Women in Restoration Interview with Owner Katie Dobson

3/21/2024 (Permalink)

As a woman, you don’t have to choose. It is possible to achieve personal and professional success!

Why did you get into SERVPRO ownership?

I was introduced to SERVPRO while dating my now-husband (Andrew Dobson) and working for my now-father-in-law (Jimmy Dobson). Over the years, I got to experience each area of the business and discovered I truly enjoyed it. After Andy and I got married, we decided this was an incredible investment and ultimately got into ownership. With the help of our incredible team, my husband Andrew, father-in-law Jimmy, and I have had the opportunity to grow our business to an MMO that spans across Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. Our goal is to provide the best career opportunities with the best compensation packages. We believe in changing families for the better and leaving a legacy for our own family. This business has been a key contributor in helping us work toward accomplishing those goals.

Why were you drawn to a male-dominated industry?

I was drawn to this industry simply out of opportunity, and I stayed in this industry because of a different kind of opportunity. It has become a passion of mine to help others – help clients restore their homes, businesses, and belongings or help employees build or restore their personal lives. The opportunities to change lives in this industry while adding value to our employees are so valuable to me. There are many important roles for women in SERVPRO, and I appreciate the opportunity to be a female leader in our business.

What’s the biggest piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

One of the best pieces of advice comes from my husband, Andrew. He has taught me to focus on excellence rather than perfection and work to get a little better each day. We in the SERVPRO system are a very ambitious, performance-driven group! It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison or pushing for perfection. If your goal is perfection, you will be let down time and again. Setting the bar for excellence will ultimately guide you to success in any area of your life, professional or personal.

What is one of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome in your business?

A few years ago, we experienced a turnover in our upper management team. We had identified managerial teammates who were no longer willing to align with our company vision. With that unalignment was an incredibly toxic culture that was permeating down to those under their leadership. This was an example that sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same. It was very difficult emotionally and absolutely exhausting. However, in turning over those employees, we quickly realized that was one of our biggest blessings in business. It really allowed us to revamp many of our processes and take our business to the next level. I learned a lot about myself during that time and got to strengthen my confidence, experience, and resilience in leadership.

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

My mom raised me as a single mother for most of my young childhood. I remember my mom working incredibly long days, often picking me up from a caregiver’s home late in the evening when I had already fallen asleep. I also remember a warm, tidy home, lots of playtime, and countless happy memories. Reflecting on my mom’s perseverance fuels my own sense of determination and perseverance in business and motherhood with my two young children. My mom showed me true strength, that love knows no bounds, and a mother’s sacrifice is immeasurable. As a woman, you don’t have to choose. It is possible to achieve personal and professional success!

My 5-year-old daughter, Quinn, is also an inspiration. Watching her watch me totally motivates me to show her through my actions how to be a strong, humble, kind, generous, fun, and hardworking woman!

How can women develop their leadership skills more?

Leadership is a continuous journey of growth and development that does not depend on a title. Women can develop their skills through intentional effort and practice. A key to leadership strength training comes from awareness of self and surroundings. It’s important to be intentional about adding value to those around you – as well as yourself! Other ways to develop leadership skills include setting clear goals, seeking mentorship from other experienced women, building a strong network, practicing effective communication skills, and cultivating resilience.

What are the ways you stay grounded and take care of yourself?

Prayer/worship, mindfulness, and gratitude are the most important ways I try to keep myself grounded. Maintaining a relationship with God at the forefront of my heart and mind ultimately gives me the strength I need to conquer opportunities and challenges. Practicing mindfulness and gratitude keeps me levelheaded and positive.

Finding balance is a constant practice for me, but I continue to try to recognize my imbalances and work on them to take care of myself! Staying self-aware is a big part of that, as well as giving yourself grace!

I started journaling this year, and I love it! There really is something therapeutic about releasing the thoughts and experiences from my head down onto paper. Prioritizing other healthy habits like adequate sleep, clean eating, and exercise is always important… but, for me, enjoying McDonald’s fries is, too!

Proper Disposal of Fats, Oils, & Grease

11/28/2016 (Permalink)

Properly Dispose of Fats, Oils, and Grease

Properly disposing of fats, oils, and grease is important to avoid clogging sewers and having them back up into yards and streets. Be a good neighbor in your Cortland city and properly dispose of butters, sauces, dressings, and other oil based products that can clog sewers.

Problem

Pouring oils and grease down the drain cause sewer pipes to clog which leads to an overflow in neighborhoods and can run into nearby drinking water such as rivers and streams. These oils and grease back up in sewers creating globs that get stuck to the walls and cause the sewage backups that create health problems.  

Proper Disposal & Alternatives

• Pour oils and grease into covered containers and then throw away
• Throw food scraps in garbage
• Reuse most oils for cooking and baking
• Reuse bacon grease

Happy Cooking! Follow us on Facebook for more helpful tips!

Give us a call anytime at (330)392-6355

How to Make Your House Smell Like the Holidays

11/28/2016 (Permalink)

Greetings fellow readers

I am here to help your homes smell festive and delightful. I personally enjoy a more natural smelling house instead of store bought fragrances containing chemicals.

Listed below are different pot recipes to enhance the smell of your home naturally:

Fill a pot with water and simmer for all of these recipes.

Sparkling Winter

• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary

Christmas

• 3 sprigs evergreen or handful pine needles
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 bay leaves
• 2 pieces orange rind
• 2 lemons, sliced

Christmas Dream

• 2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
• 1/2 cup of fresh cranberries
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 tablespoon cloves, whole or ground

Winter Fresh

• 1 cup dried lavender
• 1/4 cup dried bay leaves
• 1/2 cup dried eucalyptus leaves
• 1 1/2 cup dried rosemary
• 1/4 cup dried peppermint or spearmint

These recipes are great for removing unwanted odors in your Champion home. The recipes will keep the house smelling fresh for the holidays. 

Candle Wax Remover

11/14/2016 (Permalink)

During the fall season many of us enjoy lighting a pumpkin scented candle. While your intentions to spread a pleasant smell throughout your home was pure, the melted wax spilled to the floor. No worries! There are always solutions and restoration methods provided by SERVPRO of Southern Trumbull County. Follow the given instructions below to achieve effective results.

Candle Wax Carpet Remover

1. Fill a plastic bag with ice
2. Lay it on top of the wax stain
3. Let this sit for a couple of minutes
4. Scrape the wax off using a dull knife

• For remaining wax:
  • lay paper brown bag or cloth on residue
  • use a warm iron to slowly press down

This will absorb the remaining wax

We are proud to serve our local communities:

• Cortland
• Warren
• Newton Falls
• Girard
• McDonald
• Niles
• Hubbard
• Leavittsburg
• Champion
• Lordstown

Contact us at 330-392-6355 for any professional carpet cleaning services.

Turn Your Grill into Nonstick

11/14/2016 (Permalink)

During the summer holidays most people host outdoor events such as cookouts and parties which require a grill. The most unappealing part of grilling is cleaning the spots after. Occasions like the fourth of July and Labor Day will keep a host engaged throughout the event and are incapable of becoming occupied with cleaning when there are guest and multiple activities taking place. There is a solution to avoiding sticky spots of food residue and it requires an onion! The onion should be cut in half in order to rub the cut side on a heated grill grate. This method will turn your grill grate into a non-stick appliance and reduce the amount of cleaning after your grilling experience. The procedure is cost efficient and effective which will leave your grilling experience less time consuming.

When to Schedule Your Cleaning

11/14/2016 (Permalink)

There objects and appliances that need to be cleaned monthly for a fresh and hygienic atmosphere. Staying consistent with a cleaning schedule will prevent allergies and sickness that may occur from bacteria and germs. Appliances such as washers, ovens, and microwaves only have to be cleaned once a month unless extreme food spills take place. Cabinets should be cleaned because they collect dust and become visible after a month. There are certain items in your home that only have to be taken care of seasonally. This seasonal process can be done in the spring. This is the time to search through your cabinets and look for expired food to prevent molding from occurring. Comforter and duvets should also be washed along with windows, blinds, and curtains. Washing all of those items will create a fresh room that does not contain dust or germs.