Building a Disaster Recovery Business from the Ground Up | SkyWater's Journey with Dawn Callahan

In this episode of the Contractor Growth Show, Mark Lamberth sits down with Dawn Marie Forest Callahan, co-founder of SkyWater on Call, a disaster recovery and restoration company based in Largo, Florida. Dawn shares the inspiring story behind the company's founding, the challenges and rewards of running a commercial restoration business, and how they’ve navigated catastrophic events like floods and hurricanes to help their clients recover quickly and effectively.

Dawn talks about how SkyWater on Call began in 2022 after her husband’s retirement, leveraging her 20+ years of experience and strong client relationships to get the business off the ground. She explains the unique approach SkyWater takes in the restoration industry, focusing on commercial properties and offering a woman-owned perspective to a traditionally male-dominated field.

Throughout the conversation, Dawn highlights the most common types of disasters in their area, the importance of educating clients on legal regulations (like asbestos testing), and the challenges of managing large-scale projects while balancing client expectations. She also touches on team building, recruiting talent, and the specialized skills needed to succeed in the disaster recovery industry.

If you’re interested in learning more about the ins and outs of running a disaster restoration business, managing complex commercial projects, and navigating the aftermath of natural disasters, this episode is for you!