Across The Street, Across The Country

DKI Canada prides itself on customer service, treating everyone with compassion and respect. No matter who you are, where you are from, what your emergency is, or even how old you are, DKI Canada Members are here to help, and most importantly, listen. 

When Judith Heron called DKI – Pro Pacific in Victoria, BC. Needing some major work done on her home, the retired family counsellor was relieved to not just be another client. We hear her story, and that of the DKI – Pro Pacific Project Manager who worked with her.

Theme songs for this episode:  Fix it for You, This is Everything and Always Be Alright by Close Kicks.

Every story has a beginning. In the case of DKI Canada, our story begins 30 years ago with a small group of independent operators with shared values and a desire to create something more.

In this episode of Across the Street, Across the Country, we speak with three DKI Canada founders; Ken Tucker, first president, Chris Douglas, patriarch of DKI – CRCS and Andrew Martin of DKI – Superior Restoration, as they share their memories on the creation of what is now Canada’s leader in property restoration. 

Chris Schmidt, CEO of DKI Canada, also offers perspective on the unique history of DKI Canada, and why he feels its story is one of a balance between ambition and humility.

Theme songs for this episode are Fix it For You and Made it Home, by Close Kicks.

Dealing with the emotional toll of a disaster is not only challenging, but stressful.  That’s where DKI Canada Members come in. Throughout the rebuilding process, Members across the country go above and beyond, to not only rebuild, but to offer compassion, understanding and support to those affected by disaster.

In this episode we hear from an individual who has firsthand experience with the trauma of disaster. They recount how a tornado hitting their home affected them and their family, and how DKI – CRCS was there to help. 

We also speak with registered psychotherapist, Elizabeth Hepworth, about the emotional and psychological toll of dealing with disaster.

Theme music for this episode is “Coming Up” by Close Kicks. And “Ghost Stories” by Looking for Heather. 

In the second episode of our two-part series on sustainability, we continue to look at how DKI Canada Members are leading the restoration industry with their commitment to reducing, reusing, and recycling. We speak with Laurie Dean, of DKI – Barclay Restorations, about their recycling efforts that are turning waste that can’t otherwise be repurposed, into electricity. We also speak with Andrew Feeney from DKI – Priority Restoration in Winnipeg, about EV research and how electric vehicles are the road to the future. Finally, we speak with Cara Clairman, CEO of Plug ‘n’ Drive, a non-profit focussed on promoting EV use, on some things to consider before going electric.

Theme music for this episode, Small Town Big Dreams and This is Everything, courtesy of Close Kicks.

When it come to sustainability, DKI Canada’s commitment is about more than just recycling. In this episode, Rachel Kozak, DKI’s Western Canada Director, explains why sustainability is so important, and how DKI’s initiatives are leading the industry. Curt Wilkens, of DKI – Miller Restoration tells us about their special relationship with a non-profit that not only helps build and furnish homes for those in need, but also diverts items from landfills and reduces our environmental footprint. 

We also take a look at the origin of a Canadian developed, revolutionary botanical disinfectant, used by DKI Canada Members. It’s not only a powerful tool in restoration work, it is also non-toxic and environmentally safe. 

Theme music for this episode is The House we Built and Always be Alright by Close Kicks.

Featuring interviews with DKI-Miller, DKI-ProperCare and DKI-Helferty's. 
We wrap up our series on the business transition by hearing from those at the receiving end of a succession. But, as you’ll hear, each new owner’s circumstances around assuming that helm are different. We learn about those journeys, which bring success, fulfillment and unique challenges. We also have a playful Top 5 list for prospective new owners, too! 

Music themes for this episode: The House We Built and Coming Home by Close Kicks.

No matter how well you think you’ve crossed the Ts and dotted the Is, a smooth business transition always benefits from sound, unbiased, expert advice. In the second part on our series about succession planning, speaker and business guru Donald Cooper, shares wisdom gained from some of the challenges he has helped businesses face during his time as a consultant.

Theme music for this episode: Dreamers and Always Be Alright, written and produced by Close Kicks. 

A storm by any other name...

Before May 21, most people had never heard the term “derecho”, but DKI Members had. When a major derecho storm hit Ontario and Quebec on May 21, causing damage to properties across a 1000-kilometre area, DKI’s restoration experts stepped up. They had to. That’s what they do. That’s who they are. In this episode we speak with four DKI experts about how they responded, and continue to respond, to a record number of calls following the catastrophic event. We also travel to Uxbridge, Ontario, where DKI owner Mike Foley tours us through a local church, which suffered devastating damage from, what we now know was a tornado, on that fateful May day. Restoring the church will require massive effort and expertise, and Foley and his DKI team are up to the challenge.

 This episode’s theme songs are Small Town, Big Dream and I’ll be Alright, produced by Close Kicks.

Sign on the dotted line, hand over the keys, wish the new owner luck, then start your new adventure in retirement. Sounds easy, right? Not necessarily. In part one of our three-part series on the business transition, we hear from Roy and Gladys Abrams, former owners of RS Restoration now DKI - Pro Pacific. Still members of the DKI Family, Gladys and Roy are refreshingly candid on what it took to transition out of the business and reach their personal closure.

Theme music by Close Kicks

What happens when you partner one of the country’s most beloved children’s charities with a company committed to making a positive impact in their community? A partnership dedicated to “bringing families home”. In this episode we speak with Kate Horton of RMHC Canada, along with Brooke Hunter, Director of Marketing and Communications at DKI to discuss this unique partnership – and why they’re only too McHappy to contribute to a cause that keeps families together. 

 We’ll also speak with Adam Tzarik, VP Business Development, and Felicia Galata, VP Corporate Accounts, on their experiences volunteering in RMHC houses. CEO, Chris Schmidt drops by to tell us why Evolve 2022, DKI’s annual conference, is especially significant this year.

 Theme music by Close Kicks in this episode features Warren Frank with “This is Everything.”