte area for years and knew we wanted to settle here,” Cindy said. “We started looking into franchises in the home services space and found&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration/info">United Water Restoration Group</a> to be a great fit.”From day one, they were impressed by the UWRG team’s support and balanced structure.“We were early franchisees in the system, and UWRG struck the right balance between helpful guidance and room to run our business our way,” Rob said.Their instincts were spot on. Since launching in 2018, the couple earned a reputation for exceptional service, professionalism and a strong presence in the local market.<h3>Knowing When It’s Time</h3>Despite their success, Rob and Cindy had always planned their UWRG journey with a clear timeline in mind.“When we started, we said five years,” Cindy said. “After some health issues, we realized it was time to think about what’s next — and this isn’t a business you can run passively.”As they approached retirement, their priority became finding the right person to carry on what they had built.<h3>Passing the Torch: How Kevin O’Connell Became the Next UWRG Leader</h3>Kevin O’Connell’s path to entrepreneurship was anything but typical. After working in investment banking with a focus on founder-led businesses, the pandemic prompted him to rethink his future. Business school followed, where he met his wife — a Charlotte native — and began envisioning a more independent life.“I knew I wanted to work for myself,” O’Connell said. “After a career in corporate finance, I wanted to build something real, something lasting.”That vision led him to Rob and Cindy’s UWRG business, and the fit was immediate.“He brought energy, a strong operational mindset and a real respect for the business we’d built,” Cindy said. “It became clear that he was the right person to take it forward.”<h3>Why United Water Restoration Group?</h3>For O’Connell, the opportunity checked every box. The Charlotte market was booming, the restoration industry proved resilient, and the UWRG model offered multiple revenue streams and a solid support system.“It’s a recession-resistant industry, and if you have a great team and a trusted brand, there’s always demand,” O’Connell said. “The financial profile was strong. The business already had great reviews and a reliable team in place. I felt like I could step in and keep the momentum going.”Perhaps most importantly, O’Connell felt confident in the transition thanks to Rob and Cindy’s approach.“The financials were important, of course,” he said, “but the people you’re buying from matter more. Trust is everything in a deal like this.”<h3>A Transition Built on Trust</h3>To ensure a smooth handoff, Rob and Cindy committed to staying on for six months to guide O’Connell and support the team.“We’re helping Kevin get acclimated,” Rob said. “We care about the business and want to make sure he has what he needs to succeed.”While they’ll be stepping back from day-to-day operations, retirement for the Fischmanns is more of a reset than a full stop.“We’ll do a little traveling,” Rob said. “And Cindy has some ideas brewing in the consulting space.”As for O’Connell, this is just the beginning. With a solid foundation, a growing market and a passion for building something of his own, he's ready to make his mark and continue the legacy Rob and Cindy so carefully created.To learn more about United Water Restoration Group franchise opportunities, visit<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=first-time-franchise-owner-2729678" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration">https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration</a>. &nbsp;

United Water Restoration - UWRG - Franchise - 1851 Franchise

From Finance to Franchise: A UWRG Business Transition in Charlotte

1851 Franchise

When UWRG franchisees Rob Fischmann and Cindy High-Fischmann retired, they found the perfect successor in Kevin O'Connell - a former banker ready to build his own legacy in Charlotte, North Carolina.

This brand page has been paid for by UNITED WATER RESTORATION GROUP. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Franchise Owner Finds New Path With United Water Restoration

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Running a business with your spouse comes with a unique set of rewards, as well as realities. The wins feel shared, the challenges feel personal, and the line between work and life can blur quickly. For husband-and-wife franchise owners at&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/">United Water Restoration Group (UWRG)</a>, success often comes down to clear roles, honest communication and a franchise system built to support teamwork at every level.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration/info">UWRG’s</a> restoration model has proven especially well-suited for couples who bring complementary skill sets to the table. With defined operational systems, franchisor support and a collaborative franchise network, the brand gives partners the ability to divide responsibilities, stay aligned on long-term goals and build a service-driven business together without feeling like they’re navigating it alone.That balance has been central to the experience of husband-and-wife franchise owners&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/multifamily-apartments-john-casmon/">John</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/geetika-casmon/">Geetika Casmon</a>, who own and operate a&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgcincyeast.com/">UWRG location in Cincinnati</a>. Each brings a distinct professional background to the business, allowing them to support one another and move the company forward with intention.<h2>Dividing Roles to Create Momentum</h2>The Casmons operate with a clear handoff between lead generation and execution. John, who spent 15 years in marketing and advertising, focuses on the front end of the business, such as digital marketing, lead channels and field marketing initiatives that keep the phones ringing.Geetika oversees operations, administration and financial processes. With a background in accounting, auditing and operational consulting, she manages intake, execution and efficiency once a job enters the system.“If you think of a funnel, he handles the front end and how things are coming in,” Geetika said. “Once they’re in, I pretty much handle it from there.”That structure allows both partners to stay in their lanes while remaining deeply connected to the overall health of the business.<h2>The Rewards and Realities of Working With Your Spouse</h2>Running a business together brings obvious upsides. The Casmons describe having a built-in partner they trust, someone who understands the daily pressures and decisions at a deeper level than anyone else.“You have someone you can rely on completely,” Geetika said. “Someone you’re comfortable with. You can be vulnerable. You can talk about the ups and downs of the business.”But that closeness can also blur boundaries. When challenges arise, they don’t stop at the office door. John says the business often feels like “its own baby,” one that sometimes demands sacrifices from both partners at the same time with late-night calls and emergency jobs. Still, being aligned makes those moments manageable.“The upside is being able to sit and collaborate, bounce ideas off each other and really understand what the other person is going through,” he said.<h2>How UWRG’s Model Supports Couple-Owned Franchises</h2>UWRG’s franchise structure has played a key role in helping the Casmons operate effectively as a team. Because franchisor support is segmented by function, each partner works directly with the departments that align with their responsibilities.John regularly connects with marketing and design teams, while Geetika works with operations and accounting support. “They’re structured in a way that really mirrors the way we’ve structured our business,” he said.Beyond franchisor support, the franchise network itself has become an invaluable resource. Rather than feeling isolated, the Casmons are able to lean on fellow franchise owners who understand the restoration business at a granular level.<h2>Advice for Couples Considering Franchising Together</h2>Both Geetika and John emphasize that alignment is everything. Before launching a business together, couples need to have honest conversations about goals, lifestyle expectations and what success truly looks like, not just individually, but as a family.John echoed that sentiment, noting that misalignment around growth expectations is one of the most common pitfalls in spouse-led partnerships. “If one person wants a $10 million business and the other wants passive income, that’s going to cause friction,” he said. “You have to get really clear on what the endgame is.”<h2>Staying Connected Beyond the Business</h2>The Casmons don’t see balance as perfection. They see it as making choices. With business always pulling at their attention, being deliberate about creating space outside of work has been key to staying connected. “That means date nights, conversations that aren’t about the business or the kids,” John said.Geetika added that even when business topics inevitably come up, staying connected as partners is what keeps the relationship strong. “I think the key, though, is to be very intentional about connecting and not solely becoming the business,” she said.UWRG provides a structure that makes collaboration practical. Accessible franchisor support and an engaged franchise network help spouses build the business side by side while keeping the relationship front and center.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration">https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration</a>.

Why Couples Are Choosing United Water Restoration Group to Build a Business Together

United Water Restoration Group offers couples in franchising the structure, support and clarity needed to grow a restoration business together without losing balance at home.

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Franchise Owner Finds New Path With United Water Restoration

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