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Managing Your Restoration BusinessTradeTalks: Unlocking the Experience

Trade Talks: Unlocking The Experience

Behind the Curtain: Growth, Leadership and Lessons for Restorers

By Kayla McGowan
July 10, 2025

On this episode of TradeTalks: Unlocking the Experience, our special guests, Chris Nordyke, Co-Founder and President of Floodlight Consulting Group, and Wayne Hudson, Business Manager at Floodlight Consulting Group chat about how they joined the industry, what to expect at their keynote session and they share a key fun fact that you may not know.

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About Chris:

  • He helps shape their strategic direction.
  • He speaks at industry events and workshops on leading in sales, operations, customer experience and enterprise value.
  • He is the Co-host of the Head Heart & Boots podcast and leader in delivering tailored consulting and fractional sales management solutions.  

About Wayne:

  • He leads growth through initiatives in sales, marketing and operations.
  • He’s managed a portfolio of 400+ properties and consistently earned Top Manager honors, showcasing deep expertise in operations and leadership.
  • He heads oversees quarterly for strategic planning, applying analytical insight and long-term vision to guide firm-wide decision-making.

Chris and Wayne offer an inside look at the realities of growing a business behind the scenes, the challenges many face and highlight the tough decisions and mindset shifts that restoration professionals must embrace. From common pitfalls in scaling a business to leadership styles these gentlemen provide key insights that you don’t want to miss. 

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KEYWORDS: restoration business strategy The Experience

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Kayla mcgowan author

Kayla McGowan is the SPAR Partner Manager for PuroClean, where she manages and strengthens the company’s vendor partnership ecosystem. In her role, she serves as a key liaison between PuroClean, approved vendor partners, internal stakeholders, and Franchise Owners, helping connect the network with trusted tools, services, and products that support operational success.

With more than 10 years of experience in marketing and communications within the restoration and cleaning industry, Kayla has built her career around connecting people, ideas, and resources that move the industry forward. She is the former Editor-in-Chief of Restoration & Remediation (R&R) Magazine and continues to contribute to R&R as a writer, bringing her industry knowledge and perspective to its audience.

Kayla holds a B.S. in Criminal Science and an M.S. in Public Safety and Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Restoration Industry Association’s Marketing Committee.

Her industry credentials include Microbial Warrior®️, Certified Forensic Operator®️, and High Risk/High Level Decontamination Specialist™️. Passionate about elevating the restoration industry and the professionals within it, Kayla enjoys building meaningful relationships, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities for collaboration. Outside of work, she is a food lover who enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors.

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