As with every Women’s History Month, it’s important to spotlight the significance of female representation in the workforce, especially within restoration, as more women than ever before are joining the industry. As reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there’s been a nearly 53% increase in female presence within home remodeling and construction. With the restoration industry now worth $210 billion annually (and increasing each year!), Sherri Koppelkam hopes to inspire other women to join this rewarding industry. Read on to learn more about Sherri, a fearless female paving the way for others in the restoration industry.
Based in Naples, FL, Sherri is the co-owner of the local AdvantaClean franchise, which is part of the Home Franchise Concepts family of brands. AdvantaClean offers water and fire damage and clean up, mold removal and remediation, air duct cleaning and more. Sherri runs the business alongside her husband, Tom, who comes from a construction background. Couple Tom’s skills with Sherri’s more than 20-year managerial career, and it’s no wonder the duo have built such a substantial business since opening their franchise in 2018.
Though it’s not always glamorous work, Sherri enjoys the community aspect of providing restoration services to homeowners that make a big difference and lasting impact on their homes. “People’s homes are their safe spaces, so I do feel proud and happy to help our customers get their home back to a healthy place again,” Sherri explained.
In fact, one of the most memorable moments for Sherri in her career as a franchise owner in the restoration space was when she was able to give back to her community after their neighborhoods had been struck by Hurricane Ian in 2022. When Hurricane Ian hit Florida’s southwest coast, the storm displaced thousands of people and caused nearly $113 billion in damage, making the category four storm one of Florida’s most costly hurricanes in history, according to the National Hurricane Center.
With AdvantaClean’s full suite of restoration services for residential properties, including the ability to renovate, repair and even rebuild after tragedies, Sherri and her team were receiving calls from hundreds of homeowners who were affected by the storm, asking for assistance with restoration and repairs needed after the tragic event. The influx of calls outnumbered AdvantaClean’s available staff. Even though the team was working around the clock for several weeks, they weren’t able to fully meet the demand since so many homes in their community needed assistance. Ultimately, in order to address the significant need, Sherri ended up partnering with another local Home Franchise Concepts brand, Kitchen Tune-Up, after the local owner offered her and her team’s assistance. Because the community was most focused on restoring their damaged homes, the Kitchen Tune-Up team was able to pause their own business operations at their local franchise to work for AdvantaClean and get the Naples community back on its feet following the storm.
While Sherri hoped to make a difference in her community, she could have never suspected that her business would provide such crucial services to so many people during a very difficult time. Sherri was able to help both her neighbors and her good friends, who lost everything in the storm, rushing in to dry out their home – in some cases even taking it down to the studs. Though it was an intensely devastating time, she felt grateful to hold the skills required for a restoration professional that provided this type of assistance to her community.
“It was amazing to see how many people came together in the face of adversity to help each other – even complete strangers,” said Sherri. “The restoration industry has allowed me to give back more than I ever could have imagined, and I feel grateful to have witnessed such collaboration within my community. Though it was devastating, it was one of my most rewarding experiences to see how so many people came together to help.”
Overall, Sherri’s story supports a broader theme – that having more women in the restoration industry offers a unique perspective and invaluable skill set. Female leaders typically bring a more positive approach to problem-solving and customer interaction, often characterized by empathy, attention to detail, and strong communication skills. These qualities are particularly beneficial in a field where clients are regularly dealing with distressing situations such as water or fire damage to their homes. Female restoration professionals can offer a sense of reassurance and understanding to clients during these challenging times, fostering trust and building long-term relationships, just as Sherri did during her time working with homeowners after Ian hit. Not to mention the impact this work can have on individuals on both ends, as restoring homes and properties damaged by disasters is an opportunity for women to make a tangible and positive effect on people’s lives. Helping homeowners recover from traumatic events and restoring their sense of normalcy can be deeply rewarding and fulfilling, providing a greater sense of purpose to those who work in the industry.
The restoration industry stands to benefit greatly from encouraging more women to join this field. This would allow companies to tap into a broader talent pool and enhance their overall competitiveness. By encouraging more women to enter the industry and providing opportunities for their professional growth and development, we can create a more inclusive and innovative industry for the future.
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