By David Schuler, Nova Southeastern University

When a pipe explodes at 3 a.m. or a condo gets flooded from top to bottom, Gabriel Nerys doesn’t second guess himself. When the phone rings, he’s out the door-even before people realize it’s an emergency.

“I’ll get calls at midnight, sometimes at four in the morning,” said Nerys, the owner of Voda Cleaning and Restoration in Miami. “And if I’m not going, my team is. I make sure someone’s always there. We don’t leave people waiting when their home’s underwater.”

For the past eight months, Nerys has managed Voda, which is distributed in areas from Pompano Beach to Key Biscayne. The company does cleaning and restoration of homes and cars, which ranges from carpet, upholstery, water, fire to mold repairs.

Before getting into restoration, Nerys worked in the car industry, mainly in sales but also in other areas that gave him a feel for how businesses run.  

“My background has always been franchise,” he said. “I started in the car business when I was 18 years old.”

That experience in sales led him to purchase the franchise with Voda, a company based in Madison, Wisconsin that started franchising after the founder Dragan Krstic collaborated with Voda in 2009 to provide it under the name of restoration services.

“I like franchising because it feels like your holding someone else’s hand,” Nerys explained. “You have a system, a team, and a network to rely on. And when you’re dealing with disasters, that support means everything.”

Nerys also travels across the state, sometimes working with other franchise owners.

“If something happens in Tampa and they need help, I’ll go up there,” he said. “But even when I’m helping others, I still have to manage what’s happening here. It’s all about balance and knowing you’re not alone.”

Not every emergency is caused by storms or hurricanes. Many come from household accidents such as leaky pipes, overflowing tubs, or faulty water heaters.

“It’s crazy how many refrigerator leaks we get,” he laughed. “Sometimes, that tiny unattended leak in a humid environment can lead to mold spreading through the whole house.” 

While some calls are routine, others are far more difficult. Nerys remembers a biohazard cleanup that followed a death inside a home.

“The man had been deceased for about three weeks,” he said quietly. “Once the coroner removed the body, we went in and cleaned what was left. There’s blood, fluids, maggots…you have to be fully suited up.”

He said that the first time was tough.

“I thought I was going to throw up in my mask.” he said. “But I didn’t. The odor, though-you never forget it. Humans are the smelliest mammals on earth.”

The difficult scenes taught him compassion. Rather than focusing on the most difficult scenes, he understands that each situation is different.

“In the end, we’re human before we’re business owners,” he said. “People call us on their worst days. You have to show up with compassion.”

One thing that Nerys is proud of is his company’s integrity.

“If a job costs $5,000, that’s what I charge,” he said. “I’m not interested in what the insurance cap is. I’m going to do the job for what it’s worth—not try to rip anyone off just because I can.”

He said he often asks homeowners to pay upfront, even though insurance later reimburses them.

“That actually helps them,” Nerys said. “It forces insurance companies to pay faster. And it keeps everything honest.”

His bold strategy in payments has built strong relationships with clients.

“I still have customers from 27 years ago who call me for car advice,” he said with a grin. “When people know you care, they don’t forget.”

As environmental awareness grows, Nerys is proud that Voda has been eco-conscious from the start.

“Every product we use is kid- and pet-friendly,” he said. “We use hospital-grade, green cleaning solutions—even if it costs more. I’d rather pay extra knowing no one’s going to get sick.”

That mindset extends to everything from mold treatments to tile and grout cleaning.

“You don’t want to use harsh chemicals on a floor where a two-year-old’s going to be walking,” he said. “Safety and health come first.”

That same care extends to how the company treats its customers.

“We’re a five-star company on Google and Yelp,” he said. “But more than that, I want customers to feel like they can depend on us.”

As for Nerys, every long morning and busy night is well worth it.

“When someone’s standing in a flooded living room and they see us walk in, you can see the relief on their face,” he said. “That’s what this is about—helping people feel safe again.”