1 | Who are you, and what do you do?

I’m John Braun, aka The Hitman. I’m the principal operator of Hitman Advertising, an ad agency for cleaners. I help carpet cleaning, janitorial, maids, restoration companies, and other cleaners get more clients through a wide range of online and offline marketing materials and strategies.

I am also an author. I’ve written articles for such trade publications as Cleanfax, Clean Informer, and ICS Cleaning Specialist magazines, as well as dozens of articles for various directories. I’ve had the pleasure of publishing a book that went No. 1 on Amazon in the category of advertising. It is titled “Killer Advertising for Cleaning Businesses.”

2 | How did you first get started in the industry?

In college, I worked part-time for a $10 per room carpet cleaning and pressure washing company. I didn’t learn much but learned enough to see the money-making potential. The entire goal of this company was to get in and out quickly, which often led to callbacks of musty-smelling carpet days later. I could tell we weren’t doing it right. But that job shifted my career focus. I was majoring in advertising at the University of West Florida and caught the entrepreneurial bug.

Within a year, I started my first business, a small carpet cleaning company named Premium Carpet Care, with just a Kirby shampooer. I wanted to practice my advertising skills and find out what worked. It seemed hypocritical to tell others how to advertise without putting the theories into practice with my own money. Through a process of trial and error, I eventually cracked the code and learned how to create highly targeted advertising. I built my carpet cleaning company to be one of the most well-known companies in my city. Now, my goal is to help others do the same.

3 | Who in your life has impacted you the most?

It’s hard to pinpoint just one person who has influenced me. In the industry, Howard Partridge has had a significant impact on my life. He taught me that success is attainable if you’re willing to work hard for it. Other industry leaders like Courtney Lee, Doyle Bloss, Cameron Mayville, Doug Heiferman, and Lee Pemberton have also shaped my life in various ways.

When I was starting my business, John Williams, a local cleaner and restorer, took me under his wing and imparted a lot of knowledge. Mentorship is powerful; it benefits both the mentor and the mentee by lifting each other up.

4 | If you could have dinner with one person from history, who would it be, and why?

It would have to be Jesus Christ of Nazareth. It may sound corny to some, but if he really is a historical person, which I believe he is, wouldn’t it be great to sit down for a long conversation with him?

5 | What music, movies, or books have inspired you?

John loves spending time with family. Pictured are his wife Sheryl, son Anderson, and daughter Mallory.

I’ve always loved Western movies such as Tombstone, Young Guns, 3:10 to Yuma, and, of course, old John Wayne movies. The themes are usually about the little guy winning over the big guy. In a sense, that’s what business is about.

As for some of my favorite books, four that come to mind are “Do It! Marketing” by David Newman, “Advertising Secrets of the Written Word” by Joseph Sugarman, “Free Marketing: 101 Low and No-Cost Ways to Grow Your Business, Online and Off” by Jim Cockrum, and “Ogilvy on Advertising” by David Ogilvy.

6 | What personal philosophy of life motivates you the most?

“You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want,” Zig Ziglar said. Essentially, I think this falls back to the rule of giving. When you give, you receive. It’s important to remember that life isn’t just about getting things from people.

The post 6 Questions for John Braun appeared first on Cleanfax.

Reactions to the noncompete buzz

Some welcome this change and say it will open up the labor pool and allow employees to move around from one job to another without restrictions. However, others, specifically business owners, fear this may lead to losing company secrets to their competition, perhaps from their current employees taking clients with them. Or they feel their top employees could start their own companies in their local market. How do you feel?

In a recent interview with Scott Tackett, a business development advisor with Violand Management Associates, and a noted human resources expert, he said this issue might take some time to develop. Still, savvy business owners should take notice and consider what they can do in anticipation of this ruling taking effect.

How to protect your business

Tackett shared three essential courses of action for business owners:

1. Every business owner should review their current noncompete agreements to ensure they comply with current local, state, and/or federal laws. If concerns arise, seek legal counsel.
2. It’s crucial to ensure the use of properly structured confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements (NDAs). While noncompete clauses might be banned, companies can still enforce confidentiality and NDAs. They must update and maintain these agreements.
3. Business owners need to focus on company culture. If we do an excellent job with our culture, we minimize the fear of losing top employees. Engagement and retention should be the focus, not just in this situation.

Is there cause for fear? For most, probably not. However, a well-trained and savvy employee with a solid entrepreneurial spirit can’t easily be restrained from forging ahead and starting their own company. Get ahead of this issue by following Tackett’s advice. You can watch this episode of Take 5 with Cleanfax at cleanfax.com/ftc.

Watch the full interview below:

The post The FTC Ruling on Banning Noncompete Clauses appeared first on Cleanfax.

As I enjoyed the majestic beauty of the island and the new and unfamiliar surroundings, I quickly began comparing an island holiday to the lifecycle of a business. One can always find an education in such experiences.

My first lesson was the excitement of learning to drive on the other side of the road, opposite to what I am most familiar with. It took more than one alarmed shriek from my wife to remind me we were no longer in Ohio but, instead, in Oz.

Learning the rules of the road in business can also be an exciting experience. We must meet payrolls and pay our taxes. We are educated quite quickly that not all customers forgive our mistakes and that we must drive by the rules. And it’s always better to learn these lessons intentionally than by accident.

Visiting the grocery store on the first day of our visit held another business lesson. We found our cart filled with enough food, snacks, and adult beverages to last us much longer than the brief time we were staying. Examining our cart, we were shocked by our choices, but it didn’t keep us from proceeding straight through the checkout. After all, we told ourselves, we’re on vacation!

The early years of a business can be the same way. We acquire things: equipment, staff, buildings, experiences, toys—sometimes, more than we’ll ever need or use. But we tell ourselves we’re acquiring them “just in case.”

Because we shared a common language and a similar culture with our Australian hosts, it didn’t take long for my wife and me to navigate the island and settle in. We even spoke a little Australian by saying things like “g’day” and “cheers!”

The time on our island vacation passed quickly. We soon found ourselves reluctantly counting the days we had left to enjoy rather than all the time we had before us as when we first arrived. Where did the time go? Books remained unread, and a few of the trails we had looked forward to hiking remained unexplored, but now we’d have something to look forward to on our next visit, we promised ourselves.

But it wasn’t all melancholy. We made friends with our neighbors and thoroughly enjoyed our time away. Best of all, my driving had improved enough that my wife no longer feared us colliding with oncoming cars.

Just as vacations experience their own version of middle age, businesses face a similar transition as they age and mature. At the outset, everything is exciting, and our opportunities are limitless. Soon enough, we realize just how much effort it takes to accomplish our goals and how quickly time passes.

Whether we leave an island vacation with fond memories that will last a lifetime or leave our businesses with a lasting legacy, it’s the journey that makes it all worthwhile.

The post Island Vacations appeared first on Cleanfax.

One example of a restoration company like that is Thomasville Restoration, a full-service restoration company located in Baltimore that services the Mid-Atlantic region.

History and inspiration

Alexus Neidert

Prior to being in restoration, Thomas Neidert was a new home builder for about 20 years. It began because he loved building his own dream home so much that he started building homes for others to enjoy.

The company transitioned into the restoration industry around the time the market crashed. Inspired by the joy of rebuilding a friend’s home after a fire, Thomas Neidert embraced restoration as a way to assist people during challenging times. He realized that restoration was an industry where the company could help people, be a part of some of the worst moments in their lives, and contribute to making them better. He wanted and enjoyed having the opportunity to help.

Out of curiosity, Cleanfax asked where the name Thomasville came from. Alexus Neidert, the company’s Head of Brand and Culture, who sat down with Cleanfax for this interview, laughed as she told the story. The company’s name pays homage to her father’s (Thomas’) admiration for the rapper Nelly, with a playful nod to his album “Nellyville.” With that play on words, the name Thomasville was adopted.”

Leadership and culture

Neidert emphasized the importance of creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and motivated. She works hard to foster a culture of happiness and fulfillment among employees, a vision she never anticipated when joining her father’s company.

Her passion is creating a place everybody wants to work for, with a culture where people feel loved, heard, valued, and cared for. “That’s what my role as Head of Brand and Culture and my department focuses on,” she said.

At Thomasville Restoration, all of the leadership team, except the CFO and the general manager, have “Head of…” titles because they want to create a culture of leadership. “In leadership, you are in the front, willing to work as hard as the rest of your team,” explained Neidert. “We didn’t want to create this dichotomy of the chief as opposed to the head. You are the person who is leading your department. The terminology we use, even something as slight as that, is intentional to create a team-style environment. The title Head of Brand and Culture came about because we had teetered back and forth with the name of Brand Ambassador. However, I felt as though my role encompassed so much more than just the brand because the brand was driving our culture, and the culture was driving our brand. I have this unique opportunity to be able to focus on both of those things.”

Values are key

Thomasville Restoration’s company values are family first, compassion, and communication. “They are intentionally in that order,” Neidert revealed, “because our number one focus is creating a place where your family is put first, our family is put first, and our customers’ families are put first.”

The company exemplifies its core values of prioritizing family and compassionate service through its commitment to the “Thomasville Touch.”

“The Thomasville Touch is this white glove service of an incredible experience from the first notice of loss until we hand the owner’s keys back after the reconstruction,” clarified Neidert. “It’s about providing the Thomasville Touch every step of the way. It embodies our company values and mission, ‘Helping Families Put Their Homes and Lives Back Together.’ Our Thomasville Touch is a verb. It’s an action we take to each other, for each other, and for our customers. So that’s one of the things that our team wears as a badge of honor. We get to say, ‘I got to provide the Thomasville Touch.’”

Overcoming challenges

Thomasville faced significant challenges during a transitional period when key team members departed to start a competing venture. “At that time, my dad had separated from his previous partner and was operating the organization on his own,” Neidert said. “He needed help.” Through resilience and strategic partnerships, including the addition of herself and CEO/co-owner Andy Amrhein, the company navigated this period of uncertainty and experienced exponential growth.

They had about 30 employees at the time when Amrhein joined them four years ago and have around 130 now. So, Thomasville has grown exponentially from that point. “But that’s because of Andy’s brilliant leadership and my Dad’s brilliant mind, and they are combining and coming together to create this beautiful organization,” Neidert proudly shares. “We just did whatever it took. We never take for granted the growth we’ve had or the opportunities we’ve had. We constantly stay focused on gratitude and being grateful for every opportunity that we have. It’s allowed us to grow and become the organization we are today.”

Unique strategies for success

Beyond leadership, Thomasville’s success hinges on creating an exceptional workplace environment. What are some business strategies they have embraced to succeed?

“One of the things that we focused on,” Neidert shared, “was creating a place that everybody wanted to work for. And that is kind of a buzzword that we use around here, but it’s so much bigger than just that aspect. It’s about loving and caring for our team as much as possible.”

Also, they found that regular performance reviews, team-building events, and transparent communication foster a sense of ownership and pride among employees, driving both personal and organizational growth.

Thomasville has also leveraged social media to showcase its authentic culture and engage with potential customers. By providing a glimpse into daily operations and team camaraderie, social media attracts like-minded individuals and builds trust within the community. It is a powerful tool for recruitment, branding, and customer engagement.

“Our team has actually been the drivers of that content. I don’t go out and get these inauthentic pictures. My team sends them to me because they love the brand. They love what we’ve created here, and they love the opportunity to say, I was a part of something special,” said Neidert.

Thomasville Restoration recently started a business development department. “We hadn’t done any property manager or facilities maintenance manager marketing before,” Neidert revealed, “but within the last two years, because of the groundwork that we’ve laid for our brand, once we did turn that switch on, the flywheel just started turning. We are two years into this and getting a ton of work. It’s been great to see how the brand has impacted people as they’ve seen and been exposed to it. They know the name Thomasville because they see our 80-truck fleet on the road and our beautiful wraps with their bright branding.”

Watch the full interview below:

The post The 2024 Restoration Industry Leaders Review: Thomasville Restoration appeared first on Cleanfax.

History and inspiration

Josef Koch

Clean Joe has evolved from humble beginnings into a leading full-service restoration company serving residential, commercial, and government clients.

Koch’s journey into the industry is deeply rooted in his family’s history. His father, an immigrant from Slovakia, embarked on the classic American dream to make a better life for himself and his family. He first established Josef’s Cleaning in 1983, which eventually expanded to Josef’s Carpet Cleaning. Koch’s introduction to the industry began at an early age, working alongside his father … and Josef and Sons Carpet Cleaning was born.

As Koch grew older, he recognized the untapped potential within the restoration sector. Motivated by a desire to carve his own path, he embarked on a journey to establish his brand and make a name for himself. The birth of Clean Joe was a testament to Koch’s determination and entrepreneurial spirit, with the company’s name serendipitously discovered during a domain search on GoDaddy.com. “When I was 20 years old, I couldn’t figure out a name. I wanted something to do with Joe,” said Koch. “I was on GoDaddy.com and typed in ‘clean’ this … ‘Joe’ that … and suddenly CleanJoe.com became available.”

With perseverance and grit, Clean Joe gradually emerged as a formidable force in the industry, fueled by Koch’s unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation.

Leadership and culture

Participating in local events helps promote Clean Joe.

Koch’s exceptional leadership and distinctive company culture are at the core of Clean Joe’s success. Koch’s leadership style characterizes a deep sense of familial camaraderie and mutual respect among team members.

“Our culture is different from other companies,” Koch explained. It’s family oriented. Everyone here looks out for each other, which shows in the quality of our work. We’re one big tripod, and we kind of all hold each other up to make sure that at the end of the day, the name keeps growing, the brand keeps growing, morale stays up, and everybody’s happy.”

Clean Joe’s employees are not merely workers but integral members of a close-knit family. This familial bond fosters a sense of pride and ownership among team members, driving them to uphold the company’s reputation for excellence and reliability and creating a supportive work environment where employees feel valued and empowered.

Values are key

Central to Clean Joe’s ethos are its core values of integrity, professionalism, and dedication to customer satisfaction. Koch emphasizes the importance of staying true to these values as the foundation of the company’s success.

“Our goal is to create a sustainable company name that everybody knows and respects,” Koch asserted. “We prioritize brand recognition and awareness through various marketing initiatives, including billboards and participation in industry events.”

Clean Joe’s unwavering commitment to ethical business practices and superior service has earned the trust and loyalty of clients and industry partners alike.

Overcoming challenges

Clean Joe’s journey to success has not been without its challenges. Koch recounts the hurdles encountered along the way, from fierce competition to financial constraints.

“Entering the restoration industry was no easy feat,” Koch admitted. “It’s a tight niche market, and building relationships with clients and adjusters requires time and persistence.”

Despite the initial struggles, Clean Joe persevered, overcoming obstacles through strategic planning and sheer determination. Koch’s willingness to adapt to changing market dynamics and embrace innovative solutions has been instrumental in navigating the company through turbulent times.

Unique strategies for success

Not only does Koch feel that his team is the backbone of Clean Joe’s success, but he also recognizes the importance of building brand recognition and relationships in the industry. Koch shares insights into the company’s distinctive strategies that set it apart from competitors.

Clean Joe leveraged a multi-channel marketing approach, including billboard advertisements and participation in industry events, to enhance brand visibility and attract new clients. “With all the billboards, marketing, and other ideas, the goal was to create a sustainable company name that everybody knew and respected,” explained Koch.

Was it worth the price? Yes, it was. “Building a name is creating awareness. You want everybody around you to know who you are and what you can do for them in their time of need.”

According to Koch, relationship-building is also crucial. “Going to marketing events and getting your name out there, meeting different property managers, agents, adjusters, and creating those relationships so that you can have long-term can help you to have a steady stream of income from work coming in,” claimed Koch.

Watch the full interview below:

The post The 2024 Restoration Industry Leaders Review: Clean Joe appeared first on Cleanfax.

Sherri Koppelkam

Sherri Koppelkam of AdvantaClean exemplifies the limitless potential of female entrepreneurs to affect positive change. Through her consistent commitment to service and integrity, she and her husband, Tom, not only built a successful cleaning and restoration business but also made a meaningful difference in the lives of countless individuals and families.

Let’s see how they managed to do this.

History and inspiration

Koppelkam joined the home restoration service industry in 2018, becoming the local franchise owner of AdvantaClean in Naples, Florida, which is a part of the Home Franchise Concepts’ family of home service brands. AdvantaClean offers a full suite of services for residential, commercial, institutional, and governmental properties that make buildings clean, safe, healthy, and efficient for the occupants.

Her journey into the restoration industry was born out of a desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. After a successful managerial career spanning over two decades, she and her husband sought a new entrepreneurial venture that would allow them to give back to their newfound community in Naples, Florida.

Discovering AdvantaClean, they saw an opportunity to build a thriving business and provide much-needed services to the area. “I was looking forward to serving others by tapping into a new-to-me industry, though I knew it would be a challenge and come with a learning curve,” explained Koppelkam. “I knew I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, and AdvantaClean was the perfect avenue for me to achieve that.”

AdvantaClean has been a beacon of hope for countless individuals and families facing the aftermath of disasters. They renovate, repair, and even rebuild homes and buildings after tragedies—including water or fire damage and cleanup, mold removal and remediation, moisture control, and more.

Leadership and culture

Sherri Koppelkam doesn’t mind getting involved in restoration processes.

The culture and leadership of Koppelkam’s AdvantaClean franchise are impressive and create an intriguing narrative.

Just a few years after opening her business, Hurricane Ian hit Florida. It was a devastating event, with thousands of people displaced from their homes, causing $112.9 billion in damage and ranking it as one of Florida’s most costly hurricanes in the state’s history. Seeing her home community struggle was unbearable, but Koppelkam was grateful to be able to give back through her business’s restoration efforts.

