How the SPAR Program is Raising Vendor Partnership Standards

How SPAR is strengthening vendor partnerships through accountability, technology, standards, and innovation

Welcome back to another episode of Ask The Expert. This week, we're joined by Nick Hindle, CIO of PuroClean, to discuss SPAR and how the program is helping raise standards for vendor partnerships in the restoration industry. Nick shares how the program started as a simple conversation about software selection and grew into a broader framework focused on standards, accountability, and innovation.

Key topics of discussion include:

A coffee conversation with CJ Bailey sparked the idea for SPAR. It started with a common question in our industry: What software should people use? From there, the team hit the ground running and developed a vendor partnership program.
Nick often uses the phrase "Standards, Not Mandates." He explains why standards create clarity around expectations, performance, integration, and value without limiting innovation. Mandates, on the other hand, can feel controlling and discourage new ideas.
Compliance, security, and roadmap adherence are at the center of the SPAR program. The team conducts annual audits to ensure partners understand expectations and continue meeting the needs of franchise owners.
SPAR helps franchise owners make more informed technology decisions by giving them access to a vetted list of partners, so they don't have to start from scratch when evaluating solutions for their businesses.
Raising standards across the industry matters to Nick because restoration is bigger than any one company. Better standards can lead to better tools, service, and outcomes for restorers, carriers, homeowners, and property owners.
Plus, Nick turns the tables and asks Kayla two questions about SPAR! He wants to know her thoughts on the program and what she would do to help shape its future.

On the Go?

Listen to the audio version of our conversation!

Looking for quick answers on restoration, remediation and cleaning topics?
Try Ask R&R, our new smart AI search tool. Ask R&R →

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

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.