Restoration Pros Unplugged

Clinton James
  • 5.0 (14)
  • MARKETING

Step into the dynamic world of restoration with Restoration Pros Unplugged—now hosted by industry experts Clinton James and Bobby Thomas! Clinton James, CMO at Water Restoration Marketing, brings his deep expertise in marketing and business growth, while Bobby Thomas, CEO of Extreme Services and a visionary leader in the restoration industry, adds his firsthand experience in building and scaling a successful restoration business. Together, they dive into the ins and outs of the restoration world, delivering exclusive interviews, expert discussions, and actionable strategies to help restoration professionals thrive. Join us as we uncover the secrets behind successful restoration businesses, explore cutting-edge techniques, and share invaluable wisdom from top industry leaders. Whether you're looking to scale your company, improve operations, or stay ahead of the competition, this podcast equips you with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration to elevate your restoration game. So, grab your headphones, settle in, and get ready to learn from the best. Welcome to Restoration Pros Unplugged—where expertise meets innovation!

  1. 6D AGO

    From $700K to $2.8M How John Gabriele Scaled and Expanded the Right Way

    What does it really take to scale a restoration business and expand into a new market without making expensive mistakes? In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, Clinton James sits down with John Gabriele, owner of 911 Restoration of Des Moines and 1 Tom Plumber of Des Moines, to break down how he grew his company from under one million dollars to nearly three million and why he is now expanding into a second market. John shares real lessons from the trenches, including why coaching played a major role in his growth, how focusing on the right services improved margins, and what he actually looks for before opening a new location. He also explains how adding emergency plumbing changed his cash flow and created more restoration opportunities without relying on overpriced referrals. If you are a restoration owner thinking about scaling, adding services, or expanding into a new city, this episode will help you think more clearly about growth and avoid common mistakes. In this episode, you will learn • What to think through before opening a second restoration location • Why profit margins matter more than total revenue • How coaching and systems help owners scale faster • When reconstruction makes sense and when it becomes a drag on profit • How plumbing can drive more restoration jobs and steady cash flow This is a practical, no fluff conversation for restoration company owners who want to grow profitably, not just get bigger. ----- Want to grow your restoration brand and generate more water jobs with expert marketing? Book a free strategy session with our team at Water Restoration Marketing: https://www.waterrestorationmarketing.net/schedule

    28 min

  2. FEB 6

    How Contractors Actually Scale: Systems, Trust & Marketing | Clinton James & Paul Sanneman

    Real growth in the trades doesn’t come from chasing trends or jumping on the latest tactic. It comes from systems, strategy, and partnering with people who understand how contractors actually operate. In this episode, Clinton James — CMO of Water Restoration Marketing and host of Restoration Pros Unplugged — joins Paul Sanneman, founder of Contractor Staffing Source, for a powerful crossover conversation on what truly drives sustainable growth for home service businesses. While Clinton works exclusively with restoration companies, the insights in this episode apply to plumbing, HVAC, roofing, remodeling, and any service-based business owner serious about scaling profitably. You’ll hear Clinton break down: - Why niche expertise matters more than ever in today’s crowded market - How trust signals impact Google rankings, LSAs, and AI-driven search results - The difference between activity and strategy in contractor marketing - Why systems always outperform hustle - How marketing, hiring, and operations must work together to scale - What contractors must adapt now to stay competitive in the next 3–5 years This episode is packed with real-world experience, data-backed insights, and practical guidance for contractors who want clarity instead of chaos — and growth that actually lasts. Whether you’re struggling with lead quality, staffing, or long-term positioning, this conversation will help you rethink how you build your business. ----- Want more high-quality restoration leads that turn into onsite visits and jobs? Book a discovery call with Water Restoration Marketing: https://waterrestorationmarketing.com/discovery-call/

