2 minute read
Winning Strategy
PuroClean enthusiastically supports veterans through its PuroVet program. Here, PuroClean President and COO Steve White (2nd left) presents Washington, D.C., resident Grant Springer (1st left), a U.S. Army veteran, with a free franchise as part of the PuroVet program. The giveaway was featured on Lifetime network’s Military Makeover: Operation Career. Also shown are Broward County Commissioner Michael Udine (2nd right) and PuroClean Chairman and CEO Mark Davis.
Winning Strategy
Advertisement
Both sides benefit from PuroClean’s assistance to veterans
by Mary Vinnedge
PuroClean®—a leading national restoration franchise which helps families and businesses overcome the devastating setbacks caused by water, fire, mold, biohazards, and other conditions resulting in property damage—enthusiastically helps U.S. military veterans through its PuroVet program. The company’s president and chief operating officer, former Army Capt. Steve White, is a huge fan of the program and of assisting veterans in general. He is vice chair of the International Franchise Association’s VetFran Committee (he’ll chair it in 2020 and 2021), which educates veterans about opportunities in entrepreneurship and franchising. “I’ve always been involved in VetFran, and PuroClean has been, too,” White says. “But in 2017, Tim Courtney, our VP of Franchise Development, took it to the next level by creating PuroVet.”
The program gives veterans a 25 percent discount ($12,500) off the franchise fee, White says. “That’s the big benefit. The other costs to a PuroClean franchise aren’t that large—mainly a truck, drying equipment, and supplies. Some of our vendors provide discounts to veterans, and we push them forward in their communities.” In addition, in 2018, one lucky veteran was awarded a free franchise through PuroVet. “It was so much fun,” White says. “Company leadership loved it. It’s in our plans again this year.”
Of course the company benefits from PuroVet, too. White says veterans—representing about 12 percent of PuroClean’s 280-plus franchises—have an excellent work ethic, faithfully follow the system, are service- and community-oriented, and possess strong integrity. “They see the system and say, ‘I get it.’ They have a strong sense of duty and service… They go from a full-time role of serving their country to a full-time role of serving their customers and community,” White says. “And integrity is crucial. The insurance companies and commercial property management firms that hire us won’t allow workers to have a criminal conviction.” As an aside, he points out that Florida-based PuroClean has national accounts with top insurance and property management companies, which means additional revenue opportunities for franchise owners.
And veterans love helping people rebound from dire situations, White says. “One told me, ‘Every day I feel like Superman. After the firemen or plumbers leave, I come in and make it right.’”
For more information, visit www.puroclean.com.
