Behind the Pink Plunger Expo: What 1-Tom-Plumber Is Building in Clearwater

Behind the Pink Plunger Expo: What 1-Tom-Plumber Is Building in Clearwater

This week on the Restoration Rundown, Ben sits down with Alvaro Leal, Business Development Director at 1-Tom-Plumber Franchise HQ, to go behind the scenes of the National Pink Plunger Expo 2026 (Sept 28–30, Clearwater, FL). Alvaro breaks down what franchise growth actually looks like from the HQ side, why franchise networks invest in live events, and what attendees (including Ironclad Restoration Marketing) can expect on-site. If you're a contractor considering franchising, exhibiting, or just want to understand how franchise development works from the inside, this one's for you.

Your Team is Dropping the Ball & Here's Why with Claire Carreras

In this episode of The Restoration Rundown, I’m joined by Claire Carreras from 1-Tom-Plumber to talk about how teams are actually built and why so many aren’t set up to succeed. Claire brings a unique perspective from leading operations in high-pressure service environments, transitioning into ownership, and unexpectedly, working in the thrash metal music scene before entering the trades. We explore how team structure, roles, and expectations impact performance, why some teams struggle even with good people, and how to identify strengths in individuals that most companies overlook. If you’re a restoration business owner trying to build a team that actually performs, this conversation will give you a different way to think about it. 🚀 Want to grow your restoration business? Book a strategy session with Ironclad Restoration Marketing https://ironcladrestorationmarketing.com/contact/ [https://ironcladrestorationmarketing.com/contact/] 📱 Curious how live video can help you win more jobs? Check out LiveSwitch https://join.liveswitch.com/hzl6jpv6328r [https://join.liveswitch.com/hzl6jpv6328r]

If You’re Not Involved, You’re Exposed: RAF Explained with Richie Kidwell

If you’re a restoration contractor in Florida and you’re not paying attention to industry advocacy, you may be leaving your business exposed. In this episode of The Restoration Rundown, I sit down with Richie Kidwell to break down the role of the Restoration Association of Florida (RAF) and why it matters more than most contractors realize. We cover who Richie is, how he got involved in advocating for restoration companies, and what RAF is actually doing behind the scenes to protect contractors and influence the future of the industry. 🎯 In This Episode We Cover: • What the Restoration Association of Florida actually does • Why organizations like RAF exist in the first place • How legislation and policy decisions impact restoration businesses • Why staying uninvolved can put your business at risk • How to get involved and stay informed 📱 See How Live Video Can Help You Win More Jobs Check out LiveSwitch and see how restoration contractors are using live video to connect with property owners and “see the damage” in real time: 👉 https://join.liveswitch.com/hzl6jpv6328r 📌 Show Notes Guest: Richie Kidwell Organization: Restoration Association of Florida (RAF) 👉 raflorida.org If you’re a Florida restoration contractor and not currently involved with RAF, this is something worth taking a closer look at.

Are Contractors Training the Machines That Will Beat Them? | Doug Weatherman on AI & Restoration Claims

Are restoration contractors unintentionally training the AI systems that could eventually challenge their estimates? That’s the question we explore in this episode of The Restoration Rundown. A year ago, Doug Weatherman wrote an article in C&R Magazine titled “We Have a Big Problem,” raising concerns about how artificial intelligence could influence the restoration claims process. Shortly after that article was published, Doug joined me on The Restoration Rundown for an episode called “AI and the Future of Restoration.” Now, a year later — after massive advances in AI — we’re revisiting that conversation. In this episode we discuss: • How AI may already be influencing insurance claims • Whether contractors could be unintentionally training AI systems • The growing value of restoration industry data • What AI could mean for negotiations with carriers • How restoration owners should approach AI moving forward 📖 Read Doug’s Article “We Have a Big Problem” – C&R Magazine https://www.candrmagazine.com/letter-to-the-editor-we-have-a-big-problem/ [https://www.candrmagazine.com/letter-to-the-editor-we-have-a-big-problem/] 🚀 Want to Grow Your Restoration Business? Book a strategy session with Ironclad Restoration Marketing https://ironcladrestorationmarketing.com/contact/ [https://ironcladrestorationmarketing.com/contact/] 📱 Curious how live video can help you win more restoration jobs? Check out LiveSwitch https://join.liveswitch.com/hzl6jpv6328r [https://join.liveswitch.com/hzl6jpv6328r]

Shaping Your Leadership Identity with Rod Cruce

In this episode of The Restoration Rundown, I’m joined by Rod Cruce, founder of Trifecta Growth Institute, to break down why leadership identity is often the missing link holding restoration business owners back. We talk about the shift from operator to leader, how identity shapes culture and decision-making, and practical steps owners can take to lead with more clarity and consistency as their companies grow. If your business feels reactive, chaotic, or harder to lead than it used to, this episode is your starting point. 👉 Take the next step: Learn more and enroll in Rod’s Shaping Your Leadership Identity class at https://trifectagrowth.com 🎟️ Use promo code IRONCLAD to save ⏰ Enrollment deadline: 2/3/26 — seats are filling fast