The Restoration Playbook Podcast

KnowHow
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Management
  • Updated Semiweekly

What tactics are today's most innovative restoration companies using to build workforces that attract new staff, retain top employees, and get the most out of every worker? The team at KnowHow just decided to ask them! In this podcast, we sit down with some of the top performers in the restoration industry and ask them how they built a world-class team culture in such a volatile industry. Like everything KnowHow does, we've geared it to be ridiculously actionable, so you can act on your learnings right away. The restoration industry is too competitive to not be constantly learning. Stand on the shoulders of giants by borrowing the playbook of today's most successful companies. Head to tryknowhow.com to help your staff get ahead.

  1. How Dan Claps Built a 108-Owner Network That Doesn't Run Through Him

    Apr 10

    How Dan Claps Built a 108-Owner Network That Doesn't Run Through Him

    In this episode of Mission Critical, Leighton Healey speaks with Dan Claps, founder and CEO of VODA Restoration, about building one of the fastest-growing restoration franchise networks in North America after exiting his previous company to private equity in 2022. Dan shares how he partnered with Dragan Krstic, a Serbian immigrant who built a cleaning and restoration business from nothing, rebranded to VODA ("water" in Serbian), and launched franchising in April 2023. He breaks down his approach to scaling across 108 franchise partners in 32 states, including how he uses a Franchise Advisory Council to source strategy from operators, why he forces the network to commit to one priority per quarter, and the two daily frameworks (Five Whys and 1-3-1) he uses to keep decisions from bottlenecking at the top. Looking for more expertise from restoration industry experts? Head to https://tryknowhow.com

    56 min
  2. How Kyle Chiasson Built Best Option Restoration Into a 70-Location Franchise

    Mar 5

    How Kyle Chiasson Built Best Option Restoration Into a 70-Location Franchise

    In this episode of Mission Critical, Leighton Healey speaks with Kyle Chason, president of Best Option Restoration, about building a 70-location restoration franchise network across 26 states after starting as the system’s first franchisee in 2017.  Kyle shares his early experience as a one-person operator, including working alone on a New Year’s Eve mitigation job with $2,500 left, and how that shaped his focus on commitments, purpose, and perseverance. Kyle also outlines lean operating principles centered on fast communication, decision empowerment, and avoiding slow, opinion-heavy bureaucracy. If you're a restoration leader struggling to navigate turbulent times while maintaining culture and finding operational margin, this conversation delivers battle-tested tactics from the trenches. Looking for more expertise from restoration industry experts? Head to https://tryknowhow.com

    44 min
  3. Special Episode - What's Next in Franchising: 2026 Is Exposing Weak Systems

    Feb 20

    Special Episode - What's Next in Franchising: 2026 Is Exposing Weak Systems

    A new show from KnowHow dropping into The Restoration Playbook feed: What's Next in Franchising is a weekly podcast built for leaders scaling home and commercial services franchises, tackling the biggest news stories, and sitting down with the most innovative voices and leaders in the industry. In this first episode, Leighton and Travis Martin break down three developments shaping service businesses in 2026: new FTC franchise disclosure rules, what the Franchise 500 rankings signal about where the industry is heading, and why consumers are moving back toward professional service providers after years of DIY. If you've ever wondered how the franchise world thinks about training, consistency, and scaling without chaos, this is worth 30 minutes on your commute.

    30 min
  4. How Peerless Restoration Turned a Perfect Storm Into a Playbook for Growth

    12/05/2025

    How Peerless Restoration Turned a Perfect Storm Into a Playbook for Growth

    In this episode of Mission Critical, host Leighton Healey, CEO of KnowHow, speaks with Chris Hembrough and Matt Wike from Peerless Restoration. Together, they discuss the unique challenges and strategies employed by their three-generation family business in Central Illinois. From managing three major projects simultaneously to fostering leadership and communication within the team, Chris and Matt share how they turn crises into opportunities for growth. With an emphasis on keeping promises and building strong relationships, Peerless Restoration proves that resilience and adaptability are key in the ever-demanding restoration industry. If you're a restoration leader struggling to navigate turbulent times while maintaining culture and finding operational margin, this conversation delivers battle-tested tactics from the trenches. Looking for more expertise from restoration industry experts? Head to https://tryknowhow.com

    54 min
  5. How Jamar Plater Helps 150 Thomasville Employees Become Problem Solvers

