“Give first” — That’s the advice Rich Dobbs offers entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to succeed in Gwinnett County and the Atlanta area. Dobbs is an active member of the Gwinnett Chamber Chairman’s Club and the head of business development at Capital Restoration, which is a leading provider of commercial and residential disaster restoration services throughout Atlanta. Capital Restoration took top honors in the Chamber’s 2022 Small Business Award category for 25+ employees.

Dobbs and his colleagues have built their business with this “give first” mindset, which has laid the foundation for strong relationships across the area. It has also been a driving force behind their extensive community involvement.

Their team gives back through numerous nonprofits and community groups with a special focus on local schools. “I frequently go to school events and talk with students about potential career paths, including options in the restoration industry,” says Dobbs. “It’s important for students to hear about different aspects of businesses and know that there are ways to make a nice living and help people even if you don’t have a college degree,” Dobbs says.

In addition to a strong presence in the community, Dobbs and his team rely on three pillars for business success:

  • Clear communication with the customer. “We talk openly with our customers about the damage to their property, their goals for the restoration, and a realistic plan for recovery. There are no surprises for our customers,” he says.
  • Technology. He says they use the latest technology, such as infrared technology, moisture meters, and advanced water extraction devices, to pinpoint the source of damage or mold quickly and ensure repairs fully correct problems.
  • Results.“We consistently meet and exceed customers’ expectations. We do exactly what we said we were going to do within the cost estimate we provided,” he says.

He notes that his business is highly personal and dependent on relationships and trust. “When a customer calls us, someone is having one of worst days of their life,” Dobbs says. “Customers have to know they can trust us to rally the troops quickly and help them.”

The team also values the relationships they’ve built with business leaders at the Gwinnett Chamber. “There’s so much knowledge within this group and people are so willing to help each other. It’s been amazing,” he says.

Dobbs has been selected as an Ambassador for the Gwinnett Chamber, a role he values. “The Gwinnett Chamber is a special group where people really care about each other’s success,” he says. “I enjoy talking with newcomers about their business goals and helping them get plugged in at the Chamber. If you go in with the right mindset of giving first and listening to others, you can build powerful relationships with the movers and shakers in this business community.”


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