With Veterans Day around the corner, we sat down with a dynamic father-son duo and U.S Military Veterans, who lead two PuroClean locations in Cedar Rapids and West Des Moines, Iowa to discuss how their miliary background has shaped the way for them to lead their two locations. Key highlights of this Q&A include how their military service shaped their leadership, entrepreneurship and their love and drive for community.

Steven Feldmann is their COO and Adam Feldmann is the President of their PuroClean locations in Iowa. They bring discipline, accountability and service to the restoration industry, helping families and businesses recover from water, fire, mold and other property damage. This father and son team balance each other with Steven’s strategic leadership and Adam’s modern, customer-first approach, they are committed to providing a positive community impact and empowering fellow veterans. 

Q: How has your military experience shaped the way you lead your team during high-pressure restoration jobs?

Steven: The key is not trying to tackle the entire job at once. Break it down into manageable, strategic parts that flow into the next step — whether that's content mitigation, remediation or the rebuild. Maintaining discipline and focus on the end goal, leveraging the processes and procedures learned in the military.

Adam: Attention to detail is crucial in during these high-stress jobs. The resiliency gained from our military service helps our team handle the pressure. We have a strong commitment to customer satisfaction which is huge for us, as clients are often at their wits' end dealing with the disaster at hand.

Q: What inspired you to transition from active service/retirement to the restoration industry, and why did you choose PuroClean?

S: After leaving the military in 2012, I bought and renovated various houses across the country, learning valuable trades like electrical, plumbing, cabinetry, flooring and drywall. This hands-on experience prepared me for the restoration industry.

A: I started a moving company, which led to connections in the restoration space. One of my managers had a friend who owned a PuroClean franchise and introduced us to the brand. I was drawn to the support and resources the franchise provided.

Q: How do you balance honoring military traditions with bringing fresh, modern approaches to your business?

A: We lead by example, with a strong work ethic that we instill in our team. We never ask our employees to do anything we wouldn't do ourselves.

S:  My military background and connections in the local community helped us get our business off the ground. My reputation as "General Steve Feldmann" seems to draw our customers when we’re meeting with them. 

Q: Can you share a story where your commitment to helping fellow veterans made an impact?

S: We provide military discounts, and I often go the extra mile to help veterans, whether it's with their restoration work or other tasks they need assistance with. I am a volunteer member of the Iowa Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

A: We also sponsor and donate to organizations like Salute to the Fallen, which focuses on suicide prevention and funeral services for veterans. In addition, we’re also active in the Veterans Network of Iowa, which helps connect veterans with employment opportunities.

Q: What advice would you give to other veterans considering entrepreneurship, especially in restoration and franchising?

S: Find a mentor in the business who can provide guidance, the first year is the toughest. Don't be too proud to ask for advice. Break the job down into manageable pieces, assign responsibilities and maintain constant communication with your customers.

A: Leverage all the tools and support your franchise or personal network provide, like training, IT assistance and marketing help. Having that infrastructure in place can be invaluable, especially for those who are new to the restoration industry.