The demand for mold, water, and moisture remediation surpassed her team’s resources. The business struggled to keep up with the number of requests for help. But she wanted to help as many people as possible.

Shortly after, Koppelkam received a call from a fellow female business owner in the Home Franchise Concepts family—Nicole Winter, co-owner of Kitchen Tune-Up in Naples. Winter and her team decided to halt their kitchen renovation services, offering to help in the restoration efforts post-Ian. To Koppelkam, that gesture of solidarity and generosity spoke volumes about the strength of community and collaboration in times of crisis.

Together, their combined crew worked tirelessly, day and night, hoping to save as many homes as they could before the moisture damage from the storm set in. They were determined to meet the overwhelming demand head-on. Each home they restored and each family that was assisted became a testament to why Koppelkam had entered the restoration industry in the first place—to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Through their collective efforts, they instilled a sense of hope and optimism in those who had lost everything.

That event truly solidified Koppelkam’s reason for joining the restoration community. She felt empowered working alongside another female business owner toward a common goal of restoring the community, which fueled her passion for the industry even more.

The camaraderie displayed during her time restoring Hurricane Ian’s aftermath underscored the importance of collaboration and support among women in business. “It’s about lifting each other up, breaking down barriers, and creating a more inclusive and supportive environment. Together, we can inspire and pave the way for the next generation of female leaders,” she states.

Koppelkam shared her story with us in hopes that more women will continue to leave a mark on traditionally male-dominated industries. “I hope women everywhere feel encouraged to embrace their passions, even if they need to step outside their comfort zones,” she said. “The restoration industry is ripe with opportunities for women to make a difference, and I am proud to be a part of this movement toward greater diversity and inclusion.”

Values are key

The original AdvantaClean, established in 1994, was founded to help rebuild lives after Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida. Over the years, it has grown into a national franchise with a strong obligation to its core values of trust, transparency, collaboration, commitment, and caring. These values have fostered a culture focused on caring for its franchisees, customers, and the communities it supports.

Those same core values are evident at AdvantaClean’s Naples, Florida franchise. Koppelkam and her team exemplify these values by providing warm customer care and skilled service as a local business with the backing of a national franchise. They are dedicated to continuous improvement and offer services to ensure clean, safe, healthy, and efficient environments for various properties.

“My main goal is to give back to others through my business,” she said. “I feel as though I am able to achieve this every day.”

Overcoming challenges

A typical reaction after discovering a crawlspace with snakes.

“Here in Naples, Florida, I have been exposed to so many new challenges since pivoting my career to the restoration industry,” Koppelkam claimed. “In Florida, you never know what you’ll find on the job, and every call provides a new opportunity to learn, gain experience, and help someone who needs it. The work is tough, and the overwhelming demand for our services can sometimes be hard to navigate. But knowing that I’m making a difference in my community has brought me great satisfaction.”

Building a reputation and earning the community’s trust posed significant challenges for Koppelkam and her team, especially as newcomers to the area and the restoration business. However, through strategic networking efforts, including participation in a Business Networking International (BNI) group, she demonstrated her commitment to honesty, integrity, and customer care.

“The philosophy in BNI is Givers Gain: if you give business to someone in your chapter, they will want to give business to you. This allowed us to prove our commitment to our business and show how honest and caring we are. I would highly recommend joining a BNI group,” said Koppelkam. This dedication to building genuine relationships paved the way for AdvantaClean to establish itself as a trusted partner in times of need.

“Reflecting on my journey in the restoration industry, I feel grateful for the opportunities and experiences that have shaped me into the leader I am today,” she continued. “Each challenge has only strengthened my resolve to make a positive impact in my community and beyond. And while I’m certain there will be more challenges ahead, I am confident that with determination, perseverance, and the support of my fellow female entrepreneurs, there is no limit to what we can achieve.”

Unique strategies for success

One of AdvantaClean’s most distinctive features is its willingness to adapt to the needs of its clients, even in the face of adversity. Koppelkam and her team work tirelessly to assist homeowners affected by disasters, providing essential restoration services around the clock. Her willingness to go above and beyond for her clients, including working weekends and holidays if necessary, has set AdvantaClean apart from its competitors and earned the admiration of its customers. The unwavering dedication to her community has propelled AdvantaClean to new heights of success.

Another core reason for AdvantaClean’s success is a commitment to honesty, fairness, and customer satisfaction. Koppelkam has cultivated a loyal customer base by prioritizing transparency and offering competitive pricing, including many repeat clients and referrals from satisfied customers. “We genuinely believe in being honest with the customer and offering a fair price. By doing so, we have gained much business with many realtors and much repeat business,” Koppelkam said.

