Head Heart & Boots · 2026-06-30 · 59 min
Family businesses come with incredible opportunities, but they also come with unique challenges. In this episode, I sit down with Keri Jones , whose family built Utah Disaster Kleanup into one of the most respected restoration companies in the country. We talk about what it was like growing up in the business, learning from industry pioneers, and eventually helping lead the company through rapid growth and a private equity acquisition. Keri shares lessons on leadership, developing people, building a strong company culture, and why creating systems for growth matters just as much as technical expertise. We also dive into what private equity really looks like from the inside, the mistakes they avoided, and the changes that helped the business scale from $22 million to $35 million. As Keri closes one chapter after spending her entire career with her family's company, she reflects on burnout, identity, and the courage it takes to pursue what's next. Whether you're building a family business, preparing for an exit, or simply trying to become a better leader, there's a lot to learn from her journey. Hope you enjoy.