If you have not heard of United Water Restoration Group, you soon will.
Local franchisee Vincent Thomas is coming to the metroplex to make his mark, already smashing records as the owner of United Water Restoration Group Arlington.
The Dallas Express had the opportunity to visit Thomas and learn more about his success and what advice he has to offer to others looking to become involved in a franchise business.
Thomas, the managing partner and former vice president of operations for the United Water Restoration Group, opened United Water Restoration Group Arlington in September of last year. By the 87th day of its opening, Thomas had over a million dollars in revenue. When the books closed on December 31, United Water Restoration Group Arlington was sitting at $1.2 million in earnings, breaking every franchise opening record in the company’s history.
Thomas owns a 7,000-square-foot facility hub in Arlington, Texas, and will be transitioning his virtual offices in Dallas and Fort Worth to brick-and-mortar leases by the end of the quarter. Afterward, Thomas is looking to move into Grapevine and Garland, following a similar pattern, beginning with virtual offices and transitioning to brick-and-mortar.
United Water Restoration Group offers water damage restoration, which is the bulk of Thomas’ business. This includes services such as water mitigation, extraction, removal, damage repair, cleanup, sewage backup, and more. The company also offers fire and mold damage restoration and trauma cleanup services.
Thomas was formerly an insurance adjuster who realized that a significant percentage of the time, there was no need for a public adjuster to collect a fee as the damaged commercial or residential space removal and replacement (R&R) services were obvious. Additionally, Thomas realized that many contractors performing the actual R&R services were not qualified or accredited by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification.
When Thomas came on board with United Water Restoration Group, he went with a fighter’s courage and a positive mindset that he has had since he was a boy. Thomas was raised by a single migrant mother who came to the United States looking for a better life after her husband, a police officer, was executed while she was pregnant with Thomas.
“I thought we were poor growing up,” Thomas said, having come to the United States when he was around 8 years old. “My mother was extremely frugal. I thought she worked at the grocery store. I didn’t realize until later that she owned the grocery store.”
Thomas’ mother came to the United States and began working at a supermarket. Two years later, his mother bought that supermarket, working 12-hour days, seven days a week, supporting Thomas and sending money back to Trinidad to help support their extensive extended family. Thomas’ mother passed away last year.
“When I figured out that my mother could do all this, I told myself that I was going to shatter every ceiling — wake up and make her proud every day.”
“If you have the role, you should have a goal,” Thomas told The Dallas Express. “And I have multiple roles and multiple goals.”
Thomas believes the sky is the limit, stating, “I’ll be the first guy to $2 million the fastest. I’ll be the first guy to $3 million the fastest. And I’ll be the first guy in franchise history to $5 million the fastest.”
When asked how he has sustained his work ethic for decades, Thomas said he has a secret weapon.
“My wife,” he said. According to Thomas, his wife knows how to read him and support him and their four children. She is his rock, professionally and personally. They will be celebrating their 27th anniversary this May.
When asked what advice he had for someone who wants to be successful, Thomas said, “Know what you need to know and understand what you need to know.”
“Here is the golden phrase of the day,” Thomas continued. “Never ask someone to do what you are not willing to do for yourself. Never ask someone to polish a toilet if you are afraid to scrub a toilet.”
For a final thought, Thomas added, “Be a good neighbor. Help other people be successful.”
