Entrepreneurship, Growth and Staying Grounded

Absolute Clean & Restore’s Michael Villones discusses business growth, carpet cleaning, and growth

By Kayla McGowan

We’re back with another episode of TradeTalks: Unlocking The Experience. This week we’re joined by Michael Villones, Founder and Chairman of Absolute Clean & Restore in Oklahoma. Michael started his career in our industry just under 10 years ago, and he’s never looked back. In this episode, we talk about Michael’s unique journey into the industry, what attendees can expect from his upcoming session and a fun fact many don’t know about him.

Listen on the go!

Key highlights of this episode include:

Michael began his career as a hotel manager in Arizona, Las Vegas and Oklahoma before launching a carpet cleaning business in 2017 after he and his wife learned they were expecting their first child.
Michael started with the intention of operating as a one-man business, but he quickly grew into a 30-plus-truck restoration company.
One of Michael’s biggest takeaways for attendees is the importance of staying connected to your foundation, especially by continuing to offer services like carpet cleaning, which keep you close to customers and create new opportunities.
The Experience brings industry peers together, creating relationships, network, and real business opportunities.
Fun fact: He was a drummer for a heavy metal/death metal band in Las Vegas!

You can learn more about Michael’s session on Thursday, September 10, from 8:00 – 8:30 am by checking out The Experience agenda. We can’t wait to see you September 9-11, 2026, at The Paris Hotel & Casino for this year’s Experience. To register, click here.

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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.