Let’s clear something up: "company culture" is one of the most overused and misunderstood phrases in business today. It’s not something you fix with casual Fridays, or a pizza party in the break room. Spoiler alert: none of that matters if your people don’t care.

Culture isn’t a trendy extra, it’s your foundation. And if the foundation’s cracked, all the free pizza in the world won’t stop your best people from walking out the door.

Culture Drives Results in Water Restoration

For water restoration companies, culture isn’t optional; it’s the difference between a business that thrives and one that constantly struggles.

It shows up in every job you take:

• In the crew that arrives on time because they care about the work and the people they’re helping.
• In the technician who takes pride in setting up the equipment right the first time and doesn’t leave equipment behind on job sites.
• In the estimator who documents properly and negotiates confidently to protect both the company and the customer.
• In the office staff who answer calls with empathy and follow up like your reputation depends on it, because it does.
• In the team that communicates clearly, works efficiently and takes ownership of results.

Great culture drives great accountability. Great accountability drives great service. Great service builds your business.

 

The Real Payoff: Culture Makes You Money

Here’s the bottom line:

• When your team believes in the mission, work gets done quicker, smoother and with fewer do-overs.
• When your employees care, they upsell services without being asked because they believe in the work.
• When your team is happy, they treat customers better and happy customers call you back (and tell their friends).
• When your staff sticks around, you save thousands on hiring, training and lost productivity.
• And when your company feels like a place people want to be, word gets out and that makes it easier to attract top talent in an industry where finding good people is tough.

Culture creates ownership, loyalty and pride. It fuels innovation, reduces drama and increases accountability. Teams with strong culture solve problems faster, collaborate better and build trust with customers and each other.

 

Where It Starts

It all starts at the top.

Great culture doesn’t magically appear….it’s modeled. It begins with leaders who show up, step in and go the distance. Not just when it’s easy. Not just when it’s profitable. But for the people behind the scenes, doing the work day in and day out.

You’ve probably heard the phrase “familiarity breeds contempt.”

But around here? We’ve found the opposite to be true.

Familiarity breeds loyalty.

You can’t lead people you don’t know. You can’t build trust from behind a closed office door. When leaders stay close to the team, learning their strengths, quirks and struggles…that’s when the real culture is built. Not from a policy binder, but from presence. From walking the floor, jumping into the chaos and caring enough to ask, “What is wrong? What do you need?”

Because when leadership knows the people they’re leading…

• They make better decisions.
• They catch problems before they turn into explosions.
• They earn respect instead of demanding it.
• And most importantly, they create a culture where people don’t just show up...they buy in.

At Reets, we believe leadership isn’t about hierarchy. It’s about showing up, staying close and leading with heart.

Familiarity doesn’t erode culture. It strengthens it.

Because when people feel known, they feel valued. And valued people? They show up like owners.

That’s where culture starts. And that’s why it sticks.

 

What True Culture Looks Like

True culture is about people.

It’s about finding those rare individuals who treat your business like it’s their own. Then, it’s about piecing together a team that balances each other out: where one brings logic, another brings energy. Where one brings structure, another brings sparkle.

You don’t hire culture. You grow it...with the right people, the right leadership and just the right amount of healthy dysfunction.

That’s why at Reets, culture isn’t a buzzword. It’s not a perk. It’s the business model. It’s how we lead, how we serve and how we win, by putting people first. Because when your people win, your business wins. And that’s the culture worth building.

 

Behind the Scenes at Reets Drying Academy: Why No One Ever Wants to Leave

Written by Someone Who’s Somehow Still Employed Here

Sure, we’re known for world-class water damage restoration training. But the reason customers keep coming back and employees basically have to be pried away kicking and screaming goes way beyond certifications and suspiciously good snacks.

It’s the culture. The camaraderie. The endless inside jokes. That “how is this a real job?” kind of energy that makes Reets feel less like a workplace and more like a long-running sitcom that accidentally became a training powerhouse. 

So, let’s pull back the curtain and introduce you to the cast of characters that make Reets Drying Academy the most functional dysfunctional family you’ve never seen on Netflix.

Jeremy Reets: The Phantom CEO (a.k.a. “The Unicorn”)

Jeremy Reets is our founder, our fearless leader, and let’s be honest the most mysteriously invisible member of the team. He’s an industry legend, a visionary and our guiding light… when we can actually find him.

His leadership style falls somewhere between Jedi Master and Where’s Waldo...full of wisdom, just rarely in plain sight.

When Jeremy does appear, expect two things:

• A motivational quote that somehow combines drying strategy, sales psychology and life advice, leaving you inspired and slightly unsure if you just got pitched or pastored.
• A one-liner so perfectly timed it either sends you into a full-blown existential crisis or makes you think, “Wait… that was actually brilliant!”

