Head Heart & Boots

Look—most of us in this industry have lived through tough stretches. When claim volume dries up or margins get squeezed, the gut reaction is to cut, freeze, survive. But Brandon and I are asking a better question: What if this slowdown is the wake-up call your business needed?

This conversation is all about what to do now and how to build a company that thrives tomorrow. We're not peddling theory—we’re sharing the stuff we’ve seen work, and what we’re doing ourselves.

Why you should listen:

You’re not stuck. But you might need a new playbook.

—Chris

Thank you sponsors!

Liftify is for restorers who are looking to accelerate their online reviews. Consistent and fresh Google Reviews are critical to growing your online presence and establishing trust with your brand. Don’t leave it to chance; partner with Liftify and let them capture the feedback your team has earned. 

https://www.liftify.com/floodlight 

AnswerForce transforms the restoration industry by providing round-the-clock answering solutions.  Their skilled team ensures no call goes unanswered, capturing and qualifying leads, scheduling appointments, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Benefit from industry expertise, scalability, and customized scripting while saving costs compared to in-house solutions. With AnswerForce, your business growth potential becomes limitless.

https://www.answerforce.com/floodlight

C&R Magazine is the industry’s oldest and longest-running media outlet. The team brings restorers all the current news, developments, education and resources that impact our business and the teams we lead. From print media to podcasts, C&R ensures the industry news you need is accessible from anywhere. 

https://candrmagazine.com 

Actionable Insights. The Actionable Xactimate Profile by Actionable Insights offers live guidance for more accurate and complete estimates in Xactimate, preventing costly errors and improving your team's workflow. It's an essential upgrade for enhanced estimating accuracy and efficiency.

https://getinsights.org/floodlight 

Only 30% of businesses listed for sale actually find a buyer? Even more striking, just 10% of those sell for the price their owners anticipated or higher, meaning only 3% of all business owners achieve their desired sale price. By focusing on understanding and enhancing your enterprise value, you can significantly boost your chances of joining that successful 3%.

Start AssessmentKnow Your Enterprise Value. See Your Potential Gaps.

Complete this assessment in less than 15 minutes and receive a free assessment for your business that includes:

Brandon here. Look — I get it. Financial episodes don’t usually light people’s hair on fire. But this one? This one’s different. Chris and I sat down with Jim Emerich and Melissa Zinni from Backbone CFO — and I walked away with real answers to questions I’ve been wrestling with in my own business.

This convo was way more than spreadsheets and P&Ls. We got into the real mindset traps that keep us stuck — and the strategic moves that can unlock margin and cash flow.

Why you should listen:

This one’s loaded with takeaways. If you're trying to scale smart and stop leaving money on the table, don't skip it.

Thank you sponsors!

Liftify is for restorers who are looking to accelerate their online reviews. Consistent and fresh Google Reviews are critical to growing your online presence and establishing trust with your brand. Don’t leave it to chance; partner with Liftify and let them capture the feedback your team has earned. 

https://www.liftify.com/floodlight 

AnswerForce transforms the restoration industry by providing round-the-clock answering solutions.  Their skilled team ensures no call goes unanswered, capturing and qualifying leads, scheduling appointments, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Benefit from industry expertise, scalability, and customized scripting while saving costs compared to in-house solutions. With AnswerForce, your business growth potential becomes limitless.

https://www.answerforce.com/floodlight

C&R Magazine is the industry’s oldest and longest-running media outlet. The team brings restorers all the current news, developments, education and resources that impact our business and the teams we lead. From print media to podcasts, C&R ensures the industry news you need is accessible from anywhere. 

https://candrmagazine.com 

Actionable Insights. The Actionable Xactimate Profile by Actionable Insights offers live guidance for more accurate and complete estimates in Xactimate, preventing costly errors and improving your team's workflow. It's an essential upgrade for enhanced estimating accuracy and efficiency.

https://getinsights.org/floodlight 

Only 30% of businesses listed for sale actually find a buyer? Even more striking, just 10% of those sell for the price their owners anticipated or higher, meaning only 3% of all business owners achieve their desired sale price. By focusing on understanding and enhancing your enterprise value, you can significantly boost your chances of joining that successful 3%.

Start AssessmentKnow Your Enterprise Value. See Your Potential Gaps.

Complete this assessment in less than 15 minutes and receive a free assessment for your business that includes:

Hey friends, Brandon here. This one hit different. Chris and I sat down with Holden Looper, CEO of Blue Shield Environmental and second-gen leader in the Southeast Restoration family. Still in his 20s, Holden’s already building something of his own — with a foundation of grit, integrity, and values that run deep in his family’s business.

