Beth Hendriks, of Raleigh, N.C., is no stranger to breaking glass ceilings. After spending 27 years in the tech industry as one of limited female executives with a computer science background, she is diving head first into another male-dominated industry and simultaneously taking on the entrepreneurial role of “boss.”

Restoration 1^®, a fast-growing and trusted restoration franchise, today announced Hendriks as the organization’s first female franchise owner. Hendriks was introduced to Restoration 1^® through Jim Judy with Franchoice. And as she puts it, she will “go big, or go home” as a multi-unit franchisee who will operate 4 locations in the greater Raleigh-Durham region.

Upon leaving her role as the Chief Technology Officer of a large corporation, Hendriks began looking at franchise opportunities and the chance to go into business for herself in her own community. That’s when she was introduced to the restoration industry while dealing with a home emergency. After a tree went through the roof of one of her rental properties during a heavy storm, Hendriks found herself in a project management position, directing her own restoration project after a frustrating experience with some workers. She quickly realized there had to be a better way.

“Going through the restoration process from a customer’s point of view really opened up my eyes to what customers want and need from a restoration company,” said Hendriks. “When I found Restoration 1, they were already connecting all those dots and I knew this was a business I could use my past experience to excel at.”

A mom of six, Hendriks is not one to back down from a challenge, and is ready to tackle her restoration businesses, giving her customers a better experience than she had when restoring her own home.

“We are thrilled to have a woman like Beth join our Restoration 1 team,” said Gary Findley, CEO of Restoration 1^®. “She brings many years of experience in customer service to the organization and understands the industry from both a customer and business level. I admire her go-getter attitude and know she will do big things.”

As an award-winning franchise that specializes in water, smoke, fire, and mold restoration, Hendriks is already getting her own certifications in water damage restoration, mold, fire and smoke, odor control, safety and more, alongside the franchise training she will get at Restoration 1^® corporate headquarters. Meanwhile, her IT background and executive leadership experience makes her appreciate the business systems and national vendor relationships that Restoration 1^® offers franchise owners as well. 

Hendrik’s locations are set to open this June.