Restoration Today: Recent Episodes
Michelle Blevins
Restoration Today is a video and audio podcast covering everything restoration-related. Every week, Michelle Blevins sits down with an industry peer – a contractor, a colleague, a supplier, an innovator, an insurer, etc. Every conversation will cover the hottest topics in today’s restoration industry – going beyond fire and water damage restoration and diving into topics like M&A, company culture, hiring and recruiting, innovations in restoration, and tools of the trade. Plus, there will be some guaranteed laughs and heartfelt moments.
Derek Stone, Actionable Insights, and Tom McArdle, Airbotx, join the Restoration Today podcast to share how companies like Actionable Insights and Airbotx can work together to help ease some of the pain points for contractors and help contractors get paid in full for the work they're doing and the equipment they're using.
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Welcome back to Chasing the Vision, a series all about sharing valuable insights, strategies, and hard-learned lessons accumulated over the many years of experience shared by restoration experts, JT Kraai of Exit Strategies 360 and Tim Hull of Violand Management Associates!
What is financial cleanliness? JT Kraai & Tim Hull help to define "financial cleanliness", red flags to look out for, what financial departments are needed as a company grows, qualities of a good CPA, and MORE!
As always, if you have questions for Tim & JT, please reach out and we’ll try to add those into a later episode!
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Dive into the essential non-technical skills crucial for success in today’s dynamic world in season THREE of our Restoration Master Class series, in partnership with our sponsor AnswerForce! Two times each month, we will drop quick, new episodes on different topics related to Power Skills – with different industry guests!
Today, Michelle and Mandy talk with Jordan Donald, CEO & partner at Gerry Edtl Consulting, about the power skill of sales, the difference between sales and marketing, relationship building, how to successfully blend the roles of sales and marketing in smaller restoration businesses, and more!
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Back in April, Alpine Investors announced the launch of Guardian Restoration Partners, a new platform focused on partnering with and building exceptional home restoration businesses. Today on the podcast, Michelle talks Robert Horne, co-founder of DryLux Restoration, Matthew Sharpe, founder of Dry Kings Restoration, and Coyne Borree, owner of Midwest Restoration, about:
- Differences between Alpine and other PE firms or companies buying restoration companies
- When they started considering becoming part of a bigger organization - like Alpine
- Biggest pain points for restorer's today and how partnerships like Alpine can help overcome those challenges
- Recommendations fellow restorers should ask any "suitors" who come calling
- What's changing and staying the same these day?
- ...and MORE!
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Today, Michelle is joined by someone who has worn many hats within the restoration industry and just recently has started his own software company, Restoration OS. Mitch Byrom, president & founder of Restoration OS, is here to share his extensive background in the industry and:
- The issues he saw with software that led him down this route
- What type of software Restoration OS is at its core
- What he thinks the industry needs in the software and integration area
- How AI is being used fruitfully now and where it's going
- ...and MORE!
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Dive into the essential non-technical skills crucial for success in today’s dynamic world in season THREE of our Restoration Master Class series, in partnership with our sponsor Answerforce! Two times each month, we will drop quick, new episodes on different topics related to Power Skills – with different industry guests!
In today's episode, Michelle talks with Hayden Lee, Fulfillment Manager at Spot On Solutions, about leading and listening in conversations. As a fellow podcast host, Michelle & Hayden talk through tricks and tips on how you keep fruitful conversations going, especially with complete strangers, how to come up with good questions to ask, and making that conversation feel personal to your audience.
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This series is all about sharing valuable insights, strategies, and hard-learned lessons accumulated over the many years of experience shared by restoration experts, JT Kraai of Exit Strategies 360 and Tim Hull of Violand Management Associates!
Episode 5 is all about the customer base and Tim & JT share:
- How revenue is broken down for restoration companies
- TPA work -Best referral sources for contractors
- Residential vs. commercial space
- Evaluation - are there certain revenue streams that bring greater value to a company?
- Personal stories of the importance and/or danger of not differentiating revenue streams
- ... and MORE!
If you have questions for Tim & JT, please reach out and we'll try to add those into a later episode!
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Aaron Brunko, President of Verisk Property Estimating Solutions, & David Obert, CPO of Verisk, sit down with Michelle at ACCESS this week to talk through the claims volume and what's happening. Some contractors are sharing that their volume is steady while other contractors are concerned that things are really slow. Aaron and David will help pick that apart and answer the question on everyone's mind: What's really going on with claims volume?Is there a stat or data you'd be interested in knowing more about from Aaron and Dave? Email your question to michelle@candrmagazine.com!
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On this fresh new episode, Rusty Amarante, Director of Operations at BELFOR, joins Michelle to share the journey he has taken in the restoration industry- from part-time cleaning business to Director of Operations at a $3B company.
They talk through:
- What he attributes BELFOR's massive success
- The two arms of BELFOR, when they became the independent restoration company and the franchise group
- What sets BELFOR apart from fellow large competitors in the space?
- How BELFOR has responded to the M&A landscape over the last few years
- BELFOR's huge role in the community, specifically in Detroit.
- Three things he's seen change significantly in restoration since joining the industry
- How Rusty anticipates technology, specifically AI, will impact the restoration industry going into the future
- ...and MORE!
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Dive into the essential non-technical skills crucial for success in today’s dynamic world in season THREE of our Restoration Master Class series, in partnership with our sponsor AnswerForce! Two times each month, we will drop quick, new episodes on different topics related to Power Skills – with different industry guests!
In episode 7, Kelley Dolan, Business Development Advisor at Violand Management Associates, joins Mandy to share all about her power skill - responsibility, and shares how that ties into building trust in the workplace.
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Idan Shpizear, Founder of 911 Restoration, and Miri Offir, CEO of 911 Restoration, join the podcast to talk with Michelle about 911 Restoration, telling their story and impact they have in the restoration industry.
Idan & Miri share:
- Their background inside and outside the industry. How did they get to restoration?
- When was 911 Restoration founded, and what is the company's overall mission/purpose?
- How they have seen the industry change in the last 3 years and how they are ensuring the 911 brand stays competitive in a consolidating market
- What the biggest topics impacting their franchisees right now?
- ...and MORE!
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Welcome back! Eduard Mirzoian, CEO of Restorerz, shares his story of starting as a field tech and building a fast-growing restoration business, sharing what sets Restorerz apart from the rest of the industry.
They talk though:
- Eduard's background in the industry.
- The story behind Restorerz
- The role technology plays in a growing company
- What keeps Eduard up at night as a CEO of a fast-growing restoration company
- How do you find, attract, AND retain good talent to keep pace with your growth?
- Goals for the future
- ..and MORE!
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Kristy Cohen, CEO of RIA, Anthony Nelson, Group Facilitator at Pivot My Biz, and Leighton Healey, CEO of KnowHow, talk through the latest survey open to restoration companies and answer YOUR questions about:
- Where the idea for this survey came from
- KnowHow’s process and why their reasoning
- How this is different from State of the Industry Report
- What the survey timeline looks like
- Who should be completing this survey
- Plans for the data when it’s all said and done
- The vetting process and ensuring accuracy of information
- Is it anonymous?
- Who has access to the final data and when it will be live
- .. and MORE!
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Welcome back to a FRESH new episode of the Restoration Today Podcast! Michelle sits down to talk with Erin Hynum, Senior Director of Product Management at Phoenix Restoration Equipment, about what's new and different with Phoenix's latest product, the DryMAX XL PRO, and:
- Where the industry is at with remote monitoring
- What contractors are looking for in equipment today
- How long it takes to design and innovate to roll out a whole new product
- The future of drying & where drying technology is going
- Choosing the right software and technology
- ..and MORE!
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Dive into the essential non-technical skills crucial for success in today’s dynamic world in season THREE of our Restoration Master Class series, in partnership with our sponsor AnswerForce! Two times each month, we will drop quick, new episodes on different topics related to Power Skills – with different industry guests!
In episode 6, Mandy sits down to talk with "Restoration Chameleon" Paul Silliman, Account Executive at Knowhow, about the power of being adaptable to change, how AI comes into play, and tips for those struggling with adaptation.
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Though the 2024 RIA Convention has come and gone, the conversations are still continuing throughout the industry, and Chris Nordyke, president of Floodlight Consulting Group, & Brandon Reece, CEO of Floodlight, sat down to talk with Michelle about their thoughts on one of the biggest conventions of the year PLUS a little authentic industry conversation on a hot topic at the end!
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On the latest episode of the Restoration Today Podcast, Michelle talks with Dan Cassara, Founder of CORE Group and Tom Gissler, CRO at CORE Group, about:
- Latest news at CORE
- What led Tom to CORE
- Trends they are both seeing in the industry right now
- How companies like CORE are affecting the consolidation of the industry
- Whether or not they see the lack of weather/economy affecting contractors overall
- What contractors could/should be doing to be busy year-round, and not fully weather-dependent
- ...and MORE!
Registration for the Collective is NOW OPEN! Register HERE and use the CORE DISCOUNT CODE: CR100
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Welcome to episode 4 of Chasing the Vision in partnership with Exit Strategies 360 & Violand Management Associates! In episode 4, Michelle talks with Tim and JT about what they are seeing in the industry market, what to keep an eye on in Q2, generational shifts, the role of PE in the industry, and more!
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Dive into the essential non-technical skills crucial for success in today’s dynamic world in season THREE of our Restoration Master Class series, in partnership with our sponsor AnswerForce! Two times each month, we will drop quick, new episodes on different topics related to Power Skills – with different industry guests!
In the 5th episode of season 3, Michelle talks with Jeff Jones, Director of Sales and Marketing for Violand Management Associates, about NETWORKING! Feeling lost when it comes to networking? Jeff shares tips and wisdom he has gained on networking and talks through:
- Networking and relationships
- Jeff & Mandy's article "Networking Beautiful"
- How to determine what your goals should be/are for a networking event
- Tips for more fruitful conversations
- How to get OUT of a conversation
- ..and MORE!
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Welcome back to the Restoration Today podcast! Today, David Wheatley, Principal/Co-Founder of Humanergy is here to talk with Michelle about leadership development and how to grow and develop healthy teams.
Talking points:
- David shares a bit more about Humanergy
- Working "non-negotiable vs. just "priorities"into running a business effectively
- What is a Solidarity Statement and what does it mean?
- The #1 thing David coaches teams through as a way to resolve almost any conflict
- David unravels some of the confusion between accountability, authority, and responsibility.
- ... and MORE!
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Dive into the essential non-technical skills crucial for success in today’s dynamic world in season THREE of our Restoration Master Class series, in partnership with our sponsor AnswerForce! Two times each month, we will drop quick, new episodes on different topics related to Power Skills – with different industry guests!
In the 4th episode of season 3, Michelle and Mandy talk with Alexus Neidert, Head of Brand & Culture at Thomasville Restoration, about:
- Alexus' #1 power skill
- How to celebrate power skills in her team
- Recommendations for restorers on creating a company culture
- ...and MORE!
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Welcome to episode 3 of Chasing the Vision in partnership with Exit Strategies 360 & Violand Management Associates! The first two episodes were about owner involvement and the roles of management and leadership in chasing a company's overall vision. In this episode we will take a step back and take a look at the company as a whole and how the identity and culture of a company comes into the discussion.
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Bobby Paine, CEO of Epic Estimates, joins the podcast with Michelle to share his background and unique way he found himself working in the restoration industry.
They talk through:
- What Epic Estimates provides the restoration industry
- Biggest trends and changes Bobby has seen in the industry and with estimating today
- Symbility and how much he's seeing people use it
- Importance of technology when it comes to estimating, especially with hiring
- A favorite story
- ... and MORE!
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This is one of FIVE Meet the Candidate interviews featuring the five RIA Board of Directors candidates for the 2024 elections. Please take a moment to watch each video! Voting is open to RIA members March 18 through March 25; links to vote will be sent via email. Election results will be announced on March 27, with the new board members installed at the RIA Convention in Dallas April 8-10.To register for the RIA convention, visit convention.restorationindustry.org.
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This is one of FIVE Meet the Candidate interviews featuring the five RIA Board of Directors candidates for the 2024 elections. Please take a moment to watch each video! Voting is open to RIA members March 18 through March 25; links to vote will be sent via email. Election results will be announced on March 27, with the new board members installed at the RIA Convention in Dallas April 8-10.To register for the RIA convention, visit convention.restorationindustry.org.
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This is one of FIVE Meet the Candidate interviews featuring the five RIA Board of Directors candidates for the 2024 elections. Please take a moment to watch each video! Voting is open to RIA members March 18 through March 25; links to vote will be sent via email. Election results will be announced on March 27, with the new board members installed at the RIA Convention in Dallas April 8-10.To register for the RIA convention, visit convention.restorationindustry.org.
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This is one of FIVE Meet the Candidate interviews featuring the five RIA Board of Directors candidates for the 2024 elections. Please take a moment to watch each video! Voting is open to RIA members March 18 through March 25; links to vote will be sent via email. Election results will be announced on March 27, with the new board members installed at the RIA Convention in Dallas April 8-10.To register for the RIA convention, visit convention.restorationindustry.org.
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This is one of FIVE Meet the Candidate interviews featuring the five RIA Board of Directors candidates for the 2024 elections. Please take a moment to watch each video! Voting is open to RIA members March 18 through March 25; links to vote will be sent via email. Election results will be announced on March 27, with the new board members installed at the RIA Convention in Dallas April 8-10.To register for the RIA convention, visit convention.restorationindustry.org.
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Michelle was able to take a tour of I-team North America facility in Holland, Michigan and speak with Patty Olinger, who is Founder & CEO of BEAMS Consulting. Most restorers might remember her as being the Executive Director of GBAC, a division of ISSA. They talk through:
- Cleaning and disinfection of today and the future
- The difference between cleaning in the US and Europe
- Her experience on the team at Emory that cared for and created protocols for caring for the Ebola patients.
- Cleaning technologies
- Best practices (and no-nos) with cleaning and disinfection
- The difference between cleaning and sanitizing
- ..and MORE!
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Dive into the essential non-technical skills crucial for success in today’s dynamic world in season THREE of our Restoration Master Class series, in partnership with our sponsor AnswerForce! Two times each month, we will drop quick, new episodes on different topics related to Power Skills – with different industry guests! In episode 3, Mandy Rewis, Business Development Leader at Answerforce, and Michelle talk with Nicole Humber, President & CEO of Bravo Restoration about:
- A major personal power skill and how it's affected her business
- Creative and effective ways she motivates her team
- Nicole's personal fitness journey & how that has impacted her team
- .. and MORE!
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On the latest episode, Michelle talks with Kate Scully-Krebsbach, with Scully Insurance Group, about all things restoration insurance. Kate shares her advice for contractors as they hit topics like:
- Trends in the insurance space
- Whether Kate sees common areas where restoration contractors are under insured
- Are there more instances of companies not getting renewed?
- When did Kate learn the value of becoming a RESOURCE for others?
- Advice for candidates ready for a new position in 2024
- ..and MORE!!
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Chuck Violand, founder of Violand Management Associates and long-time friend, joins the podcast to share more about his new book, "Forging Dynasty Businesses", a book & tool that helps small businesses become better at "finding the right people, vetting the right people, & creating a culture where people wanted to stay."
Chuck and Michelle talk through:
- What led to book #2 and how long it took to complete
- The premise of the book
- How often owners should be recognizing and celebrating various things their team does
- ONE story from the book
- ...and MORE!
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On this next episode of the Restoration Today podcast, we are thrilled to have three people who REALLY care about the restoration industry and the RIA. Kelley Dolan (Violand Management Associates), Jeff Jones (Violand Management Associates), and Andy McCabe (Quickcheck) join Michelle to share favorite RIA Convention memories, best ways to network, what's NEW and DIFFERENT this year, and how to get the most out of the 2024 RIA Restoration Convention & Industry Expo.
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Welcome to episode 2 of Chasing the Vision in partnership with Exit Strategies 360 & Violand Management Associates! In episode one, Tim and JT discussed the role of an owner, and their level of involvement, in a company. Now, we are going to take a step out, and down the org chart just a big, and discuss the roles of the management and leadership team in chasing a company’s overall vision.
Read Tim's article: "Second in Command, First in Line"
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On the latest episode, Ryan Giger, VP of Sales & Marketing at Vital Solutions and James Parker, GM at Vital Solutions talk with Michelle about disinfection, sharing their background in the industry and the history and mission of their company.
They talk with Michelle about:
- Vital Oxide
- How COVID changed the disinfectant market
- What kinds of questions consumers are asking about products being used in their homes
- What things contractors should consider when choosing which products to use in their company
- Mycotoxins - what are they, and how big of a deal are they?
- ..and more!
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Dive into the essential non-technical skills crucial for success in today’s dynamic world in season THREE of our Restoration Master Class series, in partnership with our sponsor AnswerForce! Two times each month, we will drop quick, new episodes on different topics related to Power Skills – with different industry guests!
In the second episode, Mandy Rewis, Business Development Leader at Answerforce, talks Holly Murry, President of FRSTeam, about:
- The extensive experience in the industry and at FRSTeam
- Speaking at INTRConnect on Navigating the workforce
- Most important power skill in franchising
- Advice & tips for staying present in the workforce
- ..and MORE!
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Dan Tarantin, CEO of American Restoration, joins the Restoration Today podcast to share more about American Restoration, what he's seeing in the M&A space, and overall trends in the restoration industry.
Podcast highlights:
- Explain more about how all the well-known restoration companies in the mix all come under the American umbrella.
- The value these companies have found being under the American Restoration umbrella.
- What American Restoration's overall goal is in 2024
- What sets American Restoration apart from other growing, multi-location, multi-state restoration companies
-
1 pain point facing restoration companies today
- ...and MORE!
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After the announcement of Corelogic and Artigem aligning to launch contents estimation capabilities to improve the insurance claims process, Kurt Artinger, CEO of Artigem, and Mikhail Palatnik, Head of Product Management at Corelogic, sit down and talk with Michelle at #INTRConnect to share more about the value of their partnership and the innovation in contents restoration they are providing the restoration industry.
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Dive into the essential non-technical skills crucial for success in today’s dynamic world in season THREE of our Restoration Master Class series, in partnership with our sponsor AnswerForce! Two times each month, we will drop quick, new episodes on different topics related to Power Skills – with different industry guests!
In this first episode, Mandy Rewis, Business Development Leader at Answerforce, and Michelle talk with Scott Severe, SVP, Alliances and Industry Relations at Corelogic, about:
- What's new at CoreLogic
- What the Contractor Advisory Council is, and how it's helping in an era where contractors are inundated with technology options
- What differentiates INTRConnect from other industry events
- ..and MORE!
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Greg Boatwright, CEO of Advanced Disaster Recovery, and Angelo Ferrante, Chief Growth Officer at Advanced Disaster Recovery, join Michelle on the Restoration Today podcast to share:
- Plans for expansion and overall goals
- How they determine if a company is a right fit or not
- Taking care of companies and employees
- Biggest challenges and opportunities in the industry
- Upcoming workshops
- ...and MORE!
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Michelle sat down with Corelogic’s President of Protect, Insurance Solutions, Garret Gray moments after his opening keynote at INTRConnect in Austin. The two discuss the latest in technology and innovations in restoration, new uses for AI, and updates coming from CoreLogic including their new Mitigate platform, a large language model, Corelogic Workspace, and SO much more.
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Welcome to our FRESH new videos series, "Chasing the Vision", in partnership with Exit strategies 360 & Violand Management Associates!
Immerse yourself in the wisdom of industry pros who have mastered the art of navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship. In each episode, seasoned experts share invaluable insights, strategies, and hard-earned lessons accumulated over years of experience. From scaling startups to redefining market dynamics, “Chasing the Vision” offers a front-row seat to the secrets of sustainable business success. Your path to triumph in the business world starts here – don’t just follow the vision, chase it!It’s common for owner’s to wear too many hats - which happens for many reasons like lack of delegation, lack of trust, control issues. We are going to get into trust and accountability later, but we wanted to start this series at the root of the company - the owner, and the owner’s role as the company grows.
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Nelson Higgins, VP of North America at Docusketch and Xactimate Certified Trainer, is on the podcast to talk through the recent restoration trend of remote estimating. They will touch base on best practices when looking for an estimator, what they're looking for in documentation, how to ensure you're getting accurate estimates, and more!
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Today on the podcast, Michelle is joined by Ryan Reese, author of "A Larger Loss", a new thriller book on the restoration industry. Ryan shares his background and how he came to write a book that involves the bio remediation industry. Are any of the characters base on real life people in the industry? Listen and find out!
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Lance Eisen, EVP of Business Development for NORMI, Inc., is here to share about NORMI Connect, types of training contractors should be focusing on in 2024, options for contractors searching for learning opportunities without the classroom, and more!
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Happy New Year and welcome back to the Restoration Today podcast! Today Helena Kelly, co founder & Fractional CMO of Sagely & Co., is here to share her knowledge on all things marketing and have a conversation with Michelle about:
- When starting Sagely & Co., what she decided she was and was NOT going to do.
- The #1 struggle for B2B companies trying to market their products/services
- How to stay up on all the latest marketing trends
- What advice she would give to women who want to take the leap
- ...and more!
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We are excited to bring the restoration conversation north of the US and bring Ji Yoon, president & CEO of Canstar Restoration on the podcast! Ji Yoon has a decade of experience in the restoration industry and has directed growth within companies, predominantly through M&A strategies. On this episode, Michelle and Ji Yoon talk about:
- Introducing us to Canstar Restorations
- What is the restoration climate like in Canada?
- What are the biggest challenges you’re facing?
- What is happening with M&A in Canada?
- What trends do you foresee impacting Canada in 2024? -
- ...and more!
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On this episode, Scott Severe and Brandon Burton of Corelogic join Michelle to share the latest news at Corelogic and INTRConnect, sharing their thoughts on:
-
1 thing they are most excited about for INTRConnect
- What makes INTRConnect different from other industry events
- What CoreLogic is doing to bring new tools to the mitigation process
- Highlights for contractors curious what's on the horizon
- What's new in the world of IICRC Standards
- Top 3 changes contractors will notice/should be excited about with the change
- ...and MORE!
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On today's episode of the Restoration Today Podcast, Kevin Dooley, founder of Kahi joins Michelle to talk about innovations in the industry, asset tracking, share a bit about what Kahi provides to the restoration industry, challenges/opportunities for restorers, and more!
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Last years State of the Industry Report had no mention of AI but this year AI is popping up everywhere!
Ben Clark & Tim Kern of Matterport join the podcast to talk through all things tech, AI, 3D imaging, 360 degree images vs. point and shoot, 2024 trends, and MORE!
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On this episode, we are joined by Psychologist, speaker, fellow podcast host, & author of the book "What Now - Navigating the Aftermath of Homicide or Suicide," Dr. Jan Canty. Michelle was introduced to Dr. Canty through a blog on ethical lines for crime scene cleanup. You can read the blog post HERE.
Episode highlights:
- The story behind her book
- Ethical boundaries for crime and trauma scene cleanup companies
- How companies in the industry can/should be helping survivors of great losses
- Red flags of trouble
- Advice for survivors on finding the right company to help
- ...and more!
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On this final and 18th episode of season 2 of The Restoration Master Class, sponsored by Encircle, Michelle talks with Rachel Stewart, CEO of Xcelerate Restoration Software to talk about overall profitability from the contractor side to the technology side of restoration.
They discuss:
- Where Rachel sees restorers doing WELL as it relates to profitability
- What areas need improvement?
- Are there blanket margins that are “normal” or is profitability a much bigger spread than people think?
- How much does software/technology affect a company’s ability to be profitable?
- ...and more!
Miss an episode? Check them all out below! Each is 15 minutes or less, and no two episodes cover the same angle on how to increase your profitability!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michelle-blevins/message
Did you know over 60% of our countries economy comes from family-owned businesses?
Rob Ferguson, CEO of The Ferguson Alliance, has a passion for doing whatever he can to help family businesses reach prosperity and extend their lifecycle. On today's episode of the Restoration Today podcast, Rob talks with Michelle about all family-run businesses and shares his thoughts on:
- Why family-owned businesses are such a vital part of our economy
- Strengths that family-run businesses bring to the table
- Frustrations/pain points for family-owned businesses
- Can family businesses ever reach a boiling point where there is no resolution other than to move on?
- Recommendations for succession planning?
- ...and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michelle-blevins/message
Welcome to Frankie Soriano, Founder of WeScope, and Jonathan Siegel, Founder of EstimateQA, on this episode of the Restoration Today podcast. Frankie and Jonathan talk with Michelle about estimating and getting paid!
Topics discussed:
- Biggest challenges contractors facing when it comes to technology, especially centered around documentation and estimating
- What to tell contractors who are nervous about moving too many services, like estimating, out of their offices
- Where they envision estimating technology, especially with the growth of AI, taking us in the next few years
- Co-sourcing vs. outsourcing
- .. and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michelle-blevins/message
Welcome to Phil & Michelle’s Happy Hour – a podcast designed to make you smile, and hopefully learn a few things along the way.In this episode, we chat with Ben Looper, Founder & CEO of Southeast Restoration Group.Phil and Michelle talk with Ben about his experience in the restoration industry, the culture that has shaped and defined his team, and hear his most memorable and LARGEST job in the history of Southeast Restoration. Pour yourself a cocktail (or another cup of coffee), sit back, relax, and enjoy the conversation.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michelle-blevins/message
This episode of the Restoration Today podcast welcomes Alex Duta, Founder of Albiware. Alex and Michelle will talk through:-Staying present in a very competitive industry-How previous experience in restoration has helped his vision in the software side of the business- Favorite leadership resources- Ways health and fitness have found ways to connect in business- ...and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michelle-blevins/message
On this episode of The Restoration Master Class, sponsored by Encircle, we have Ryan Pritchard, Sales Manager at PSA to talk about software and how to properly adopt and implement your software to get the most out of it for your business. Ryan and Michelle talk through:
- What the #1 issue is when encountering software adoption
- How restorer's have improved their profit margins through software usage
- How a lack of proper implementation and team adoption can affect a company's profitability
- What software components/features are most important as it relates to profitability and growth
- ...and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michelle-blevins/message
Restoration Today welcomes Sherry Rose, CEO of Stellar Service Brands, to talk with Michelle through the change and growth she sees in restoration franchising. Michelle and Sherry talk through:- trends in the restoration industry- what's happening in franchising- what’s new with Restoration 1- Differentiating Restoration 1 from different franchise options in restoration- The process of PE coming into the picture with one of their franchisees this year-Biggest challenges that their franchisees face-Goals for 2023-..and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michelle-blevins/message
Today on the latest episode of The Restoration Master Class, sponsored by Encircle, we have Phil Rosebrook, of Business Mentors, to talk through business acumen and what restorers REALLY need to know to have a profitable, forward-driving business model. This episode will cover:-What the top 3 things Phil see's successful restoration companies doing that increase their overall profitability-How important industry acumen and involvement to overall profitability is- The best way for restorers to tap into the industry and stay up-to-date on trends- ...and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michelle-blevins/message
On this episode of Restoration Today, Michelle talks with Danessa Itaya, President of @bio-one about her experience and passion with franchising and how that also brought her to the world of biohazard cleanup. They talk through:-What the key differences are between the companies that do it well - and the companies that struggle-What the culture “Help First” means-Best practices and tips for franchisees on how to market in this industry-..and more!You can read the recent C&R article she wrote on compassion and biohazard cleanup HERE:https://candrmagazine.com/how-compassion-helps-restorers-uncover-the-unexpected-rewards-of-biohazard-cleanup/
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michelle-blevins/message
On this episode of the Restoration Today Podcast, we are joined by Bri Perry, Product Marketing Coordinator at Fleetio to talk through fleet management and how to best optimize your fleet. Tune in to Michelle and Bri's conversation about:
- What the difference is between a fleet management plugin (the hardware) and a fleet management software
- What should restoration contractors be tracking, and why?
- How effective fleet management can help lengthen the life of vehicles and equipment
- The role technicians or people using the vehicles/equipment play in helping fleet management software be successful and effective for the company as a whole
- ...and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michelle-blevins/message
Michelle talks with Leighton about Knowhow's third book "Winning with Workers" and shares:- the the most surprising things to come to the surface during the research- whether the idea of winning with workers is as complicated as we make it- how they choose the restorers that are involved-...and more!
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It’s CAT season and on this episode of the Restoration Today podcast we are talking with Chris Camasta & Greg Coulombe of Units Moving and Portable Storage to talk through portable storage needs you would have while responding to a CAT and working within a CAT zone.
Chris & Greg share their thoughts on how portable storage helps alleviate some of the logistical challenges of responding to a CAT, answer whether restorers can bill for portable storage and how, the value for restoration contractors to have a relationship with a local franchisor, and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michelle-blevins/message
Join Lukas Szczurowski and Mark Shippe from Sanktum Inc. on the Restoration Today podcast as they talk with Michelle about goals for restoration companies since COVID, weak areas they see in the restoration industry when it comes to restorers and sales, effective things they are seeing restoration companies do to grow and boost sales, differentiating between sales and marketing, and so much more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michelle-blevins/message
Today on the Restoration Master Class, sponsored by @EncircleFieldDocumentation , we have Rod Cruce, retired Army Green Beret & Ranger, world-class skydiver, and founder of Trifecta Growth Institute to talk about profitability and walk through:- What is the #1 profit killer in restoration companies?- How much does ineffective project management affect a job's overall profitability?- What are qualities of the best PMs in the industry?- One piece of advice for restoration companies on increasing their profit margins - ...and more!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michelle-blevins/message
Nate Cisney from RMS Consulting joins Michelle on the Restoration Today podcast to talk all things technology and restoration.
Nate share his 18 years of experience in the industry and talks through:
- What Nate is most passionate about in restoration
- The biggest hurdles when it comes to tech
- How technology has changed and evolved
- All inclusive tech - what does that mean? Is it integrations, or more than that?
- ...and more!
Welcome to season 2, episode 14 of the Restoration Master Class! Our 2023 Master Class series on Profitability is sponsored by Encircle!
What does it look like when a company grows large enough that there are multiple people in command and how does that fit into the profitability puzzle?
On today’s episode Tim Hull, GM of Violand Management Associates, joins the Restoration Master Class to talk through profitability and talks through concepts he outlined in his article “Second in Command, First in Line” and talks through: – Is there a revenue point where a company would need to increase people in command? – What are the responsibilities that would fall on a GM type role? – What are common practices of GM practices that drive a company forward? – How often should a GM be looking over a companies overall financials? – …and more!
Miss an episode? Check them all out below! Each is 15 minutes or less, and no two episodes cover the same angle on how to increase your profitability!
EPISODE 13: Culture for Growth
EPISODE 12: Achieving Profitability Through Strategic Growth
EPISODE 11: Estimating & Technology Meet Profitability
EPISODE 10: Managing Profitability in a Family-Run Business
EPISODE 9: 5 Profitability Myths
EPISODE 8: Modern HR + Profitability
EPISODE 7: The Value of Franchising + Profitability
EPISODE 6: Cash Flow Management + Profitability
EPISODE 5: Succession Planning + Profitability
EPISODE 4: Intentionality + Profitability
EPISODE 3: Training + Profitability
EPISODE 2: Technology + Profitability
EPISODE 1: Organizational Structure + Profitability
Every episode is available on the C&R YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform by searching “Restoration Today”.
Randy Gandara & Bret Sallee from Goldmorr two long-time friends in the restoration industry, join the Restoration Today podcast and talk through mold, mold removal, and making your work on the job site easier.
Randy and Bret will also talk with Michelle about:
- The history and background of Goldmorr
- What the Goldmorr system is and what it is not
- The role of source removal in the remediation process
- Atmospheric condensation – what it is, and how it affects the built environment
- .. and more!