    10/30/2025

    How Jamar Plater Helps 150 Thomasville Employees Become Problem Solvers

    On this episode of Mission Critical, Leighton Healey interviews Jamar Plater, COO of Thomasville Restoration, one of the top restoration providers in the Mid-Atlantic. Jamar shares how radical transparency has transformed Thomasville's operations, turning their 150-person team into problem-solvers rather than spectators. He unpacks the LEAST framework (Listen, Empathize, Apologize, Solve, Thank) that empowers teams to handle issues before they escalate, reveals the daily KPIs he tracks to maintain operational health, and explains how they successfully expanded 100 miles into Richmond by communicating goals company-wide instead of solving problems in isolation. If you're a restoration leader struggling to navigate turbulent times while maintaining culture and finding operational margin, this conversation delivers battle-tested tactics from the trenches. Looking for more expertise from restoration industry experts? Head to https://tryknowhow.com

    52 min
  6. How Kristin Smith Navigates Restoration’s Revenue Rollercoaster

    09/17/2025

    How Kristin Smith Navigates Restoration’s Revenue Rollercoaster

    The restoration industry faces immense challenges with soft sales, thin margins, and delayed payments. On this episode of the Restoration Playbook Podcast: Mission Critical, Leighton Healey interviews Kristin Smith, President of Mooring USA, who shares her financial strategies and insights. Kristin, equipped with a background in oil and gas, discusses how Mooring USA has diversified revenue streams, cross-trained teams, and secured a private equity partner without sacrificing their rich family culture. If you're a restoration leader looking for concrete tactics to stabilize cash flow and navigate financial uncertainty, don't miss this valuable conversation. Looking for more expertise from restoration industry experts? Head to https://tryknowhow.com

    1h 4m
  7. Holly Murry's No-Ego Playbook For Building Leaders

    07/07/2025

    Holly Murry's No-Ego Playbook For Building Leaders

    “It’s not ever about you.” That’s the leadership mantra Holly Murry built a national restoration brand on. In this episode, the FRSTeam President joins Travis Martin to unpack how empathy, self-awareness, and accountability power high-performing teams, without the ego. From gut-check hiring tactics to letting go with grace, Holly reveals how she builds leaders who care, serve, and go above and beyond. Hungry for more insights? • Join Travis on July 17th live at 1 pm EST to learn how to get more output from your team without increasing your payroll: Click Here to Register Subscribe to the Restoration Playbook Podcast wherever you're listening, and check out tryknowhow.com for even more interviews and resources for busy restoration leadersVisit randrmagonline.com to read the latest article in our monthly series with R&R Magazine, spotlighting industry leaders who are building top talent.Thanks for tuning in! About KnowHow:KnowHow is an easy-to-use, mobile-first application that helps restoration leaders rapidly onboard new hires, up-skill their workforce, and provide on-demand, expert guidance for every worker. Home to your company’s proven methods, KnowHow ensures everyone has the expertise they need to get the job done right, with time-saving features that make it a breeze to build, maintain, and translate Standard Operating Procedures. Learn more at https://tryknowhow.com

    40 min
  8. How Flexible Training Strategies Drive Learning at BluSky Restoration

    05/30/2025

    How Flexible Training Strategies Drive Learning at BluSky Restoration

    Ever heard of “Semper Gumby”?—the Marine Corps mantra for staying always flexible. That mindset is Chuck Lane’s not-so-secret weapon for scaling training at BluSky Restoration, one of the biggest players in the industry. Hit play as Travis uncovers how Chuck turns curveballs into growth, building crews who learn fast, adapt faster, and keep BluSky miles ahead of the storm. Stick around to see why “being Gumby” might be the smartest leadership move you make this year. Hungry for more insights? • Join Travis on June 11th live at 1 pm EST to learn how to provide your restoration team with on-demand answers: Click Here To Register.  Subscribe to the Restoration Playbook Podcast wherever you're listening, and check out tryknowhow.com for even more interviews and resources for busy restoration leaders. • Visit randrmagonline.com to read the latest article in our monthly series with R&R Magazine, spotlighting industry leaders who are building top talent. Thanks for tuning in! About KnowHow:KnowHow is an easy-to-use, mobile-first application that helps restoration leaders rapidly onboard new hires, up-skill their workforce, and provide on-demand, expert guidance for every worker. Home to your company’s proven methods, KnowHow ensures everyone has the expertise they need to get the job done right, with time-saving features that make it a breeze to build, maintain, and translate Standard Operating Procedures.

    58 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

What tactics are today's most innovative restoration companies using to build workforces that attract new staff, retain top employees, and get the most out of every worker? The team at KnowHow just decided to ask them! In this podcast, we sit down with some of the top performers in the restoration industry and ask them how they built a world-class team culture in such a volatile industry. Like everything KnowHow does, we've geared it to be ridiculously actionable, so you can act on your learnings right away. The restoration industry is too competitive to not be constantly learning. Stand on the shoulders of giants by borrowing the playbook of today's most successful companies. Head to tryknowhow.com to help your staff get ahead.

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