Heather Noble co-owns Lightspeed Restoration of Greater West Austin with her husband, Keith. They opened earlier this year, in 2026, and have four employees. Originally from Austin, she lives in Liberty Hill alongside her husband, their four kids, and two dogs. She blends her more than 22 years of insurance experience with a passion for helping people through stressful property damage situations. When she isn’t helping homeowners recover from leaks, mold, or unexpected disasters, you can usually find her reading, exercising, working on a craft project, volunteering through my church or Meals on Wheels, and enjoying time with her family.
We spoke with her to hear all about owning a Lightspeed Restoration.
What made you decide to look into purchasing a franchise?
I was ready to step away from corporate life and build something meaningful on my own. At the same time, I appreciated the structure, systems, training, and ongoing support that come with a franchise. Lightspeed Restoration gave me the opportunity to combine the independence of business ownership with the confidence of having a strong team and established brand behind me.
When researching franchises, what criteria mattered to you most? How did your franchise meet that criteria?
The franchise’s culture was one of the most important factors for me. I was looking for a company with a servant-hearted mindset that genuinely values people, relationships, and supporting its owners. Lightspeed stood out because the people felt approachable, invested, and committed to helping me succeed—not just during the initial process, but long after I joined.
Financing can be an obstacle and/or intimidating factor for aspiring entrepreneurs. How did you find financing options to purchase your franchise?
I utilized an SBA loan to finance the purchase of my franchise.
Which of your prior skills and experiences do you use in operating your business today?
My background in business development has been incredibly valuable in operating my business, especially when it comes to building relationships, identifying opportunities, and serving customers well. I have also found that being a problem solver and thinking outside the box is essential in restoration, since every situation is a little different. My previous experience working with insurance professionals has also helped me communicate effectively with adjusters and agents and better understand the claims process.
When doing your research, which questions did you ask the franchisees?
When speaking with current franchisees, I wanted honest insight into their experience as owners. I asked whether they were happy with their decision, whether they had reached profitability, what challenges they had faced, and whether they would choose the franchise again if given the opportunity.
Which questions did you ask the franchisor?
When speaking with the franchisor, I focused on understanding the level of support I would receive and what day-to-day ownership would really look like. I asked about the financial health and growth of both the franchisor and franchisees, the training and software provided, and who I would be working with regularly once I launched. I also wanted to know how accessible the leadership and support teams would be as questions or challenges came up.
What were your first 90 days like as a franchisee?
My first 90 days as a franchisee were crazy busy, stressful, and a little overwhelming at times. There were so many moving parts to manage at once—from learning new software and handling accounting to hiring and training staff, building relationships, and trying to bring in clients. It was a lot to juggle, but it gave me a very real understanding of what it takes to get a business off the ground.
At what point did you feel like you “got the hang of it” and settled in as a business owner?
Does anyone ever fully get the hang of it? Kidding… kind of. We are still in our first year, so I am definitely still learning and figuring things out as we go. I do feel like we are slowly finding our rhythm, but I still call my Regional Managers at Lightspeed weekly with questions or to ask for advice. They have been incredibly supportive, and I truly do not think we would have made it this far without them.
How does the franchisor support and encourage your success?
Lightspeed has supported my success in ways that have made a real difference, especially as a first-year owner. Their initial training is intensive and thorough, and they continue to provide ongoing IICRC certification opportunities, weekly owner support meetings, marketing guidance, and access to experienced Regional Managers.
What stands out most is how available and invested the team is. They are willing to answer questions, offer advice, and step in when needed, including helping on jobs in person or taking calls late at night and on weekends. It truly feels like they want franchise owners to grow and succeed, not just open the doors and figure it out alone.
What are you most proud of and why?
I am most proud of building a business that truly cares for people. As a Christian-run company, we strive to serve our customers, employees, and community with integrity and compassion. Our motto is “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” and I am proud that it is more than just a phrase. It guides how we show up every day, from supporting families during difficult property losses to creating meaningful career opportunities for our employees that help support their own families. We also believe in giving back through volunteering and being actively involved in the community we serve.
What advice would you give to potential franchise owners?
My advice to potential franchise owners is to take your time and ask a lot of questions. Speak with existing owners and ask how involved and helpful the executive leadership is after the doors open, not just during the sales process. Most importantly, make sure the culture aligns with the kind of business you want to build and the way you want to serve your customers, employees, and community.
More About the Lightspeed Restoration Franchise Opportunity
Lightspeed Restoration offers water damage restoration to homeowners. In addition to being a fast-growing franchise, they earned a spot on our Top 200 Franchises of 2026. Whether you’re looking for careers with insurance experience as a plus, or have great business development skills, this is a great option.
They also share their full franchisee satisfaction report. This is the survey that we here at FBR administer to their franchisees. You can read real responses from Lightspeed Restoration franchisees and see how the company performs in areas like technology and training.
Explore this franchise brand today!