    21 min

  3. JAN 30

    Storm Surges, Freezes, and Missed Jobs: How AI Is Saving Restorers Thousands

    Missed calls, slow follow-up, and storm surges can quietly kill your revenue. In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, Clinton James sits down with Nick D’Urbano, Co-Founder and CRO of Distance, to break down how restoration companies are using AI to capture more leads, handle overflow calls, and generate more jobs — without replacing their people. Nick walks through real-world use cases for: AI Voice to handle overflow and after-hours calls during storm surgesAI Chat to convert website visitors, Facebook leads, and form fills fasterAI Outbound to win back lost leads, collect reviews, and stay in front of commercial prospectsThey also discuss why AI works best as a backup and multiplier for your intake team — especially when phones are ringing nonstop during freezes, floods, and major weather events. Want to see how Distance works for your restoration company? Book a demo directly with Nick here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/nickdurbano/demo Looking to generate more high-quality leads that turn into onsite visits and jobs? Book a discovery call with the Water Restoration Marketing team: https://waterrestorationmarketing.com/discovery-call/

    40 min

  4. 12/26/2025

    Restoration Pros Rewind 2025: The Best of the Year | Christmas Special

    This isn’t just a recap, it’s a celebration of the moments that made Restoration Pros Unplugged the go-to podcast for growth-minded restoration entrepreneurs. In this special Rewind episode, we look back at the top interviews, biggest takeaways, and most replayed clips from our most impactful conversations. From leadership breakthroughs to sales strategies, hiring systems to franchise growth these are the insights that moved the industry forward in a big way. You’ll hear from: - Our most listened-to and watched guests - High-impact advice from top operators and thought leaders - The episodes that restoration pros couldn’t stop talking about Whether you’re a longtime listener or new to the show, this rewind is packed with energy, value, and a reminder of just how far we’ve come. Thank you for tuning in, growing with us, and helping us build a community of restoration leaders who do things differently. From our team to yours: Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a game-changing New Year ahead. — Ready to grow your restoration brand and generate more high-quality water jobs? Book your free strategy session with the Water Restoration Marketing team: https://www.waterrestorationmarketing.com/discovery-call/

    18 min

  5. 12/09/2025

    A White-Collar Approach to a Blue-Collar Industry: Phil DePaul’s Leadership Playbook

    In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, Clinton sits down with Phil DePaul, the powerhouse owner behind United Water Restoration Group Long Island and 1-Tom-Plumber Long Island. Known for his bold “BoomZeal” leadership style, Phil breaks down how he built two thriving service brands by bringing a white-collar approach to a blue-collar industry and why professionalism, extreme ownership, and clean presentation are non-negotiable in today’s restoration and plumbing world. Phil shares his journey from plumbing distribution, to disaster recovery, to becoming one of the top franchise operators in the country. He opens up about the early struggles, the lessons learned scaling two service companies, and why franchising gave him the speed, support, and collaboration needed to grow in one of the most saturated restoration markets in America. If you're a restoration owner looking to: - Improve your team’s professionalism - Strengthen communication with homeowners and property owners - Raise your operational standards - Break through your current revenue ceiling …this conversation delivers the mindset, systems, and leadership frameworks you need to level up. Packed with real stories, actionable insights, and Phil’s signature high-energy philosophy, this is an episode every restoration entrepreneur should hear. Connect with Phil: https://boomzeal.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/pdepaul/ https://www.facebook.com/picomang ---- Want to grow your restoration brand and generate more water jobs with expert marketing? Book a free strategy session with our team at Water Restoration Marketing: https://waterrestorationmarketing.com/discovery-call/

    41 min

  6. 12/02/2025

    How AI and Offshore Talent Are Reshaping Restoration Staffing with Paul Sanneman

    Struggling to find and keep good people in your restoration business? You’re not alone. In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, host Clinton James (CMO, Water Restoration Marketing) sits down with Paul Sanneman, founder of Contractor Staffing Source, to talk about why the “labor shortage” in restoration is often a self-created problem and what you can do about it. Paul breaks down the biggest hiring myths holding contractors back, like: - Only recruiting when you “need someone” - Thinking employees are “too expensive” - Trying to DIY recruiting without a real system He then walks through a simple, repeatable hiring process: writing strong job ads (with the help of AI), posting them everywhere, speed-to-lead on applicants, detailed assessments, video interviews, background checks, and proper onboarding that makes new hires say, “I made the right move.” Clinton and Paul also dig into how AI and offshore talent are changing the game for restoration companies. You’ll hear how owners are using remote team members for roles like admin, estimating, job costing, and marketing often at a fraction of the cost without sacrificing quality or communication. If you’re a restoration owner tired of starting from scratch every time you need to hire, this episode will show you how to build a steady pipeline of qualified candidates and treat recruiting like marketing: ongoing, systemized, and budgeted. Visit: https://contractorstaffingsource.com/ ---- Want to grow your restoration brand and generate more water jobs with expert marketing? Book a free strategy session with our team at Water Restoration Marketing: https://www.waterrestorationmarketing.net/schedule

