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As a decorated firefighter, the third of 12 children, and the father of two young daughters himself, Nelson knows what it means to be there for people. As the Fire Captain in Orange, NJ, he earned multiple awards for bravery, including the City of Orange Chamber of Commerce Valor Award, New Jersey State Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association Award for Valor, and the American Red Cross Hero Award. Nelson knows the importance of trust, communication, and outstanding work.
Through his PuroClean business, Nelson has spent the past 13 years passionately committed to helping home and business owners alike in their times of need. Whether they find themselves in hazardous situations or the victim of flood, fire, mold, or biohazardous material damages, Nelson is present and ready to respond 24/7.
“The desire to help my beloved community has long been ingrained in me,” said Nelson. “I began my career as a firefighter in Orange, New Jersey in 2009, which ignited the aspiration to become a first responder in a new capacity.”
The Transition to Entrepreneurship
While Nelson’s aspiration to serve his community brought him to PuroClean, it was his positive experience working with the previous owner of the Livingston location that caused him to stay. When he first joined the company under previous ownership, spending hands-on time in the field is ultimately what inspired him to take the next step.
“As I advanced within the business, it became clear to me that PuroClean was a perfect fit,” said Nelson. “In fact, I felt so at home at PuroClean that I decided to make the move from Orange to Livingston with my family in 2017.”
Shortly after the big move, Nelson decided he wanted to launch his own PuroClean franchise. With the full support of his wife, Sujey, and his daughters, Leylianis and Neylani, his first location, PuroClean of Morristown was born.
Giving Back Through PuroClean Cares
The PuroClean Cares campaign, which rolled out in 2020, was developed to serve communities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative, which encouraged PuroClean franchisees to give back, received an overwhelming response. From food drives and financial contributions to complimentary or reduced-priced restoration services, PuroClean franchisees and their teams continue to make a positive impact on communities across North America.
Nelson gives spontaneously, often when he comes up with a new idea or sees a situation where he can help. He also believes in giving back no matter where he is, whether working locally or in an out-of-town disaster. For instance, when working on deployment in Houston earlier this year to help those affected by the storm freeze, he went shopping for 20 to 30 people he found living in tents under a bridge. For all of his acts of service, Nelson was the recipient of the first-ever PuroClean Cares Award at the company’s international convention in 2021.
“When someone’s house floods or catches on fire, that’s when we get the phone call. I try to operate my business a little differently in that if I’m able to profit from the hardship of others and the difficult things people are going through… I can do something good with those profits to give back and balance it out.”
Expanding for the Future
“I knew I wanted to open a new location shortly after launching my first location, PuroClean of Morristown,” said Rivera. “While there are many reasons I love my role as a paramedic of property damage, perhaps what pushed me to expand and open a new location more so than anything else is the profound sense of fulfillment and joy that comes with helping my friends, neighbors, and fellow communities.” Today, Nelson owns and operates PuroClean of Morristown, Bloomfield, and Livingston, which proudly serves Essex County and its nearby areas. He also continues to serve his community as a captain in the Orange Fire Department, a role that he assumes when he is not on duty.
Through his work as both a firefighter and restoration industry franchisee, Nelson continues to touch the lives of the thousands of customers whose homes and businesses he restores every year with the help of his PuroClean team. By continuing to provide relentless customer service and servant leadership, Nelson is a Franchisee in Action, ready to restore a sense of normalcy to his customers in his community, helping them through the difficulty of property damage on all fronts.
