Across The Street, Across The Country

It might not make fodder for viral videos and internet memes. But DKI’s prestigious Evolve Awards isn’t about generating clicks and likes. They’re about honouring special individuals who help make DKI the leader in Canadian property restoration – by being a leader in practicing what’s more important that fame: caring for people.

We speak to two such individuals. Laurie Dean of DKI – Barclay Restoration in Surrey, BC, and this year’s recipient of the Evolve EmpowerHer Award.

And from four provinces to the east  – (remember how we pointed out DKI is a true coast-to-coast Canadian group?) – Mike Foley, president and co-owner of DKI – York Region tells us what winning this year’s Evolve Chairman Award means to him. Not surprisingly, both recipients genuinely express their surprise at earning their individual honours. Because, well, humility is also very Canadian, eh.

Theme music for this episode is Run and Hide by Close Kicks and Medicine by Cassie Noble.

Kudos to those who strive to climb career rungs, with new and different challenges. But ya know who also deserves big praise? The person who embraces the job they do, excited to take on, and conquer, its daily challenges, and become one of the best to hold – and cherish – that role for the long haul.

Meet Grant Neamtu, field technician with DKI – Calgary. After some two decades on the job, he’s learned a thing or two – or a billion – not just about the physical parts about being a field tech, but the all-important client relations components it demands, too. We got Grant to share his wisdom and thoughtful reflections about his journey in this important restoration profession, as he’s on the home-stretch to retirement in less than a year.

Music for this episode is Ghost Stories by Looking For Heather and Run and Hide by Close Kicks. 

It was more than any one DKI member could handle. When heavy, record rains poured down on St. Catharines, Ontario, affecting hundreds of homes’ basements, DKI - Miller could have been overwhelmed. But when you’re part of Canada’s leader in property restoration, you know you can count on your DKI fellow members to be there for you. DKI members from other parts of Southern Ontario - along with one almost 500 Ks to the north - converged in the Niagara Region city to help conquer this CAT.

We speak with two of these members about why they answered the call, along with DKI – Miller GM, Alex Holmood, about what this unified response meant to him, his teams and his St. Catharines community. 

Theme music for this episode is Ghost Stories by Looking For Heather and Coming Up by Close Kicks.

You can’t feign enthusiasm. 

And that genuine excitement and all-in fervour is, really, a job requirement when that job is to market and promote the business your represent.

DKI - Canada now has the ideal person who checks these job description boxes. We sit down with Lina Muasher, DKI - Canada’s new Senior Marketing and Communications Manager who brings a wealth of experience to her new role. It’s a conversation that is as fun and warm as it is informative.

Recruiting the best possible person for this position was a job unto itself – one that requires good instincts that come from years of training in conducting job interviews. Which is why DKI did its own recruiting, by recruiting Cindy Chang, of Evolve Consulting. Ms Chang has more than 15 years experience as a recruiter, who, not coincidentally, recruited Lina! We speak with Ms Chang about the skills she’s developed that help businesses land the best candidates for their teams.

Music for this episode is Run and Hide by Close Kicks and Brave by Cassie Noble.

Every restoration requires a team effort. But when Rick Rimkey, owner of DKI – Simcoe County Muskoka, visited the site of a business plaza that had succumbed to flames, he knew that team needed to be especially large – and vigilant.

We head to the site of this major and complicated restoration, involving almost a dozen separate businesses - and many livelihoods. We get a window into the complexity and magnitude of this large loss restoration via conversations with Rick and his team members Senior PM Jim Swales and Master Electrician Glenn Hyatt.

We also speak with one of those business owners, Bateman Fine Cabinetry’s Briar Spenser. Rick went above and beyond physically re-building Briar’s business so that he and his staff could keep working during this restoration. “Because that’s all part of helping community and restoring lives,” says Rick about a generous gesture that left Briar choked up. 

