Across The Street, Across The Country

Cloe Morgan probably wasn’t expecting that standard end-of-meal-before-the-bill-comes question tossed back at her when she worked as a server in a Terrace, B.C. restaurant.  But Lisa and Craig Schaeffer had to ask. We admit we’re paraphrasing how this encounter exactly played out. But this much is certain: the owners of three DKI outlets in B.C.’s interior saw something special in their server – t...

Sometimes, slowly easing into a transformation isn’t the best, most productive choice. Sometimes, the wisest choice is to go all in – after some careful research, of course.  DKI – CRCS saw – and is seeing – the benefit of a big switch to battery-powered equipment. Sure, it’s meant no cumbersome electric cords. But it’s also improved efficiency – and made it easier on knees! Kyle Douglas, co-owner...

At some point, you pass on that figurative torch – and the literal keys to the place. Maybe, as is the case with many DKI members, it’s a transition to a younger family member who grew up in the business, or a trusted former employee. But no matter how confident you are in that new next chapter, your next chapter will likely take some...adjusting.  Sarah Wells is a former elite athlete and Olympia...

Partners in business, partners life. That’s a common foundation for many DKI members across Canada. For three decades, Mena Pereira and Mario Caetano, owners of DKI – Refexio, have embodied how this leads to not only business success, but work-life-balance happiness. (Hint: it includes regular visits to their native country of Portugal!).  The couple shares how the industry – and how they – have g...

He’s not the “new guy” by any stretch. Troy MacDonald has been intrinsically tied to DKI – Meco for decades, as the long-time right-hand man to previous owner Gary Chant who recently retired. And as the new owner, now is Troy’s time as the main man and mentor to his team in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. Troy tells us what this transition has been like, and what makes it unique. DKI members have always b...

Every industry, every business, every individual can benefit from a connection to a larger group with shared interests, goals and challenges. It’s why Canada’s leader in property restoration, with outlets all across the country, is a member of the Restoration Industry Association.  We speak to two of the leaders of the RIA about what their organization brings to DKI, and how it makes the restorati...

Amber Marsh and Jeremy Abellera both stepped away, for different reasons, for a short while. And during their time away, they both admit to having missed DKI – and, specifically, the people with whom they’d developed strong bonds. So, it’s understandable why they returned – and why they were enthusiastically welcomed back!  Jeremy and Amber are now in different roles with Canada’s leader in proper...

In the month that marks International Women’s Day, PM Jorga Cooper and PMA Mary Goodwin tell us how they broke new ground – and a figurative ceiling – when, together, they became the first all-female project management team at DKI – CRCS. They tell us of this milestone. And, with colleague, PMA Faithann Chininea, they describe some of the wins – and challenges – in establishing their rightful plac...

As a member of the Restoration Large Loss Team with DKI - Barclay Restorations, Shawn Envik knows all about strength and staying power. It recently served him well OFF the job site, too, when he took part in a charity fundraising contest that had him extend his arm out for what seemed like an hour. (He admits it was only a few minutes, but felt much longer). He and Andrea May, Strategic Partnershi...

Two crews that cruise to the challenge of feeding their community’s most vulnerable. Community Crew of Saint-Catharines has been making and delivering lunches to local children in need for more than a decade. It’s an important charity that DKI – Miller stepped up to support – financially, but also by sending its crews to assist with the regular preparations of these lunches. Tracy Holmwood, co-own...

The married couple that becomes equal partners as DKI members: not uncommon. But a DKI power house couple that’s known each other since their early teens? Meet Judy and Julian DiIorio, owner/operators of DKI – North York. They’re new to the family of Canada’s leader in property restoration. But certainly not knew to each other. They met when they were barely teens, eventually married and started a...

From ice storms to wildfires to a major building flood that consumed an entire neighborhood and beyond, DKI members from coast-to-coast met, and conquered, a wide array of restoration challenges. 2025 also saw some genuine celebratory moments, too. New owners came on board, bringing with them new ideas, while sharing in DKI’s mission and philosophy.  A high point was, to be sure, the CFL welcoming...

