Women in Restoration: Potential Unlocked

3/8/2023 (Permalink)

We’re excited and proud to be a part of the future of the restoration industry.

Half of all SERVPRO Franchise Owners are women.¹ Surprised? 

Not us. Although women make up just under 11% of the construction workforce, and about a fifth of the restoration workforce, when we look at our team, we see women excelling daily in a variety of roles from Production Technician to Construction Manager. 

Our SERVPRO community is fostering an atmosphere where all employees can form genuine working relationships with their colleagues, embracing the unique perspective of each individual to provide the best cleaning and restoration services for our clients. 

Why the Restoration Industry? 

The restoration and remediation industry is nurturing by nature. We’re often interacting with clients after extreme damage to their property. It takes a team of empathetic people to support our clients through some of the worst days of their lives. 

Jessica Dooley, Construction Manager at our SERVPRO of Bartlett/Cordova location in Memphis, TN reassures her clients to, “keep your eye on the prize because at the end of this, and this will end eventually, it will be over and everything is going to be beautiful again.” She also prioritizes setting realistic expectations and communicating frequently, often texting updates to her clients, and keeping them in the loop every step of the way.

The restoration industry provides a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on people's lives during their most challenging moments, and employees like Jessica exemplify the caring and supportive approach that sets our team apart.

Investing in Potential 

Women make up 33% of Team Nicholson’s workforce, more than double the industry average. Why? We invest in potential. Our Financial Controller, Cassie Wyatt, started her SERVPRO journey on the Production side of the house, as a Construction Administrator. As one of our more tenured female employees, Cassie has witnessed Team Nicholson’s exponential growth and fostered her own success along the way. 

She says, “I’ve stayed with SERVPRO and Team Nicholson for almost nine years because there is so much opportunity to learn and grow with the company.” Cassie shares that during her time, it’s been amazing to see other women earn opportunities to advance within the organization as well, especially those under her leadership.

She wants to keep the momentum going by sharing her knowledge with others who are just starting out, helping them achieve their career goals. She adds, “...the best advice I can give other women is to just be consistent. Keep pushing, keep working hard, keep learning, and absorb as much knowledge as you possibly can. Your knowledge is your power!”

Keep the Momentum Going

Our Training Director, Lori Wilson, is a driving force behind our company’s training and development initiatives, creating opportunities for all employees to obtain industry certifications and learn best practices. With over 10 years of experience in the restoration field, Lori is using her expertise to help other women go after leadership roles.

Lori was recently appointed as an advisor for the Women in Leadership program at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville’s Center for Professional Learning. She shared her enthusiasm in a recent Facebook post, “...In the restoration industry women in leadership roles is becoming more prevalent, and that is very exciting!” 

Lori has thrived in this industry, earning IICRC certifications as a Master Water Restorer, Master Fire Restorer, Master Textile Restorer, and IICRC Instructor. She loves, “...helping people see their potential as leaders and helping them grow..” 

Lead the Way

At SERVPRO Team Nicholson, we’ve witnessed the positive impact a diverse workplace can have on our employees and our customers. We’re excited and proud to be a part of the future of the restoration industry. 

Sources:  ¹John Sooker, SERVPRO Executive Vice President, US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Zippia