Music for this episode is Small Town Big Dreams by Close Kicks and Move On Grow by Cassie Noble. 

It takes a special person to not just recognize and respect people’s individual personalities. That person must also know how to respond to their individual needs. And Andrew Goetz has a good grip on how to achieve this. We speak with DKI’s Director of Membership Services.

He’s known as the Profit Detective. But restoration industry consultant Mike McCabe offers insight and advice that goes beyond bottom line. As a former restoration business owner, he also knows a few things about the emotion that is part of the industry and how it affects those who practice it.

Home is a special place for DKI – Calgary CEO and president Lory Perizzolo. He shares his thoughtful definition of home – and how a hot tub figures into it!

Music for this episode is I’ll Be Alright and Small Town Big Dreams by Close Kicks. And Build A Home by Cassie Noble. 

Cloe Morgon probably wasn’t expecting that standard end-of-meal-before-the-bill-comes question tossed back at her when she worked as a server in a Terrace, B.C. restaurant.  But Lisa and Craig Schaeffer had to ask. We admit we’re paraphrasing how this encounter exactly played out. But this much is certain: the owners of three DKI outlets in B.C.’s interior saw something special in their server – transferable skills that would make her an ideal member of their team. 

We speak with Craig and Lisa about this unique recruitment and the leadership instincts they drew on to find their new project manager.

Separately, Cloe shares how she - after careful consideration – came to agree the Schaeffers’ instincts were good. And how she’s found a career that not only suits her, but brings her so much satisfaction.

Music for this episode is Long Way From Home by Close Kicks and Brave by Cassie Noble.

Sometimes, slowly easing into a transformation isn’t the best, most productive choice. Sometimes, the wisest choice is to go all in – after some careful research, of course. 

DKI – CRCS saw – and is seeing – the benefit of a big switch to battery-powered equipment. Sure, it’s meant no cumbersome electric cords. But it’s also improved efficiency – and made it easier on knees! Kyle Douglas, co-owner of DKI – CRCS, joins us to recount this positive transition.

Forget what you think a lawyer is like – usually courtesy of TV and film. Diego Cariaga is the embodiment of kindness and care and thoughtfulness – who can still be tough when necessary. But only when necessary. We meet DKI Canada’s general counsel!

Music for this episode is Ghost Stories by Looking for Heather and The House We Built and Dance With Ya by Close Kicks. 

At some point, you pass on that figurative torch – and the literal keys to the place. Maybe, as is the case with many DKI members, it’s a transition to a younger family member who grew up in the business, or a trusted former employee. But no matter how confident you are in that new next chapter, your next chapter will likely take some...adjusting. 

Sarah Wells is a former elite athlete and Olympian. We speak with her shortly after her onstage presentation at DKI Evolve 2026. She shares how she made – and is continuing the make - that transition and answering her “what now?”

Two of DKI’s elder statesmen – and founders - have long been retired. But their presence, passion and wisdom – is as strong as ever. 

Ken Tucker and Cris Douglas make time to talk to us, at Evolve 2026, about DKI’s past, present and future. And also about how they answered their “what now?”

Music for this episode is Medicine by Cassie Noble, and Fix It For You and I’ll Be Alright by Close Kicks. 

Partners in business, partners life. That’s a common foundation for many DKI members across Canada. For three decades, Mena Pereira and Mario Caetano, owners of DKI – Refexio, have embodied how this leads to not only business success, but work-life-balance happiness. (Hint: it includes regular visits to their native country of Portugal!).  The couple shares how the industry – and how they – have grown in three decades. 

The ever-rising, and extremely volatile, fuel prices affect everyone. Indeed, recent world events are being watched closely by DKI leaders. We speak to three of them – Rachel Kozak, Rick Morse and Ira Brenton - who offer some insight and counsel for DKI members having to contend with this volatility. 

Music for this episode is Hard Truth and Fix it For You by Close Kicks and Folk At Heart by Graham Lindsey.