We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Julia Jones. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Julia below.
Julia, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
A most unlikely choice
As a business professional, I have held white collar jobs, owned an executive staffing firm, I find myself as an owner of a PuroClean franchise.
What prompted this 180 shift? Several factors. One was a relocation from my employer, another was a substantial hearing loss that forced a career change and lastly COVID forcing an accelerated timeline of having to make a choice.
In considering my next venture – looking at employment options and self-employment options, I decided that I sought a solution that was locally based vs the long distance work my past history presented. After considering several franchise options, PuroClean was an unexpected fit. Why unexpected? Well, this field is one that focuses on the worst side of property damage. This can include extensive water damage, mold, fire, and trauma. I come across as more of an inside girl, who, has not worked in this realm professionally, ever.
But the idea of helping my neighbors, the true science of remediation, and seeing our geographic area in a growth phase – this option spoke to my heart. The heart that I saw missing in from the majority of local competitors.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
As far as my journey, I’ve been a professional recruiter and business owner, as an employee and employer. I’ve always been involved in business; my father was a business broker. In college, I was awarded a BSBA and an MBA.
PuroClean is a franchise that specializes in property damage. We help property owners, often on one of their worst days. We are known as the Paramedics of Property Damage, and we service the SW coast of Florida.
In 100 years, our area had not been directly hit by a hurricane. Last September, Ian changed that. The storm hit South of our office. Despite losing power for two days, we had a generator that keep us online. Our phones started ringing off the hook, many of our cherished neighbors were dealing with unimaginable loss. Many made homeless as their homes were uninhabitable, some calling in tears. Our own office manager called us from a kayak she used to find a cell signal to provide us a status. It was a gut-wrenching time.
We rose to the challenge, and we were able to mobilize other PuroClean’s to help in the effort. We witness fallen trees in bedrooms, water lines 3 feet high, many home’s contents having to put along the roadside. Ultimately, mold became a secondary devastation. Interiors had leopards spot of mold throughout.
How’d you meet your business partner?
My business partner Brenden, came to PuroClean 3 years ago from an ad. He was a bit reluctant, as after 10 years in this industry he swore off continuing his restoration career. I had just bought the franchise, finished training, but what the business needed was a seasoned professional that knew the ropes. In the interview, he asked, so how many employees do you have? When I answered, none, he understandably hesitated. But as they say, the rest is history. We’re now preparing to open a second location in Sarasota.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I bought this franchise from scratch. People weren’t familiar with the brand, and they often confused us with maid services. PuroClean corporate did a great job with the branding, but it is up to the owners to build a following. I did attend a ton of networking events; went to everything I knew about. I was lucky enough to hire someone who was already known in many circles from her selling of all things, make-up. Selling make-up is a personal thing and requires a lot of trust. Aimee’s aimable personality lent PuroClean an air of credibility and integrity that was priceless. Most people wouldn’t think of a career shift from make-up to property damage, but for us, it was a great fit. Our culture is treating our neighbors with respect, it comes down to our heart in what we do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.purocleanofbradenton.com
- Instagram: purocleanofbradentonfl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PuroCleanOfBradenton
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliajones-srta-fl/