Restoring Lives, One Property at a Time: The Rise of PuroClean Cape Breton
When lifelong Cape Bretoners Neil MacSween and Mike Mahoney launched PuroClean Restoration Cape Breton in 2022, they weren’t just starting a business—they were building a lifeline for homeowners and businesses facing some of life’s most stressful emergencies.
With backgrounds in construction—Neil as a red seal electrician and Mike as a carpenter—the two friends had long talked about running a business together. When they came across the opportunity to franchise with PuroClean, a fast-growing restoration company with a solid North American footprint, the pieces finally came together.
“We didn’t have direct restoration experience, but with our trades backgrounds, it just made sense,” explains Neil, who also holds BBA in Marketing from Cape Breton University. “We knew the area, we had the skills, and we saw a growing need for this kind of work.”
From Construction Sites to Crisis Scenes
PuroClean Restoration Cape Breton offers a full range of emergency and non-emergency restoration services, including water and fire damage remediation, mold and asbestos abatement, oil spill cleanup, roofing, and insurance repairs. Whether it’s a flooded basement, a post-fire rebuild, or cleaning out hazardous materials, Neil and Mike’s team is ready 24/7, 365 days a year.
“No two days are ever the same,” Mike says with a chuckle. “We’ve done everything from commercial roofing after Hurricane Fiona to cleaning up needles in abandoned homes. If it’s safe, and there’s a way to help, we’ll usually do it.”
One of their most significant projects to date was restoring the Royal Canadian Legion in the aftermath of Fiona, where water and wind damage had left the large building devastated. “It was a large emergency scope and an even larger repair, including a full roof replacement and 4,600 square feet of flooring,” Neil recalls. “But we got it done.”
Growing Through the Storm
While Fiona brought devastation to many on Cape Breton Island, it also put PuroClean on the map. “Fiona was a turning point,” Neil admits. “It was overwhelming at first—we didn’t even have a building or full-time office staff yet. Just a phone in the truck and a whole lot of calls. But we got through it. That storm helped us build capacity and reputation in a big way.”
Today, they manage a tight but capable team that includes Office Manager Jillian Kozera, a full-time carpenter, and a network of part-time workers and subcontractors who step in as needed. The sporadic nature of restoration work makes staffing a challenge, but their approach—building respectful, flexible relationships—has earned them a loyal crew.
Help from the Community to Serve the Community
Launching the franchise came with its own hurdles, especially around financing. Traditional banks, says Neil, were hesitant to lend without two years of financial data. “It was frustrating. We had the skills, the drive, some savings—but the bank still wanted projections and numbers that didn’t make sense for a brand-new business.”
That’s where Bailey MacIntosh and the Coastal Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC) team drifted into their orbit.
“The first time we called Bailey at the CBDC, it was like a weight was lifted,” Neil says. “She really walked us through the process. She believed in us and what we were trying to do.”
Coastal CBDC helped PuroClean Cape Breton secure a start-up loan to cover their franchise fees and initial equipment. A couple of years later, they returned to secure a second loan to purchase a dedicated shop and office space on Keltic Drive in Sydney. “CBDC was there for us when it really counted,” Mike adds. “And we won’t forget that.”
Locally Owned. Cape Breton Proud.
Despite being part of a well-respected international franchise, Neil and Mike are clear: their PuroClean is a Cape Breton story. “We’re born and raised here. This is our community,” says Mike. “It’s important people know we’re local and here for the long-term.”
They’ve witnessed firsthand how people sometimes confuse them with other restoration companies or franchises in Halifax or even Ontario—especially after Fiona, when out-of-province contractors poured into the island and quickly left. “We’re still here, long after the other trucks are gone,” says Neil. “We’re your neighbours.”
This local grounding extends to their marketing as well. Rather than relying heavily on ads, they focus on community connections—sponsoring local sports teams, donating to local causes, and relying on word-of-mouth and trust.
Looking Ahead
Now entering their fourth year, Neil and Mike are considering expanding their vision. Although nothing is set in stone, they’re always on the lookout for other business opportunities that would be a strategic fit with PuroClean. “We’ve got a great customer base here in the community that trusts us and our work,” says Neil. “We’re excited for whatever comes next.”
As for advice for would-be entrepreneurs? Mike doesn’t hesitate: “If it makes sense, don’t overthink it—just start. So many people wait too long. Jump in and figure it out as you go.”
That philosophy has served them well. From a truck-based operation to a full-service restoration business rooted deeply in Cape Breton, PuroClean Restoration Cape Breton is proof that with hard work, community-mindedness, and the right support, local businesses can rise—stronger than the storm.