We talked legacy, leadership, and how to do family business in a way that actually works. If you're navigating the generational handoff or raising kids in the business, this episode is a blueprint for how to do it with intention.

[00:04:00] – Thrown Into the Fire (Literally)

[00:13:00] – Transparency at Home

[00:41:45] – Launching Blue Shield Environmental

[00:51:24] – Advice for Family Businesses

Thank you sponsors!

Liftify is for restorers who are looking to accelerate their online reviews. Consistent and fresh Google Reviews are critical to growing your online presence and establishing trust with your brand. Don’t leave it to chance; partner with Liftify and let them capture the feedback your team has earned. 

https://www.liftify.com/floodlight 

AnswerForce transforms the restoration industry by providing round-the-clock answering solutions.  Their skilled team ensures no call goes unanswered, capturing and qualifying leads, scheduling appointments, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Benefit from industry expertise, scalability, and customized scripting while saving costs compared to in-house solutions. With AnswerForce, your business growth potential becomes limitless.

https://www.answerforce.com/floodlight

C&R Magazine is the industry’s oldest and longest-running media outlet. The team brings restorers all the current news, developments, education and resources that impact our business and the teams we lead. From print media to podcasts, C&R ensures the industry news you need is accessible from anywhere. 

https://candrmagazine.com 

Actionable Insights. The Actionable Xactimate Profile by Actionable Insights offers live guidance for more accurate and complete estimates in Xactimate, preventing costly errors and improving your team's workflow. It's an essential upgrade for enhanced estimating accuracy and efficiency.

https://getinsights.org/floodlight 

Only 30% of businesses listed for sale actually find a buyer? Even more striking, just 10% of those sell for the price their owners anticipated or higher, meaning only 3% of all business owners achieve their desired sale price. By focusing on understanding and enhancing your enterprise value, you can significantly boost your chances of joining that successful 3%.

Start AssessmentKnow Your Enterprise Value. See Your Potential Gaps.

Complete this assessment in less than 15 minutes and receive a free assessment for your business that includes:

Hey friends this is Chris. In this episode, Brandon and I dive into the unique internal culture of 1Tom Plumber alongside guests Leah Hanlon (one of the OGs from Icon Restoration) and Alvaro Leal (Rocky's right-hand man). This isn’t just a recap of a Discovery Day or another 1Tom Plumber promo—it's a transparent look behind the curtain at how intentional culture creation drives growth, team loyalty, and operational excellence. There's a lot of real talk about leadership, trust, "failing forward," and fostering a tight-knit work family.

[00:08:23] – Why Employees Stay (Leah’s Perspective)

[00:15:25] – Fail Forward Culture

[00:38:51] – Working Interviews: Secret Weapon 

[00:51:56] – Hiring Systems and Final Takeaways

Thank you sponsors!

Liftify is for restorers who are looking to accelerate their online reviews. Consistent and fresh Google Reviews are critical to growing your online presence and establishing trust with your brand. Don’t leave it to chance; partner with Liftify and let them capture the feedback your team has earned. 

https://www.liftify.com/floodlight 

AnswerForce transforms the restoration industry by providing round-the-clock answering solutions.  Their skilled team ensures no call goes unanswered, capturing and qualifying leads, scheduling appointments, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Benefit from industry expertise, scalability, and customized scripting while saving costs compared to in-house solutions. With AnswerForce, your business growth potential becomes limitless.

https://www.answerforce.com/floodlight

C&R Magazine is the industry’s oldest and longest-running media outlet. The team brings restorers all the current news, developments, education and resources that impact our business and the teams we lead. From print media to podcasts, C&R ensures the industry news you need is accessible from anywhere. 

https://candrmagazine.com 

Actionable Insights. The Actionable Xactimate Profile by Actionable Insights offers live guidance for more accurate and complete estimates in Xactimate, preventing costly errors and improving your team's workflow. It's an essential upgrade for enhanced estimating accuracy and efficiency.

https://getinsights.org/floodlight 

Only 30% of businesses listed for sale actually find a buyer? Even more striking, just 10% of those sell for the price their owners anticipated or higher, meaning only 3% of all business owners achieve their desired sale price. By focusing on understanding and enhancing your enterprise value, you can significantly boost your chances of joining that successful 3%.

