Restoration Pros Unplugged
Restoration Pros Unplugged is the podcast built for restoration business owners who want to grow, operate smarter, and lead better.
Hosted by Clinton James, CMO at Water Restoration Marketing, each episode cuts through the noise and gets straight to what matters — real conversations with restoration industry pros, business builders, and experts who've been in the trenches.
From marketing and sales to operations, leadership, and scaling your company, Restoration Pros Unplugged delivers the insights, strategies, and honest talk you won't find anywhere else.
No fluff. No filler. Just straight-talking advice from people who know this industry.
Whether you're running a two-truck operation or managing a multi-location company, this podcast gives you the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to take your restoration business to the next level.
Subscribe, tune in, and get ready to learn from the best.
Welcome to Restoration Pros Unplugged.
Restoration Pros Unplugged
From $700K to $2.8M How John Gabriele Scaled and Expanded the Right Way
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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.
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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