Press Release

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Alejandro and Jennifer Restrepo are PuroClean franchisees who own two locations in Connecticut with 19 employees total. Alejandro is originally from Colombia and now lives in Connecticut with his wife and daughter. Coming from a background that values structure, accountability, and growth, his path naturally led to entrepreneurship. Together, Alejandro and Jennifer bring their extensive professional experience into the world of franchising, where they are building something meaningful and lasting, rooted in their values.

Read our Q&A with these amazing franchise owners to learn more about their path.

What made you decide to look into purchasing a franchise? 

Alejandro: Jennifer and I both had stable careers, but my work required extensive travel responding to natural disasters—often nearly half the year. As our daughter approached school age, we knew that the lifestyle wasn’t sustainable. I had a long-standing interest in owning a water damage restoration company, as it aligned with leadership, problem-solving, and helping people in critical moments. Franchising provided a structured path to ownership, allowing me to build something scalable and stable with a connection to other like-minded owners.
Jennifer: From the outside, everything looked right, but the constant travel meant that as a family, we were missing moments we couldn’t get back. As our daughter got older, being present mattered more than anything. As a former educator, this provided an alternate opportunity to help families during some of their hardest days. A franchise gave us the foundation and confidence to take that step.

When researching franchises, what criteria mattered to you most? How did your franchise meet that criteria?

Alejandro: I focused on scalability, recession resistance, operational support, and whether the business genuinely helped people. Our franchise stood out because it combined essential services with a strong brand, clear systems, and a mission that aligned with serving families during difficult moments.
Jennifer: I was drawn to this particular franchise concept because we help people put back the pieces after a catastrophe. It provides the opportunity to connect with others and work to build something greater than helping just one individual. As a whole, we are a part of something that helps restore properties so families and businesses can get back to the life they know.

Financing can be an obstacle and/or intimidating factor for aspiring entrepreneurs. How did you find financing options to purchase your franchise? 

Alejandro: We took a thoughtful approach to financing by researching multiple options and consulted with people that we trust. After careful consideration, we chose to use ROBS structure (or money from our retirement plans)—an option many prospective owners aren’t aware exists. It allowed us to fund the business in a way that aligned with our goals and gave us the flexibility to get started without relying on traditional loan structures.

Jennifer: Once we understood the different financing paths available, the decision became much clearer. Learning about the ROBS option helped us decide that we could take on this risk. It made us feel like we had more control over money and the situation.

Which of your prior skills and experiences do you use in operating your business today?

Alejandro: Leadership, decision-making under pressure, financial discipline, and long-term planning are skills I rely on daily. I’m deeply grateful to my previous employer for the opportunities, training, and trust that allowed me to grow as a leader in high-stakes environments and high-pressure situations. Running a restoration business requires calm execution during emergencies, which closely mirrors the experiences that helped prepare me for ownership.
Jennifer: I use my background in organization, collaborating with others, and team support every day. This helps the operations run smoothly behind the scenes so our field teams can focus on delivering exceptional service to our customers.

During your research, did you use FBR’s website to compare franchise opportunities? What other resources did you use?

Alejandro: Yes, FBR’s website was a helpful starting point for comparing franchise opportunities and understanding industry differences. Beyond that, we relied heavily on direct conversations with franchisees, financial advisors, and independent research.
Jennifer: FBR absolutely helped narrow the field, but conversations and real-world insights were critical. Speaking directly with owners and understanding their day-to-day reality gave us the clarity we needed.

When doing your research, which questions did you ask the franchisees?

Alejandro: I asked about daily operations, support quality, marketing effectiveness, and what they wished they had known earlier. I was especially interested in how the franchisor responded during difficult situations.
Jennifer: I focused on work-life balance, support systems, staffing challenges, and how well PuroClean delivered on its promises after the sale.

Which questions did you ask the franchisor?

Alejandro: I asked detailed questions around systems, operations, training, and collaboration across the network. I wanted to understand how PuroClean supported owners beyond launch and how consistency, accountability, and best practices were maintained as the business scaled.
Jennifer: My questions were more centered on culture and engagement—how franchise owners and teams are supported, how communication flows, and whether the organization truly values collaboration. I wanted to know what it felt like to be part of the system.

What were your first 90 days like as a franchisee?

Alejandro: The first 90 days were intense and humbling. We were learning the PuroClean business while actively serving customers, but the structure, training, and clear processes helped us stay focused and move forward with confidence.
Jennifer: Those early months were busy and demanding, and at times the unknown felt overwhelming—wondering if the calls would really come at all hours and whether our systems would work the way we planned.

At what point did you feel like you “got the hang of it” and settled in as a business owner?

Alejandro: That moment came when our call flow changed, and the team began growing to meet the vision we had set. It was a clear signal that the systems we built were working—allowing us to move from reactive decisions to proactive leadership. Seeing the business operate consistently without constant intervention confirmed that we had created something scalable and sustainable. However, I’m still not sure if we got the hang of it after 4 years.
Jennifer: For me, it clicked when Alejandro was able to step back from the technical side of the work and focus on guiding the team. Watching our people confidently lead others and execute what he had once done himself showed that the business was no longer dependent on us alone—and that made everything feel truly sustainable.

How does the franchisor support and encourage your success? 

Alejandro: Through structured training at the signing, ongoing coaching, strong marketing support, and an engaged franchisee network. There’s a real connection among several of the PuroClean franchises across the country, and the collaboration and support that we have is unmatched. We support the network by dedicating time and volunteering as mentors, and help the fran dev team by talking to prospective investors.
Jennifer: Support comes through access—access to people, resources, and answers when we need them. The culture encourages collaboration rather than isolation.

What are you most proud of and why?

I’m most proud of what we’ve built from the ground up—starting as a husband-and-wife team and growing into multiple locations with a strong, positive culture. Creating an environment where people genuinely want to come to work, feel supported, and take pride in helping others has been incredibly rewarding. Earning the trust of both our team and our community is what gives the business lasting meaning. Jennifer: I’m proud that we’ve created a company rooted in empathy, professionalism, and consistency. Watching our team grow—not just professionally, but as people who care deeply about the work they do and the families they help—has been incredibly fulfilling.

What advice would you give to potential franchise owners?

Alejandro: Do your homework, talk to as many owners as possible, and be honest about your goals. Success comes from commitment, not shortcuts.
Jennifer: Choose a franchise that aligns with your values, not just your financial goals. The right fit makes the hard work worthwhile.