It was ambitious. Especially at a time of year when many might be experiencing donation exhaustion. But DKI Canada felt otherwise - and issued a challenge to prove it. It agreed to match donations to Ronald McDonald House Charities, which ultimately raised a total of $150,000.  DKI Canada CEO, Chris Schmidt, explains how it all unfolded – in record time – and exceeded expectations. Giving back is...

In his role as producer and host of Across The Street, Across The Country, Denis Grignon has been asking the questions, getting to know the people of DKI and telling their stories for almost 100 episodes. So, we figured it’s high time Canada’s leader in property restoration – specifically, its leader, DKI Canada CEO Chris Schmidt – turn the table and interview Denis. It’s a fascinating conversatio...

If you were lucky enough to be one of the tens of thousands of people in the stands watching the recent Grey Cup game, you may not have noticed the dozen or so DKI logos on toques, hats and jackets in that one section.  But you certainly wouldn’t have missed the DKI logo on the field during that Canadian classic match.  Canada’s leader in property restoration is now partnered with Canada’s leader...

We’ve all seen pictures. The piles of clutter and debris, piled high to the ceiling and covering virtually every inch of floor. The results of hoarding can be, and typically are, horrifying.  At its extreme, professionals are called in to restore the space. And it takes a special person to not only work in oft-times unsanitary and unsafe condition, but to do so knowing the root cause of hoarding –...

 DKI isn’t just talkin’ the talk when it comes to reducing its environmental footprint. It’s acting on it – with some help from go-green consultant. Carol Aziz. She holds a PHD in environmental engineering and is owner of Achieve Sustainability. She tells us how she’s helping Canada’s leader in property restoration also become a leader in working towards Net Zero. In football parlance, it’s that q...

We dedicate this entire episode to a conversation – (and it moves quickly, cuz it’s super-interesting) – with restoration industry consultant Lukas Szczurowski. It’s a sneak peak, if you will, of what DKI members will hear when the founder and CEO of Sanktum takes the keynote stage at Inspire 2025 in early November. But don’t worry. We make sure the expert doesn’t divulge TOO much from his decades...

Golf’s good. Softball is swell. But when DKI - Sudbury looked for a feel-good fundraiser in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities, they hit the beach - (or maybe they trucked in some sand?). Their now annual volleyball tournament is raising thousands for the charity, which DKI Canada is a big supporter of. Jason Gaudet tells how and why he and Alicia Scott-Lajeunesse – co-owners/operators of...

Gary Chant is ready for retirement. The Cape Bretoner is capping off a career in restoration that spanned almost four decades. And now he’s ready to pass the torch – in the form of ownership of DKI – Meco – to one of his long-time trusted team members: Troy MacDonald. Gary joins us to talk about his past lessons and accomplishments – and the ones that are sure to follow. (He also manages to squeez...

Bryan Pereira wasn’t necessarily unhappy in his previous senior management position in the restoration industry. Indeed, he was beloved by the teams he led. But Bryan longed for a new challenge. And when DKI came calling with an opportunity that would not only meet that yearning, but also make him a top decision-maker - and mentor - with Canada’s leader in property restoration, he knew it was the...

His name has come up, regularly, in interviews, since we launched this show more than three years ago. Indeed, virtually all DKI members across Canada have a story about their CEO and how he helps nurture, guide, inspire them – and how he even expressed genuine excitement to bundle up in a fishing hut with one of those members on a frozen Alberta lake in February! We sit down, in person - (No Zoom...

It’s telling that “Wildfire Season” is now part of our everyday language. And this year it arrived in Western Canada earlier than usual. and with a vengeance.  But Jeff Sereda and Neil Thomas were braced and ready with their crews to come to the aid of those affected in their home provinces. We speak to the owners of DKI - Saskatoon Disaster Services and DKI - Winnipeg, respectively, about how the...

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...

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...