UV-C light is a common disinfection tool in many industries, but a topic not often discussed in restoration, until now. Several industry veterans have been hard at work behind the scenes building an all-new generation of UV-C disinfection and odor removal equipment.
Tom McArdle, executive vice president of Airbotx, joins Restoration Today to discuss UV-C technology and answer questions like:
- What is it?
- How can these machines be used in the cleaning and restoration industry?
- Where are these machines made?
- What makes Airbotx equipment different from other machines on the market?
- Do machines like this produce ozone? How much?
- ... and more!
The machines will make their debut at The Collective in Austin, and The Experience in Las Vegas over the next couple of weeks.
The customized price list discussion has been a hot topic in the restoration industry for the last few years. According to the 2022 C&R State of the Industry report, getting paid (and pricing) are a top pain point for restorers.
Now, Restoration CrossCheck - a consulting firm in the restoration industry - is bringing two Xactimate pricing experts together to help educate contractors on pricing and creating their own price lists, do estimate review, help with appraisals, help in working with adjusters, and more.
In this special episode, Ed Cross introduces the newest consultant to join his team - Mike Fulton, the former president of Verisk Property Estimating Solutions (formerly known as Xactware). Together with pricing expert and fellow consultant Anthony Nelson, the trio shares their
- Outlook on this new partnership
- Wins they've seen for contractors embracing custom pricing
- Advice for overcoming adjuster pushback ... and much more!
Forbes defines leadership as "a process of social influence, which maximizes the efforts of others, towards the achievement of a goal." Leadership requires continuous learning, improvement, and growth. Each new generation in the workforce looks for different traits and values in their leaders.
In this episode of Restoration Today, Brandon Reece and Chris Nordyke share their insights on modern leadership, answering questions like:
- What defines a good leader in today's world?
- What's your take on buzzwords surrounding leaders today - like grit, discipline, etc.?
- How much does discipline, alone, matter in the trek to be a good leader?
- ... & more!
Don't miss the opportunity to hear Chris and Brandon's keynote session at The Collective on this very topic!
What is SOCKTember 2023?
It’s simple really. Most local community services NEED socks. It is one of the highest demand items for people in need of all ages. SOCKTember was started with the idea of picking up an extra pack of new socks whenever team members go to the store. If teams of contractors, customers, and community members did this we could raise a lot of new socks for local agencies.
- During the month of September, local teams get together to raise as many new pairs of socks as they can.
- In October, we count them up and teams donate to local charities of their choice.
- All year long, the winners get to brag about beating their peers
- All year long, participating teams get to share about the good work they have done in their local communities
Four ways to get involved in SOCKTember 2023:
- Share the SOCKTember social media posts.
- Start a local team!
- Buy socks to donate to a local team!
- Work with a local team to gather donations from friends, family, customers, and your community.
If you want to help but don’t feel like you have a lot of time or resources, that’s awesome. Please share the SOCKTember social media posts and if you are able donate a pack of new socks to a local team.
If you want to be actively involved in a local team, you can help by getting your community involved. Use SOCKTember as an excuse to reach out to prospective clients, service providers, and existing customers to compete against other teams who are doing the same. If there is no local team in your area, you can start your own.
The idea started in 2021 with a group of contractors in Washington State. Four teams assembled to have some fun while doing good. A trophy was purchased and initial bragging rights went to the Sisters for Socks out of Seattle, Washington led by Lindsey Ward (Reliable Content Services) and Sarah Roberts (ServiceMaster of Tacoma). They held the title consecutively in 2021 and 2022 until their plans of a three-peat were thwarted by On Side Restoration of Laval.
Winner: Sisters for Socks (Seattle, WA)
U.S. state leader:Washington
Winner:Sisters for Socks (Seattle, WA)
Nation leader:Canada
U.S. state leader:Washington
Winner:On Side Restoration of Laval (Canda)
Nation leader:Canada
U.S. state leader:Washington
Winner: ______________
Nation leader: ______________
US state leader: ________________
This year The DYOJO Podcast is excited to join forces with C&R Magazine and their Restoring Kindness initiative. Michelle Blevins and the C&R team have been involved in supporting SOCKTember from its humble beginnings, now they will bring their bandwidth to help spread this event to new countries, new states, and new teams throughout the world.
Stay tuned via the Restoring Kindness website for more information; the registration link will be live by July 19.
Please reach out to Jon Isaacson (The DYOJO) or Sarah Guastaferro (Restoring Kindness) for questions and information.
- Team confirmations DUE: Tuesday, August 22, 2023
- SOCKTember 2023 STARTS: Tuesday, August 29, 2023
- SOCKTember 2023 ENDS: Tuesday, October 10, 2023
- Final counts for SOCKTember 2023 DUE: Tuesday, October 24, 2023
- SOCKTember 2023 winner ANNOUNCED: Tuesday, October 31, 2023
How long has SOCKTember been active? 2020: 5,500 pairs of new socks raised 2021: 66,435 pairs of new socks raised 2022: 57,791 pairs of new socks raised 2023: _______ pairs of new socks raisedWhat’s new for SOCKTember 2023? Important Dates for SOCKTember 2023
Welcome to season 2, episode 13 of the Restoration Master Class! Our 2023 Master Class series on Profitability is sponsored by Encircle!
In this episode, we are joined by Mammoth Restoration's Chief Culture Officer Mike Bevilacqua. Since recording this episode, the company merged with BluSky - and part of the driving force behind the sale and valuation was the overall culture of the company. Through his years of ownership, Mike worked hard to create a place people wanted to work - and a place where people were recognized and well-compensated for the work and talents they brought.
Listen in to learn how Mike defines a "Mammoth Culture", and how that culture drove overall profitability of the company.
Miss an episode? Check them all out below! Each is 15 minutes or less, and no two episodes cover the same angle on how to increase your profitability!
EPISODE 12: Achieving Profitability Through Strategic Growth
EPISODE 11: Estimating & Technology Meet Profitability
EPISODE 10: Managing Profitability in a Family-Run Business
EPISODE 9: 5 Profitability Myths
EPISODE 8: Modern HR + Profitability
EPISODE 7: The Value of Franchising + Profitability
EPISODE 6: Cash Flow Management + Profitability
EPISODE 5: Succession Planning + Profitability
EPISODE 4: Intentionality + Profitability
EPISODE 3: Training + Profitability
EPISODE 2: Technology + Profitability
EPISODE 1: Organizational Structure + Profitability
Every episode is available on the C&R YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform by searching “Restoration Today”.
Marketing guru Frankie Fihn joins Restoration Today to talk industry marketing, and digital marketing trends that matter. Frankie and Michelle discuss the importance of things like the Google Business Profile, and ways to maximize your online presence without breaking the bank.
1 Tom Plumber's Rocky Hensley is back on Restoration Today to just have some laid back conversation about the industry and share a few laughs!
If you want to know what a baby bear, row boats, and a sewage-filled barge have in common, take a listen and get ready to laugh!
There is a new restoration association in town, with the goal of "making property damage restoration a bonafide industry through reform, community, advocacy, standardized best practices, and education. Restoration is a skilled trade and it should be treated as such."
In this episode of Restoration Today, meet the two founders of the American Federation of Restorers, Mike Ovens and Zach Heern. They discuss:
- What personal experiences prompted founding AFOR?
- What is the purpose of AFOR?
- Who is the target membership group for AFOR?
- How does AFOR differ, in your opinion, from other industry organizations like the RIA and IICRC?
- What value do you hope to bring your members as the organization grows?
- What value do you believe AFOR will bring to the restoration industry, as a whole?
... and more!
No matter your company's size, goals, or affiliations, growth should almost always be strategic and purposeful. Growing for the sake of growing, without goals or purpose, can pave a difficult road - especially when it comes to the bottom line and overall profitability.
Andy Zavodney, CEO of Kustom US, shares valuable insights and first-hand knowledge on the value of purposeful and strategic growth, the role that plays in the ability to run a profitable company - even while growing, and where culture fits into this whole profitability + growth puzzle.
Miss an episode? Here is what we’ve covered so far this season:
EPISODE 11: Estimating & Technology Meet Profitability
EPISODE 10: Managing Profitability in a Family-Run Business
EPISODE 9: 5 Profitability Myths
EPISODE 8: Modern HR + Profitability
EPISODE 7: The Value of Franchising + Profitability
EPISODE 6: Cash Flow Management + Profitability
EPISODE 5: Succession Planning + Profitability
EPISODE 4: Intentionality + Profitability
EPISODE 3: Training + Profitability
EPISODE 2: Technology + Profitability
EPISODE 1: Organizational Structure + Profitability
Every episode is available on the C&R YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform by searching “Restoration Today”.
David Hart is back on the podcast to share the journey of cleaning HVAC systems in casinos!
You can find out more about this case study on www.candrmagazine.com by searching "Casino"!
Technology, pricing, and estimating combine into a hot topic for any restoration-related conversation. While some companies rely strictly on Xactimate pricing, others have erred toward other options - including creating their own price lists. No matter what pricing methodology you use, technology can make or break your profit margins.
As Anthony Nelson, a partner in Pivot My Biz, explains in this episode: accurate estimating/pricing coupled with the right technology to document jobs can make a huge improving your company's overall ability to make a profit. Anthony explains how.
Miss an episode? Here is what we’ve covered so far this season:
EPISODE 10: Managing Profitability in a Family-Run Business
EPISODE 9: 5 Profitability Myths
EPISODE 8: Modern HR + Profitability
EPISODE 7: The Value of Franchising + Profitability
EPISODE 6: Cash Flow Management + Profitability
EPISODE 5: Succession Planning + Profitability
EPISODE 4: Intentionality + Profitability
EPISODE 3: Training + Profitability
EPISODE 2: Technology + Profitability
EPISODE 1: Organizational Structure + Profitability
Every episode is available on the C&R YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform by searching “Restoration Today”.
As the workplace, workforce, and society as a whole evolve, so do needs and expectations of employees, customers, partners, and anyone else who comes into contact with our businesses.
In May, BluSky Restoration Contractors announced the creation of its first ESG Report.
ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. The report is published in alignment with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards for the engineering and construction services industry to ensure that BluSky address the ESG factors seen as most relevant to the industry by investors. The report highlights the ways the company is working to create a sustainable and equitable future internally as well for its customers and clients.
BluSky’s ESG strategy is anchored on the company credo: “to create an exceptional BluSky customer experience through our actions, teamwork and genuine caring for the customers’ personal needs.” The BluSky vision is to create an industry-leading ESG program scalable with the growth of the organization, driving significant value and benefits for both internal and external stakeholders.
Wyatt Cox, BluSky's VP of Legal and Compliance, joins Restoration Today to talk about the creation of the ESG, its importance and evolution, the meaning it has had to the coming so far, and future plans to expand and enhance the report.
As a business owner, numbers play a big role in your company's ability to be profitable and grow. But just knowingthe numbers isn't enough; you need to understand your numbers, and the data needs to be complete to give you an accurate picture.
Chris Hill of JOC Analytics joins Restoration Today to talk about business intelligence reporting, and power of data for restoration companies. In this podcast, Chris shares what he has found to be the top indicators of healthy, and sick, businesses - and analytics restorers aren't watching, but should be, and more!
It is likely an undisputed fact that there is no one in the restoration industry who knows more about its history, exact dates, names, etc., that Pete Consigli. Known to many as the Restoration Watchdog, Pete is a well-respected veteran of the restoration industry.
Pete joins Restoration Today to walk through the history of the restoration industry, publications, associations, and more. He also shares some laughs and stories along the way, and names dozensof people who have helped influence and drive the industry into what it is today.
Grab a cup of coffee, and join Michelle and Pete as they take a journey through restoration history!
Welcome to Phil & Michelle’s Happy Hour – a podcast designed to make you smile, and hopefully learn a few things along the way. A few times a year, Phil Rosebrook Jr. of Business Mentors and Michelle Blevins of C&R Magazine sit down with restoration and cleaning industry leaders and icons to chat about all-things restoration, share stories, and have a few laughs.
Two industry leaders and restorers sat down to chat with Phil and Michelle during the RIA convention earlier this year. Mark Springer of Dayspring Restoration/FLEET Response and immediate past president of the RIA, and Jim Kowalski of Kowalski Construction and president of Restoration Affiliates share funny and amazing stories from their careers, so far, in restoration!
Family businesses account for 64% of the U.S.'s GDP, and account for 62% of the country's employment and 78% of new job creation, according to the Conway Center for Family Business. Family-run businesses are a crucial and vital part of our economy, and also present unique challenges with relationships, succession, and money management.
In the 10th episode of our Restoration Master Class on Profitability, sponsored by Encircle, ATI's Chief Acquisition Officer and second-generation restorer Jeff Moore shares his insights on what it takes to not just have, but grow and nurture a successful and healthy family business. This includes what division of duties looks like when there are multiple generations, and multiple children and other family members involved. Plus, how do you separate work and family at the end of the day ... or do you?
Miss an episode? Here is what we’ve covered so far this season:
EPISODE 9: 5 Profitability Myths
EPISODE 8: Modern HR + Profitability
EPISODE 7: The Value of Franchising + Profitability
EPISODE 6: Cash Flow Management + Profitability
EPISODE 5: Succession Planning + Profitability
EPISODE 4: Intentionality + Profitability
EPISODE 3: Training + Profitability
EPISODE 2: Technology + Profitability
EPISODE 1: Organizational Structure + Profitability
Every episode is available on the C&R YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform by searching “Restoration Today”.
Did you know the Artificial Intelligence (AI) market is estimated to surpass $400 billion by 2027, according to Forbes? Did you know ChatGPT had more than one million users in the first five days of being available? That Forbes article also reveals 25% of companies are adopting more AI because of the labor shortage, and 60% of business owners believe AI will both increase productivity and customer satisfaction.
By harnessing the power of machine learning and advanced algorithms, AI systems are transforming how damages are assessed and repaired. These intelligent systems can quickly analyze vast amounts of data, such as images, sensor readings, and historical records, to accurately identify the extent of damage and recommend the most efficient restoration methods.
Verisk's VP of Property Technology Solutions, David Obert, joins Restoration Today to talk about the evolution of tech in restoration, what role AI does play - and likely will notplay - in our industry, and more.
Disregard everything you think you know about the vibe at a "work conference". CORE Group is taking their event, The Collective, up another notch this year!
In addition to fresh educational content, speakers, and training, CORE is turning the formality of most conferences into a festival - to celebrate, network, and have fun with fellow restorers!
CORE's VP of Marketing, Diane Goheen, and VP of Events, Beth Thompson, join Restoration Today to give a sneak peek into the event that continues to push the envelope and change the status quo.
Season TWO of the Restoration Master Class, sponsored by Encircle, continues with a fresh episode on this year’s topic: profitability.
In this episode, we are joined by Gokul Padmanabhan, founder of Restoration Brokers of America. He shares five myths about profitability - which help paint a clear picture of what it means and does not mean to be profitable. He also discusses the dangers of bank balance accounting, who should be watching company numbers, and more!
Miss an episode? Here is what we’ve covered so far this season:
EPISODE 8: Modern HR + Profitability
EPISODE 7: The Value of Franchising + Profitability
EPISODE 6: Cash Flow Management + Profitability
EPISODE 5: Succession Planning + Profitability
EPISODE 4: Intentionality + Profitability
EPISODE 3: Training + Profitability
EPISODE 2: Technology + Profitability
EPISODE 1: Organizational Structure + Profitability
Every episode is available on the C&R YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform by searching “Restoration Master Class”.
Did you know there is a 24/7 streaming TV station specifically dedicated to indoor air quality?
Lance Eisen, Executive VP of Business Development at NORMI, joins Restoration Today to talk about what it's like to produce and run content around-the-clock on NORMI.TV.
Lance is always busy producing content along with the rest of the NORMI team, including CEO Doug Hoffman. Today (June 13, 2023), for example, they are launching a special and timely series on responding to wildfires and related smoke damage.
Listen in to our conversation with Lance!
