United Water Restoration Group

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigmccandless/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&amp%3Butm_medium=article&amp%3Butm_campaign=texas-entrepreneur-thrives-as-united-water-restoration-franchisee-2723127&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=first-time-franchisee-craig-mccandless-chooses-united-water-restoration-group-2723545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Craig McCandless</a> had been in the corporate world pretty much all his adult life. But this year, he decided to make the leap into franchising with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration">United Water Restoration Group</a> (UWRG), a trusted leader in damage restoration services.1851 Franchise talked to McCandless about his decision and his first year of franchising thus far.&nbsp;<h3>McCandless’s Franchise Journey</h3>Before franchising, McCandless spent most of his career in the utilities sector, dealing in various areas such as meter installations, billing, software sales and customer service. As time went on, he started looking at different business opportunities.Over the years, franchise brokers reached out to McCandless on LinkedIn, but he had never taken them up on a call until recently. The broker explained the process of exploring franchise opportunities, and McCandless found the process more affordable than expected and decided to move forward.“I didn’t think that's feasible for me until I actually decided to look a little deeper,” he said.&nbsp; “When it's done right, the franchising side is better than the small business side, and that's why I didn't try to go alone. Franchises have things that work. And that's helpful, especially when you're jumping into something that you're not a 20-year veteran in doing.”&nbsp;After spending time doing research and meeting with various companies, he eventually found&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=first-time-franchisee-craig-mccandless-chooses-united-water-restoration-group-2723545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">UWRG</a>. His decision to franchise with the brand was influenced by factors such as the team, the company story and the importance of providing essential services to the community. He was drawn to the idea of being part of an emerging business in the water restoration field and helping local communities in times of need.<h3>The Biggest Lessons Learned</h3>One of the biggest lessons McCandless has learned in his first year is that there’s a lot of work and education that goes into being a franchisee.&nbsp;“You have to understand the business you’re about to go into and, once you make that decision, there’s still a lot of things that need to be done,” he said. “If you’ve never owned a small business, you drink from the fire hose really quickly. There are things that you need to embrace and understand very fast.”&nbsp;For other people thinking about making the jump into franchising, McCandless strongly emphasizes that due diligence is key. He noted that, if you select a good franchise broker, that can be very helpful. Additionally, he spent a lot of time talking to existing franchise owners.&nbsp;“One thing I really liked about the franchise model is the opportunity to speak to existing franchisees about their experience,” he said. “I looked for newer ones that had just gone through the process. I think that really helps you with due diligence because franchises are limited as to what they can share with you, especially regarding the financial viability.”&nbsp;<h3>Looking Ahead to the Future</h3>As he continues on his first year of business ownership, McCandless hopes that he can build a thriving business that not only supports his family but also maintains a strong reputation in his community.“I want to focus on being ethical, doing a good job and providing excellent customer service,” he said. “If somebody uses my company, I want them to give us raving reviews and say that our team was really professional with what they are doing.”Someday, McCandless hopes to pass a successful business to a family member, employee or someone else who will continue to run the business well.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

First-Time Franchisee Craig McCandless Chooses United Water Restoration Group

1851 Franchise

After spending most of his career in the corporate world, Craig McCandless found himself intrigued by the water restoration franchise that helps locals. 

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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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