What 40 Years of Running a Business Taught Me

Technical vs. Soft Skills: What Matters Most in Business

In this episode of the GPS Podcast, we sit down with Darren Hudema of PuroClean to talk about the role technical skills and soft skills play in building a successful service business. With decades of experience in the restoration industry, Darren shares insights on training, standards, leadership, and why customer experience has become a key differentiator. The conversation covers the gap between technical training and real-world performance, the value of hands-on learning, and how communication, empathy, and consistency shape the customer experience.   Learn more about PuroClean: https://www.puroclean.com/ [https://www.puroclean.com/]   Join top leaders in the trades for advanced training and networking at The Violand Executive Summit: https://violand.com/training-programs/executive-training/ [https://violand.com/training-programs/executive-training/]     Listen on: YouTube [https://bit.ly/4hJfqUz] Apple [https://apple.co/42EB8Vp] Spotify [https://bit.ly/4thN765] Amazon [https://amzn.to/3Q3viW7] iHeartRadio [https://bit.ly/3Ene5o6]   Follow us on socials! Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ViolandManagement] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/violand-management-associates] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/violand_management/]

What Separates Restoration Companies That Survive vs. Those That Don’t

In this episode of the GPS Podcast, we sit down with Tom Laska of ICC Restoration & Cleaning Services to talk about what separates restoration companies that stand the test of time. Tom shares his experience building a business from the ground up, the challenges of hiring and developing the right team, and why focusing on quality, accountability, and culture matters more than chasing growth. The episode also highlights why sales continues to be a struggle for many companies and what owners need to think about to stay competitive.   Learn more about ICC Restoration & Cleaning Services: https://icchelps.com/ [https://icchelps.com/]   Join top leaders in the trades for advanced training and networking at The Violand Executive Summit [https://bit.ly/3Nb53iW]     Listen on: YouTube [https://bit.ly/4hJfqUz] Apple [https://apple.co/42EB8Vp] Spotify [https://bit.ly/4thN765] Amazon [https://amzn.to/3Q3viW7] iHeartRadio [https://bit.ly/3Ene5o6]   Follow us on socials! Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ViolandManagement] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/violand-management-associates] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/violand_management/]

Getting Paid Faster in Restoration: Contracts, Adjusters, and Collections

In this episode of the GPS Podcast, we sit down with Violand Business Advisors Josh Bachman and Bill Prosch to discuss one of the biggest frustrations in the restoration industry: getting paid on insurance work.   The conversation explores why collections really begin before the job starts, how contracts and communication impact payment, and what you can do to reduce delays, pushback, and unexpected payment reductions. Josh and Bill share practical insights on working with adjusters, setting expectations early, and building systems that improve cash flow without damaging relationships.   Connect with Violand [https://violand.com/connect/] to start a conversation about improving your processes, systems, and cash flow. Join top leaders in the trades for advanced training and networking at The Violand Executive Summit [https://bit.ly/3Nb53iW]   Listen on: YouTube [https://bit.ly/4hJfqUz] Apple [https://apple.co/42EB8Vp] Spotify [https://bit.ly/4thN765] Amazon [https://amzn.to/3Q3viW7] iHeartRadio [https://bit.ly/3Ene5o6]   Follow us on socials! Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ViolandManagement] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/violand-management-associates] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/violand_management/]

What 40 Years of Running a Business Taught Me

In this episode of the GPS Podcast, Chuck Violand, founder of Violand Management, shares the hard‑earned lessons that only experience can teach. Chuck reflects on 40 years of building a business and the insights that continue to shape how he approaches leadership, growth, and success.   The conversation covers leadership blind spots, team dynamics, stalled growth, and the mindset shifts that help owners keep moving forward.   Join top leaders in the trades for advanced training and networking at The Violand Executive Summit: https://bit.ly/3Nb53iW [https://bit.ly/3Nb53iW]   Listen on: YouTube: https://bit.ly/4hJfqUz [https://bit.ly/4hJfqUz] Apple: https://apple.co/42EB8Vp [https://apple.co/42EB8Vp] Spotify: https://bit.ly/4thN765 [https://bit.ly/4thN765] Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Q3viW7 [https://amzn.to/3Q3viW7] iHeartRadio: https://bit.ly/3Ene5o6 [https://bit.ly/3Ene5o6]   Follow us on socials! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ViolandManagement [https://www.facebook.com/ViolandManagement] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/violand-management-associates [https://www.linkedin.com/company/violand-management-associates] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/violand_management/ [https://www.instagram.com/violand_management/]

Nearly Half of Tradespeople Struggle With Mental Health… Why?

In this episode of the GPS Podcast, we sit down with Ed Ross, Co-Founder of TradeMutt, to have a conversation about mental health in the trades that does not happen often enough. The trades come with long hours, physical demands, and stress that take a real toll over time. Ed shares how TradeMutt started, the impact it is making, and why creating a culture where people feel comfortable speaking up matters now more than ever. This episode is a reminder that sometimes the most important thing you can do is start a conversation.   Join the movement. Grab your TradeMutt gear and be part of Funky Shirt Friday: https://trademutt.com/ [https://trademutt.com/]   Join top leaders in the trades for advanced training and networking at The Violand Executive Summit: https://bit.ly/3Nb53iW [https://bit.ly/3Nb53iW]     Listen on: YouTube: https://bit.ly/4hJfqUz [https://bit.ly/4hJfqUz] Apple: https://apple.co/42EB8Vp [https://apple.co/42EB8Vp] Spotify: https://spoti.fi/40Ne6ZW [https://spoti.fi/40Ne6ZW] Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Q3viW7 [https://amzn.to/3Q3viW7] iHeartRadio: https://bit.ly/3Ene5o6 [https://bit.ly/3Ene5o6]   Follow us on socials! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ViolandManagement [https://www.facebook.com/ViolandManagement] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/violand-management-associates [https://www.linkedin.com/company/violand-management-associates] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/violand_management/ [https://www.instagram.com/violand_management/]