Networking & Referrals: Jeremy Howe on Restoration and Trust

Jeremy Howe from Voda Cleaning & Restoration is only six months into launching in Northern Colorado, but he’s already building serious momentum through intentional networking, strong referral partnerships, and a “serve first” mindset—especially when clients are having one of the worst days of homeownership.
 🔹 Why Jeremy treats his role like being “the mayor of the town”.
 🔹 Building quality referral relationships (not just collecting business cards).
 🔹 Real examples of collaboration with Red Rock Roofing + CleanSpot.
 🔹 How Voda creates consistent business beyond emergency restoration calls.
 🔹 Customer care in high-stress situations: trust, empathy, and process clarity.
 🔹 Using newsletters + value-driven education to stay top-of-mind.

Why You Should Listen
If you’re building a service business (or referral network) in Northern Colorado, this episode is a practical look at how to create real referral partners, co-market with aligned businesses, and grow faster by focusing on relationship depth, not just networking volume.

Businesses Jeremy Howe Recommends
🔹 Red Rock Roofing — values alignment (integrity, honesty), strong collaboration, and co-marketing that helps customers win
🔹 CleanSpot — complementary commercial cleaning partner; they handle janitorial/maid service while Voda supports deep cleaning + sanitization

How to contact Jeremy Howe
🔹 Phone: 970-822-5300
🔹 Email: jeremy.howe@myvoda.com
🔹 Instagram: @vodafortcollinscheyenne

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Little things like even newsletters, reaching out monthly to let them know, you know, this is what we have going on. And it's not always just sales. Um, I try to to send something out that is adding value.

SPEAKER_02 0:18

All right, everybody. Welcome to another episode of Connections That Matter, where we have awesome conversations with Northern Colorado's best networkers and find out some of the connections that they've made that have led to their success. Today I have Jeremy uh from Voda on the show. Jeremy, welcome. Thanks. Excited to be here. Awesome. Well, I've been seeing you everywhere networking. Voda, from what I understand, is a new company, but uh you just had a really big ribbon cutting. Um, you're expanding your services and you're really making the splash from everything that I'm watching.

SPEAKER_01 0:50

Yeah, definitely excited to be part of this Northern Colorado community. Um, really just trying to get our name out there. Like you said, we just had our ribbon cutting. So, really just trying to network locally, make good connections, and really be able to get the name out there. Um, we're six months in, so we're not super old, and I'm new to the networking game. And so, really enjoying learning about networking, great experiences so far, and really just trying to get the name out there.

SPEAKER_02 1:22

Well, and I think that's you know what I want to get to because uh if you're not an experienced networker, a lot of people they ease into it, right? Or uh they get their business established, but you have done that as such an effective marketing strategy upon your launch. Um, you've jumped two feet in. Um, but talk to me about the decision to really start networking from the very, very beginning.

SPEAKER_01 1:46

Yeah, so really what my job is as uh as a uh owner of a franchise unit, I am not necessarily out on the job every day. Right. My job is really to be the mayor of the town, really to go out and make connections, um, to get the name Voda out in the community and really be able to find the right people to partner with and to refer with. And that that's what's important because who I'm referring and who's referring me, we become extensions of their business. And it really becomes uh part of my community and part of my business.

SPEAKER_02 2:26

Who uh who have been some of your best referral partners? Either people sending you a business or people you've been able to refer to.

SPEAKER_01 2:32

Yeah, so um really it's it's come through networking groups, is where I've been able to make some of those strong connections. Um uh some of those are uh companies that are are just local starting up as well, um, or just trying to get their their footprint into uh this northern Colorado area. Um so uh one of them being Red Rock Roofing, really good uh partner. Um, but really being able to build connections with them right away. Um, finding that we aligned both on the same values, which were very important to us on integrity, honesty, doing what's right for the customer. Um, those are really what we highlighted when we made those connections uh with Red Rock. So they've been a really good refer referral partner, and then just continuing to make connections. Um, you know, you you talked about making a splash. One of the things I have started to learn, and I'm gonna be uh freely admit, I am learning, and that's what this process is about. It's learning, getting better. Um, I jumped in, made lots of connections, but it's it's somewhat more the quality than the quantity. Yeah, and that's what I'm finding is is digging deeper with each one of those quality connections, learning about their business, learning what they're doing, and how I can support them. And then you see that come in return as you dig deeper with those connections.

SPEAKER_02 4:00

Well, and uh like like Red Rock. Uh I saw uh Jake, I follow, he's over there. Um, not only is he like sending you referrals, but like he he did some marketing or did a Facebook post recently to advertise about what you're doing and um was was excited about your ribbon cutting too. So I think that's just like a step above as far as like business loyalty, somebody who's willing to show up for you, willing to um advocate for you. Um I'm curious, how did you how did you meet Red Rock uh and how did you develop that relationship to the point where there's so much in your corner?