However, the most significant driving force behind her success is simply her personal values of service and community empowerment, particularly during times of crisis.

In conclusion, Koppelkam’s story exemplifies the power of entrepreneurship and community engagement. Through her commitment to service and integrity, she has not only built a successful business but also made a meaningful difference in the lives of many people. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder of the limitless potential of female entrepreneurs to effect positive change and inspire future generations.

The post The 2024 Restoration Industry Leaders Review: AdvantaClean appeared first on Cleanfax.

Water damage incidents can wreak havoc on homes and businesses, causing structural damage and leaving behind unpleasant odors. Whether from floodwater, sewage backups, or slow-leak mold infestations, addressing odor removal promptly after water damage is crucial for restoring a clean and healthy indoor environment.

Moreover, our brains devote considerable energy to remembering odors and aromas of all kinds. This is important because when you return a customer’s home to them, and it still has a faint smell of whatever their disaster was lingering in the air, you’ve failed. They know it, and their reluctance to pay the bill will be when you feel it, too!

To avoid this situation and many others, follow proper odor removal protocols and procedures to please customers and benefit your bottom line.

Prompt water removal

The cornerstone of odor control after water damage is swift water removal. It seems obvious. That’s because it is. All restoration experts know that standing water provides the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold, which can emit foul odors as they thrive. But this menace isn’t waiting around for standing water to be removed.

Mold spores will use the water vapor present in the air itself to grow wherever possible. This means that even if the flood was on the other side of the home, it could still cause an infestation elsewhere if it has been moist enough or has settled in long enough.

Many restorers don’t use this as an opportunity to expand the operation. Instead, they view it as an obstacle to finishing the job at hand. For example, suppose a property with unmitigated water damage is now causing mold in other areas unaffected by the original cause of loss. In that case, this can be a profitable expansion of the project.

Thorough drying

Thorough drying is essential to prevent mold and mildew growth from taking hold once you have removed the water. Mold and mildew are the major sources of persistent musty odors in the home after water damage. Employ industrial fans, air movers, dehumidifiers, heaters, and proper ventilation where appropriate to accelerate the drying process.

Pay special attention to hidden areas such as wall cavities and under flooring where moisture can linger. If moisture accumulates in these areas, it can cause an infestation that even technology won’t easily see. This then becomes the territory of air quality testing, which then turns into a search-and-destroy mission for any errant mold lingering anywhere in the home. This can be avoided by performing proper due diligence at the beginning of the incident.

Cleaning and disinfecting

Cleaning and disinfecting affected surfaces are paramount to not only eliminating odors but also preventing microbial growth. Use U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved disinfectants to sanitize surfaces and remove any remaining contaminants and fungal spores. Scrubbing walls, floors, and furniture with soap and water can also help remove residual odor-causing substances.

For restoration professionals, this step is usually a bridge too far because it isn’t generally cost-effective during the mitigation process. Many companies in the restoration field won’t take on this kind of work because of this fact, but others include it with their services as an add-on that they then charge extra for if a customer opts into it.

Essentially, this is turning a potential problem that a restoration company will likely face the blame for anyway, into an opportunity to increase a project’s profitability. For restoration companies, this may mean taking a more skilled crew off a project and swapping them out with a labor pool that requires less overhead for the service to be profitable, but each market can dictate if this is viable.

Remove damaged materials

Materials such as carpets, insulation, and drywall saturated with water must almost certainly be removed and replaced. These materials have an enormous amount of porous surface area and harbor most of the ingredients that mold needs to thrive.

Preventing mold and musty odors means removing the carpeting and any other porous items affected from the premises to prevent lingering odors from taking hold. These materials trap moisture and the organic matter necessary for mold and fungus to grow rampantly, which causes the offensive smells that restorers are trying to prevent and avoid.

Contents restoration

Many restoration companies use this material proximity damage as another means of extracting the most profitability from a project. Sometimes, people care about the items they place in their property as much as they care about the property itself, and for the enterprising restoration expert, this also presents an opportunity.

Item restorations such as furniture, clothing, art, collectibles, etc., are costly and not easy to clean up, but because of this, the restoration experts who can do the work reap the profits. If adding a contents restoration service is within the restorer’s technical capacity and skillset, then not offering this service is akin to throwing money down the drain.

Contents removal

Additionally, from the other side of the coin, for those that have the storage capacity, some restorers can take advantage of the content removal aspect of the mitigation process. Not all restorers can provide content service because it tends to require both space and a different skill set from their employees. Still, if this combination is something within range, this is another way that restoration experts can turn a penny on a mitigation project.

