From a young age, Dan Derbes had a clear vision of where he wanted to go in life. As a child, he was very interested in building model warships, prompting him to research the Navy and the Naval Academy. He discovered that this career combined three of his favorite things–the ocean, warships, and traveling the world. With a sense of clarity uncharacteristic for his age, Dan set his sights on joining the Navy and didn’t look back.
With the full support of his family, Dan entered the ROTC right after graduating high school and then went on to serve in the Navy. His career spanned over 20 years, where he worked as a Surface Warfare Officer. Much to his younger self’s satisfaction, Dan got to travel the world while helping his team identify and solve the countless technical challenges that come with maintaining a ship.
From Defense Contractor to Franchisee
After a successful tenure in the Navy, Dan took a job as a defense contractor. During this two-year period, he began to assess his options, of which there were many. In the Navy, the path for career progression was always very clear, so the limitless possibilities suddenly lying before him were daunting. Dan decided to work with a franchise business coach, who helped him navigate all of the different franchise opportunities across many industries. Again, in another moment of revelatory clarity, he knew restoration was the industry for him.
From Defense Contractor to Franchisee
Dan quit his job as a defense contractor and joined the AdvantaClean franchise. For Dan, it was pivotal to have the support of other franchise owners as he learned to navigate an industry that was almost completely new to him. Joining a franchise offered him the unique opportunity to start his journey as a business owner with a built-in community of 50+ other owners and a support team to help him navigate facets of the industry that were foreign to him, such as marketing, back-office tasks, and new technical challenges. If he had a question, he knew he could lean on the franchise to point him in the right direction.
The camaraderie with other owners has been especially impactful for Dan. He notes that when navigating ebbs and flows in the market, it’s helpful to know others who are going through the same thing and are willing to offer wisdom and support. This being said, after nine years in business, Dan has seen a lot. He enjoys that he can now use his experience to help owners in his new franchise network at Lightspeed Restoration while also leaning on his internal network as needed for advice on technical challenges or help with new service offerings.
Connecting With the Community Through Restoration
As a veteran who found his stride in identifying and solving problems while helping others in the process, restoration has been the perfect fit for Dan. One of his most rewarding experiences came from helping a young local firefighter and his wife, who were experiencing overwhelming property issues in their home, including mold. Oh–and they were expecting a baby.
Dan was the first person on-site to help the couple identify the cause of their property issues and determine what the path forward should look like. As Dan and his team helped remediate the mold, others in the community rallied around the couple to help with the put-back and other necessary repairs to the home. It was a reminder that sometimes it truly takes a village, and Dan and his team had the honor of being part of that village.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, Dan strives to emulate some of the great leaders he served under in the Navy as he helps mentor the next generation of leaders in restoration. “The ultimate proof of a successful life, whether in the military or in restoration, is how many people [someone has] helped grow along the way and elevated to positions of leadership,” he says. Practically, this looks like giving his employees more responsibility and equipping them with the training and experiences they need to excel.
Dan couldn’t have known that building warships would set him on a path of lifelong service, spanning from the Navy to the world of restoration. He describes restoration as a natural extension of who he was in the military and who he wanted to become. Dan’s journey thus far has required a continual drive to solve problems and the invaluable support of seasoned restorers within his franchise network. Now, Dan looks forward to the next chapter with a sense of purpose, eager to share his experiences to help shape the next generation of leaders in the field.
Lauren Etherington
Lauren has been utilizing her writing expertise as C&R Magazine’s Associate Editor since 2023. After gaining a degree in legal studies, she ultimately chose to channel her writing capabilities to help support small businesses in the construction and restoration industries with their marketing efforts. Her ability to ask insightful questions helps uncover the core essence of each business, generating content that enhances brand identity and fosters genuine connections. Lauren calls Des Moines, Iowa home, where she resides with her husband and three children.
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