Dayton, Ohio – When Becky Edgren walked away from her executive role in manufacturing, she wasn’t chasing reinvention—she was building a legacy. What began as a desire to create something meaningful for her daughters has since grown into a $2.5 million-a-year franchise and a model for multi-generational leadership in an industry few women enter.
Her journey was born not of necessity, but of vision. “I didn’t want to grow someone else’s dream anymore,” Becky shares. “I wanted to build something for us—for my daughters.”
With no background in restoration, she took a leap of faith and acquired two PuroClean territories in 2008. It wasn’t a glamorous start, but it was deliberate. She wasn’t building a business; she was shaping a future her family could step into—together.
A Plan Rooted in Purpose
From the outset, Becky’s vision was inclusive and strategic. She mapped a three-year plan that would eventually bring in each of her daughters—each coming from different professional paths. Today, they lead side by side: one in operations, one in marketing, one in finance.
They’ve turned what began as a franchise with no foundation into a tight-knit team of 20 employees serving the Dayton–Cincinnati corridor. Their success lies not only in profit, but in process: clearly defined roles, unwavering boundaries between home and work, and an unspoken understanding that family comes first—but professionalism never lags.
“You have to allow them space to lead,” Becky says. “Even if that means watching them fail—because that’s how they grow.”
Changing the Conversation in the Field
Restoration, much like the manufacturing world Becky came from, remains deeply male-dominated. Early in her career, she learned how invisible a woman can feel walking into a job site with a ladder in hand. One client said what others only thought: “Send a man next time.”
Her response? A calm smile and a quiet retort: “Well, I’m the best you’re getting.”
Instead of shrinking, Becky stood taller. She now chairs the PuroWomen’s Growth Group, a nationwide circle of franchise owners and female leaders who meet not just to support, but to strategize. Their conversations span marketing, profitability, hiring—and most importantly, confidence.
“It started as a space to not feel alone,” Becky reflects. “Now, it’s where we build each other up to lead better—together.”
Legacy, Redefined
Becky’s story is not just about franchise success. It’s about dignity in leadership, strength in vulnerability, and the quiet power of raising others up alongside you. Her daughters didn’t just inherit a business—they inherited a way of leading grounded in empathy, vision, and excellence.
“She embodies what our brand aspires to represent—resilience, integrity, and a commitment to others,” says Margaret Chebat, Vice President at PuroClean.
As more women step into blue-collar and field-service sectors, Becky believes this shift reflects a deeper truth: that the barriers were never about ability—they were about access, encouragement, and community.
“There’s room for all of us here,” she says. “Sometimes we just need someone to tell us, you belong.”
From One Generation to the Next
For those considering building a legacy of their own, Becky offers simple but profound advice: set expectations early, give your children space to lead, and don’t forget to find strength outside the family unit. A mentor, a friend, or even a fellow franchisee can offer perspective when emotions cloud decision-making.
In Becky Edgren’s story, we find more than entrepreneurial grit—we find hope. Hope that leadership built on love can flourish. That boundaries make space for connection. And that the next time someone asks to “send a man,” we’ll send a stronger answer: a team of women who lead with honor.
