Restoration logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Restoration logo
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products & Technologies
    • Submit Your Product
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
  • CATASTROPHE
    • Hurricane
  • TOPICS
    • Architecture
    • Cleaning & Sanitation
    • Contamination
    • Contractor Safety
    • Contents
    • Fire & Smoke
    • Mold
    • Odor
    • Recon & Reno
    • Water
  • EDUCATION
    • Training & Education
    • Business Management
    • Insurance/Legal Matters
    • KnowHow.
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
    • Whitepapers
    • Industry Events
    • Sponsor Insights
  • VIDEOS
    • Ask the Expert
    • Ask Annissa
    • Marketing Monday
    • Tech Tip Tuesday
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • THE EXPERIENCE
    • Convention & Trade Show
  • ABOUT
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
Managing Your Restoration BusinessAsk the Expert

Ask the Expert

Women in Restoration: Leadership and Building a Family Business

Communication, systems, and resilience are what help drive success in the restoration industry

By Kayla McGowan
April 22, 2026

Welcome back to another episode of Ask the Expert! We’re highlighting the leading ladies in our industry and their undeniable impact. This week we’re joined by Alma West, Owner of Quick Dry Water Restoration and Magdalena Rebuild. Alma’s a first-generation restorer and contractor who built two successful family-owned-and-operated businesses through grit, building relationships, and her commitment to doing the right thing.  

In this episode we talk all things family, building the business, and so much more! 

Key topics of conversation include:

  • Operating both a mitigation and reconstruction business helps eliminate communication gaps, fast-tracks timelines, and creates a seamless client experience.
  • Alma’s early struggle was finding technicians who matched her attention to detail. She navigated this by leveraging AI to help identify SOP gaps and create detailed checklists for her staff to help minimize mistakes.
  • The full claims cycle is traumatic for customers. Because of that, Alma and her team provide education packets, communicate directly, and answer any questions they must to help guide them through the process. 
  • While Alma’s daughters work with her, she’s found that separating office and home completely is part of their success. This allows her daughters to have independence, continue to build their confidence, and maintain integrity. 
  • Alma’s advice to women in the industry is, “Don't wait for perfect timing; take the leap, even if you’re scared. Women bring unique strengths in communication and empathy; stop gatekeeping knowledge, help create defined career paths for your technicians, and be the change by doing things right to elevate the industry's reputation.”
  • Plus, Alma’s daughters, Renee and Elisa Robles, make a special appearance.

 

On the Go?

Listen to the audio version of our conversation!

Your browser does not support the audio element.
KEYWORDS: communication in business customer service restoration business leadership restoration business strategy women in restoration

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Kayla mcgowan author

Kayla McGowan is the Editor-in-Chief of R&R Magazine, with 10 years of experience in marketing and communications in the restoration and cleaning industry. She leads the editorial strategy for R&R and The Experience Events, creating content that informs and connects industry professionals. 

Kayla holds a B.S. in Criminal Science and M.S. in Public Safety and Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University. She serves as Co-Chair on the RIA’s Marketing Committee.

Kayla is a Microbial Warrior®, a Certified Forensic Operator® and a High Risk/ High Level Decontamination Specialist™. Kayla is passionate about elevating the industry, is a food lover, enjoys spending time with her family, and embracing the outdoors.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Digital view of the United States with a Hurricane and coding

    Is Your Restoration Technology Ready for the Upcoming Hurricane Season?

    Here’s how restoration contractors can prepare their...
    Catastrophe Restoration
    By: Taylor Carmichael
  • Business team analyzing financial data on digital tablets during a meeting

    7 Trends Influencing the Restoration Industry in 2026

    With market uncertainty, workforce transitions, new...
    Guest Columns
    By: Oscar Collins
  • mold remediation

    Fighting Mold and Bacteria Damage

    Successful mold remediation can be multidisciplinary,...
    Mold Remediation
    By: Josh Woolen
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • Newsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Restoration & Remediation audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Restoration & Remediation or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • restoration technician working a water damage project
    Sponsored byCotality

    Schedule smarter with DASH’s mobile restoration job management

Popular Stories

Restoration Jobsite Table before and after organization.

The New Profit War: How Restorers Will Compete in the Age of Managed Repair Programs

Restoration Golf League Full Color Logo

Restoration Golf League Announces 2026 Event Lineup and Celebrates Recent Champions

temporary containment barrier constructed with white polyethylene sheeting

Improving Negative-Pressure Containment for Biological Contaminants

Register for Webinar - Connecting the Field, Office and Carriers: How to Streamline Claims with Better Data and Communication

Events

May 19, 2026

Hurricane Response: What’s Changed, Who’s at Risk, and How to Scale Without Breaking

This webinar is part of the Preparing to Respond: Hurricanes series.  

Hurricane season isn’t what it used to be, and neither is disaster response. In this webinar, an expert‑led panel will break down what’s changed for hurricane response, and how restorers can scale responsibly without sacrificing their safety, retention, or profitability.

May 28, 2026

Connecting the Field, Office, and Carriers: How to Streamline Claims with Better Data and Communication

The modern claims ecosystem depends on seamless integration between the field, office, and carrier. Learn how a unified “golden thread” of communication transforms fragmented workflows into a transparent, high-performance process.

September 9, 2026

The Experience Convention and Trade Show

The Experience Convention & Trade Show logoThe Experience Convention and Trade Show unites the cleaning, restoration, inspection, indoor air quality, and HVAC industries through hands-on education, live demonstrations, and high-impact networking. Attendees gain practical skills, business insight, and connections that elevate industry standards and drive growth.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Priorities for Hurricane Preparedness

What area does your team prioritize first before hurricane season?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary.

See More Products
Hurricane Month - How Restoration Professionals Can Prepare Before the Storm

Related Articles

  • Ask the Expert - Women in Restoration: Marketing, Communication, and Building Trust

    Women in Restoration: Marketing, Communication, and Building Trust

    See More
  • Women in Restoration: Leadership, Training, and Industry Impact

    Women in Restoration: Leadership, Training, and Industry Impact

    See More
  • Ask the Expert - Women in Restoration: Leadership and Industry Impact

    Women in Restoration: Leadership and Industry Impact

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • COVER pdf.jpg

    How to Get More Restoration Jobs in 14 Days... (ebook)

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • June 16, 2021

    Women in Leadership | A Violand Executive Summit Special Event

    A Violand Executive Summit special event.
View AllSubmit An Event

Related Directories

  • Business Development Associates Inc.

    BDA works exclusively with restoration contractors helping them build their own sales programs so they can drive the growth of their business instead of relying on TPAs, paid leads, weather or good luck. We recruit "A" player salespeople, provide sales training, and ongoing sales management and coaching. Clients have generated 100s of millions of dollars in new business.
×

Stay ahead of the curve with our newsletters.

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Submit a Press Release
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • Newsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Reprints
    • Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing