Behind the Scenes at the RIA Convention

From the Floor of the RIA Convention

Hey there,
Klark here, writing to you after two jam-packed days at the RIA Convention down in West Palm Beach.

We are in day three... If you aren’t here, let me paint a quick picture:

Big crowds. Bigger energy.
Contractors. Consultants. Carriers. Coaches.
And somewhere in the middle of it all… us.

We didn’t fly down for the smoothies (though—credit where credit’s due—they were solid).
We came to show up for contractors. To speak into the noise with a pro-contractor voice.
To stay in the room, even if we don’t agree with every speaker or sponsor on the agenda.
Because if people like us stop showing up, the volume gets turned up by the other side.

Let me tell you what else we saw:

1. Clients leading the charge.

Three different clients—past and present—walked right up to Klark on day one. 
They didn’t ask for help.
They came to say thanks.
Each of them shared how working with Restoration Advisors changed the trajectory of their business.
Not just sales or SOPs.
They talked about clarity, direction, and the ability to sleep at night again.
We don’t take that lightly. That’s the kind of feedback that reminds us why we do this.

2. Relationships matter more than ever.

Old friends. New connections.
Names we’ve only seen online suddenly became real conversations.
Mentors from the early days of the industry showed up, and the gratitude was overwhelming.
If you’re a restorer who feels like you’re on an island—events like this remind you that you’re not.

3. The industry is in flux—but the spark is still there.

This past year 12-18 months has been… weird.
Inflation. 
TPA chaos.
Carrier overreach.
And yet, the vibe at RIA isn't all doom and gloom.
It is hopeful.
The rooms are full. People are fired up.
There’s a sense that things are shifting—and that the right people are ready to rebuild the right way.

Its pretty well established that we don’t agree with everything the RIA says or does.
That’s not why we’re here.
We’re here because it needs voices like yours and ours.

If your first thought is, “RIA isn’t for me,” I’d ask you to think again.
Maybe what the industry needs is more people like you showing up.
If you're not at the table, you’re probably on the menu.

If we didn’t connect in person this week, I hope we do soon.

Whether you’re a past client, future client, or just figuring out what’s next for your business—
Know this: you’re not alone.

If your business is taking more than it’s giving,
If you’re tired of carrying the whole thing on your back,
If you’re ready to lead better and live more—

Let’s have a conversation.

Until then,
Stay strong.
Stay real.

How can you get involved between now and the next RIA convention?

Join the Movement: Restoration Business Academy

Right now, we’re watching something big take shape.

Restoration Business Academy is more than a course or a coaching group.
It’s becoming a grassroots movement of bold, clear-thinking Restopreneurs™️—
Owners who:

• Think independently

• Serve their clients with fairness and empathy

• Believe profit isn’t a dirty word

• Refuse to let insurance carriers dictate their business

• Are building strong, sustainable companies that serve their lives—not drain them

If that sounds like you—or who you want to become—this is your next step.

Join Restoration Business Academy today.

It’s where the next generation of restoration leaders are gathering.
Not to whine.
Not to wait.
But to build.
Together.

JOIN NOW 

Let’s do this the right way.
Let’s do it together.

—Toby & Klark