When Steve Dickey shows up to work in the morning, his to-do list looks different than the average professional – unless they’re in the business of supporting communities through a disaster. By Sarah Lindauer
When Steve Dickey shows up to work in the morning, his to-do list looks different than the average professional – unless they’re in the business of supporting communities through a disaster.
Dickey co-owns Paul Davis Restoration of Greater Birmingham, Alabama, alongside his partner, Jeff Gilmer, where they provide full-service residential and commercial emergency cleanup and restoration for disasters. Think of damage from house fires, mold, flooding, tornadoes and other extreme weather conditions.
It’s no surprise that Dickey found himself here, considering his love for giving back. “One of the biggest reasons I got involved in restoration is because I really like helping people, and that’s what we do at Paul Davis,” said Dickey. “Our vision is to provide extraordinary care while serving people in their time of need, and we really, truly try and do that.”
For Dickey and Gilmer, that “time of need” has included historic snowfall in Massachusetts, flooding in Louisiana, storms in Texas and numerous tornadoes in the local Birmingham area. His team is on the frontline, working to stop the damage and turn a house back into a home.
It’s heavy work, but the reward is immeasurable. “I tell our folks, ‘Hey, this is our ministry. This is our mission,’” Dickey said.
Of all the inspiring stories, one remains at the forefront for Dickey.
“We had a customer last year who was blind, and he had a fire in his home that did a lot of damage. We went in, and our project manager on the job realized how serious the situation was,” Dickey recalled. Not only was the home in bad shape, but the man was placed in temporary housing that couldn’t take in his dog. The project manager brought the dog home and provided care, all while delivering meals to the customer.
The team then went the extra mile by raising money to put new furniture in the man’s home. “It was just a tremendous feeling to be able to help someone in that way,” shared Dickey.
Dickey contributes much of his success to the support offered by the Paul Davis franchise. As a leader in restoration, Paul Davis’ brand recognition caters to quick growth and high revenue. On average, established franchises report just under $4 million in annual revenue.
Another fundamental aspect is the training. Dickey went through a month-long program where he received certifications in emergency mitigation, restoration and reconstruction. These training methods replicate situations that owners might encounter in the field, equipping them with the confidence to react in real time. Dickey was then assigned a regional business coach who helped him get the franchise up and running before working with a coach in his local area for continued support.
“That’s one of the really good things about being with Paul Davis: You don’t have to figure things out on your own. We work together,” said Dickey.
At the end of the day, this is more than a job for Dickey and his team. “Obviously, you have to make a profit, but in the midst of making that profit, you have to be a person who wants to serve other people,” he said. “If you have a servant’s heart, this is the place for you.”
The Paul Davis team defines a Difference Maker as: One who has a winning spirit to serve others, a history of achieving great results, and values congruent with the brand.
They honor those in the business that make the extra effort to help others and applaud their successes. Matt Phillips was recognized for donating his time and help to a customer.
Are you a Difference Maker with a strong drive to help other people on the job and in your daily life? Learn more about how a career with Paul Davis can fulfill your professional and personal goals while making the world a better place.
Sarah Lindauer