Start AssessmentKnow Your Enterprise Value. See Your Potential Gaps.

Complete this assessment in less than 15 minutes and receive a free assessment for your business that includes:

So we jumped into this episode to wrestle with something that's been front and center lately in our client work—and in our own Floodlight team:
-Why isn't our “training” sticking?
-Why do good people still hesitate or fall short after a solid onboarding or rollout?

It’s because we’re mistaking knowledge transfer for skill transfer.
Let me break that down.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about this gap that keeps showing up—between what we think we’re doing as leaders and what’s actually happening in the trenches with our teams. And man, I’ll be honest… for a long time, I confused training with coaching. I thought if I gave a killer talk, showed the playbook, or laid down some well-crafted processes, then boom—problem solved. We’re off to the races. But that’s not how real transformation works. Not even close.

[00:04:20] Training ≠ Coaching

[00:10:20] The Ego Trap

[00:15:14] Coaching Gold: The Wayne Story

[00:34:08] Values = Leverage

[00:46:03] Two Tactical Nuggets

Thank you sponsors!

Liftify is for restorers who are looking to accelerate their online reviews. Consistent and fresh Google Reviews are critical to growing your online presence and establishing trust with your brand. Don’t leave it to chance; partner with Liftify and let them capture the feedback your team has earned. 

https://www.liftify.com/floodlight 

AnswerForce transforms the restoration industry by providing round-the-clock answering solutions.  Their skilled team ensures no call goes unanswered, capturing and qualifying leads, scheduling appointments, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Benefit from industry expertise, scalability, and customized scripting while saving costs compared to in-house solutions. With AnswerForce, your business growth potential becomes limitless.

https://www.answerforce.com/floodlight

C&R Magazine is the industry’s oldest and longest-running media outlet. The team brings restorers all the current news, developments, education and resources that impact our business and the teams we lead. From print media to podcasts, C&R ensures the industry news you need is accessible from anywhere. 

https://candrmagazine.com 

Actionable Insights. The Actionable Xactimate Profile by Actionable Insights offers live guidance for more accurate and complete estimates in Xactimate, preventing costly errors and improving your team's workflow. It's an essential upgrade for enhanced estimating accuracy and efficiency.

https://getinsights.org/floodlight 

Only 30% of businesses listed for sale actually find a buyer? Even more striking, just 10% of those sell for the price their owners anticipated or higher, meaning only 3% of all business owners achieve their desired sale price. By focusing on understanding and enhancing your enterprise value, you can significantly boost your chances of joining that successful 3%.

Start AssessmentKnow Your Enterprise Value. See Your Potential Gaps.

Complete this assessment in less than 15 minutes and receive a free assessment for your business that includes:

What’s up, folks? It’s Brandon from Head, Heart, and Boots. In today’s episode, Chris and I sit down with James from LiveSwitch to talk about some seriously cool tech that’s changing the way businesses handle customer interactions—especially in the restoration game. This isn't just about fixing damage; it’s about making real, human connections when your customers are in crisis. If you’ve ever wanted a way to connect with people on a deeper level, especially when they’re stressed out and at their lowest, LiveSwitch is here to make that happen.

[00:02:08] - What is LiveSwitch?

[00:05:56] - Restoration Use Case

[00:12:00] - Emotional Connection

[00:16:33] - QR Code Lead Gen

[00:20:20] - Sales & Training

[00:40:30] - Pricing

[00:45:42] - Accountability & Safety

Thank you sponsors!

Liftify is for restorers who are looking to accelerate their online reviews. Consistent and fresh Google Reviews are critical to growing your online presence and establishing trust with your brand. Don’t leave it to chance; partner with Liftify and let them capture the feedback your team has earned. 

https://www.liftify.com/floodlight 

AnswerForce transforms the restoration industry by providing round-the-clock answering solutions.  Their skilled team ensures no call goes unanswered, capturing and qualifying leads, scheduling appointments, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Benefit from industry expertise, scalability, and customized scripting while saving costs compared to in-house solutions. With AnswerForce, your business growth potential becomes limitless.

https://www.answerforce.com/floodlight

C&R Magazine is the industry’s oldest and longest-running media outlet. The team brings restorers all the current news, developments, education and resources that impact our business and the teams we lead. From print media to podcasts, C&R ensures the industry news you need is accessible from anywhere. 

https://candrmagazine.com 

Actionable Insights. The Actionable Xactimate Profile by Actionable Insights offers live guidance for more accurate and complete estimates in Xactimate, preventing costly errors and improving your team's workflow. It's an essential upgrade for enhanced estimating accuracy and efficiency.

https://getinsights.org/floodlight 

Only 30% of businesses listed for sale actually find a buyer? Even more striking, just 10% of those sell for the price their owners anticipated or higher, meaning only 3% of all business owners achieve their desired sale price. By focusing on understanding and enhancing your enterprise value, you can significantly boost your chances of joining that successful 3%.