SPEAKER_01 4:35

Yeah, so really it's it's following what you're supposed to do within the the networking groups. Yeah. So met Jake in a networking group, um, one-to-one, uh kind of made that connection through the the one-to-one. Uh that's where you kind of got an idea of kind of the values, how they the how he operates, how Red Rook, Red Rock uh operates. Um, and then from there, it was just continuing to foster that relationship. Um, and really that one grew. I had a question about a job. You know, we had a mold job that came up. Um, the mold issue we were able to address, but kind of where that source came in, it was in the attic. Gave Jake a call. Hey, what do you think about this? He gave me his professional knowledge, came out to the job site, was able to identify some of the issues that were causing the mold. Really a great synergy with the two of us working together, and you know, really began to foster. And at that point, uh, I think we did uh some content for Instagram together, yeah, co-marketing, and really getting both of our names out there, how we were able to work together to provide a great resource for our customer.

SPEAKER_02 5:45

And I think that's that's what it's all, that's what networking is all about, looking for those win-wins. And um, you know, what I'm hearing about that interaction is uh you had a you had an industry expert to help you serve your client. Um, they got a referral from you that you were able to bring in, and then ultimately the client gets better service because um you're outsourcing things that aren't in your expertise and um building that alliance with it. So who elsewhere would be good um or what other industries would be really good, like synergistic collaborators with you?

SPEAKER_01 6:20

Yeah, well, one of the others, um kind of jumping to the cleaning side, uh I I've worked with uh CleanSpot, um, who's a cleaner that I work with. So they do more of the janitorial, more the maid service kind of of cleaning. Um, but we've been able to partner on commercial jobs where they take care of a lot of the janitorial aspects of a job. And then we're able to do the professional carpet cleaning, the the gym mat cleaning, uh, those deep cleanings and aseptic sanitization of surfaces that maybe they don't have that expertise.

SPEAKER_02 6:56

So hold on, you just had a big word that I went over my like what is aseptic sanitation?

SPEAKER_01 7:01

So uh my background, uh I've worked in in biologics and in manufacturing. So um world of aseptic is really uh reducing microbial growth. Okay, gotcha. Um, I'm not gonna say sterile, that has a whole different meaning in the world I came from. But aseptic sanitizing it, making it cleaner. Uh hospitals, think of you know, a doctor's office. You it's more aseptic, more sanitary. And that's what we want to do. So, like a gym service, um, going into where people are working out, rolling on mats, doing taekwondo, something like that. Those are areas where we can come in and sanitize that, those, those mats, because you do get potential microbial growth and things like that. So that's a service and skill set that we offer that we can bring to that customer and really create a single package that we're able to market to them where um they can have monthly maintenance where they're coming in doing uh the this the cleaning, the janitorial cleaning, and then we're coming in and actually doing that that more sanitization piece. So really good connection there. Really cool.

SPEAKER_02 8:12

Um do they like bring it bring you in an alliance, or do they introduce you to the owner, or how does how are those handoffs working?

SPEAKER_01 8:20

Yeah, so that one, um the one I'm thinking specifically of, we actually both went and met with the owner. We both did a walkthrough um and talked to him about our specific skills together and how we could make that a better package and offer him a better product because he didn't have to go out outsource to two different companies. It was one package we were able to provide to him.

SPEAKER_02 8:43

Yeah. I mean, I was, you know, when you first come on the show, I was thinking like restoration, how to how to referrals, because it's like, you know, it's after the incident happens, right? That's what it seems a little bit more luck-based. But after talking to you, it seems definitely there's opportunities that you can come in through referrals. So um how how are, you know, obviously you got to answer the phone um if there's an emergency or water damage or smoke damage. Um but how has networking played a big role into getting consistent business that's not relied on an emergency happening?

SPEAKER_01 9:18

Yeah, I I I would say being able to make those those connections and have those connections, um, being able to explain what our services are, um, and my network being able to see those opportunities as they come, right? So being able to explain the services of, you know, I'm really two businesses in one where I have the professional cleaning, the carpet, the tile, the the air duct cleaning, and then another side of the business, the restoration. And so as you build that network, um the the people I work with and network with know those services. They keep an eye out, and I'm doing the same for them. And it's also then fostering those those continuous touch points. It's not a one-time have coffee, but it's the continuous touch points and seeing how they're doing and what other opportunities they may see coming up or I may have for them as well.

