Across The Street, Across The Country

Her hand went up – fast and without hesitation. Olivia Smith wasn’t only willing to uproot her life for a few weeks and travel more than 1200 Ks to Orillia to assist DKI crews there dealing with the aftermath of a major ice storm; she was eager! The PM with DKI – Til-ka in Thunder Bay tells us why.

DKI is now an official sponsor of the CFL. It’s a good fit, fer sure. Rene Parades would agree. The kicker with the Calgary Stampeders is now also a winner off the field as DKI – RCCN’s new Business Development Manager. The Grey Cup winner and all-star veteran tells why his off-field career is also a great fit – for him and Canada’s leader in property restoration. 

And one of our resident show musicians, Graham Lindsey, shares how he defines his home.

Music for this episode is Always Be Alright and Small Town, Big Dreams by Close Kicks. 

So much for slowly easing into ownership. Trevor Lynds and wife Lindsey recently took over the helm of DKI – Contrast in Nova Scotia. And it wasn’t long before they were deep into a massive claim that even the most seasoned and experienced restoration expert would gasp at. It’s one that grew in scope, involving everything from environmental assessments, to road closures and anxious residents of an affected neighbourhood. Oh, and it all started to unfold on a Friday afternoon – at the start of a long weekend! Was Trevor and their team in Truro up for the challenge? Yup. And he did it while maintaining a confidence and composure that belie the newness of his status with Canada’s leader in property restoration. 

Music for this episode is “Fix It For You” by Close Kicks and “Move On Grow,” by Cassie Noble. 

It is now official. The most recent ice storm that wreaked havoc and robbed hundreds of thousands of hydro in Central Ontario, was the biggest storm of its kind since 1998.

It means Rick Rimkey, Owner of DKI – R&F Construction in Orillia and his crews set aside much of their own personal damage mitigation, to deal with that of their clients.  Because that’s what Canada’s leader in Property Restoration does, but Rick’s not alone. Crews from DKI - Til-ka Construction in Thunder Bay made the lonnnnng trek to come to the aid of Rick and his crew. Because that’s also what DKI does. Rick and Jered Zieroth Co-owner of DKI - Til-ka Construction are on the show to discuss how this all unfolded – and how their combined many hands on deck will bring restoration success.

We also check in with Henry Remiz and Eric Cullen of DKI - CRCS, just as they’re getting ready to climb Canada’s largest free standing structure. And again, moments after they’ve completed that colossal vertical trek, in support of The World Wildlife Fund.

Music for this episode is Medicine by Cassie Noble and This Is Everything by Close Kicks.

It’s not that she wasn’t truly happy in her position leading DKI’s Remote Estimate Desk. Heck, Amanda Saunders says she loved that job. But when an opportunity arose – one with more responsibility, but also more opportunity to nurture and encourage more people – she couldn’t resist. DKI Canada’s new Senior Manager of Essential Services tells about this new career, and life, transition.

DKI - Bravo’s Michael Meinig was full of vigour and positivity when we first spoke to him while he was training for an upcoming 24-hour ski marathon in support of the Kootenay Christian Academy. Well, we caught up to him when he was in hour 20 of that epic ski. And he was...still full of vigour and positivity??!!. What the ?

And Mikaela Caetano with DKI - Refexio shares how she defines her homes. Yes, plural. HomeS.

Music for this episode is “Always Be Alright” by Close Kicks. 

There’ve been some new faces in the DKI family, recently. Well, not “new” per se. But they’re new in their new roles - as location owners! JP Giroux spent time in DKI head office, before landing as the owner of DKI - Kingston. Neil Thomas was an integral part of DKI - Winnipeg. But he’s now fully in charge of the Manitoba location.

Mike Howes is no stranger to being an owner, with DKI locations in Alberta. He’s also no stranger to Saskatchewan, where he grew up. And now he’s the owner of DKI - Regina.

And speaking of “landing,” we take a fanciful flight aboard, ahem, “Virtual Airlines Canada” to visit these three forward-thinking entrepreneurs. Okay, it’s a fun, make-believe flight. But the conversations in which they share why they made their respective leaps are very real.

Music for this episode is Running Wild and Coming Up by Close Kicks.  

DKI Canada has long been a big supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities. But members from coast to coast go well beyond just fundraising – (in the thousands and thousands of dollars, by the way!) – for the charity. They roll up their sleeves – literally - don a hairnet, gloves and apron and get to work as part of RMHC’s Meals From The Heart. 

DKI Canada Business Development Manager Ira Brenton tells us what his recent experience in this very special kitchen was like. 

Melissa DeMers, RMHC Toronto’s Director of Development, joins us from this special kitchen to explain why volunteers like Ira are so integral to this program – and what it means to the families it serves. 

And Matt Holmwood, president and GM of DKI – Miller, tells us how he defines home. 

Music for this episode is by Cassie Noble, Close Kicks and Graham Lindsey. 

It’s the first interview we’ve conducted with a guest in ski boots. And hats off – (or toques off, eh) – to Michael Meinig. The office manager with DKI - Bravo in B.C. slowed his stride (but only slightly) while training for a solo, 24-hour cross-country ski marathon in support of The Kootenay Christian Academy. He explains what inspired him to go without sleep for that stretch  – and how it’ll make turning 60 extra special. 

Sometimes you have to meet potential employees on their turf – literally. DKI - Pro Pacific’s  Chenoa Findlay tells us why she’s confident her booth at a recent hiring fair in Victoria will bear fruit.

And Hannah Holmwood of DKI Head Office tells us how she defines home – for her and her beloved beagle/foxhound cross. 

Music for this episode is Ghost Stories by Looking For Heather and Move on, Grow by Cassie Noble.

Every team depends on dedicated teammates, playing both ends of the ice – together - to ensure a win. But before that can happen, that team needs a strong and motivating leader. Fatema Hardwarewala is DKI’s expert in budget planning. But she’s also an inspiring leader to the members of her finance team. She shares her story, and what it takes to be a good coach in a game that is as much about people as it is spreadsheets and numbers.

We also catch up with Lucas Howes of DKI - Sparklean on an Alberta golf course. Wait, what? A golf course? In the dead of winter? In Alberta?

And Hilary Spencer, DKI Canada’s HR coordinator, tells us what home means to her.

Music for this episode is Small Town, Big Dreams by Close Kicks and Build A Home by Cassie Noble. 

Who knew there’d still be so many wonderful stories to share, three years later? Well, we did. Because DKI, Canada’s leader in property restoration is, at its core, about people – and how DKI members care about, and for, people. And people have always been a source of great stories. Now a tradition, this end-of-year episode features some of the highlights of episodes in 2024. It includes emotional on-site accounts from the aftermath of massive wildfires in Alberta and major snowstorms in Cape Breton, to the restoration of antique saddles and even a charity climb up the CN Tower.

And there’s no doubt we’ll be back 12 months from now, looking back on more great stories from 2025. 

Music from this episode is Always Be Alright and Coming Up by Close Kicks. 

You’ve heard his name mentioned in each and every one of our near-100 episodes over the past three seasons. Darryl James.

In this special Holiday Season episode, we sit down for a one-on-one with the bass player with internationally-acclaimed The Strumbellas, and the creative force behind Close Kicks, Darryl’s solo project that contributes our show’s music. We managed to catch Darryl between concert performances  – and on a short break from renovations to his home. Don’t worry. Darryl pulled down his dust mask so that you can better listen to him expound on what drives his creativity. (And how swinging a hammer helps fuel that creativity). 

Music for this episode is The House We Built, Fix It For You, Coming Up, You Made It Home and Closer To You – all by, yup, Close Kicks.