Start AssessmentKnow Your Enterprise Value. See Your Potential Gaps.

Complete this assessment in less than 15 minutes and receive a free assessment for your business that includes:

Hey, it's Chris here. In today’s episode, Brandon and I tackle some essential truths about leadership and teamwork that you won’t want to miss. We discuss why emotional intelligence isn’t just a nice-to-have, but a core attribute of leaders who excel. We delve into what makes someone more than just a team member but a true asset to any group. We’ll show you why prioritizing character over technical skills in your hiring process can transform your team dynamics, and why trust is the bedrock of all successful relationships.

Join us as we share personal stories and insights that highlight the power of human connections, especially important in our digital-first world. We wrap up with a focus on the soft skills that set exceptional leaders apart in an era where AI and automation are on the rise. Tune in to learn how to harness these insights to become a better leader and team player in today’s fast-evolving landscape.

Thank you sponsors! 

Liftify is for restorers who are looking to accelerate their online reviews. Consistent and fresh Google Reviews are critical to growing your online presence and establishing trust with your brand. Don’t leave it to chance; partner with Liftify and let them capture the feedback your team has earned. 

https://www.liftify.com/floodlight 

AnswerForce transforms the restoration industry by providing round-the-clock answering solutions.  Their skilled team ensures no call goes unanswered, capturing and qualifying leads, scheduling appointments, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Benefit from industry expertise, scalability, and customized scripting while saving costs compared to in-house solutions. With AnswerForce, your business growth potential becomes limitless.

https://www.answerforce.com/floodlight

C&R Magazine is the industry’s oldest and longest-running media outlet. The team brings restorers all the current news, developments, education and resources that impact our business and the teams we lead. From print media to podcasts, C&R ensures the industry news you need is accessible from anywhere. 

https://candrmagazine.com 

Actionable Insights. The Actionable Xactimate Profile by Actionable Insights offers live guidance for more accurate and complete estimates in Xactimate, preventing costly errors and improving your team's workflow. It's an essential upgrade for enhanced estimating accuracy and efficiency.

https://getinsights.org/floodlight 

Only 30% of businesses listed for sale actually find a buyer? Even more striking, just 10% of those sell for the price their owners anticipated or higher, meaning only 3% of all business owners achieve their desired sale price. By focusing on understanding and enhancing your enterprise value, you can significantly boost your chances of joining that successful 3%.

Start AssessmentKnow Your Enterprise Value. See Your Potential Gaps.

Complete this assessment in less than 15 minutes and receive a free assessment for your business that includes:

Hey everyone, Chris here from the Head, Heart, and Boots podcast. In our latest episode, Brandon and I get really personal about the trials we face—not just as leaders but as individuals pushing through tough times. This episode really hits close to home for both of us. We're laying it all out there because transformation starts with being honest with ourselves and with you, our listeners.

Thank you sponsors! 

Liftify is for restorers who are looking to accelerate their online reviews. Consistent and fresh Google Reviews are critical to growing your online presence and establishing trust with your brand. Don’t leave it to chance; partner with Liftify and let them capture the feedback your team has earned. 

https://www.liftify.com/floodlight 

AnswerForce transforms the restoration industry by providing round-the-clock answering solutions.  Their skilled team ensures no call goes unanswered, capturing and qualifying leads, scheduling appointments, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Benefit from industry expertise, scalability, and customized scripting while saving costs compared to in-house solutions. With AnswerForce, your business growth potential becomes limitless.

https://www.answerforce.com/floodlight

C&R Magazine is the industry’s oldest and longest-running media outlet. The team brings restorers all the current news, developments, education and resources that impact our business and the teams we lead. From print media to podcasts, C&R ensures the industry news you need is accessible from anywhere. 

https://candrmagazine.com 

Actionable Insights. The Actionable Xactimate Profile by Actionable Insights offers live guidance for more accurate and complete estimates in Xactimate, preventing costly errors and improving your team's workflow. It's an essential upgrade for enhanced estimating accuracy and efficiency.

https://getinsights.org/floodlight 

Only 30% of businesses listed for sale actually find a buyer? Even more striking, just 10% of those sell for the price their owners anticipated or higher, meaning only 3% of all business owners achieve their desired sale price. By focusing on understanding and enhancing your enterprise value, you can significantly boost your chances of joining that successful 3%.