SPEAKER_02 10:14

So vote is a franchise, uh, and so you're able to get you got some resources and support. Um, do they are they encouraging you to network, or is that something that's coming um from yourself personally?

SPEAKER_01 10:27

Absolutely. So mayor of the town is not for me. That is definitely from the the franchise, and really my role is to build the business, yeah, and that is really through networking. Um, if you you see uh Voda, the CEO Dan Clapps, he is out there constantly networking and building Voda. Um, and we're emulating that's that same thing where we're going out, networking, meeting people. Um, you know, I personally really enjoy the learning. Uh coming from an industry that I worked in for 20 plus years, it is something new. I'm learning something new every day. Yeah, and uh that that to me is exciting. It makes every day different. But then um I can also add that to helping uh build my skill set and helping uh network better. As I learn more about people, I learn more about networking. Um working with you, it's been great. Learning how to network more effectively and more efficiently, and just learning how to network based off of who the person is and what their style is has been very helpful.

SPEAKER_02 11:34

I imagine your clients um are having to call you or reach out to you on a tough day, right? Like if it's a restoration, or even if it's like carpet cleaning, maybe they're moving, it's like still stressful. But um how much of it is the work and how much of it is the client relations that make you successful?

SPEAKER_01 11:53

Yeah, the the client relations are are really important to me. Um, you could be walking in um to a homeowner's, maybe one of the worst days of them owning their home. Sure. Right? You're walking in, their basement's flooded, um, their their their mind is a million different places. Uh, you want to be sensitive to that. You want to understand um, you know, they may be heightened and elevated in the way that they're speaking or talking to you. Um so you always want to understand kind of what their goals are first. When you're walking into the home, you know, maybe they have some valuables in the basement. That's their number one concern at that moment. And you want to be able to understand what those concerns are and be able to address them immediately. Um being able to walk through the process with insurance and being able to handle that for them so that you can take that concern off their plate. Um, so that that's one of the biggest things is, you know, how do I help this person in, you know, a time of need? And being able to do it in a caring way and being able to build trust with them throughout that process.

SPEAKER_02 13:00

You know, I talk about a lot of business owners, they they provide a service and they do such a good job. Like we just had uh Matthew who designs websites, a lot of people get a great website and then they're like, they show it off, and then people refer. But that probably doesn't translate in the restoration world, I'm guessing. If you know I have some smoke damage or water damage, you know, my neighbors wouldn't necessarily hire you just because they had don't have the damage. But um if you're able to be there in a time of need, they'll remember that. Um and so have you seen the network grow? You help somebody and now you're getting referrals from them. Um and how do you stay in front of those people?

SPEAKER_01 13:41

Yeah, so uh I we're we're not real old, um, but we have gotten a few referrals already from previous customers, and that that feels great. Um, so one thing uh that I'm trying to do just in stay in to try to stay in front of those customers, little things like even newsletters, reaching out monthly to let them know, you know, that this is what we have going on. And it's not always just sales. Um, I try to to send something out that is adding value to the customer of just knowledge, tips uh uh uh on in terms of home service to protect your house from potential damage, um, tips on how to maintain the investment of your home of you know, you have carpet, you've invested a lot in that home. How do you make it go as as far as possible so you don't have to replace it? So, you know, doing things like newsletters, I'm trying to do more content. Um, that's one of the areas that I'm I'm growing in and learning. Um, and so those are ways that I'm trying to stay in front of the customer. And then um, you know, after a certain period of time, we'll reach out to them and just see how they're doing. Um, though those are ways that we're just trying to keep those touch points with the customer.

SPEAKER_02 14:53

How do you have any fun like before and after or like stories? Like I would imagine that'd be the coolest thing. Like that's that carpet was gross, and then after it's beautiful, and um, you know, what it maybe share a story of uh an amazing transformation of something you worked with.

SPEAKER_01 15:09

Yeah, so uh maybe more on the the restoration side, I'll I'll give you an example. Um, we got a call from a customer um and their home had flooded. It was it was a widow, and her basement had flooded through the windows, and um it had happened like five days ago. And she had gone online, looked at tried to see how she could address it. Um we were able to come into her home. Unfortunately, it wasn't covered by insurance. So first I talked about what what is your goal here? What are we what are we trying to do? One is we're we're trying to protect your property, protect preserve that investment. Um so we were able to work with her and be able to one, get her home dried out, be able to get it to a state where there was no mold, no water, and really be able to turn it to a to a place where she felt safe and that she had a healthy home. Um in this situation, we were able to really help with the cost as well, um, understanding her needs, that she was on a very fixed income. Unfortunately, she just had a pet infestation in her attic. And she had just bought this house like uh a year ago. And so kind of understanding what her concerns are, what her goals were, and then being able to show her that final product. Um, you know, she she loved our team, she loved the work we were able to do, and really be able to turn something that potentially could have, if she didn't address it, really became a major problem to something that uh now gave her uh peace of mind that she had a healthy home um that she could continue to to to rebuild and and live in.

