Conserva Irrigation Thrives With Eco-Friendly Services

Heather Todd, Brand President of Conserva Irrigation, has spent more than 25 years in franchising. She grew up in a franchise family and has worked in operations, sales, marketing, human resources, training and executive leadership. At Conserva Irrigation, part of the Empower Brands portfolio, she helps guide the water-saving irrigation franchise’s growth, strengthen operations and support franchise owners as they build successful businesses. She is especially passionate about Conserva’s mission to help homeowners and businesses maintain efficient sprinkler systems and healthier landscapes.

Here, she shares what makes the culture at Conserva Irrigation so special.

We genuinely care about each other, and we genuinely care about our franchise owners. That creates a team that’s willing to jump in, solve problems together, and celebrate wins together. We’re always looking for ways to improve, but we also know how important it is to enjoy the journey. People here work hard, hold themselves accountable, and aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves when someone needs help.

For me, it starts with attitude. I can teach systems and processes, but I can’t teach someone to genuinely care about people or take pride in their work. Those qualities create the foundation fora great culture. I also look for people who are adaptable. Growing organizations are constantly changing, and the best team members embrace those changes instead of resisting them. Coachability is another big one. The strongest teams are full of people who are always learning and just as willing to share their knowledge as they are to gain it.

What I appreciate most is that Empower’s culture feels authentic. People genuinely want to help each other. Whether it’s sharing ideas across brands or offering support when someone faces a challenge, there’s a real sense that we’re all on the same team. We’re given the resources and expertise we need, but we’re also empowered to make decisions that are right for our brands and our franchise owners.

Early in my career, I measured success by growing businesses and improving operations. Overtime, I realized the greatest impact comes from helping other people grow. Every franchise owner has a different story, different goals and different challenges.

Learning how to listen first, build trust and meet people where they has made me a better leader and honestly, a better person. The most rewarding moments aren’t the numbers on a report. They’re seeing someone gain confidence, achieve a milestone they weren’t sure was possible or realize they’ve built something that changes their family’s future.

Take your time and do your homework. Talk to as many franchise owners as you can. Ask about the good days and the hard days. Learn what support the franchisor provides and what ownership really looks like. Just as importantly, pay attention to the relationship. You’re entering a long-term partnership, so make sure you’re joining a system where you trust the leadership and believe they’ll be invested in your success.

Our franchise owners know they’re part of something bigger than themselves, and they genuinely want to see one another succeed. That willingness to share ideas and help each other is something you don’t find everywhere. One of my favorite examples is our weekly Zee Chats. Every week, more than 70 owners come together to celebrate wins, ask questions, exchange ideas and learn from each other. There’s plenty of healthy competition, but there’s even more collaboration.

With water conservation becoming increasingly important, services like those offered by Conserva Irrigation are helping homeowners and businesses maintain healthier landscapes while reducing water waste. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as much as 50% of outdoor water use is lost to inefficient irrigation methods and systems. Conserva addresses this problem through sprinkler system inspections, repairs, maintenance and water-efficient irrigation solutions. Its services help customers conserve water, lower utility bills and protect their landscaping.

Conserva Irrigation is part of Empower Brands, a growing portfolio of residential and commercial service franchises. Its brands include Archadeck Outdoor Living, Bumble Roofing, Canopy Lawn Care, FRSTeam, JAN-PRO, Koala Insulation and Wallaby Windows, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives and Superior Fence & Rail. Empower Brands provides franchise owners with operational expertise, business resources and opportunities to collaborate across brands.

This shared support system allows individual brands to maintain their identities while benefiting from the experience and resources of a larger franchise organization.