Start AssessmentKnow Your Enterprise Value. See Your Potential Gaps.

Complete this assessment in less than 15 minutes and receive a free assessment for your business that includes:

Hey everyone, Brandon here. I’m thrilled for you to join Chris and me as we delve into our newest podcast episode. It's filled with personal stories and effective strategies that matter to us and any business leader. Here’s a sneak peek:

I believe there’s something in this episode that will strike a chord with you. So give it a listen, drop us a review, or share it with someone who could use some inspiration or a fresh perspective. Can’t wait to hear what you think! 

Thank you sponsors! 

Liftify is for restorers who are looking to accelerate their online reviews. Consistent and fresh Google Reviews are critical to growing your online presence and establishing trust with your brand. Don’t leave it to chance, partner with Liftify and let them capture the feedback your team has earned. 

https://www.liftify.com/floodlight 

AnswerForce transforms the restoration industry by providing round-the-clock answering solutions. Their skilled team ensures no call goes unanswered, capturing and qualifying leads, scheduling appointments, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Benefit from industry expertise, scalability, and customized scripting while saving costs compared to in-house solutions. With AnswerForce, your business growth potential becomes limitless.

https://www.answerforce.com/floodlight

C&R Magazine is the industry’s oldest and longest-running media outlet. The team brings restorers all the current news, developments, education and resources that impact our business and the teams we lead. From print media to podcasts, C&R ensures the industry news you need is accessible from anywhere. 

https://candrmagazine.com 

Actionable Insights. The Actionable Xactimate Profile by Actionable Insights offers live guidance for more accurate and complete estimates in Xactimate, preventing costly errors and improving your team's workflow. It's an essential upgrade for enhanced estimating accuracy and efficiency.

https://getinsights.org/floodlight 

Only 30% of businesses listed for sale actually find a buyer? Even more striking, just 10% of those sell for the price their owners anticipated or higher, meaning only 3% of all business owners achieve their desired sale price. By focusing on understanding and enhancing your enterprise value, you can significantly boost your chances of joining that successful 3%.

Start Assessment Know Your Enterprise Value. See Your Potential Gaps.

Complete this assessment in less than 15 minutes and receive a free assessment for your business that includes:

Hey everyone, Chris here. In this latest episode of Head, Heart, and Boots, Brandon and I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Alexus from Thomasville Restoration. She blew us away with her insights on reshaping recruitment and branding in the restoration industry. Trust me, this is an episode that truly revolutionizes how you think about team building and company identity.

Here’s Why We Love This Episode:

Thank you sponsors! 

Liftify is for restorers who are looking to accelerate their online reviews. Consistent and fresh Google Reviews are critical to growing your online presence and establishing trust with your brand. Don’t leave it to chance, partner with Liftify and let them capture the feedback your team has earned. 

https://www.liftify.com/floodlight 

AnswerForce transforms the restoration industry by providing round-the-clock answering solutions. Their skilled team ensures no call goes unanswered, capturing and qualifying leads, scheduling appointments, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Benefit from industry expertise, scalability, and customized scripting while saving costs compared to in-house solutions. With AnswerForce, your business growth potential becomes limitless.

https://www.answerforce.com/floodlight

C&R Magazine is the industry’s oldest and longest-running media outlet. The team brings restorers all the current news, developments, education and resources that impact our business and the teams we lead. From print media to podcasts, C&R ensures the industry news you need is accessible from anywhere. 

https://candrmagazine.com 

Actionable Insights. The Actionable Xactimate Profile by Actionable Insights offers live guidance for more accurate and complete estimates in Xactimate, preventing costly errors and improving your team's workflow. It's an essential upgrade for enhanced estimating accuracy and efficiency.

https://getinsights.org/floodlight 

Only 30% of businesses listed for sale actually find a buyer? Even more striking, just 10% of those sell for the price their owners anticipated or higher, meaning only 3% of all business owners achieve their desired sale price. By focusing on understanding and enhancing your enterprise value, you can significantly boost your chances of joining that successful 3%.

Start Assessment Know Your Enterprise Value. See Your Potential Gaps.

Complete this assessment in less than 15 minutes and receive a free assessment for your business that includes: