The GPS Podcast - Navigating Small Business Growth

On this episode of the GPS Podcast, we talk with Ed Cross, lawyer and longtime restoration industry advocate, about what contractors are up against with TPAs, carriers, pricing, and what you can do about it.
 
Ed shares practical advice on negotiating with TPAs, who really holds the power on a claim, and how keeping the policyholder involved from day one protects your business. We also get into Xactimate pricing, why a written scope and price should come before the work starts, and how to protect your profit on every job.
 
Stay tuned for part 2.
 
 
Learn more and connect with Ed here: https://edcross.com/
 
 
Listen on:
YouTube
Apple
Spotify
Amazon
iHeartRadio
 
Follow us on socials!
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram

The first 90 days can make or break a new hire, especially in restoration and plumbing.
 
In part two of the GPS Podcast's hiring series, Violand coaches Kelley Dolan and Josh Bachman break down how to onboard new employees the right way, including what to prioritize on day one, how to set realistic 90-day expectations, and the warning signs that someone isn't progressing the way they should.
 
Need help building out your onboarding process? Connect with our coaches at https://violand.com/connect/
 
 
Listen on:
YouTube
Apple
Spotify
Amazon
iHeartRadio
 
Follow us on socials!
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram

Staffing is the biggest challenge in restoration and plumbing right now, and how you hire for each role matters more than most owners realize.
 
On this episode of the GPS Podcast, Violand coaches Kelley Dolan and Josh Bachman join Jeff to dig into hiring technicians, admins, salespeople, and bookkeepers, including sourcing strategies, referral programs, and the interview questions that separate strong candidates from the rest. Plus, a guest appearance from Karen Tuersley on hiring admins.
 
Stay tuned for part two!
 
Need help with your hiring process? Connect with our coaches for help at https://violand.com/connect/
 
 
Listen on:
YouTube
Apple
Spotify
Amazon
iHeartRadio
 
Follow us on socials!
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram

What does it take for an owner and general manager to stay aligned while leading both a restoration and plumbing business?
 
Tanya Doucet and Kent Sonnier of Restoration Pros and 1-Tom-Plumber share what they've learned from working together through growth, change, and plenty of tough calls. Tune in as they discuss communication, trust, employee development, and the day-to-day realities of leading two successful service businesses.
 
Learn more about Restoration Pros: https://www.restorationprosla.com/
Learn more about 1-Tom-Plumber of Lafayette: https://www.1tomplumber.com/lafayette-la/
 
Listen on:
YouTube
Apple
Spotify
Amazon
iHeartRadio
 
Follow us on socials!
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram

Growing a business is exciting. Growing too fast can create an entirely new set of challenges.
 
On this episode of the GPS Podcast, Shawn Folks, CEO of Guarantee Restoration Services, shares his experience taking over the family business and leading the company through a period of significant growth. Shawn and Jeff discuss the $22 million disaster project that changed the trajectory of the company, scaling operations, building culture, hiring and developing leaders, managing large-loss opportunities, and why taking care of your people remains the foundation of long-term success.
 
Learn more about Guarantee Restoration Services: https://www.guaranteerestoration.com/
 
Listen on:
YouTube
Apple
Spotify
Amazon
iHeartRadio
 
Follow us on socials!
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram

The pressure of ownership is real, especially when you're taking over the family business.
 
In this episode of the GPS Podcast, Summer Becker-Battles of Steamatic of Albuquerque and Santa Fe shares her experience navigating succession, learning the financial side of the business, developing leaders, and making difficult decisions along the way. The conversation is packed with practical lessons for current and future business owners.
 
Learn more about Steamatic: https://www.steamaticnm.com/
 
 
Listen on:
YouTube
Apple
Spotify
Amazon
iHeartRadio
 
Follow us on socials!
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram

There are patterns behind every successful restoration company.
In this episode, we're joined by Josh Miller, President of Rainbow Restoration, to talk through what he’s learned over years in the industry and now leading a national franchise. They cover leadership, team dynamics, and the decisions that impact growth over time.
If you're in restoration and looking to run a better operation, this is worth the listen.
 
Learn more about Rainbow Restoration: https://rainbowrestores.com/
 
 
Listen on:
YouTube
Apple
Spotify
Amazon
iHeartRadio
 
Follow us on socials!
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram

Sales reps and sales managers are on the same team—but that doesn’t mean they always see things the same way.
In this episode, we break down the real reasons behind the tension between reps and managers, why it happens, and what it takes to get aligned. Drawing from our Herding Cats article series, we share practical insights on how high-performing sales teams work through the friction and improve results.
 
Read the Herding Cats article series: https://www.candrmagazine.com/herding-cats-revealing-the-biggest-misconceptions-between-salespeople-and-their-manager/
 
 
Listen on:
YouTube
Apple
Spotify
Amazon
iHeartRadio
 
Follow us on socials!
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram

In this episode of the GPS Podcast, we sit down with Darren Hudema of PuroClean to talk about the role technical skills and soft skills play in building a successful service business. With decades of experience in the restoration industry, Darren shares insights on training, standards, leadership, and why customer experience has become a key differentiator.
The conversation covers the gap between technical training and real-world performance, the value of hands-on learning, and how communication, empathy, and consistency shape the customer experience.
 
Learn more about PuroClean: https://www.puroclean.com/
 
Join top leaders in the trades for advanced training and networking at The Violand Executive Summit: https://violand.com/training-programs/executive-training/
 
 
Listen on:
YouTube
Apple
Spotify
Amazon
iHeartRadio
 
Follow us on socials!
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram

In this episode of the GPS Podcast, we sit down with Tom Laska of ICC Restoration & Cleaning Services to talk about what separates restoration companies that stand the test of time.
Tom shares his experience building a business from the ground up, the challenges of hiring and developing the right team, and why focusing on quality, accountability, and culture matters more than chasing growth. The episode also highlights why sales continues to be a struggle for many companies and what owners need to think about to stay competitive.
 
Learn more about ICC Restoration & Cleaning Services: https://icchelps.com/
 
Join top leaders in the trades for advanced training and networking at The Violand Executive Summit
 
 
Listen on:
YouTube
Apple
Spotify
Amazon
iHeartRadio
 
Follow us on socials!
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram