In this Ask the Expert episode, Gerry Edtl and Jordan Donald, the father-daughter team behind Gerry Edtl Consulting, join us for an interview on sales and marketing. Together, they help restorers grow their businesses and generate referrals without lead fees, third-party administrators (TPAs) or programs. Here they discuss building reciprocal relationships with insurance agents and taking business development to new heights with direct referrals. 

In this Real Stories in Restoration episode, Nasutsa Mabwa, owner and president of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, shares her unique voyage from social work to restoration, being selective with service offerings, and keeping her business small and agile to stay closely connected to customers. Mabwa also discusses avoiding burnout, working with fellow franchisees and providing COVID-19 disinfection services since early 2020.  

Bart Meador is vice president of operations, residential storm, with restoration franchise PuroClean. His division specializes in mobilizing teams following CAT events. Here, Meador shares the experience of approximately 50 PuroClean franchises responding to Hurricane Ida devastation in the southern and northeast U.S. He highlights the importance of preparation, communication, collaboration, compassion and patience. 

R&R Editor Valerie King announces a new Q&A series sharing the stories of the industry’s most driven, engaged and innovative technicians. We are eager to consistently shed light on their ideas, pain points, motivators, paths to restoration and more. In doing so, we hope to help shrink the gap between C-suite and frontline. We hope to help give these unsung heroes a real seat at the proverbial table and a stronger voice in the future of the industry. 

Leslie Anderson is senior vice president of training and launch with Paul Davis Restoration. She was recently elected to the 2022 IICRC board of directors. In this episode of Real Stories in Restoration, Anderson shares insights on delivering valuable training experiences to hundreds of restoration franchises. She also discusses her goals as an IICRC board member, her experience as a woman in a male-dominated industry, the importance of mentorship in her life and the power of positive affirmations. 

In 2016, Benjamin Surdi, founder and CEO of PureDry Restoration, purchased a business that was in major debt and all-around bad shape. Since then, the company has quadrupled in size and revenue, and it is a recognized market leader in Washington State. In this episode of Real Stories in Restoration, Surdi shares hardships, triumphs and secrets to his success. A few of the themes covered include: Creating raving fans out of customers, cultivating a culture of employee excellence, attracting talent in a tight labor market, financial literacy as fundamental, systematizing business operations, branding that stands out and emotionally intelligent leadership.

Nia Sherrema Pearson is founder of Marketing 4 Real Results, a marketing agency that serves restoration businesses across the country. In this episode of Ask the Expert, Sherrema Pearson shares out-of-the-box digital and traditional marketing techniques. Examples include text communication, community involvement, and relationships with plumbers and property managers. She covers basics like a Google presence and ADA compliance, as well as how to stand out, highlighting that any marketing strategy should start with the unique goals of the business.