Range and Find function error: Type Mismatch

Hey guys,

Im not too familar with using range functions, but I'm trying to debug a few macros that has this. When I step through the macro, as I get to the second rFroundCell, where it looks for the string: findStr, I get this error: "type mismatch"

Does this mean that the numbers or strings are not the same? Possibly different cell properties? I've looked into the sheet itself and its just word. I'm sure I am over looking something simple. What do you guys think?

thank you so much!

Function findRowLabor(laborWS As Worksheet, findStr As String) As Range
Dim rFoundCell As Range

    Set rFoundCell = Range("U1")  'look for kpiregion and three spaces.     
    Set rFoundCell = laborWS.Columns(1).find(What:=findStr, After:=rFoundCell, LookIn:=xlValues, LookAt:=xlWhole, SearchOrder:=xlByRows, _
                            SearchDirection:=xlNext, MatchCase:=False)
    
    If Not rFoundCell Is Nothing Then
        Set findRowLabor = rFoundCell
    Else
        Set findRowLabor = Nothing
    End If
                
End Function

why not

Function findRowLabor(laborWS As Worksheet, findStr As String) As Range
  Set findRowLabor =laborWS.Columns(1).find(findStr, , xlValues, xlWhole)
End Function