Ana Royall grew up in Chicago before she and her husband moved to the Las Vegas area about 10 years ago. Since then, they’ve built businesses side by side, picking up experience across a wide range of industries. They’ve run a wedding photography business, worked in real estate, managed home projects involving water damage and mold, and even built a DIY home website that brings in advertising revenue from the home repair space. Working together across so many ventures taught them what it really takes to operate and grow a business as a team.

As the real estate market began to shift, the couple started looking for something more stable, an opportunity that could hold up even in uncertain economic times. They spent nearly two years researching franchising and evaluating more than 20 different brands before finding the right fit with United Water Restoration Group. What drew them in was the balance: solid financial potential, strong leadership, and the chance to do work that genuinely helps homeowners during stressful, high-stakes moments after property damage.

1851 Franchise sat down with the Royalls to discuss the launch of their new UWRG business. Here’s what they had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Ana Royall: We are originally from Chicago but relocated to the Las Vegas area about 10 years ago. We have a strong background as entrepreneurs, which includes running a wedding photography business, working in real estate, and project managing homes with water damage and mold. Ultimately, our decision to enter franchising stemmed from a desire for a bigger opportunity and a business model that is more recession-resilient than real estate, which has many ups and downs.

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Royall: Before franchising, we were heavily involved in real estate, and we also currently run a do-it-yourself home website. Our site focuses on home services through a blog-based digital advertising model, sharing tips and videos for easy fixes. A major factor in our decision to purchase a franchise was the recent changes in the real estate market, specifically the payment regulations following a lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors. We felt compelled to move into something else immediately. Franchising made sense because the franchisor actually teaches you how to run a business, providing knowledge and a support system that we would not have gained if we started entirely on our own.

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?

Royall: Prior to joining, our perception was that success depended entirely on buying into the right franchise, and we thought it was always about big names like McDonald's or Taco Bell. What I want people to know now is that they shouldn't be afraid to "take the leap" into franchising. The support network is invaluable. During our research, we were even allowed to speak with a few existing franchisees, including one in Colorado who provided amazing advice on hiring technicians through temp agencies.

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

Royall: We chose United Water Restoration Group primarily because of the people. We really emphasized the importance of connecting with the support system and the leadership team. The most exciting aspect of the brand for us is the ability to generate a great income while also finding purpose in helping people who are experiencing real distress over damage to their homes.

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

Royall: Our immediate growth goals include continuing to scale, investing in SEO, and networking with plumbers and other local businesses. We are also very interested in community engagement. We plan to link up with local non-profit organizations, support breast cancer foundations, and engage with schools and after-school programs since we have five children of our own.

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

Royall: The home service repair industry is a "million-dollar business" and is truly recession-proof because essential repairs, like fixing leaks and toilets, are always necessary. We initially considered restaurants, but we pivoted to recession-proof businesses like restoration because other ventures required complex contractor licenses.

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

Royall: Our biggest piece of advice is to brace yourself. The process of getting the business open was intense; it was comparable to joining a fraternity, with a very small time frame to complete all necessary requirements. We also strongly stress the importance of having sufficient working capital. Unexpected costs, specifically the cost of all the necessary insurance, forced us to reach into our pockets a little.

ABOUT UWRG:

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.