The GPS Podcast - Navigating Small Business Growth
The GPS Podcast explores the real-life experiences of entrepreneurs who started from scratch and built thriving businesses. Tune in for authentic stories, valuable lessons, and actionable advice that will help you navigate your own business journey on your way to Growing Professional Skills.
Episodes
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 p...
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 sale...
In this episode of the GPS Podcast, we sit down with Violand Business Advisors Josh Bachman and Bill Prosch to discuss one of the biggest frustrations in the restoration industry: getting paid on insurance work.
The conversation explores why collections really begin before the job starts, how contracts and communication impact payment, and what you can do to reduce delays, pushback, and unexpected payment reductions. Josh and Bil...
In this episode of the GPS Podcast, Chuck Violand, founder of Violand Management, shares the hard‑earned lessons that only experience can teach. Chuck reflects on 40 years of building a business and the insights that continue to shape how he approaches leadership, growth, and success.
The conversation covers leadership blind spots, team dynamics, stalled growth, and the mindset shifts that help owners keep moving forward.
In this episode of the GPS Podcast, we sit down with Ed Ross, Co-Founder of TradeMutt, to have a conversation about mental health in the trades that does not happen often enough.
The trades come with long hours, physical demands, and stress that take a real toll over time. Ed shares how TradeMutt started, the impact it is making, and why creating a culture where people feel comfortable speaking up matters now more than ever.
This e...
In this episode of the GPS Podcast, we sit down with Kevin Dooley, co-founder and CEO of Kahi, to discuss the future of restoration and how the next 3–5 years will reshape the industry.
The conversation dives into the growing role of data, technology, and AI in restoration, along with how these shifts are changing business models across the industry. Kevin shares practical insights on scaling, leadership blind spots, and how to thi...
In this episode of the GPS Podcast, we sit down with Ross Driscoll Jr. of Driscoll & Driscoll and National E&S Insurance to discuss one of the most misunderstood parts of running a restoration company: insurance.
Ross explains the risks restoration contractors face today, the coverage gaps that often go unnoticed, and how changes in the insurance market are impacting restoration businesses across the country.
In this ep...
In this episode of the GPS Podcast, we sit down with Nicole Humber, President of Bravo Restoration & Construction, to talk about what it really looks like to take over a struggling restoration company and turn it into something sustainable and strong. Nicole shares the highs, the setbacks, and the leadership lessons that shaped her along the way.
This conversation is about resilience, culture, and what happens when you refuse...
In this episode of the GPS Podcast, we sit down with Shawn Jackson, Founder and President of Liberty Restoration, to discuss what it takes to build a construction and restoration business you actually enjoy showing up to. Shawn shares how focusing on the right team, having fun, and being the expert in the room has shaped his leadership style and supported long-term growth.
In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why enjoying the work ca...
In this episode of the GPS Podcast, we sit down with Kevin Hussey, Owner of United Fire & Water, for an in-depth discussion on leadership, culture, and growth in the restoration industry.
Kevin shares how his approach to leadership has evolved over time, why building the right team becomes critical as a business scales, and how focusing on data, accountability, and people has shaped the future of his business.
In this episo...
In this episode of the GPS Podcast, Bre Schmitten, Digital Marketing Specialist at Violand, breaks down key considerations for hiring and managing a digital marketing agency in the trades and home services.
The conversation focuses on what digital marketing is actually responsible for, how to evaluate performance, and why many businesses feel disappointed even when reports look good. This episode helps clarify expectations around...
In this episode of the GPS Podcast, advisor Josh Bachman builds on the fundamentals and dives into advanced business numbers that support better decision-making. The conversation focuses on trends, forecasting, cash flow, and key metrics — and how to use those insights strategically, not just understand them.
Takeaways: • Advanced metrics that influence smarter decisions • How to interpret trends instead of single data points • How...
In this episode of the GPS Podcast, advisor Josh Bachman helps owners get comfortable with their financials by breaking down the numbers in a simple, meaningful way. If you want to understand what your financials are really telling you, this conversation is the perfect place to start.
Takeaways: • How to interpret your P&L and core financial reports • What revenue, COGS, and expenses really say about performance • Common mistak...
What happens when restoration professionals find themselves on the other side of disaster? In this episode of the GPS Podcast, we talk with Justin Woodard of Woodard Cleaning & Restoration, Rhett Trotter and Jason Schroeck of Green Clean, and Tammy Stokes of Oklahoma Disaster Restoration about the unexpected reality of rebuilding after their own losses. They share how fires, tornadoes, and business interruptions tested their le...
In this special episode of the GPS Podcast, we’re joined by Kelley Dolan, Violand Business Development Advisor, and Jim Eckard, CFO of Thomasville Restoration, to unpack the Restoration Industry Association’s Cost of Doing Business Report powered by KnowHow.
Together, they dive into what the data reveals about profitability, labor costs, technology investments, and the real challenges restoration companies face in 2025 and beyond...
What’s the real secret behind earning 5-star Google reviews and loyal customers? It’s not discounts—it’s trust. In this episode of the GPS Podcast, we sit down with Ed Marchiselli, founder and CEO of The Seal, to talk about how service businesses can build credibility, earn authentic reviews, and win customers for life.
Key Takeaways:
- How building genuine trust leads to long-term customer loyalty
- How to ask for (and get) mor...
AI isn’t here to replace the trades — it’s here to make them better. In this episode of the GPS Podcast, we’re joined by LiveSwitch CRO James Hatfield and Violand’s Kelley Dolan to talk about how AI + live video are reshaping workflows in restoration, HVAC, plumbing, and beyond.
We dig into:
- How LiveSwitch tools streamline jobsite documentation and reporting
- Why AI-powered workflows save time and reduce costly callbacks
- The ba...
Starting a business is never easy. Starting one with only $5,000, no safety net, and a baby on the way? That’s exactly what Marvin Williams faced when he founded Recon Restoration. His story is about more than building a business—it’s about resilience, faith, and finding purpose through second chances.
In this episode of The GPS Podcast, we sit down with Marvin to hear how he: ✔ Overcame addiction and personal setbacks to rebuild...
Jeff Jones welcomes advisor Rob Curran to the GPS Podcast to explore how trades industry companies can succeed in commercial sales by developing strong teams and effective leadership. Rob shares lessons from his experience in operations and sales, offering practical guidance on managing long sales cycles, avoiding common mistakes, and building lasting client relationships. This episode provides leaders with clear strategies to grow...
On this episode of The GPS Podcast, Jeff Jones welcomes entrepreneur Chris Garrison for a conversation on building thriving businesses in the blue collar world. Chris shares his journey from starting a small cleaning company to running multiple profitable ventures, creating a community of over 230,000 business owners, and developing systems that make growth sustainable. This episode is packed with insights on leadership, opportunit...
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