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&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=united-water-restoration-group-asheville-tempesta-2730688" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">United Water Restoration Group</a> 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&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration/info">UWRG</a> 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:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Maria:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Mike:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;We have two daughters, who are 21 and 17, and two aging chihuahuas. That’s our family dynamic.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Mike:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;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 GroupSince 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.&nbsp;The initial investment to open and begin operation ranges from $300,000 - $700,000. For more information on franchising, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=united-water-restoration-group-asheville-tempesta-2730688" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/.</a>&nbsp;

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Mike & Maria Tempesta & UWRG logo

Meet the New Owners Behind United Water Restoration Asheville

1851 Franchise

With backgrounds in insurance, restoration and franchising, Mike and Maria Tempesta saw United Water Restoration Group’s support and values as the right fit for Asheville, North Carolina.

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

united-water-restoration-group-asheville-tempesta

FRANCHISE INFORMATION

Own a UWRG Franchise

Growth & Opportunity

Franchisee Highlight

Top Qualities of a Franchisee

Learn

Visit Website

UNITED WATER RESTORATION GROUP

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

SOCIAL MEDIA

Is United Water Restoration Group the Right Franchise Opportunity for First-Time Business Owners?

How a New Franchise Owner Elevated Her Business to a Record-Breaking Year — While Working Full-Time

UWRG 2025 Year in Review: Growth, Expansion and Multi-Unit Momentum

UNITED WATER RESTORATION GROUP MOST READ STORIES

1851 LOGIN

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

ABOUT UNITED WATER RESTORATION GROUP

CONTACT UNITED WATER RESTORATION GROUP

facebook

instagram

linkedin

youtube

First Name

Last Name

Email

Phone

State / Province

Zip Code

Requested Business Location

Current Net Worth?

Cash Available for Investment?

Own A United Water Restoration Group

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.

united-water-restoration-group-couple-owned-franchise

Restoring More Than Homes: How UWRG Turns Crisis Into Care

united-water-restoration-client-first-approach-long-island

Image of Allen Ruhf from United Water Restoration Group Franchisee from Hastings, Michigan

United Water Restoration Group Franchise Owner Uses Lifelong Resilience to Lead Michigan’s Next Era of Restoration

united-water-restoration-group-grand-rapids-opening

United Water Restoration Group - UWRG - Kathy and Ben McClain - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

Former Educators Build a Multi-Generational Future With United Water Restoration Group Franchise

uwrg-pearland-franchisee-kathy-mcclain

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

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS