Opportunities for women in franchising and the restoration industry are growing by the day. According to a 2024 Franchise Trends study by Guidant Financial, women now make up 30% of small business franchise owners. Plus, data from Zippia shows nearly 20% of restoration technicians are women.
Chrissy VanderWyde, PuroClean’s Vice President of Franchise Relations, has made a name for herself in the restoration industry. She spoke with Michelle Blevins, publisher of C&R Magazine, on the Restoration Today podcast about her experience as a pioneer in one of the top franchises for women.
VanderWyde’s Experience
VanderWyde was familiar with franchises before joining PuroClean. She worked at Dairy Queen and Pizzeria Uno before she was recruited from TGI Fridays by PuroClean co-founder Dick Spohn in 1988.
“We weren’t franchising at the time, and so he needed someone who could hold their own,” VanderWyde said. “And he watched the way that I handled the bar at TGIFridays, liked what he saw, and gave me this opportunity.”
VanderWyde moved from receptionist to accounting to learning about franchise disclosure documents, account reconciliation, and more, including the products and equipment division.
“I loved learning about all the equipment and all of the cleaning agents, the different ways that you apply them, how they each work and how important they each are in the restoration process,” she said.
In her current franchise leadership role, VanderWyde works to support Franchise Owners in every way possible.
“I am an advocate for the Franchise Owners, a champion for the team, a spokesperson for the underdog and the biggest cheerleader for the rock stars,” she said.
Lessons Learned
Though VanderWyde’s PuroClean career spans decades, she hasn’t worked with the corporate team the entire time. She stepped away in 2012 when she went to work for Spohn’s son, Todd, who was a PuroClean Franchise Owner. VanderWyde said witnessing another perspective was a great professional experience.
“When you sit on one side of the fence for so long, you think you know the whole view of something, and you really don’t until you flip it and go to the other side of the fence. And then you start to see the world a little bit differently,” she said.
VanderWyde also learned to loosen her grip on decision-making in her franchise leadership role. For example, though she is the point person for the company’s annual convention, she asks others for input to prepare for the event.
“You start to get them involved, and you start to see, ‘Do they care? Do they want to be involved?’ And then when you see that they do, you start giving them other things that are a little bit more significant, a bigger challenge,” VanderWyde said. “And before you know it, they’re running the show, and you can stand back and go, ‘Good job!’ And you’re teaching them tools and things that they could use in any other career that they go to.”
Advice for Women
When it comes to franchise opportunities for women in restoration, VanderWyde said anyone can be successful if they’re willing to put in the work.
“This industry knows no gender,” she said. “And there are a lot of different avenues now that weren’t here 20 years ago or even 15 years ago. We’re seeing more women CEOs and presidents of restoration companies than we’ve ever seen before. We see more women advocates for the industry.”
VanderWyde said while more female technicians are also getting out in the field, the job is much more than just performing core tasks of restoration.
“You’re not just going to set up equipment. You have to reassure those people that it’s going to be okay. You have to communicate what they can expect and what’s realistic. What we can salvage, what we might have to discard,” she said.
VanderWyde, who’s also the mother of three adult children, reflected on work-life balance and the need to stop and take stock of your situation once in a while.
“I try to honestly caution the younger generation that we have now pay close attention to that. Especially when you have your kids, and they’re small, because it doesn’t last for an eternity. That small goes away quick, and they become teenagers, and then they become adults, and then they have their own lives,” she said. “You can always climb the ladder. It may take you a little longer to get to the top, but you won’t feel like you missed anything with your family.”
Restoration Industry Thought Leaders
VanderWyde said PuroClean’s pursuit of “World-Class Brand Status” and focused support for its Franchise Owners, particularly women, helps women in franchising follow their dreams and become successful.
“They bought a business because they wanted to change their lives. And it’s our responsibility, as much as it is a privilege, to help them do that,” she said.
VanderWyde has played a pivotal role in shaping an inclusive franchise culture at PuroClean, fostering an environment where diversity is celebrated and every voice is valued. Her leadership journey serves as an inspiring testament for women Franchise Owners and team members, proving that with vision and dedication, anyone can be successful at PuroClean.
Download our franchise kit today to learn more about owning a restoration business and serving your community as a PuroClean Franchise Owner.