But here’s the real reason we light up when he walks in:

Jeremy listens. Really listens. He makes space for ideas, invites feedback and isn’t afraid to admit when someone else has a better take (which we all remind him of often). He doesn’t just lead from the front he leads from beside you. With heart, with humor, and with just enough mystery to keep things interesting.

But here’s the real magic: Jeremy understands people. He built this team with intention: balancing strengths, quirks, and personalities to create something far greater than the sum of its parts. He doesn’t just hire talent. He hires people who care about the work, the customers and each other.

At Reets, being human isn’t just allowed. It’s valued. And that’s why we’re all still here.

Sorry, Jeremy. You’re stuck with us. And honestly? He probably couldn’t live without us!

 

Nick Sharp: The Human Tornado of Mischief

Nick is the kind of guy who can mediate a tense meeting with therapist-level calm then hide your laptop in the ceiling just to keep things interesting.

Shoelaces mysteriously untied? Pens gone missing? Someone muted mid-Zoom rant? That’s Nick.

He’s the mayhem to our structure, the prankster who somehow keeps us sane by driving us a little crazy.

Rebekah Beilen: The Calm in the Storm

Rebekah is the voice of reason in our chaos. Around here, she’s affectionately known as “Partly Cloudy” because just when we’re floating too far off course, she breezes in with logic, policies or — gasp — a spreadsheet.

She’s sharp, organized and her dry wit hits like a silent but effective uppercut. She’s also my work bestie and balance in the chaos. Basically, she’s the one who keeps the wheels on the wagon while the rest of us are lighting fireworks in the back.

 

David Hodge: The Dad Joke Dictator

David is one of our brilliant in-house instructors and a walking encyclopedia of water damage knowledge, EPA regs and OSHA standards. He’s also six months older than me (don’t let him lie about it), which makes him the official office elder.

But what truly sets David apart? His relentless dedication to dad jokes.

“If you’re not sure how to handle asbestos, just do it as-best-os you can.” Actual quote. Please send help.

Despite the puns, we love him for his brilliance, commitment and, yes, even the jokes. (Most of the time.)

Trevor St Martin: Sales Guy Turned Comic Relief

Trevor may be one of the newer faces at Reets, but he fit in like he was born here. With a background in sales and customer service, he brought a level of polish we didn’t know we needed… and a sense of humor we can’t live without.

He’s the king of one-liners, snappy, surprising and always perfectly timed. You never know what’s going to come out of Trevor’s mouth, but it’s probably hilarious and definitely something you’ll repeat later over dinner.

He brings energy, wit and just the right amount of “Did he really just say that?” to the team. Total win.

Me: The Vibe Manager

(Because “Professional Hurricane” didn’t fit on a business card)

Hi, I’m the human equivalent of glitter! Chaotic, impossible to ignore, but somehow essential. I’ve been here for 15 years, which in restoration years is like three lifetimes and a dog year.

I’m the morale booster, chaos coordinator, the vibe manager. Also, the reason we have at least three Amazon boxes no one remembers ordering. I am also the reason HR had to make a policy about glitter. Also, yes “Whiskey Wednesday” was my idea.  And no, I’m not sorry. 

Do I show up late sometimes? Yes. Do I thrive in chaos and then dramatically sigh about how chaotic things are? Also yes.

But do I keep morale high, spark ideas like a Pinterest board on espresso, and make work fun? Absolutely.

And honestly? This place wouldn’t be the same without me. (Just ask me, I’ll tell ya!) 

Why People Never Leave

Working at Reets Drying Academy isn’t just a job. It’s belonging to something bigger. Jeremy Reets hires people who fit, not just function. And when you create an environment where weirdness is celebrated and passion is the norm? That’s when the magic happens.

Here’s our not-so-secret recipe:

• Freedom: We trust each other to do the job.
• Laughter: Every day. At ourselves and each other.
• Purpose: We help people build better businesses.
• Loyalty: We’re not going anywhere. This is home.
• Familiarity: You can’t manage people you don’t know. We know each other well enough to laugh, challenge and collaborate better. Comfort creates confidence.

What You Can Do Today to Build Better Culture

Ready to turn your culture into your competitive advantage? Start here:

• Have one real conversation today. Ask your team what’s working and what’s not. Listen like it matters.
• Catch someone doing something right. Then call it out loud. Recognition builds trust and momentum.
• Lead by example. Show up. Jump in. Be the first to do the thing you wish everyone else would.
• Protect your people. Advocate for your techs, your office staff, your estimators. Culture is built when people feel safe.
• Audit your new hire experience. If your onboarding process feels cold or chaotic, fix it. First impressions shape loyalty.
• Let people be people. A little weirdness and a little grace go a long way.

Bonus Challenge: Pick one thing this week that will make your workplace feel more like a team and less like a transaction. Do that.

Because at the end of the day, culture is a daily decision. And your next one could change everything.

Build a culture people never want to leave. Start today.