This year, Blackmon Mooring celebrates 75 years of service. Blackmon Mooring started as a two-person upholstery business. In 1948, just one year after launching the company, business partners and college buddies William Blackmon and Scott Mooring saw opportunity when Fort Worth got 11 inches of rain overnight.
This week, we welcome Tom Head, President & CEO of Blackmon Mooring & BMS CAT, onto Restoration Today!
Tom shares the rich history of the company - including the amazing story behind the company's first large loss job that catapulted the future of BMS CAT.
Tom and Michelle also chat about:
- BMS Global - a truly unique part of the company. Hint: think Miracle on the Hudson.
- Evolution of the industry in the last 75 years.
- Top 3 things companies need to be successful at CAT work.
- Current company goals - including in mergers and acquisitions.
- .... & more.
Aaron Brunko, Verisk's newly promoted President of Property Estimating Solutions (formerly known as Xactware), joins Restoration Today for a relaxed conversation on what's trending in the insurtech space! The term "insurtech" encompasses anything related to technology in the property damage restoration/property insurance claim space.
Aaron and Michelle cover a wide array of topics including:
- Biggest trends in 2023.
- The role of Xactimate in the modern claims ecosystem.
- Changes and evolution in pricing methodology, feedback, and accuracy.
- Integration - what's needed, what's not; what's reasonable, what's not reasonable.
- Verisk's overall stance on innovation.
- Tools within Xactimate contractors should check out (hint: XactXpert).
- A look at what's ahead for the Verisk team.
- ... & more!
Season TWO of the Restoration Master Class, sponsored by Encircle, continues with a fresh episode on this year's topic: profitability.
In this episode, restoration HR guru Marcie Richardson, who is the Director of Human Resources at Guarantee Restoration Services, discusses how to excel in hiring, retaining, and having a healthy company culture in 2023. She answers:
- What modern HR looks like.
- HR's role in a company's overall ability to be profitable.
- Tips for hiring and retaining top talent.
- .... & more!
Miss an episode? Here is what we’ve covered so far this season:
EPISODE 7: The Value of Franchising + Profitability
EPISODE 6: Cash Flow Management + Profitability
EPISODE 5: Succession Planning + Profitability
EPISODE 4: Intentionality + Profitability
EPISODE 3: Training + Profitability
EPISODE 2: Technology + Profitability
EPISODE 1: Organizational Structure + Profitability
Every episode is available on the C&R YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform by searching “Restoration Master Class”.
In this week's episode, Benjamin Ricciardi of Ironclad Restoration Marketing and The Restoration Rundown Podcast, joins Restoration Today to discuss the latest trends and info you need to know when it comes to your digital marketing strategy!
Franchises are a large part of the disaster restoration industry, and some might argue that franchise opportunities are growing in popularity as new brands continue coming to market.
In this episode of the Restoration Master Class on Profitability, sponsored by Encircle, we are joined by Paul Davis Restoration COO Mike Hopkins. He discusses:
- The appeal of the franchise model.
- Tools franchises often offer that can impact a franchisee's overall profitability.
- Finding profitable niches within restoration, instead of accepting every job that comes your way.
- The harmony between creating a purposeful business - and a profitable one.
... and more!
Miss an episode? Here is what we’ve covered so far this season:
EPISODE 6: Cash Flow Management + Profitability
EPISODE 5: Succession Planning + Profitability
EPISODE 4: Intentionality + Profitability
EPISODE 3: Training + Profitability
EPISODE 2: Technology + Profitability
EPISODE 1: Organizational Structure + Profitability
Every episode is available on the C&R YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform by searching “Restoration Master Class”.
The first quarter of 2023 saw a fresh wave of acquisition news.
We caught up with Gokul Padmanabhan, founder of Restoration Brokers of America, during the RIA Conference in Orlando in April to get a quick update on what's happening in the restoration mergers and acquisitions space.
You can read Gokul's FULL Q1 update here: 2023 Q1-Restoration Market Update.
Over the last year, Restoration Today has featured several restoration franchise groups experiencing major growth; BELFOR Franchise Group is no exception. Franchises in home services, especially economic-resistant areas like restoration, continue to grow in popularity for new entrepreneurs - and existing business owners looking to expand their services without starting from scratch.
In this episode of Restoration Today, Tim Fagan joins the conversation to share what's happening at Blue Kangaroo Packoutz, 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, and 1-800-BOARDUP. One brand alone saw 30 new locations in just three months, which hints toward an increased interest in a certain restoration niche. Why is this emerging franchise brand so popular? And how can adding a franchise like this help increase a company's overall revenue while serving more customers? Tim explains - take a listen!
Total Contentz has an all-new event meant to spur your contents division to the next level.
The training is happening May 23-27 at the Covered S Ranch in Snyder, Texas. As Barb Jackson shares in this quick podcast preview, it will be an unforgettable event exclusively for owners and managers.
This exclusive event is limited to 20 people, and the first 5 to register will receive a free helicopter tour of the ranch.
Learn more at www.totalcontentz.com.
In this episode of the Restoration Master Class on Profitability, sponsored by Encircle, we are talking about what is really the crux of profitability: cash flow management.
Scott Miller, CEO of The Growth League, is a money management guru in restoration, and answers key questions like:
- Where should leaders start in managing cashflow?
- Is there a magic number for what's in the bank every month vs. what's going out every month?
- What are some common issues you find in restoration company accounting practices?
- What are some things you see companies excelling at in relation to cashflow management
- How often should leaders be looking at their numbers?
Miss an episode? Here is what we’ve covered so far this season:
EPISODE 5: Succession Planning + Profitability
EPISODE 4: Intentionality + Profitability
EPISODE 3: Training + Profitability
EPISODE 2: Technology + Profitability
EPISODE 1: Organizational Structure + Profitability
Every episode is available on the C&R YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform by searching “Restoration Master Class”.
The Restoration Golf League was created as a platform to build strong business relationships between clients, prospects, vendors, and competitors in all facets of the insurance restoration industry, all surrounding the game of golf.
This week, Peter Lyons, founder of the Restoration Golf League, joins Restoration Today to talk about what the league is all about. The league has growth like wildfire to now include clubs in many regions across the U.S., and events happening all the time!
If you are connected to the insurance restoration industry, serious about the game of golf and looking to build your network then the Restoration Golf League should be a part of your sales and marketing strategy.
Building a company with an intentional culture and purpose does not happen by accident. The more intentional you are with your company, and the decisions you make as a leader, the greater you set your entire team up for success. This, in turn, leads to higher revenues – and an overall ability to be profitable and have healthy profit margins.
In this fifth episode of the Restoration Master Class on Profitability, sponsored by Encircle, Exit Strategies 360's JT Kraai discusses how exit strategies and succession planning impact a company's overall ability to be profitable, and answers questions like: "How can having an exit strategy early on help a company's long-term profitability?"
Miss an episode? Here is what we’ve covered so far this season:
EPISODE 4: Intentionality + Profitability
EPISODE 3: Training + Profitability
EPISODE 2: Technology + Profitability
EPISODE 1: Organizational Structure + Profitability
Every episode is available on the C&R YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform by searching “Restoration Master Class”.
Seth Harrison, Executive Director of Actionable Insights, joins the podcast this week to talk about their amazing tool, Actionable Profile!
The Actionable Xactimate Profile was built to help contractors make fewer mistakes, catch missed line items, and SO much more. The Actionable team is constantly working on the profile with updates, additional line items, making it faster and more user-friendly.
Here are a few highlights:
- Live estimating guidance (Actionable Alerts) that leverages the Insight Sheet Database
- XactScope for mitigation invoicing and exterior (siding & roofing) estimating, providing rule scripts to improve estimates for both green and seasoned teams
- Actionable’s industry-standard default preferences
- Access to all Actionable Insights Macros
In the last few weeks, ATI has announced two M&A transactions – including the acquisition of Venturi Restoration and a merger with Carolina Restoration Services.
In this bonus Restoration Today Podcast episode, ATI President and Chief Acquisition Officer Jeff Moore, Venturi COO Mitch Martin, and CRS President Travis Martin share their insights on the M&A journey, tips on choosing the right company to merge with, lessons they learned along the way, and more!
These transactions solidified ATI as the third largest non-franchise restoration company, by number of offices, in the U.S. They also remain the largest family-run restoration company.
Building a company with an intentional culture and purpose does not happen by accident. The more intentional you are with your company, and the decisions you make as a leader, the greater you set your entire team up for success. This, in turn, leads to higher revenues – and an overall ability to be profitable and have healthy profit margins.
In this fourth episode of the Restoration Master Class on Profitability, sponsored by Encircle, PHC Restoration CEO and current RIA Board President Katie Smith joins the conversation to share what she’s learned about the importance of intentionality in her time as a leader.
Katie covers a wide array of topics including hiring, sales and marketing, the power of no, company purpose and vision, and more.
Miss an episode? Here is what we’ve covered so far this season:
EPISODE 3: Training + Profitability
EPISODE 2: Technology + Profitability
EPISODE 1: Organizational Structure + Profitability
Every episode is available on the C&R YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform by searching “Restoration Master Class”.
In the third episode of this season’s Restoration Master Class, sponsored by Encircle, Jeremy Reets, owner of Reets Drying Academy and co-owner of Champion Cleaning, joins us to discuss the intersection between technical training and a company’s overall ability to be profitable.
Miss an episode? Here is what we’ve covered so far this season:
EPISODE 2: Technology + Profitability
EPISODE 1: Organizational Structure + Profitability
Every episode is available on the C&R YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform by searching “Restoration Master Class”.
Online reviews can be a major business-builder for companies excelling not just at getting positive reviews, but getting them oftenand consistently.Yet the art of getting customers to actually leave reviews isn't always easy. There are right and wrong times to ask, good ways to ask and ... well ... not so good ways. Plus, what happens when a bad review pops in? Or a customer tries to leave a good review, but doesn't know how and gives up?
In this episode of Restoration Today, Zach Garrett, founder of Liftify, shares what it actually takes to get customers to leave good reviews, the power those reviews can have in the Google and digital universe, what to do about badreviews, and more!
In a special episode of Restoration Today, we jump over into the world of cleaning companies to chat with Joe Delatte. He is the driving force behind Home Clean Heroes.
As we get closer to May, when Restoring Kindness really ramps up, Joe and Michelle discuss the importance of trust and integrity in cleaning, the power of community service, and how one company can have a big impact at home.
There's a new attorney in town, who also owns the title of Super Lawyer in the State of California!
In this episode of Restoration Today, meet Caroline Victoria Tucker. She is the newest edition to the Law Offices of Edward H. Cross & Associates. Tucker brings a strong background to the law firm, and an eagerness to help restorers and their businesses excel.
With every new generation comes changes to the workforce, and that workforce's wants and expectations.
Today, Millennials, Gen Z, and each generation to come after them will have different expectations than Gen X, Baby Boomers, Traditionalists, and the generations to come before them.
In today's economy and job market, especially with the immense shortage of workers in the skilled trades, the onus is on restoration companies to be forward-thinking with their approach to today's workforce. What will attract and retain the best talent for your company and customers?
Sasser Restoration, based in North Carolina, has not been afraid to think outside the box. In addition to more traditional initiatives like hiring veterans and women, Sasser hires interns in various departments - competing directly against some major employers in their region - and has policies like offering paid parental leave for birthing parents and partners.
Houston Summers, a partner in Sasser, joins Restoration Today to talk about Sasser's growth, policies, what has worked, what they've learned along the way, and what's next.
This week, Lowe's announced a $50 million commitment to training people for the skilled trades over the next five years. Why? We all know why - because the skilled labor shortage is an ongoing problem, with 85% of contractors saying they struggle to find skilled workers. To compound matters, Mike Rowe recently rattled off the statistic on his podcast that for every five people leaving the skilled trades, there are only two to replace them.
So when the candidate pool is small, but the need to hire is immense, it becomes key to lean on the experts - and what we know can help with the hiring and retention woes.
In this episode of Restoration Today, Wylander Founder Kristy Sifford joins to discuss:
- How hiring has changed in the last 2-3 years.
- The common missteps she sees restoration companies make every day when it comes to recruiting and finding candidates.
- What a healthy hiring process should look like.
- Changes in salary expectations in the last few years.
- What is reallyattractive to candidates looking for a new job?
- & more!
Few things in life, and restoration, are a guarantee. But as restorers, you can guarantee care and compassion for your clients, and depending on the loss and scope of work, guarantee your team's ability to restore their property to pre-loss condition.
In this episode of Restoration Today, we are joined by second generation restorer and CEO of Guarantee Restoration Services, Shawn Folks. In this podcast, we discuss standing independent in a consolidating industry, what it takes to stay competitive, serving a hurricane-prone region (the Gulf Coast), the importance of partnerships, creating and maintaining a vibrant company culture, and more!
Welcome to season two, episode two of the Restoration Master Class! The 2023 Master Class is sponsored by Encircle, and focused entirely on profitability!
Two times each month, we will drop quick, new episodes on different topics related to profitability – with different industry guests!
In episode 2, Paul Donald, CEO of Encircle, discusses the role technology plays in the profitability puzzle!
Find all Master Class episodes here.Or search “Restoration Master Class” on your favorite podcast platform!
United Water Restoration Group (UWRG) was originally established in 2008, and grew quickly to about a dozen locations across Florida. In 2015, they began franchising - and have big goals to double or triple their number of franchises in the next couple of years.
Bob Moore, UWRG's Vice President of Development and Operations, joins the podcast to discuss the current popularity of water damage-related franchises, what it takes to run a successful franchise, and more!
Scott Whitaker, owner of Restoration 1 Spokane, Wash., has partnered with Traction Capital, an investment firm dedicated to helping entrepreneurs in the Western U.S. Private equity firms have recently begun investing as franchisees in the restoration industry, signaling a new era of business growth and opportunity. The influx of funds across the industry will allow local businesses to expand their services as well as provide more resources for those impacted by natural disasters.
Whitaker opened his first Restoration 1 franchise in 2017 while serving as Captain of the Spokane Valley Fire Department. His goal when he first purchased the business was to grow it, and sell it. Over the last five years he has experienced strong growth, expanding into additional territories in Central Washington and garnering the attention of Traction Capital. With this investment, Scott remains in the driver's seat of the franchise, and has his eyes set on building a multi-state operation supporting multiple communities.
While the restoration industry is considered to be a relatively small space, it abounds with events all year-round. In recent years, the RIA's International Restoration Convention & Industry Expo has arguably risen above others as the ultimate place to learn and network with fellow restoration contractors.
This year, under the theme of Restoration Beautiful, the events committee has put together a convention revolving around uniting our industry. It's set for April 24-26 in Orlando!
Committee members Jeff Jones and Kelley Dolan join Restoration Today to share a sneak peek at the agenda, networking events, and more!
You will leave this event with industry knowledge and connections that will take your business to the next level.
Grab your spot before the event sells out!
Welcome to season two of the Restoration Master Class! The 2023 Master Class is sponsored by Encircle, and focused entirely on profitability!
Two times each month, we will drop quick, new episodes on different topics related to profitability - with different industry guests!
In episode 1, Trish Wall from SERVPRO Team Wall shares lessons and wisdom on creating an organizational structure that can lead to increased profitability!
Find all Master Class episodes here, or by searching Restoration Master Class on your favorite podcast platform.
Unsurprisingly to most restoration contractors, the latest C&R State of the Industry report found that getting paid is one of the problems that keeps contractors up at night.
In this episode of Restoration Today, Josh Ehmke - a One Claim Solution co-founder - shares tips on getting paid, and what he has observed during his time in the restoration industry.
In a time when there are many franchises for potential business owners to chose from, it is more important than ever to stand out from the competition - both in efficacy and branding.
1-Tom-Plumber has seen explosive growth despite only a few short years in business, and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. In this episode, meet the father-son duo of Rocky and Kameron Hensley who are at the helm of the pink plunger franchise. With roots in the restoration industry, they explain the origins of the plumbing franchise, and what has made it so attractive to existing restoration company owners as an add-on franchise. Plus, they explain the very deliberate branding and colors behind the franchise - that have a deeper purpose than just "standing out" among the competition.
Watch all the way to the end for a few plumber jokes!
Thanks to advancements in restoration and cleaning technology, it is more possible than ever to restore a vast number of items - instead of tossing them in the landfill and replacing them with new.
This is great news for restorers and insurance carriers as the cost to restore item often costs far less than replacement, and gives contractors another revenue stream. There are also different options for contents restoration and cleaning services - including hard contents, electronics, textiles, artwork, and other specialties.
Two experts in the world of soft contents restoration join this episode of Restoration Today. Russ Jacobs and Jamie Sands from Esporta discuss the pros and cons of adding textile restoration, the impact it can have on businesses and customers, and also how cleaning vs. replacing can help us all reduce our carbon footprint.
Ever wondered how IICRC standards are created, consensus bodies are formed, how often they are reviewed, and more?
Mili Washington, IICRC standards director, joins Restoration Today to discuss the creation and revision of standards, the importance of volunteers and public comment periods, and more!
Plus, learn what standards are currently out for review and how to get involved!
C&R's State of the Industry report asked restorers what is keeping them up at night. Unsurprisingly, hiring was among the top answers. As the worker shortage in the trades continues, regardless of economic conditions, contractors are always looking for new ways to hire - and fresh ideas to attract good talent to their organizations.
Gregg Taylor from Xactly byGTE, a company offering recruiting services in the restoration and cleaning industry, joins Restoration Today to talk about:
- The biggest challenges their clients are facing?
- What does recruiting look like today?
- What can restoration companies be doing to attract talent?
- What do you anticipate in 2023, and as the economy changes?
... and so much more!
Watch here, or listen on your favorite podcast platform.
It is a seat no business owner expects to be in, yet according to the Small Business Administration, 20% of new businesses fail in the first year, 45% fail in the first five years, and 65% in the first decade. Only one-in-four businesses make it 15 years or more.
All that in mind, every business struggles from time to time, or goes through slow periods - even in an industry that is considered "economic proof", like restoration.
Rod Cruce of the Trifecta Growth Institute has helped many restoration companies turn things around. In this episode of Restoration Today, Rod shares:
- Early warning signs of dark waters ahead.
- Attributes of growing, thriving restoration companies.
- What a healthy company culture reallylooks like.
- The importance of training.
- & more!
The landscape of the restoration industry seems to change almost with the tide. Over the last several years, we have seen a major increase in mergers and acquisitions, private equity interest, more pushback and requirements from carriers, more restorers moving away from TPA work, and the list goes on and on.
Among the many changes appears to be an explosion of franchise opportunities specific to restoration. We sat down with Rainbow Restoration President Josh Miller to dig into why franchises are so popular, what potential owners should be looking for in franchises, and what sets Rainbow apart.
Josh and Michelle also dig into the overall importance of education, industry standards, and what Josh sees - as an experienced industry veteran and restorer - on the horizon for our industry.
On January 5, 2022, Kustom US announced the acquisition of Sacramento-based Five Star Restoration.
Now one year into new ownership, we wanted to catch up with Five Star's GM Aaron Provencal to chat about what the transition has been like for him, and the rest of the team. Aaron shares insights on:
- The first steps to take when it might be time to sell.
- Choosing the right buyer.
- Highs and lows of the last year.
- Reaction from competitors.
- Advice to others thinking about selling.
- The importance and value of industry involvement and relationships.
- ... and more!
Digital marketing is an overwhelming topic for a lot of restorers, especially as algorithms and best practices are constantly evolving and changing. The good news: there are experts to help!
In this episode, Ashlee Southworth and Amanda Stichter from Virtual Vision join Restoration Today to answer questions like:
- What makes a website good?
- How important is content on a website?
- What is SEO, exactly?
- What are the most cost-effective ways for restorers to attract customers and leads online?
- What social media platforms perform best for cleaning and restoration companies?
- How should companies track their marketing ROI?
Watch here, or listen in on your favorite podcast platform!
In C&R's State of the Industry report, restorers agreed software choices - and software onboarding - are ongoing pain points for their companies.
Clean Claims and E3 are two of the platforms looking to ease this pain point by full integration of the two platforms that complement each other well.
Chuck Dewald III, of the Dewald Academy of Drying and creator of E3, and Lane Larsen from Clean Claims share the inspiration behind their platforms, what they do, the value of proper documentation during the claims and restoration process, and the importance of integrations like this.
Garret Gray, CoreLogic's President of Protect (although likely going through a title change soon!), returns to Restoration Today to catch up on all things InsurTech and RestorTech-related. Garret and Michelle discuss:
- The latest with Symbility/Claims Connect.
- Symbility's pricing methodology.
- Ongoing efforts to update pricing, and gather industry feedback.
- Deviating from standardized price lists.
- Keeping up with labor rates.
- Benefits for non-TPA contractors using Symbility.
- Where to find Symbility training.
- Best ways for contractors to stay on the front edge of new technology.
- The upcoming INTRConnect show in LA.
- .... & more!
Watch here, or listen on your favorite podcast platform by searching "Restoration Today."
The Certified Mold Professional (CMP) designation has been available to restorers and cleaners for more than 20 years. For most of that time it was offered through the Restoration Industry Association. But in August, C&Rshared news from Wonder Makers Environmental that the designation is going through a rebrand, and getting a refresh!
Today, the Certified Mold Professional (CMP) is sponsored by the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (NORMI™). With this new partnership, the CMP will now be known as the NORMI Certified Microbial Professional (NCMP™). Existing Certified Mold Professionals will be able to migrate their certification to NCMP through a simple process.
In this episode of Restoration Today, Wonder Makers CEO and (N)CMP trainer Michael Pinto and NORMI Executive Director Doug Hoffman discuss what this transition means, what will remain the same and what will change with the program, why certifications like this matter, and more!
Welcome to Phil & Michelle’s Happy Hour – a podcast designed to make you smile, and hopefully learn a few things along the way.
A few times a year, Phil Rosebrook Jr. of Business Mentors and Michelle Blevins of C&R Magazine sit down with restoration and cleaning industry leaders and icons to chat about all-things restoration, share stories, and have a few laughs.
In Episode 2, we are joined by Signal Restoration Services co-CEO Mark Davis! Mark has had quite a remarkable journey in the restoration industry, through various companies, acquisitions, explosive growth, and big lessons learned. This year marks a huge milestone, as Signal Restoration Services celebrates its 50th anniversary. Signal is a national emergency restoration services provider, and also owner of the PuroClean franchise system.
Mark gets honest about what he's learned the hard way, as well as the success he's found. Plus, the trio discusses current industry trends, the importance of company culture, the path to strategic growth, and more.
Ahead of the C&R State of the Industry reveal, we sat down with Violand Management Associates GM Tim Hull to discuss overall industry trends, the economy, what might lie ahead, and more.
This conversation explores the belief that the restoration industry is economic-proof. While that is true to a certain degree, businesses can still struggle in a down economy, or when faced with high inflation, high labor costs, and supply chain issues. Tim shares some insights and resources for business continuity planning.
Tim and Michelle also discuss being a profitable business, and running an efficient restoration company.
The FULL State of the Industry report will be released on Tuesday, Dec. 6 - and the results discussed during a free LIVE webinar. Click here to register!
Everyone who starts a business knows profitability is important, but too often contractors treat it as optional.
This podcast goes along with a recent C&R article titled "The 4 Modes of Profitability for Contractors." It was the first in a series to attempt to help new entrepreneurs, in-progress contractors, and aspiring persons in a position of leadership to better grasp the essential nature of overhead and profit (O&P) within the skilled trades.
In this episode of Restoration Today, Jon Isaacson, the author of the first article and orchestrator of the entire series, walks through how contractors can help themselves and their team members form better mindsets and habits as they think through the four modes of profitability for contractors.
Every state has different rules and regulations regarding construction work - Florida is certainly included in that. From changes in Assignment of Benefits (AOBs) in 2019, to mold remediation licensing, to laws governing work after catastrophic events, like hurricanes, restoration contractors are well-advised to do their homework before traveling to Florida to work.
In this episode of Restoration Today, expert witness and industry consultant R. David Sweet answers key questions like:
- What are the key differentiators between working in Florida, and working in other states?
- What licenses do you need to do water damage/mold remediation in Florida?
- The property insurance landscape is complex in Florida, to say the least. With some carriers closing up shop, and others overrun with claims, what do restoration contractors need to know?
- What is true documentation during a CAT situation, that will help ensure a contractor gets paid?
- What should restorers be doing to establish proper customer expectations from day 1 of the job to avoid litigation later?
- The difference between mitigation and stabilization.
David shares his knowledge on this, and much more!
Note to listener from R David Sweet and C&R: As you listen to today's podcast, Please be aware that the claims, legal and operational environment currently being experienced in Florida is constantly changing. This podcast is intended to be informative, but no legal directive should be implied or acted upon as a result of the information contained here in. It is imperative that you have solid counsel available to you and apply their directives to the file. By choosing to listen to this content, you agree to hold harmless all parties.
Mammoth Restoration is one of the many restoration companies that mobilized to Florida following Hurricane Ian's landfall in late September. As the CAT team drove semis packed with equipment toward Ft. Myers and Sanibel, other members of the Mammoth team, based in Pheasant Gap, Penn., readied themselves to handle necessary logistics, paperwork, and other tasks that could be done remotely.
In this episode of Restoration Today, Mammoth President Jon Vogt talks about what their CAT team is seeing in Florida, the true level of destruction and loss, what it took to prepare to respond to this storm, the hurdles contractors are facing, and more.
A very special thanks to Mike Bennett, Mammoth's Director of Marketing, for sharing some incredible video footage and photos with us that he captured while visiting job sites.
In September, Encircle and Phoenix Restoration Equipment announced the integration of the Encircle platform with Phoenix’s DRYLink technology.
Kris Rzesnoski, VP of Encircle, and Erin Hynum, Business Unit Lead for Phoenix, have spent many years with their teams pushing toward greater innovation and collaboration in the industry.
In this podcast, Kris and Erin discuss why integrations like this are important, what this means for contractors, and what they see on the horizon with drying technology and equipment.
So, what is the difference between sales, marketing, and branding, anyway? People often lump those first two words together, when they are in fact quite different roles - and require different talents!
In this episode of Restoration Today, Jeff Jones, the Director of Sales and Marketing for Violand Management Associates, brings his knowledge of the industry - after having spoken with hundreds of restoration companies - on what solid sales and marketing people or teams look like, the differences in sales people (aka hunters vs. farmers), and also discusses the role branding plays in it all!
Jeff is a regular C&R contributor! Find his articles by searching his name in the search bar at the top of www.candrmagazine.com.
This episode is sponsored by Encircle!
Building a strong, healthy restoration company doesn't happen by chance. Success and sustainable growth require processes, efficiencies, KPIs, and an owner who is able to run the business, instead of the business running them.
In this episode, RBA Founder Gokul Padmanabhan joins in for a conversation on what he sees at work within the most successful restoration companies, what it means to have a clearly defined purpose and the normals ups and downs owners face through various stages of their business.
There is a new franchise in town - the Mold Medics!
The company's CEO, Tim Swackhammer, joins Restoration Today to discuss his background in franchising, remediation, and the launch of this new franchise system specializing in mold removal. Plus, Tim discusses specific services, training, certifications, and more!
Corey and Lindsay Brandon are familiar faces in the restoration industry. Today, they work together as a team as Director of National Projects for Insurcomm.
Michelle sat down with Corey and Lindsay at The Collective to talk about what it looks like to mobilize for catastrophes, the importance of partnerships and working together, and how they effectively tag-team their role to serve customers at a whole new level.
Corey, Lindsay, and baby Penelope are all currently on CAT duty in Florida following Hurricane Ian!
The world of sales today involves hunters and farmers, marketers and sales people, managers and representatives. In restoration, prospects have shifted somewhat in the last few years, and the process itself of running a successful sales team requires diligence, strategy, and structure.
In this episode, we are joined by Justin Sifford and Alex Puertas, the drivers behind Wylander’s Remote Sales Management program. Both have extensive backgrounds in product and service sales, and a lot of knowledge to share on what works – and doesn’t work – in today’s world, with today’s customers.
This episode was recorded at The Collective!
Michelle sat down with CORE Group CEO Dan Cassara during The Experience in Las Vegas in early September. The goal was to have an open dialogue about the restoration industry today: the good, the so-so, and even the ugly.
Dan shares his insights, after sitting in multiple seats in the industry over the years, on popular topics like mergers and acquisitions and the impact they're having on our industry, TPAs, data, industry associations, and more.
Mike Fulton rejoins the Restoration Today podcast for the third time! He has consistently been our most popular and listened-to guest, and we are honored to have him back for this episode!
Fulton is the President of Property Estimating Solutions at Verisk (AKA the Xactware arm of Verisk).
In this episode, Mike and Michelle discuss topics like:
- Verisk's Pricing Analyst Program that is now well underway
- The online price list editor that was announced during the Verisk Conference in February of 2022.
- The impact of an explosion of InsurTech in restoration.
- Pricing feedback.
- The future of estimating in relation to automation and implementation of geospatial technology.
- Overall industry trends - like lack of storms, and increased innovations in tech.
- Pricing methodology
- Integrations
- ... and more!
Miss past episodes with Mike? Click here for the first episode, and here for the second.
Forensic Operator, Microbial Warrior, and seasoned restorer Jeff Jones returns to Restoration Today to discuss Monkeypox, and what our industry needs to know.
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What is Monkeypox?
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Where did it come from?
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How is it DIFFERENT from COVID?
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What are some of the big misconceptions about Monkeypox?
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How is it being transmitted?
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How long is it living on surfaces?
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What are best practices for cleaning and disinfection?
AND MORE!
This week’s episode of Restoration Today is sponsored bysureti!
In this episode, Michelle is joined by two incredible, and highly celebrated scientists to discuss toxic chemicals in our lives - and how they disrupt our bodies, hormones, and environments.
Pete Myers, PhD, a founder of sudoc, is one of the world's top experts on endocrine disrupter chemicals. He coined the term "endocrine disruption" in 1991, and coauthored a book in 1996 that discusses the topic, called Our Stolen Future.
Terry Collins, PhD, is a fellow founder/inventor, and principal inventor of TAML catalysts. This catalyst could greatly reduce the amount of chemical needed in cleaning and disinfection.
Dr. Myers and Dr. Collins address important questions related to:
- Chemical burden and the amount of chemicals used for cleaning and disinfection.
- Common endocrine disrupters, their impact, and how to avoid them.
- The function of sustainable chemistry and products today.
- The ability of TAML catalysts to advance innovations in cleaning.
- The impact of sustainable science on health and the environment.
- & more!
Welcome to Phil & Michelle’s Happy Hour – a podcast designed to make you smile, and hopefully learn a few things along the way.
A few times a year, Phil Rosebrook Jr. of Business Mentors and Michelle Blevins of C&R Magazine sit down with restoration and cleaning industry leaders and icons to chat about all-things restoration, share stories, and have a few laughs.
In this debut episode, Phil and Michelle catch up with Josh Hobbs from Dalworth, Warner Cruz from BluSky (formerly JC Restoration), and Mark Whatley from Actionable Insights! This episode was recorded during the RIA's 2022 International Restoration Convention & Industry Expo.
You can watch on the C&R website or our YouTube channel, or on your favorite podcast platform by searching "Restoration Today"!
Pour yourself a cocktail (or another cup of coffee), sit back, relax, and enjoy the conversation.
Are you still relying on a traditional human resources mentality to grow and manage the people within your organization? If so, it’s likely keeping you from acquiring and retaining top talent.
Effective human resources departments have embraced a new paradigm, “Human Capital Management” (HCM). This ideology recognizes that employees are assets managed and developed through a system of activities. Such a system considers acquiring, growing, keeping, and optimizing your workforce.
It is essential to understand the difference between a resource and an asset. We use resources, but we grow assets. Leadership must refine all elements of their system to extend the life of those assets and achieve a maximum return on investment in them.
Howard Shore discusses HCM vs. Traditional HR practices in this episode of Restoration Today! You can also read his C&R article on this topic here.
In restoration, there is no opening time - or closing time. It is a 24/7 business that relies on taking calls after hours, on holidays and weekends, and being ready the moment the phone rings.
No matter the company size, having someone ready to answer the phone at all hours can be tricky. Finding a call center or answering service with knowledgable, compassionate staff is also difficult.
In this episode of Restoration Today, AnswerForce's Mandy Rewis talks about the challenges of effectively managing and handling after-hours calls, periods of call influx during CAT situations, how to increase customer service, and more!
Communication between restorers and adjusters has been breaking down for years and that’s created a lot of misunderstanding and misinterpretation. It’s something we see every day: restorers assume pushback is inevitable; adjusters don’t feel the documentation supports the invoice; policyholders expect to get screwed over. This industry is ripe with mistrust, creating a losing situation for everyone involved. Worse yet, is that it’s widely acknowledged and accepted – though it doesn’t have to be.
Where do you start with fixing a communication gap across an entire industry?
Encircle CEO Paul Donald walks through some of the answers in this special episode of Restoration Today, and corresponding article!
Kinyon and Natalie Martin from Restore Rite in Blackfoot, Idaho, serve a unique area that includes the Fort Hall Indian Reservation and a city with a wide span of incomes and properties.
In this episode, Kinyon and Natalie share their techniques and outside-the-box ways to attract and retain talent, and how they work with their team to serve the people in surrounding communities.
Plus, a little chatter about work-life balance and running a company, as many do in our industry, as husband and wife.
The Experience is back in Las Vegas Sept. 7-9, at the all-new, state-of-the-art Caesars Forum!
In this episode of the Restoration Today podcast, Larry and Michelle chat about what makes The Experience special - the industry awards and parties, hands-on training including a flood house right on the show floor, multiple tracks on various topics, and more.
For a sneak peek at what's coming this September, take a listen, then get registered at experiencetheevents.com!
When business owners and leaders look to accelerate their business growth, there are often two types of people: those who will lean into their industry peers, especially those outside their markets, and the others who won't discuss business with peers at all. The latter often believes all other restorers and cleaners are competition, or "trade secrets" could get back around to competitors.
Yet some of the biggest individual company growth in this industry has come from peers mentoring and leaning into peers in other markets. Often, our peers have fresh perspectives on our pain points, resolutions to root problems in our businesses, or just straight up advice because they've been there before.
In this episode of Restoration Today, Restoration Advisers Founder Klark Brown joins the conversation to discuss the value of peer-to-peer training and learning, and how working together is an optimal way to refine our leadership skills and accelerate growth all at once.
Meet the 2022 Unsung Heroes Award Office Hero of the Year:
Tyler Wright
Project Coordinator
ATI Restoration, Auburn, WA.
Tyler rises to the occasion, no matter how tough things get. In her five years in the industry, all with ATI, Tyler has proved her mettle and not sat still. She started by working the front desk, then rose to program coordinator. From there, she became a restoration coordinator, and just since nominations were submitted and this article written, was promoted to project manager.
In her nomination form, her colleagues remarked about one of the very first jobs she ran, while still working as a coordinator. It was a problem job to say the least, with many issues – yet Tyler stepped in, took care of the customer, and earned ATI a raving review. Like fellow Unsung Heroes Award winner Kurt Smith, Tyler likes to help people in a time of need.
Once she saw how much restorers truly help people, she knew this was the career path for her, and hasn’t looked back.
Meet Tyler in this quick video, and read the full article featuring both winners at www.candrmagazine.com.
Meet the 2022 Unsung Hero Award Winner Field Hero of the Year:
Kurt Smith
Environmental, Flood, & Mitigation Dept. Manager
Dalworth Restoration, Euless, TX.
One word rings through in speaking to Kurt, and in his nomination: positivity. Kurt has been in the restoration industry for 18 years and counting. He joined at 21, and admits he never looked back, saying “this was the career for me.”
He joined Dalworth Restoration, a FLEET Response company, four years ago. The bulk of his experience until that point had been as a lead technician or crew chief. “The culture and the ownership was everything I could have asked for.
Dalworth gave me the opportunity to grow in the company and be a part of the management team,” Kurt said. “I started out with Dalworth as a mitigation project manager and after less than a year, they promoted me to mitigation manager. This year I was also given the opportunity to manage the environmental department as well.” Today, Kurt oversees 50% of Dalworth’s total dollar volume. He is well-educated in the industry, keeps up on technology, and is on a constant pursuit of growth for himself and his team.
Watch this quick interview to get to know Kurt more, and read the full article at www.candrmagazine.com!
This week, we welcome ATI's Chief Marketing Officer Kenneth Schweighofer to the podcast! ATI is known for utilizing data to grow its marketshare, increase customer base, and acquire companies. The marketing department is no different.
Kenneth and Michelle discuss effective marketing techniques for restoration companies, setting yourself apart from the competition, the advantages of organic marketing in certain areas, and more!
In this week's episode, Michelle catches up with fellow podcasters, Brandon Reece and Chris Nordyke from the Head Heart and Boots podcast, and columns in C&R.
This conversation covers everything from personality types and tests and learning to embrace, hone in, and grow in who you are. There are also discussions on tough topics like anger and regret, and managing expectations.
Plus, the importance of self-awareness in business and in life, and the impact that can have on sales, family life, and every aspect in between.
Other topics include humility in sales, mentorship vs. management, favorite resources for growth, and SO much more.
Are you ready to take your company to the next level? Want to drive profitability upward? What about getting paid for the job you should do?
Reets Drying Academy is revving up for their Next Level event, happening Aug. 10-12 in Peachtree City, GA!
Next Level is a hands-on, interactive learning experience involving some of the cleaning and restoration industry's top instructors. In this quick conversation with Jeremy Reets and Nick Sharp, we discuss:
- The inspiration behind Next Level (beyond Meredith loving a good party!)
- Who this event was designed for.
- The two key things the team hopes attendees take away.
- Topics covered at THIS year's event (it's not just water!!)
- What sets Next Level apart from other industry events.
O.P. Almaraz and Tim Bauer of Allied Restoration Services join Restoration Today to discuss building trends and how restorers can help create and restore homes and businesses to be more insurable, and less disaster-prone.
In a recent C&R article, Tim wrote about the Great Californian Insurance Crisis, but the lessons apply everywhere. As natural disasters increase, our role as restorers is to ask ourselves the question: "How can I help my clients avoid going through this again?"
Elan Pasmanick is the equipment guru behind Born to Repair, a company specializing in restoration equipment repair. Have a broken dehu? Elan can fix it. Need some tips on deep-cleaning difficult equipment? Also, Elan.
In this video, check out our conversation with him on equipment repair tips and tricks, how he found himself in restoration, the art of effectively cleaning equipment of all kinds, and more!
You can also find Restoration Today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Gary Findley, chairman of the board for Stellar Brands, has had quite a year. First, he released his new book, fondly titled "The Redneck CEO", then he appeared on ABC's Undercover Boss.
Gary joins Restoration Today to talk about the growth of Stellar Brands, which is parent company to Restoration 1, his knack and passion for franchising, what he's learned from some mistakes - and wins over the years, and more.
In an industry with many events, every planner and coordinator has to be up to the challenge to find ways to innovate and draw in attendees and vendors. From education to networking to expo hours, there are a lot of variables that can make or break an event, and impact future attendance for better or worse. Plus, there are key details like location, hotel, and accessibility to consider.
Now going into its second year, The Collective by CORE is orchestrated by a powerhouse team, led by Vice President of Marketing Diane Goheen and Senior Director of Events Beth Thompson. The event is known for having a variety of tracks on a lot of topics, rich themes that run throughout the conference and venue itself, great networking events, and always a few surprises.
In this episode of Restoration Today, Beth and Diane get real (amidst many laughs) about what it takes to plan an event in this space, lessons learned from year one, and what's on deck for year two.
Katie Smith, CR, CEO of PHC Restoration and President of RIA's Board of Directors, proudly calls herself an "everyday restorer" - and embodies servant leadership.
Through thick and thin in business and in life, Katie remains true to herself, her beliefs, and her ethics, while giving her all to everything in which she is involved. Her clear calling to serve others has made Katie a highly-sought-after servant leader in her company, community, and industry. As a CEO, she is authentic and transparent.
As a member of her local community, she is selfless and involved. As a member of our industry, she is a tireless advocate and connector. You can find similar descriptions for every area of her life.
In this episode of Restoration Today, get to know Katie as she shares:
- Her background
- How she got into restoration
- The journey into second-generation ownership
- How she finds balance between work and family
- Community and industry involvement
- Success from hiring outside the industry
- How she built a company culture based on accountability, not clock-punching
- Staying competitive in a consolidating industry
- What it means to be an "everyday" restorer
... and more!
Getting paid is a common pain point for restoration contractors. There are a number of reasons for this – communication, working with adjusters, coverage issues, multi-party checks involving lenders, etc.
In this episode, Michelle is joined by Mark Whatley (founder) and Sean Duffy (VP) of sureti - a new app is paving the way for better customer service and faster payment times for property insurance claims by alleviating frustrations and delays caused by multi-party checks.
They discuss the frustrations they have seen throughout the insurance restoration process, the evolution of a non-biased solution, and what this means for every part involved - property owner, restorer, carrier, and lender.
Colorado State University hurricane researchers have increased their forecast and now call for a well above-average Atlantic hurricane season in 2022.
Research Scientist Phil Klotzbach returns to Restoration Today to give an update on his team's latest forecast, reasons behind the increase, and resources for restoration companies wanted to stay on top of what is happening in the tropics.
View the latest report here.
This quick bonus episode of Restoration Today takes us to the show floor at The Experience! Michelle and two special guests discuss the ongoing need to expose customers, especially those with chemical sensitivities, to fewer chemicals during remediation projects.
Roger Berry, CEO, and Brian Lester, product specialist, talk about the 30+ years of science, testing, and more recently real-world use of dot Cleaner.
Plus, they discuss finding products that are good partners going into CAT season, disinfectant application, and more.
Scott Whitaker, owner of Restoration 1 of Spokane, leans heavily into our industry's most popular standard to get paid: the ANSI/IICRC S500.
Whitaker is a big believer in training and education, and makes sure his team understands the scope, purpose, and application of the Standard. This includes knowing which section(s) of the S500 they should be using to bring in experts like IEPs, backing up work that needs to be done on a loss, writing accurate estimates, refusing to back down to adjuster pressure, and more.
His franchise is the top performer in the system, and his commitment to training his team and understanding how to best serve the customer are clear.
In this episode, Scott shares his processes to serve the customer and get paid, how he handles relationships with adjusters, ALEs, and more.
SERVPRO Team Wall has seen massive growth in a few short years. In business since 2009, things got “real” in 2019 just before the pandemic.
Today, SERVPRO Team Wall has three physical locations, 12 licenses, and more than 155 employees. Owners Jim and Trish Wall have leaned into organizational structure and putting the right people in the right seats to grow in a healthy, sustainable way.
They are also at the forefront of helping fellow franchisees grow – and were awarded the SERVPRO One Team MVP Award for Q1 of 2022 for their efforts and involvement in helping others grow and succeed, while continuing to push the envelope in their own company.
Kustom US is in its third generation of leadership, and part of the group of larger restoration companies looking to grow through purposeful mergers and acquisitions.
In this episode, Kustom US CEO Andy Zavodney discusses mergers and acquisitions, what sets Kustom apart from other industry players, what they're finding sellers want in a buyer, attracting future generations into the trades, the value of industry associations, and more.
Doug Schaedler and Brandon Donatelli from HOMEE join Restoration Today to talk about the evolution of InsurTech.
We discuss using Net Promoter Scores to streamline the claims process, the shift in customer expectations and communication, creating a platform to to handle smaller, less complex claims efficiently, effectively and getting contractors paid quickly, and more.
Reese Darlington is a project manager for Venturi Restoration (formerly Response Team 1) in Southern California, and joins this episode of Restoration Today right from a job site!
Reese shares how he juggles 40+ projects at a time, establishes good rapport with clients, finds and maintains good relationships with his subcontractors, and avoids the burnout that comes with long hours in a 24/7 industry.
David Hart grew up a tinkerer. Never caring much for school, he preferred to take things apart and reassemble them, learning how the world around him worked.
A series of twists and turns in life sent Hart on an interesting journey that may or may not involve an entire set of flatware, military intelligence, the U.S. Army, hanging out in an ozone chamber, and more.
Join us for a great conversation with RamAir International Founder David Hart, where he shares some personal stories, professional triumphs, and interesting tales.
The energy and excitement at this year's International Restoration Convention & Industry Expo was palpable. Using experience and feedback as their guide, it was clear everyone involved in the planning of this year's event wanted it to be valuable and memorable, and they succeeded.
In this episode of the Restoration Today Podcast, we are joined by RIA leadership:
Kristy Cohen, RIA CEO
Katie Smith, President of the Board of Directors
Mark Springer, Immediate Past President
Ben Looper, President-Elect
We discuss a little bit about the conference, then dive into pressing questions about why today's RIA is different, the immense value that it brings, real-life stories of RIA resources helping contractors, new initiatives, new membership opportunities, and more.
There has perhaps never been a better time to join the RIA.
Ready our full recap by clicking here.
Penco Restoration has been serving cities surrounding Atlanta, GA., for about a decade. Over that time, they've faced all the extremes: the triumphs of explosive growth, the heartbreak of tragedies within their team, and the pressures of a tornado leveling their town.
Through it all, the team has remained strong and loyal to their customers and community.
In this episode of Restoration Today, Penco founder/owner Joey Pendley authentically shares some of the keys to their explosive growth, challenges they've overcome, getting jobs, community and industry involvement, and more.
When a career on Wall Street left him feeling unsatisfied, Mike Bevilacqua decided to explore other directions for his career and was surprised by the restoration industry.
Fast forward 15+ years, Mike now runs a large restoration company on the East Coast - Mammoth Restoration, with eight locations across three states. Over the years, he learned what does and does not work for effective growth, how to create a healthy culture, and what it takes to drive explosive growth.
At the root of it all: focus on people, not numbers. In this episode, Mike and Michelle discuss culture, growth, M&A, hiring and retention, technology, and other burning topics in today's restoration industry.
Mike is also one of the latest columnists to join the C&R lineup! You can read his latest column here.
The same month 4.3 million workers quit their jobs in the United States, the team at KnowHow launched the Restoration Workforce Survey, the largest-ever industry survey targeted specifically at capturing the voice of the industry’s workforce. Together with C&R and more than dozen other industry partners, KnowHow surveyed hundreds of workers across the USA and Canada, drawing from more than ten different common roles to discover, among many other things, why each worker chose their current job, the best and worst parts about working in the restoration industry, and why good people quit.
The results have implications in every corner of a restoration business, but cast a clear spotlight on the manager/employee relationship and the role leaders can play in attracting and retaining top talent amidst significant uncertainty and change.
The full findings are available at whyworkersquit.com, but here are the brass tacks on the impact management has on employee retention, job satisfaction, and the ways your company can emerge from the Great Resignation stronger than ever.
John Monroe is a Senior Advisor with Violand Management Associates, and specializes in training and empowering business development and sales professionals in the restoration and cleaning industry.
In this podcast, he dives into restoration sales to complement a panel on the topic featured in the March/April issue of C&R.
The 2022 hurricane season officially begins on June 1, but scientists like those at Colorado State start assembling predictions for future hurricane seasons long before it actually begins.
By studying historic data and trends, Research Scientist Phil Klotzbach and his fellow scientists are able to make accurate projections of what the tropics might brew in the coming months. Insurance carriers use data just like this to assess risk and loss potential, and restoration companies can similarly use this data to prepare to scale up for CAT mode.
In this episode with Phil, he discusses past data that leads to future predictions, as well as potential new ways of categorizing storms that would more accurately hone in on a storm's ability to unleash extreme damage.
Making predictions in today’s business environment is very difficult due to the high speed of change, political uncertainty, health challenges and radically different feelings on the work environment. The next decade will bring changes that will be inconceivable to many, and will radically change the way we work, communicate, learn, travel, purchase and so much more.
The reality of this change will be hard to anticipate and if you are not “looking around the corner,” it will take you and your business by surprise.
Phil Rosebrook Jr. of Business Mentors joins Restoration Today to walk through the top trends that will impact your business and steps that you can take to help you and your business manage the impacts of these issues.
You can read his full article on the topic here.
CoreLogic President of Protect Garret Gray is back on the Restoration Today podcast! In this conversation, Garret and Michelle discuss a number of hot topics in the restoration industry today including (but certainly not limited to):
- Data
- Integrations
- Marketplace competition
- Contractor relationships
Plus, Garret shares some of his background, the growth of Next Gear Solutions over the years before being acquired by CoreLogic, his family, and more.
Miss our first conversation with Garret? You can listen to it here!
Rico Garcia is the talent behind the Restoration Domination podcast. A restorer and marketer to his core, Rico's passion bleeds through in every single podcast he creates.
In this episode of Restoration Today, we are turning the tables and putting the Rico in the hot seat - to answer our questions about hiring, marketing, favorite guests so far, industry trends, and more. C
heck out Rico's podcast at www.restorationdomination.com.
We are in an interesting time in the restoration industry. The chasm between contractors and carriers continues to be a pain point, and more contractors are veering away from program/TPA work. Today, there is an entire franchise that has chosen that route and is finding amazing success with their unique model.
Sherry Rose is the CEO of Stellar Brands, the parent company of Restoration 1. She entered the company in 2020, initially as the COO of Restoration 1, bringing with her some amazing experience and records from leadership at other brands like Terminix, Merry Maids, and ServiceMaster Restore.
On this episode, Sherry talks about R1's explosive growth, including being named a Top 100 Game Changer in 2021 by Franchise Dictionary Magazine, as well as soft skills, attracting more skilled workers, and more.
Check out our recent conversation with Larry on Restoration Today above! He shares some of his favorite trade show memories, the history of the Hall of Mirrors, what's on tap for education, and more!
The Experience Conference and Exhibition in Cincinnati has just added a Taste of Cincinnati Reception on Wednesday April 6th at the Hilton Netherlands Hotel following the closing of the trade show. The reception will be held in the Hall of Mirrors Meeting Room and will be a great opportunity for networking and just relaxing and having fun. The Reception will also have $10,000+ in drawings and giveaways!
The Experience educational programs will feature four concurrent classroom tracks taught by some of the industry’s best instructors and guest experts who will share much needed valuable information. The featured keynotes Dr. George Buck and Jeff Jones will discuss bioterrorism and the need for preparedness and training. Les Cunningham and Chuck Violand will also be part of a live interview on stage in Wednesday’s general session.
The hands-on and live demonstrations in the exhibit hall are set. The hands-on sections are led by Shawn Bisaillon, and he will oversee the flood experience, the hands-on rug plant, the upholstery cleaning area and the Shaw Learning Lab.
The Experience Conference will also feature all hands-on learning Thursday morning in the classrooms. There are 20 live hands-on sessions to choose from.
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Health and Wellness Pavilion. Learn about your immune system and how it defends and protects you from pathogens including bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and toxins.
Jennifer Wilkinson, Experience Events show manager, said, “Our conventions and trade shows continue to thrive, and our attendees get to see, try out and buy the latest and best equipment, products and management & marketing information available. We want to shout out a huge thanks to our sponsors and exhibitors for supporting this show which enables us to continue to keep the registration prices lower for attendees. The Charleston Show was packed and the hands-on demos were extremely popular. Ms. Wilkinson stated, I am looking forward to seeing all of you in Las Vegas in September.”
Registration is open at www.experiencetheevents.com or 888-881-1001. The Hilton Hotel still has some rooms left, but book them today on our website at the venue link.
The Experience Team has begun production work for the next in person show, The Experience Convention and Trade Show, in Las Vegas at the Caesars Forum September 7, 8, and 9, 2021. Look for updates on the Experience website soon. Come join the Experience Team for another Great Experience!
As Abatix expands its footprint into the Chicagoland (and Midwest market), Regional Manager Dan Vaughn joined the Restoration Today podcast to discuss:
- Benefits of having vendor and supplier partners who specifically understand cleaning and restoration.
- Tips for choosing products and chemicals.
- Supply chain and labor shortage difficulties - and wins.
- Keeping up with restoration trends and hot topics
- & more!
Mike Fulton, CEO of Xactware (now known as Verisk Property Estimating Solutions) is back on the Restoration Today podcast for round two! He first appeared on our podcast last November, and we are excited to keep these open conversations going with Mike as the restoration landscape continues to change and evolve.
In this podcast, which is audio-only due to a hiccup on our end, Mike and Michelle discuss hot topics like:
- Adjustments for inflation
- Reporting pricing vs. predicting pricing
- Thoughts on T&M and 10&10
- Reason profit margins for contractors
- Up-and-coming innovations and platforms in the InsureTech world
- Software integration
- The Pricing Analyst program
Listen here, or subscribe to Restoration Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your other preferred podcast platform to listen on the go and never miss a new episode!
Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3BzR4YV
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3lyOqwL
Gerrett Stier, founder of GMS Distribution, sits down with Michelle to talk about what it has looked like to build a company over time, with great intentionality and focus on quality and customer service.
"If you want something, you go work for it," he said.
Plus, there is a lot of discussion on finding a work-life balance, and learning it is okay to step away for a moment. The work and relationships will still be there.
Take a watch or listen for more great nuggets in this Restoration Today episode!
With all the changes and evolutions in the restoration software space in recent years, we wanted to have a conversation with Ryan Pritchard from Canam Systems/PSA on the current state of tech in the industry.
PSA is one of the original software platforms in the industry, founded in 1994. That puts the team in an interesting place to talk about the evolution of software for restoration contractors.
In this podcast, Ryan and Michelle discuss the importance of integration and collaboration among industry software platforms, the differences between various solutions out there, data concerns, what is needed in the InsurTech space, finding and selecting the right software platform, and more.
In this episode of Restoration Today, we are joined by Doug Hoffman, the CEO of NORMI.
NORMI is the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors. Today, the organization is about 7,500 people strong - and facilitates a variety of training courses related to environmental remediation.
Doug discusses some of the best practices of mold remediation, clears up some of the common misconceptions, and explains why the assessment process is so important as part of the entire IAQ process. He also discusses a brand new program by OSHA that will affect restoration workers heading to disaster zones.
Asbestos abatement has a storied (some would say infamous) U.S. history dating back to the 1960s when exposure started getting wide- spread attention; the 1970s with the first guidelines to reduce exposure; and then the 1980s with the first laws regulating asbestos. Although mining and manufacture of the six types of asbestos minerals was sharply curtailed in the U.S., there is still no asbestos ban in effect. While the import of asbestos products continues to be legal and thrive, efforts to remove it from homes and buildings have been ongoing for decades. The widespread perception that asbestos use stopped is a ripple effect from the explosive growth and then con- traction of the early abatement industry. Through the late 1980s, much of the attention surrounding asbestos focused on abatement, which involves encapsulating or removing asbestos from existing buildings. Over the years, asbestos abatement has been relegated down the priority list of bolt-on business opportunities for restoration contractors, largely because of the training required, licensing bureaucracy, and additional insurance. Uneven regulatory enforcement during the ‘00s and ‘10s, and more recently deferred renovation projects, plus labor and supply challenges during the pandemic have caused the abatement industry to arguably remain flat or even temporarily contract.
Tom McGuire has more than three decades of experience with large loss and disaster recovery projects. He specializes in structural damage restoration/decontamination, ambient control/stabilization and vital document recovery/vacuum freeze drying systems.
McGuire is the founder of the restoration industry's massively popular Large Loss Mastery courses. These courses teach the full gamut of large loss restoration jobs - from marketing to actual restoration and reconstruction techniques, often simulating intense jobs like a loss at the Pentagon or a flood in New Orleans. As the business has grown, he has brought other restoration experts into the fold as educators on a variety of topics.
In this episode of the Restoration Today podcast, Tom talks about the value of unique, hands-on training courses available to contractors today.
His first class of 2022 is happening NEXT WEEK! You can click the link above to see his 2022 schedule!
FLEET Response is a growing national restoration company, building on the foundation of the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
In this episode of the Restoration Today podcast, we are joined by Mark Springer, president of Dayspring Restoration.
Dayspring is one of FLEET's founding companies. Mark shares the evolution of FLEET, the involvement of private equity and the difference between different PE options out there, finding companies with shared values to join the company as it expands, and more.
Everyone wants more commercial work. It's easy to pitch you offer higher quality services, more expertise, etc. But from the facility manager's perspective - they see us all the same when we approach them.
Separate yourself at the door by offering a valuable solution to one of their needs, gain their trust and build the relationship from there. We are talking about ERPs - or Emergency Response Plans.
In this episode of the Restoration Today Podcast, Restoration ERP's Jeff Carrier breaks down what ERPs are, how to implement them, best practices, common pitfalls, and more!
The Restoration Workforce Survey is a one-of-a-kind effort to find out what attracts people to the restoration industry, what makes them stay, and what makes them leave.
This quick video gives a sneak peek into the kind of data coming out of this report.
You'll be able to read much more about the findings in the March/April issue of C&R!
On Dec. 30, a fire sparked in the Denver suburb of Boulder, and quickly spread - doing more than $500 million in damage. That estimate makes the Marshall Fire the most destructive wildfire in state history, according to early assessments by Boulder County. More than 1,000 commercial structures, and homes, were damaged or destroyed.
ATI's Denver office mobilized almost immediately, heading to ground zero to assist their commercial clients. In many cases, ATI was first on scene for restoration efforts, and partnered as much as possible with local emergency responders in the area.
In this episode of the Restoration Today podcast, ATI's VP of National Operations, Brian Davis, shares insights from what those early days look like as the fire was happening, what restoration efforts have looked like since, what the future is looking like, and how the rest of the industry can help - and be prepared for an incident like this to hit their service area.
This episode is sponsored by Dot Cleaner.
Some of the toughest threats restorers face are unseen – mold spores, mycotoxins, VOCs, etc.
When it comes to indoor air quality, there are few duos more popular or well-known for their IAQ expertise than Dave and Shannon Luce, owners of Luce Air Quality.
Dave has been in the restoration and remediation industry since 2006, and tells the story of a mold job he went on in 2011 that changed his view of IAQ and mold remediation.
Hear Dave and Shannon’s story, some truths and myths about mold and IAQ, and why air quality testing is so important during remediation jobs to ensure the health of customers and the contractors doing the work.
Tim Fuller has been building houses and doing restoration work since the moment he could swing a hammer.
As his own Michigan-based restoration company grew, he found a need for more collaboration in the industry - a way for companies to join together and operate in a similar way, under the same brand and image, while allowing owners to retain ownership of their companies.
On Jan. 1, 2022, after years of preparation, he and his team officially launched Restoration Partner. Within two weeks, 40+ territories were spoken for - with dozens more ready to come on board.
Restoration Partner is a national network of independently owned and operated restoration firms, specializing in water and fire damage, mold, hazardous material remediation, and building reconstruction.
Also, fun little teaser, Tim shares the story of how his early love for construction and willingness to work at a young age put him in hot water with the Michigan Attorney General.
Barb Jackson is a Certified Restorer who has been helping companies set up contents cleaning divisions and tackle the toughest jobs for decades.
In this episode of Restoration Today, Barb (owner of Total Contentz) shares her plethora of knowledge and lessons she's learned over the years on contents on topics like:
- In-house vs. subbing out contents cleaning
- Value of adding a contents division
- Best innovations in the last decade
- Predictions on future of contents restoration/trends
Plus, she shares stories from some memorable jobs - including a bank vault!
The innovation of connected equipment is streamlining some processes for restoration and cleaning contractors, and reducing the need for daily in-person job site checks for readings.
In this episode of Restoration Today, Thermastor/Phoenix Business Unit Leader Erin Hynum discusses the value of connected equipment, remote monitoring, and innovations on the horizon for structure drying.
Statistics provided by the National Fire Protection Association show that fire departments responded to about 1,291,500 fires in 2019 that caused an estimated $14.8 billion in property damage. This doesn’t take into account fires where more than one home burned in a condominium complex or wildfires where hundreds of structures can be lost in one event.
Fire chasing has been a highly-debated topic and practice in the restoration industry for years. Here is one restorer's take.
The Dewald Academy of Drying is gearing up to host Microbial WarriorTM Experience in early 2022, facilitated by Jeff Jones. The first class will be Feb. 21-25 in Indianapolis.
The Microbial Warrior Experience is a 4 day hands-on course focusing on strategies for performing forensic restoration related to biohazard cleanup.
Jeff Jones, owner of BioSheen Services, Chuck Dewald III, owner of the Dewald Academy of Drying, and instructor Chris Laney joined the Restoration Today podcast to discuss this training opportunity, why hands-on training is vital in all aspects of restoration, and also why collaborations like this in the industry are a great thing for everyone. Forensic Restoration is the comprehensive remediation of microenvironments (buildings and structures) that are contaminated or suspected to be contaminated with biohazard materials.
Forensic Restoration includes, but is not limited to, the situations involving known and unknown infectious diseases and biohazardous materials, such as:
- Crime and trauma scenes
- Unattended deaths
- Unsanitary dwellings and conditions
- Hoarding - Bioterrorism
- Human and biological material
- Mass casualty events
Keep an eye on the schedule for future Microbial Warrior and other training opportunities at www.dewaldacademyofdrying.com.
On Tuesday, Dec. 8, news broke of Chicago restoration powerhouse J.C. Restoration merging with BluSky Restoration Contractors.
J.C. Restoration is well-known in the restoration industry for dynamic leadership, impeccable culture, and purposeful growth. With this in mind, the news of the merger came as a surprise to many.
In this episode, J.C. Restoration’s second-generation owner Warner Cruz gets personal about the sale: the feelings, the due diligence phase, the number of companies lined up to buy J.C., how he shared the news with his team, what things swayed his decision toward BluSky, and so much more.
For the seventh year in a row, Excel Supplies spearheaded the Restoring Christmas Toy Drive benefitting The Children's Network of SWFL.
This year, the toy drive helped spread Christmas cheer and love to more than 1,100 children in foster care.
As C&R looks to revive the Restoring Kindness Project in the U.S., we asked Justin Brown from Excel to share the story behind this massively successful toy drive, why so many contractors have gotten involved, and what it takes to make this such a success.
Like many in the restoration industry, Liz Keefer had no intention of being here - or being coined The Mold Girl, but now that she is here, she can't imagine being anywhere else.
She intended to be an architect, and foster her love of structures. But as her knowledge of the built environment grew, she entered the contents and mold remediation world in the muggy Southeast U.S. After years of learning and training, Liz and her husband, Robert, opened their own restoration company.
Today, Liz runs her own company, traveling the entire East Coast doing mold assessments and remediation projects. She has become a well-known expert in mold remediation, being called in for everything from small residential projects to treating a contaminated MRI machine.
While based in Charleston, SC, Liz has four offices across two states, with big plans to expand further.
In this episode of the Restoration Today podcast, Liz shares her journey, some stories from the field, and mold remediation best practices.
Sales in restoration is unique. It takes a unique mix of consultative sales, empathy, and innovation.
In this episode of the Restoration Today podcast, BluSky Chief Sales Officer Dan Flanagan and Business Development Manager Andy Holt share their tips for restoration sales success including:
- How has the sales process evolved since the pandemic.
- Technology (and old school products) to help with all aspects of the sales process.
- Importance of education - for both employees and customers.
- Internal company culture, that reflects outward.
- Diving into the sales process and identifying your target clients, and how to pursue them.
Hiring and recruiting is unquestionably the top pain point for restoration and cleaning companies today. It is the topic of many conversations on industry trends, highlighted in workshops and breakout sessions at conferences, and even more evident by the number of job openings companies are posting every single day.
While we have had many conversations on ways to get creative with hiring, the industry also struggles with attracting new people.
In an effort to get to the bottom of what makes the restoration industry a great place to work and create a career, and what needs improvement, KnowHow, in conjunction with some industry partners, has put together the 2022 Restoration Workforce Survey.
This survey is meant to be completed by employees who are notmanagement level. All answers are strictly confidential. The data will be carefully compiled into a report on today's restoration workforce, and provide clear answers on how companies can improve to be more attractive to candidates.
In this episode of the Restoration Today podcast, KnowHow CEO Leighton Healey shares the inner workings of the survey, why and how it was created, and how to get involved.
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY.
Chelsea Mihalko Trimbath is the Vice President of Mihalko's Fire & Water Restoration. She is a second-generation owner, taking over the family business from her father.
In this conversation, Chelsea is authentic and open about the struggles she faced going from the "old guard" to a new one, the cultural changes that had to happen, the difficult decisions she had to make with top performers who were toxic to the company, and what it's like to still have her dad in the office next door.
With Baby Boomers reaching retirement age and phasing out of their companies, Chelsea's story is one many restorers can relate to and learn from.
This episode is part of a special Women in Leadership series of the Restoration Today podcast.
Keeping up with credentialing and background checks can feel like a full time job for busy restoration companies, especially when the company works with multiple programs and TPAs.
Despite strict compliance guidelines, a lot of contractors overlook background checks for their subcontractors, and even their own employees. The labor shortage has compounded the problem. An informal survey by C&R in October found 15% of contractors have never credentialed their subcontractors; another 21% said it is so hard to find subs, they often don't run credentials even though they should.
It isn't just companies doing program work who face credentialing struggles; independent companies do too. In this episode of Restoration Today, credentialing and background check expert Ed Baldwin shares stats about how common it is for contractors to face legal trouble for improper credentialing, and tips for staying up-to-date with this big task.
Current trending topics in the restoration and cleaning industry:
- Labor Rates
- Inflation
- Pricing
- Data
- Integration/Collaboration
In this episode of the Restoration Today podcast, Xactware CEO Mike Fulton discusses each of those topics, where Xactimate stands on them, what is going on internally to even try to keep up with pricing, what contractors should do when they get pushback on pricing, Xactware's interest and use for contractor data, and more.
C&Rhas plans for ongoing conversations with Mr. Fulton every few months, so if you have a question you'd like answered, email it to michelle@candrmagazine.com!
Watch the episode above, or listen below.
Eric Sprague and Larry Wilberton have owned a restoration company, sold a restoration company, built a company (Morning Tech Meeting) based on quick training for restoration teams, taught companies how to create healthy company cultures where people wantto work for them, and are hosts of the popular Blue Collar Nation Podcast.
Eric and Larry sat down for a casual conversation on the Restoration Today Podcast during the Violand Business Planning Retreat in mid-November. The hilarious and authentic duo shared stories from their days of business ownership, travel adventures (including missed flights and rogue luggage), and enough laughs for 50 podcasts.
They also shared what they learned were the keys to successfully engaging with and retaining their technicians and other employees.
Watch or listen, learn, and laugh.
There are a lot of changes, innovations, and questions about technology in today's restoration industry. Scott Severe has seen technology and data change over the years since he joined the restoration industry - from one of the first 50 employees at Xactware, to starting his own software company, to Chief Customer Officer at Next Gear Solutions, and soon a new role within CoreLogic.
In this special Restoration Today episode from Captiva Island, recorded during Violand's Business Planning Retreat, Scott shares his journey in the restoration industry, what he sees happening today, and what he anticipates is on the horizon.
Each franchise system brings unique value to its operators. All boast excellent marketing and branding teams, lead generation, training, and more for their franchisees. And each delivers those in different ways, at different levels.
Restoration 1 has been named among the fastest growing franchises by Entrepreneurmultiple years in a row. What is something that sets them apart? No program work. Each franchise is built on independent business.
Curious how they do it? Listen to our conversation with Restoration 1 President Tom Gissler on this episode of the Restoration Today podcast.
If you are involved in estimating or reviewing insurance estimates, you just want to get it right. You are the estimating professional in the process and establishing a fair price for good work is all that you’re looking for. You’re not caught up in the politics or larger strategies that lead to accusations that somebody is taking advantage of someone else.
Estimators and reviewers face massive pricing databases, from Xactimate™, Symbility or another platform (up to 27,000 options!) and the expectation that you’re an expert in all trades from foundation to roofing and everything in between. Plus, there are specific carrier/TPA protocols, some of which are so like the next that, the nuances are difficult to commit to memory, but essential to meeting the SLAs.
In this episode of the Restoration Today Podcast, Chris Tilkov from Ask Aime, shares ways for restorers to write more accurate estimates that get approved faster, which in turn means getting paid faster.
Alex Duta took needs he saw within his own family's restoration company, and got to work designing and creating a software built for restorers, by a restorer, to address those needs.
In this bonus episode of the Restoration Today Podcast, recorded in lovely Captiva, Fla., during Violand's Business Planning Retreat, Alex shares his story, his insights on today's restoration industry, and what he is seeing evolve in the software space.
On this Veterans Day, C&R is honored to recognize, salute, and celebrate veterans who are part of the restoration industry.
Jim Scalf is a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army, and now the owner of PuroClean of Murfreesboro, Tenn.
His first tour of duty was as an infantry officer. Jim also was in the Reserves and National Guard, has worked at the Pentagon, NORAD, and was part of the team that did created the pandemic and infectious disease plan. Experience also spreads into teaching and involvement with leadership.
As he was preparing to retire, Jim explored franchise options and came across PuroClean.
PuroClean's PuroVet program operates year-round with dedicated support programs for veterans operating in it’s franchise system. The PuroVet program offers veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces with a DD214 a discounted rate, and that is just part of what PuroClean does to celebrate and honor veterans in its system.
Jim opened his franchise in early 2020, and hasn't looked back since - finding the restoration industry a very natural step after retiring from the U.S. Army.
Listen to his story and call to fellow veterans in this special episode of the Restoration Today podcast!
Patti Harman spent years at the helm of C&RMagazine and working within the Restoration Industry Association. Her impact on the restoration industry and leadership of C&Rled to the creation of an award in her honor, the Patricia L. Harman Golden Quill Award. It is awarded to one person each year for an outstanding editorial contribution to C&R.
After leaving C&R, she moved into the editor-in-chief position at Claims Magazine in 2014, but remains an icon and frequently comes up in conversations with restoration contractors.
As C&Renters yet another new era under the leadership of Michelle Blevins, it seemed only fitting to have a conversation with Patti about media in the restoration industry and her legacy with C&R.But this podcast goes much deeper than that - into the ethics behind running a well-respected and sought after B2B publication.
You can also listen on:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3BzR4YV
Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3lyOqwL
Chrissy VanderWyde has been part of the PuroClean team since 1988, working in nearly every department until reaching her current role as Vice President of Franchise Relations.
This year, Chrissy's hard work and dedication to the business, industry, and community, were recognized on a major scale when she received a prestigious Gold “Stevie” Lifetime Achievement Award.
In this Restoration Today podcast, Chrissy shares her journey in the industry - the disasters she's witnessed, the challenges she's seen restorers face, what she would tell others considering a career in restoration, and so much more.
In the finale of our Seller Stories Series on the Restoration Today podcast, broker Gokul Padmanabhan breaks down why the restoration industry is so appealing to buyer's today, what makes a restoration company sellable, and shares a number of other valuable tidbits and statistics on the past, current, and future outlook of M&A in the restoration industry.
Catch up on past episodes of the series:
Transitioning Out of Your Restoration Company | Seller Stories Ep. 3 The ATI Story: Growing the Nation’s Largest Family-Owned Restoration Company | Seller Stories Ep. 2
After the Sale | Seller Stories Ep. 1
There were some exciting announcements from the show floor at The Experience Convention & Trade Show in Las Vegas in September, including the unveiling of Encircle’s Hydro technology.
Encircle VP Kris Rzesnoski talks a bit about the new technology, and about more up-and-coming integrations and collaboration in the industry.
In the penultimate episode of our Seller Stories, Craig Moody shares his still fresh journey of selling his business, Mammoth Restoration of Arizona.
Craig talks about steps he took to prepare his business for sale, interviewing prospective purchasers, and what things look like after the papers are signed and the deal is done.
Curious about other episodes in this series?
Find Episode 1 here.
Find Episode 2 here.
Woodard's story is best told by those closest to it. In conjunction with Woodard Cleaning & Restoration celebrating 75 years of serving the St. Louis area, C&R sat down with third generation owner, Justin Woodard. He shares a story unlike any other - of a war hero shot down over France, a harrowing mountain escape, and a journey to America.
Earl Woodard and his wife, Nancy, started a carpet cleaning service out of a trailer pulled by the family car. In time, they grew and grew - and attribute their success to their "unrelenting commitment to customer service, earned the respect of business owners, insurance companies and customers alike."
Visit www.candrmagazine.com to see photos from the 75th anniversary celebrations.
In this episode of the Restoration Today Podcast, Michelle sits down with Paul Davis COO Mike Hopkins. He has been in the franchise world for some time, and part of Paul Davis since 2015.
Michelle and Mike talk about the landscape of today's restoration industry, what it takes to stay competitive as the industry continues to consolidate, the importance of pricing feedback to influence Xactimate pricing, and what Mike foresees ahead for our industry.
In the second episode of our Seller Stories series, we are turning the tables - talking to the leaders of a company that is not for sale, but is instead positioning itself in the buyer's seat and looking to grow through mergers and acquisitions.
ATI is the largest family-owned restoration company in the U.S, and well into its second-generation of leadership.
In this episode of the Restoration Today Podcast, hear the story behind ATI, how generational leadership changes have played out, the organic way these men have found their positions within the family company, how they foster a healthy company culture, and their future outlook - including growth goals through mergers and acquisitions.
(Plus, get a good glimpse into Michelle's real life with a 2-year-old.)
Welcome to a brand new special series on the Restoration Today Podcast called Seller Stories. In this episode, meet Scott Miller and hear his selling story, and journey since then to transition out of being a restoration company owner.
Restorers can relieve their customers from some of the burden of the insurance claims process by obtaining an assignment that allows the restorer to collect directly from the insurance company. A properly-drafted assignment can empower the restorer to compel the insurance company to pay fair market value for services rendered, to employ reasonable claims handling practices, to comply with the terms of the policy and the law, and to pay the restorer directly to prevent policyholders from misappropriating policy proceeds. This has been a game changer for many of my clients, and the reason why most them have broad assignments in all their contracts.
Listen to this conversation with The Restoration Lawyer and Advocate Edward Cross to learn more about AOBs - and how they can help restoration companies get paid.
On Wednesday, Sept. 15, CoreLogic announced it had acquired Next Gear Solutions which could have far-reaching impacts on the restoration industry when it comes to estimating, data, and more.
Seth Harrison is the Executive Director and Mark Whatley is founder of Actionable Insights.
Actionable Insights is a foundation that exists to preserve the health of the restoration ecosystem by advancing legislation and clarifying globally recognized billing standards. As a natural expression of this mission, we established estimating guidelines that help Xactimate users generate accurate estimates that are approved without hesitation.
On Wednesday, Sept. 15, CoreLogic announced it had acquired Next Gear Solutions which could have far-reaching impacts on the restoration industry when it comes to estimating, data, and more.
Ben Justesen is a top Xactimate trainer, as well as founder of Enlightened Restoration Solutions and JRCC. He has spent the last few years traveling the U.S. teaching restorers how to give pricing feedback, create custom price lists, and more. He is also the RIA AGA Pricing Taskforce Chair.
It is no secret the restoration industry is in the midst of a hiring crisis. Now, there is a school specifically serving high school students, recent graduates, and anyone else interested in getting into the trades.
The Painting and Disaster Restoration Academy is a fully virtual school that can get students through safety courses, teach the basics of restoration (think even more elementary than WRT courses), and more. From there, the academy partners with restoration companies to place students right into open jobs!
In this episode, meet the two masterminds behind the Academy.
On Wednesday, Sept. 15, CoreLogic announced it had acquired Next Gear Solutions which could have far-reaching impacts on the restoration industry when it comes to estimating, data, and more.
As soon as the acquisition was announced, questions swirled around what this means for Next Gear customers, Next Gear staff, contractor data, estimating, and marketplace competition.
In his very first public conversation since the acquisition was announced, Next Gear Solutions Founder and CEO Garret Gray talks about what prompted the sale, his vision for the future of the restoration industry, and answers many questions on contractors’ minds.
Annissa Coy has been directly affected by the wildfires in the Western U.S. A seasoned contents restoration expert, she has not only helped restore hundreds of homes and contents after wildfires, she herself has found her own home and family in harm's way.
In this episode of the Restoration Today podcast, Annissa shares her insights on helping wildfire victims and cleaning their precious items the right way.
Google ads, Facebook ads, and SEO - oh my!
The world of digital marketing can feel confusing and cumbersome, but it doesn't have to! In this episode of the Restoration Today podcast, two restoration marketing gurus share their knowledge on marketing wins and mistakes, the importance of social media presence, and how to effectively position yourself to appear in top search results in your market.
The goal of most restorers and public adjusters is to do what is best for the property owner after a catastrophic loss, like #HurricaneIda, wildfires in the Western U.S., or any loss in between. This quick special episode with a restorer-turned-public adjuster and senior claims analyst offers ways both sides can work together for the good of the property owner.
In this crossover episode, the Restoration Today and The Dyojo Podcasts collide to bring an open conversation between Jon Isaacson and Michelle Blevins about today's restoration industry, the story of the C&R transition, and a bigger explanation of The Dyojo - his background, goals, and vision.
As First Onsite continues to acquire more restoration companies across the U.S., they are also working tirelessly to create a place people want to work.
In this episode of the Restoration Today Podcast, First Onsite's Senior Vice President of Culture and Experience Jenny Vandehey and the CEO Stacy Mazur share the latest on the brand's growth, and their goal to have a company that thrives through #HumanPower.
Curious about Core Group and why it’s growing the wildfire? Core CEO Dan Cassara joins the Restoration Today podcast to talk about what makes Core different, why it’s not a TPA, how it could be compared to a franchise, and how it’s not a “one-size-fits-all” company.
Plus, The Collective by Core is just ONE WEEK away from when this podcast is being published! It’s going to be a must-attend event, and the Core team has taken care of all the details… from a ton of track options, to impeccable networking opportunities, and right down to the scent in the host hotel.
Want to know more of what’s in store in Austin, and what Core is all about? Take a listen!
As the landscape of the restoration industry continues to grow at epic speed through mergers, acquisitions, pandemics, natural disasters, AI, technology, and so many other factors, independent companies are finding ways to stay competitive.
Restoration Affiliates is a peer network of independent restoration companies from across the U.S. who jump into action for each other whenever needed. Last year, the group did more than $630 million in work, and it is only up from here.
In this episode of the Restoration Today podcast, Michelle chats with Jim Kowalski, president of Restoration Affiliates, to learn the network's history, and vision for the future.
For the video version of this podcast, visit www.candrmagazine.com.
The Experience Convention & Trade Show is just WEEKS away! This year's event will be bigger than ever - more education, more hands-on learning, a massive show floor, more networking, you name it! Michelle chats with Larry Cooper about what's on the agenda, and what makes this year's event the best yet.
For more: www.candrmagazine.com
Restoration Today is a video and audio podcast covering everything restoration-related. Every week, Michelle Blevins sits down with an industry peer – a contractor, a colleague, a supplier, an innovator, an insurer, etc. Every conversation will cover the hottest topics in today’s restoration industry – going beyond fire and water damage restoration and diving into topics like M&A, company culture, hiring and recruiting, innovations in restoration, and tools of the trade. Plus, there will be some guaranteed laughs and heartfelt moments. In this debut episode, we're talking about The Entrepreneurial Conspiracy
For more: www.candrmagazine.com