Odor neutralizers

After cleaning and drying the affected area, odor-neutralizing products will be necessary to eliminate any remaining aromas. In many situations, effectively absorbing and neutralizing unpleasant smells can be a line item or an add-on service. Following the existing mitigation and restoration procedures will often be enough to avoid any odor infiltration, but other times, it won’t. A seasoned expert can identify when these situations occur and how to utilize them as well.

Ensure a thorough restoration

Water damage incidents tend to leave behind more than just physical damage. They can also typically result in stubborn odors that linger long after the water is removed. By following these methods for odor control after water damage, you can ensure a thorough restoration and maximize the profitability of any mitigation project in the process. Providing customers with a clean, restored, odor-free environment maximizes their happiness and also increases your profitability.

Al Ruggie is the marketing and business development director for ASAP Restoration LLC. He has a proven record for growing businesses, both large and small, with strategic planning and targeted content that delivers results.

Joshua Rudin owns ASAP Restoration LLC and is a certified restorer. Before opening the doors in 2008, Rudin had been a successful entrepreneur in the restaurant industry, owning and running several thriving locations for over two decades. To reach Rudin, visit AsapRestoration247.com, call 602-515-7918, or email jrudin@asaprestoration247.com.

The post Aroma Abatement appeared first on Cleanfax.

The brutal reality for most small business owners is that they feel like they have a job instead of owning a business and spend their days putting out brush fires. I know how you feel.

Our third article of this series will now discuss “The Cause Question: Why is it important?” Our last article covered “The Clarity Question: Where are you going?” Once you’ve identified where you want to go, it is vital to understand why.

Having systems in business

After being in business for 13 years, I found myself working 24/7. I had little freedom. That’s when I began to learn about having systems in my business.

My early mentor, who helped me get through level one (personal development), was at my office one day and noticed all the chaos happening around me. He told me I needed to read a book called “The E Myth” by Michael E. Gerber, which I did. After reading the book, I went to Destin, Florida, with a pile of spiral notebooks and began to rewrite my future. After a week on the beach, I returned to Houston and began building systems and hiring staff. I realized for the very first time that I could have a turnkey business.

Over the years, we have succeeded in building systems, learning leadership, and building a phenomenal dream team.

But why did I want to have a turnkey business in the first place?

Why? For freedom

Remember, I wanted freedom. I wanted to go to the beach. I was not too fond of most parts of the business. I didn’t like having meetings and managing people, and I hated administration work! However, I loved marketing, didn’t mind sales, and have always been good at both.

But I wanted to be free. My vision was to have other people do everything I didn’t want to do. But that only lasted a short time. I truly wanted to spend more time at the beach, but I also sensed a calling to do something else.

Freedom led to a new path

Once I realized I was no longer a lackey in my business, it wasn’t long before I found my new path. At that point, my business was earning a couple of million dollars per year, and frankly, I was bored.

I had become president of a regional trade association, which put me in a position to speak, write, and get cleaners together. I began writing for Cleanfax, sharing my business growth strategies. People were very interested, so I decided to start helping them grow their businesses.

I love to write, so I started with three manuals I sold as a set. Then, I expanded my product line (hence the name Phenomenal Products). Along the way, I began doing teleseminars (now I’m dating myself). Next, I started doing in-person seminars and continued to build my packaging. I was doing about eight seminars per year for a large supply company with dealerships nationwide.

My programs focused more on marketing and sales in those days. I didn’t have much on leadership or pricing, but this larger company did. I proposed a joint venture, and we co-branded the product. We ended up with the ultimate business-building system in a box—everything you could possibly need to build and run a small business.

Big, fat vinyl cases housed this product—11 in all. A person couldn’t even take them out to the car without making two trips, and we sold a ton of those programs. People loved our systems, but a problem developed.

Although they loved the packages, they didn’t use them; it was too much information. Even though my modules had the solution to every business problem in their business on their shelf, many still did nothing with it. I visited a gentleman in upstate New York back in the days when I was offering on-site consulting. As I settled into a chair on the other side of his desk, I couldn’t help but notice all the big vinyl manuals on his shelf.

He had my entire system! It took up a whole shelf! I was so proud. But when I pointed them out, he said, “I’ve only opened one of them. They give me a headache. That’s why you’re here.” Then it got worse! I showed him the solution to all of his issues that day, and he kept making excuses why he couldn’t do it. He never took action.

