Meet Royce Drake, sales and marketing manager at BELFOR Property Restoration.
Tell us a little about your business. – BELFOR Property Restoration (belfor.com) is a general contracting firm that provides emergency services to preserve residential, commercial, industrial, educational, agricultural, and religious properties—pretty much any structure that has sustained damages from fire, wind, water, etc. In addition to structures, BELFOR offers many specialized restoration services for personal belongings, business documents, and equipment. Our history dates back to 1946. Customer satisfaction and safety are our top priorities.
How did you get started in the business? – I was successful in sales and a head hunter contacted me about working in the industry. I thought it would be a great challenge. I’ve been at it ever since.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Taking on the restoration business at a time when it was a failing franchise that had not made a profit in three years. We pushed through a lot of setbacks, which only made the company stronger in the end.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Taking that same company from worst to first within one year’s time. We ranked No. 1 out of 1,300 other franchises.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Dropping out of college to help the family business and then returning years later to finish my degree.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I am an inventor.
Who inspires you? – Kids with special needs and World War veterans from any era.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – I admire the words of Theodore Roosevelt in his “Citizenship in a Republic” speech (1910). If you are not familiar with “The Man in the Arena”, I highly encourage you to look it up.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Positive.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? – “Runnin’ Down a Dream” by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.
If you could have a super power, what would it be? – A healing touch.
Which talent would you most like to have? – Hit a hole-in-one every time.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Coaching basketball.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – The Special Olympics.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – Metahuman: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential by Deepak Chopra.
What is your favorite movie? – The Shawshank Redemption.
What is your favorite TV show? – It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Julio’s.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Richard Branson, a British entrepreneur who founded the Virgin Group, which today controls more than 400 companies in various fields.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 802-0451; royce.drake@us.belfor.com; belfor.com.