Leadership: Finding The Leader In Me

Shawn Folks • March 23, 2021

As the Chief Executive Officer and owner of Guarantee Restoration Services, leadership is at the forefront of my role each and every day. In my position, I strive to be an exemplary leader to our staff of more than 140 individuals. 

One of my favorite quotes is, “the greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things, he is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” This quote resonates with me most because every day, I look to show, teach, or guide someone to be better than they were the day before. 



LEADERSHIP: LEARNING QUICK FROM THE GET-GO

When it comes to leadership, I had to find the leader in myself through experience. After I graduated college from LSU, immediately, I was put into a management role and learned very quickly the reason that you have two ears and one mouth. This is so that you can listen twice as much as you speak. Through my formal education, I had not been taught many leadership traits. However, soon enough, I realized that the people that really listened to what others had to say were well-respected and most oftentimes, even admired. 


LEADERSHIP: LISTENING, LEARNING & ACCOMPLISHING 

Simply put, everyone has a story to tell. As the years went by, I began to take a genuine interest in people and listen to their stories. I found that when I built this closer relationship with others, we were able to accomplish our goals together much more easily. In my opinion, I believe that good leaders know what is going on in their team member’s lives, both personally and professionally. Good leaders are also always trying to help them accomplish their short and long-term goals. 


LEADERSHIP: LEADING BY EXAMPLE

By helping others conquer their goals, it has boosted their self-confidence. In turn, this has increased my own self-confidence. It also helped keep me on track with my own goals, because I feel that the most respected leaders lead by example. I have always been a firm believer that you cannot ask someone to do something that you have not done yourself or do daily. 


As I look back at my career, I am proud to say that it was not only me that made this company as successful as it is today, but my team as a whole. We continue to grow through great leadership and professionalism. 


LEADERSHIP: ONE FINAL PIECE OF ADVICE

Finally, I find that the greatest leaders smile and smile often.  They say that smiling is contagious. I fully believe that it is. When you are smiling, the whole world smiles back at you. Begin each day with a warm greeting and a huge grin. You never know how much it can mean to not only your employees, but also a stranger. 


LEADER IN PROPERTY DAMAGE RESTORATION

GRS is the leading property damage restoration company along the Gulf Coast. Whether it’s 8:00 AM or 11:00 PM, our team of 140 professionals is available 24/7, which is not just a number, it’s a GUARANTEE. If you have a water, fire or mold loss, give us a call at 800-349-HELP (4357) or email info@guaranteerestoration.net.


Shawn Folks is the Chief Executive Officer of Guarantee Restoration Services, where he has served in this role since 2013. To connect with him, send him an email or visit LinkedIn.

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The Dangers of Hidden Water Damage in Commercial Properties

By Adrianne Hungerford • June 3, 2026
Hidden moisture can damage commercial buildings long before it's visible. Learn the risks, warning signs, and importance of professional mitigation.

Why Pre-Loss Planning Matters for Lafayette Properties on the Gulf Coast

By Jeremy Cryer • May 27, 2026
On the Gulf Coast, preparation isn’t optional. It’s simply a part of doing business. From hurricane season to heavy rain events and everything in between, properties in Lafayette face a different level of risk than most. And when something does happen, the difference between a smooth recovery and a stressful situation often comes down to one thing: having a plan in place with the right team. Why Pre-Loss Planning Looks Different in Lafayette Pre-loss planning looks a little different here because the risks are different. It’s not just about knowing where your shutoffs are or having a list of contacts. It’s about understanding how quickly a storm can shift, how water can move through a property, and how to respond when multiple buildings or locations are impacted at once. That kind of preparation requires more than a template. It requires local knowledge. At Guarantee Restoration Services, our Lafayette team builds pre-loss plans with that in mind. We take into account the specific challenges that come with properties in Acadiana, including wind-driven rain, tornado threats, and the potential for widespread damage across an entire area. That allows us to create a plan that is realistic, not just theoretical. The Importance of Having a Clear Path Forward “We’ve seen how quickly things can escalate during a storm event. Having a pre-loss plan in place gives our clients a clear path forward instead of trying to figure it out in the middle of the chaos,” said Craig Rose, Mitigation Manager at our Lafayette Branch. That “clear path forward” is what makes the biggest difference. When a storm hits, response times are everything, but so is access. Roads can be blocked, power can be out, and communication can be limited. A strong pre-loss plan accounts for those variables and ensures that response efforts can begin as soon as it is safe to do so. Protecting Operations, Employees, and Tenants It also helps property teams stay focused on what matters most. Instead of trying to coordinate vendors, track down information, or make high-pressure decisions, they can follow a plan that has already been built around their property and their priorities. From a business standpoint, that level of preparation protects more than just the building. It protects operations, tenants, employees, and timelines. Building Trust Before Disaster Strikes “Pre-loss planning is about building trust before there’s ever a problem. Our clients know who to call, what to expect, and how we’re going to support them when something happens,” said Paige Hebert, Business Development Representative in Lafayette. That trust and familiarity matter, especially in a region where large-scale events can impact entire communities at once. You are not just calling a company, you are calling a team that already understands your property, your risks, and your expectations. Be Realistic. Be Ready. Pre-loss planning on the Gulf Coast is not about over-preparing. It is about being realistic and ready. Because when the next storm comes through Lafayette, it is not a matter of if you will need a plan—it is a matter of how well that plan works when it is put to the test. Call us today to schedule your Pre-Loss Planning meeting where 24/7 is not just a number… it’s a GUARANTEE!

How to Respond to Property Damage in the First 24 Hours

By Shawn Folks • May 20, 2026
When a disaster strikes and a loss happens, the clock starts immediately. The first 24 hours after a storm event or a fire loss are the most critical for any property. It is at this time that major decisions need to be made, the damage is either controlled or spreads, and the path to recovery is determined. These decisions are often rushed, unclear, and reactive without a plan in place. This is where having a pre-loss plan makes a measurable and meaningful difference. A pre-loss plan creates a clear starting point for you and your team instead of scrambling to figure out who to call, what steps to take, or how to protect the property. It removes reactive hesitation and replaces it with action to recover. Everyone involved knows their role and understands the process, allowing them to move quickly without second guessing. Speed matters in restoration. Water continues to spread; materials continue to deteriorate, and secondary damage, like mold, can begin in as little as 24 to 48 hours. The faster a response is initiated, the more damage can be contained. Pre-loss planning allows that response to begin immediately, not hours or days later. Other than fast action, it also brings clarity during a very chaotic and challenging moment. Property managers, facility teams, and business owners are not left out in the dark trying to make high-pressure decisions on the spot. Instead, they are following a plan that has already been thoroughly thought through, discussed, and tailored to their specific property’s needs. Communication can become fragmented without a plan. Another advantage to pre-loss planning is coordination. There are several moving parts including emergency services, restoration teams, and insurance carriers. Having a plan streamlines communication ensuring that everyone involved is aligned from the start. At Guarantee Restoration Services, pre-loss planning is designed to support the exact moment the dust settles. It’s not just about preparing documents to sign ahead of time; it’s about setting up our partners and clients to respond with confidence when it matters the most. From established points of contact to documented site conditions and response protocols, everything is built to protect time, reduce damage, and maintain control.  Many people think preparation is about preventing the worst from happening. Rather, it is about being ready when it happens. Because when those first 24 hours hit, you do not want to be figuring things out. You want to be executing a well-formulated, personalized plan for recovery. Call us today...where 24/7 isn’t just a number, it’s a GUARANTEE!
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