SPEAKER_02 16:54

Awesome. I love that. That's goosebumps right there. Uh well Jeremy, what are your goals? What are where do you see Voda and uh where do you where do you see this growing to?

SPEAKER_01 17:02

Yeah, so goal-wise, uh my my location, I'm kind of centered in the Fort Collins, Windsor area, is kind of where I am right now. Um, I really want to grow both north and south. So north into Wyoming, really be able to support the people in Wyoming. Um, I have a heart there. My parents lived in Wyoming for a while, so I really want to be able to have uh some support and even a small location in the Wyoming area, and then even grow down south, more uh towards Longmont here, um, being able to support the people there. So long term, I really wanted to be a really uh uh be able to really support northern Colorado in southern Wyoming. That's really kind of where my my vision is with the with the business.

SPEAKER_02 17:49

And uh as a recent career switch, you say you're environmental, now you're doing this. How has your background helped with this new venture?

SPEAKER_01 17:58

Yeah, so um making medicine, uh it's going into patients. And so the level of quality, detail, um, it it had to be without any sort of uh failure, right? And so building in similar kind of processes in terms of procedure and certain in terms of how we're gonna operate with integrity, um, how we're gonna operate with the customer, um, those were things that I took from the the background I came where you were actually growing cells. And so the only thing you wanted to grow was that one cell. So clean environments, removing any sort of contaminant from your process or potential potentially getting into your process. Those were things that I was really good at. And then when I walk into a home, I know how to troubleshoot, I understand the science behind it, and so then I'm able to help deliver a product to to the patient or to uh no longer to patients, uh, but to the homeowner. And and really for me, each job is different, and I love that aspect because I can come in, we can use the standards that guide us um to be able to come up with a solution that we're able to deliver then to the to the homeowner. Right on, right on.

SPEAKER_02 19:13

Well, uh, I love all the efforts you're doing networking. Um, is there any specific types of industries that you would love to meet at a networking event or build relationships with?

SPEAKER_01 19:23

Yeah, absolutely. Um, you know, being able to to help the customer, um, I I really want to be able to be exposed more to to property managers, um, even to uh insurance agents. Uh when when we're talking about an event, being able to help an insurance agent to get to the point where, hey, we're gonna try to keep the claim to a point where it is uh if if we can avoid uh doing a claim or being able to reduce that because we get there right away, that's what we want to be able to do is be that emergency response that is able to minimize damage, that is able to address it right away. So insurance agents are are big, um, property managers are big. I'd love to be able to work in with with hotel managers, conference rooms, things like that where you have constant turnover, where a team that is professionally trained to be able to clean carpets, to clean different surfaces, we can come in, we can turn that space around for you really quick uh to be able to turn that around for your business. Love that.

SPEAKER_02 20:26

And if somebody is in one of those industries and they want to either set up a one-to-one with you, or uh maybe they're watching this and they're having an issue they need to resolve, how can people get a hold of you?

SPEAKER_01 20:38

Yeah, so they can reach out to me, um, uh just give me a call. Um, happy to provide my number. Yeah, so uh my number's nine seven zero eight two two five three zero zero. You can hit me up on email at jeremy.how at myvota.com, or you can find me um on Instagram. I'm trying to post more. Uh so follow me on on Instagram. Um, gonna admit I don't know what my Instagram handle is, not good. We'll tag it as a showcap. Uh but yeah, follow me uh or just message me directly and I'd love to be able to help you out.

SPEAKER_02 21:13

Cool, Jeremy. Well, I see you making some great connections, but unlike a lot of people who network, you're developing those connections where you're creating like joint partnerships, joint marketing, and really doing it the right way. So I hope people reach out to you. And I really have enjoyed having you a part of uh my community as well. But Jeremy, thanks so much, and I'll see you around Northern Colorado. Thanks, Andrew.

SPEAKER_01 21:33

It's great. Appreciate it.

SPEAKER_02 21:35

Hey all, thanks for watching. I love networking and building relationships with other Northern Colorado business leaders. So if you want to come meet some of these podcast guests, meet me or meet some other amazing entrepreneurs in Northern Colorado, I would love to have you attend one of our next events. Uh, go in the podcast description. There's a way so that you can see our upcoming schedule and maybe. You could be a future podcast guest as well. Thanks.