    30 min

  7. 11/25/2025

    Real-World Scaling: How WonderBuilt’s Raul Gonzalez Is Growing Faster Using LiveSwitch + AI

    AI is changing the way restoration companies operate, and WonderBuilt Restoration is already putting it to work. In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, Clinton James talks with Raul Gonzalez, owner of WonderBuilt in Tucson, AZ, about how AI tools and remote oversight are helping him streamline operations as the company grows. Raul explains how he listened to our interview with James Hatfield from LiveSwitch, signed up right away, and quickly found real use cases like faster mold evaluations using AI-generated scopes, better contents planning through data-driven insights, and live remote support for technicians on complex jobs. Alongside the tech discussion, Raul breaks down what’s currently working in his marketing, the challenges he’s faced while scaling, and the operational bottlenecks he’s been working to eliminate. By the end, you’ll hear how WonderBuilt is using AI and improved documentation workflows to train faster, estimate more accurately, and create a more efficient operation without adding unnecessary overhead. Want to see how LiveSwitch can streamline your restoration operations? Book a live demo using my link here: https://join.liveswitch.com/9o7u9222eyk4 ----- Want to grow your restoration brand and generate more water jobs with expert marketing? Book a free strategy session with our team at Water Restoration Marketing: https://www.waterrestorationmarketing.net/schedule

    34 min

  8. 11/18/2025

    Leadership Wake-Up Call: How Restoration Owners Can Build Stronger Teams

    In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, Clinton James sits down with Claire Carreras an entrepreneur known for taking broken home-service teams and turning them into high-performing operations. Claire shares her unusual path into restoration, her experiences at Paul Davis and Servpro, and the leadership lessons she learned while rebuilding departments, launching new service divisions, and now running 1-Tom-Plumber Austin. Claire breaks down her simple 3-part method for fixing struggling restoration companies: - People: understanding who’s on your team, what motivates them, and who fits where. - Process: reviewing what’s working, what’s broken, and what needs to change. - Execution: setting expectations, building consistency, and holding everyone accountable. She also talks about making great hires, spotting bad ones fast, getting out of day-to-day operations, and shifting from manager to true owner. If you’re a restoration business owner who knows your team could perform better, this conversation will help you understand where to start and how to lead in a way that actually moves the business forward. Want to grow your restoration brand and generate more water jobs with expert marketing? Book a free strategy session with our team at Water Restoration Marketing: https://www.waterrestorationmarketing.net/schedule

    34 min
See All (55)

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Step into the dynamic world of restoration with Restoration Pros Unplugged—now hosted by industry experts Clinton James and Bobby Thomas! Clinton James, CMO at Water Restoration Marketing, brings his deep expertise in marketing and business growth, while Bobby Thomas, CEO of Extreme Services and a visionary leader in the restoration industry, adds his firsthand experience in building and scaling a successful restoration business. Together, they dive into the ins and outs of the restoration world, delivering exclusive interviews, expert discussions, and actionable strategies to help restoration professionals thrive. Join us as we uncover the secrets behind successful restoration businesses, explore cutting-edge techniques, and share invaluable wisdom from top industry leaders. Whether you're looking to scale your company, improve operations, or stay ahead of the competition, this podcast equips you with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration to elevate your restoration game. So, grab your headphones, settle in, and get ready to learn from the best. Welcome to Restoration Pros Unplugged—where expertise meets innovation!

Information

  • Creator
    Clinton James
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Restoration Pros Unplugged
  • Show Website
    Restoration Pros Unplugged