That’s when I realized training and coaching were the keys. So, I started a coaching program. Now, the customers who bought the packages have coaching to help them implement the curriculum!

But one more problem emerged.

A single coach simply isn’t enough. When you consider the five areas of business, which are leadership, marketing, sales, operations, and administration, and the seven areas of life, you realize you need more than one coach. I also learned that we need others around us who are going through the same thing, so I then developed a phenomenal community of coaches, trainers, experts, and business owners.

The results have been beyond phenomenal. I discovered that my purpose is to help business owners reach their life goals. As a result, I have been completely overwhelmed by the transformation of our clients’ business and personal lives.

In addition to business growth, I’ve seen marriages saved, families restored, and many of our clients find their purpose. I’ve even seen people restore their spirituality. I’ve seen cultures change and members grow into phenomenal leaders. What’s most impressive to me is how our community members support, encourage, and love one another. It is truly unique.

My why is to help others determine their why

My why is to help our coaching community members have more freedom to spend more meaningful time with their family, friends, and faith; to help them get out of debt; to help them become stronger leaders; and to help them build a phenomenal dream team. Members can soar with their gifts and not be bogged down with stuff they hate to do and, frankly, aren’t good at.

The first book I wrote was “7 Secrets of a Phenomenal L.I.F.E. (Living in Freedom Everyday).” No freedom comes to those who live in servitude to their businesses. Being broke and/or in debt offers no freedom. Not living out your purpose provides no freedom. My purpose became helping small business owners have more L.I.F.E.

What is your “why”?

Do you have a phenomenal dream? A phenomenal dream is different than a “big” dream. A dream just needs to be meaningful. It needs to make a difference in people’s lives, and a personal dream isn’t wrong either. It just won’t fulfill you. The pursuit of happiness is an American right, but it doesn’t fulfill.

Only when you find your purpose will you be inspired. And when you see the fruit of your purpose, you will have joy, which is completely different from happiness. Thought leader John Maxwell once told me, “When you get a taste of significance, success will never satisfy.”

I call this “The Cause Question” because one would answer that question with “Because…. What is your cause?” Why do you want a phenomenal dream team that can run your company for you? The reason most business owners aren’t turnkey, even though they know it’s a possibility, is because they don’t have a vision for what they would do if they didn’t have to go to work tomorrow, as I mentioned in the previous article.

Someone once said, “When you find your why, you’ll find your way.”

Growing a phenomenal business requires massive action. But as my coach said, “All growth happens outside the comfort zone.” Change is required. People only make extraordinary changes through desperation or inspiration. The problem with desperation is that we tend to slip back into our comfort zone as soon as the pressure is relieved.

Inspiration is key to moving up into the success zone. Nothing will inspire you more than a big why.

Michael E. Gerber, best-selling author of “The E-Myth,” the book that uncovered the mystery of a turnkey business for me, became my friend and mentor. One of the things I learned from Gerber’s book “Awaken the Entrepreneur Within” is two kinds of dreams exist.

The first one is what he calls the “personal dream.” For me, that is the house on the beach. The second one is called the “impersonal dream.” That is the dream that will make a difference in the world, has meaning, and has a meaningful BE-CAUSE.

I acquired my personal dream, and it is truly phenomenal. However, I realized through leading my coaching company that my lifelong purpose is helping others get what they want.

Leadership expert Dave Anderson said, “Make sure your dream is big enough to include your team.” My right-hand man, Santiago Arango, started with me when he was just 17 years old. He is 41 at the time of this writing. When he was in his twenties, he was going to school part-time to be an engineer. When he saw the life change happening to those in our coaching program, he decided to join the mission.

The best part is that when you build up people, a win-win-win is possible. Obviously, I am winning, and obviously, our coaching clients are winning. But Arango has become a master coach, master trainer, and is the epitome of a phenomenal human being. He is a man of faith, a family man, a physical beast, smarter than most people I know, prosperous, and has a lot of fun with his family. Arango is living his dream, too!

When I think about Arango, one experience sticks out more than anything: The day he became an American citizen. When he came to this country as a mere 17-year-old, a drug cartel had run him and his mom out of Columbia. A Columbian refugee with nothing but the clothes on his back reaches the ultimate American dream.

That is my “why.”

What is yours? And why is it important?

The post The Cause Question: ‘Why is it important?’ appeared first on Cleanfax.

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The post July/August 2024 Restoration Industry Leader Profiles: Rochester Midland Corporation appeared first on Cleanfax.

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The post July/August 2024 Restoration Industry Leader Profiles: Legend Brands appeared first on Cleanfax.