Meet Vanessa Van Holland of Restoration 1 of Rancho Cucamonga

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Van Holland.

Hi Vanessa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Vanessa Van Holland, and I’m 39 years old. I spent most of my life in Chino, CA, and after marrying my husband Kenny in 2014, we settled in Upland where we’ve built our life, family, and now – our business.

I attended Pomona Catholic High School, where I played Varsity Softball for four years. We won CIF Championships my freshman and senior years – some of my favorite memories. I was also active in the National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, and several academic clubs. I went on to graduate from Cal State Fullerton with a B.A. in Economics.

My first career was in real estate asset management, where I spent over 12 years learning how to structure LLCs and corporations, manage commercial and residential properties, and analyze business financials. But everything changed when I became pregnant with our first son. Within my first trimester, I was diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidarum, followed by postpartum depression after his birth. I couldn’t return to the office. I lost a sense of who I was – one day I was climbing the corporate ladder, and the next, I could barely get out of bed due to constant nausea and exhaustion.

Craving purpose and a way to contribute financially, I jumped into the world of direct sales – an industry often misunderstood, but one that taught me invaluable lessons. I learned to handle rejection, serve others first, and grow a business from my phone while rocking our baby to sleep. I built a team of over 300 people across the U.S., reached the top 1% of the company, and even earned a Mercedes Benz bonus vehicle. The experience reignited my confidence.

After our second son was born and a few years at home with both boys, I felt ready – emotionally and physically – to return to the workforce. Through my network, I learned of an opening at SERVPRO and was hired as a Sales & Marketing Representative in February 2020. Two weeks later, the world shut down. I was sure I’d be laid off. But the opposite happened.

Our office became busier than ever with COVID cleanings and ongoing water and fire damage calls. As an essential service, we kept working, and I fell in love with the emergency restoration industry. I saw firsthand how meaningful it was to help people during their worst moments. Pipes still burst. Fires still happened. Life didn’t stop and neither did we.

That job planted a seed. I wanted to create something of my own – something that combined my business background, marketing skills, and desire to serve. After exploring several restoration franchises, we chose Restoration 1 because the brand felt like home. We officially opened Restoration 1 of Rancho Cucamonga on September 1, 2024.

We self-funded the business which covered the franchise fee, commercial lease, vehicles, equipment, and startup costs. We’ve bootstrapped every step – driven by grit, faith, and the belief that there’s a better way to show up for customers when they need help most.

Just a few months before our opening, I was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer in November 2023. I underwent surgery in early February to have my thyroid removed. That diagnosis could have sidelined me, but it only fueled me. Life is short, and I knew I had more to give. I used that experience as a reminder to walk fully in my calling, using my God-given strengths and life experiences to build a business rooted in service, excellence, and community.

Today, I manage the day-to-day sales and marketing for our company while my husband, Kenny, leads our field operations. Together, we’ve built a team we’re proud of. We were recently honored with the “Rookie of the Year” award at the 2024 Restoration 1 Partner Summit. It’s an incredible milestone – but truly, we’re just getting started.

Our vision is to continue growing a trusted emergency restoration business that provides career opportunities, exceptional service, and real impact – one job, one customer, one family at a time.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We’ve definitely faced the everyday struggles that come with being new business owners – managing cash flow, building the right team, navigating the complexities of insurance claims, and working hard to establish our name in a competitive industry. But every challenge has clarified our purpose. It’s pushed us to stay rooted in our values: serve people with compassion, do things the right way, and build something that truly lasts.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Restoration 1 of Rancho Cucamonga is a 24/7 emergency response company specializing in water damage restoration, fire and smoke damage cleanup, mold remediation, and biohazard/trauma cleanup. When disaster strikes, we’re the first call homeowners, business owners and property managers make to stop secondary damages such as mold, restore safety, and bring peace of mind back into their lives.

We’re locally owned and operated, and we pride ourselves on being a dependable, compassionate team during some of the most stressful moments our customers will ever face. What sets us apart is not just the work we do, but how we do it. We treat every home as if it were our own and every customer like family.

Our team is IICRC certified, highly trained, and committed to maintaining the highest standards in the industry. We’re also known for our fast response time, clear communication, and ability to work directly with insurance companies, taking a major burden off the homeowner’s shoulders.

What we’re most proud of, brand-wise, is the trust we’ve earned in such a short time. We’re a newer franchise, but we’re already making a big impact. Being honored with the “Rookie of the Year” award at the 2024 Restoration 1 Partner Summit is a national recognition we’re incredibly proud of. It reflects the hard work we’ve put in and the reputation we’re building for excellence and care.

Our goal is simple: to be the team you can count on when things go wrong. We want people to know they’re not alone – and that help, experience, and integrity are just one phone call away.

How do you define success?
To me, success is about impact – not just income. It’s about waking up each day knowing that the work we do truly matters. That we’re helping people during some of their hardest moments, and that we’re building something meaningful and lasting – for our family, our team, and our community.

Success means creating a business that reflects our core values: integrity, compassion, and excellence. It’s measured in the trust we earn, the relationships we build, and the way we show up for others when it counts most.

I also see success in the legacy we’re creating – for our children, who get to watch their parents build something from the ground up, and for our team, who are growing alongside us and pouring just as much heart into our mission. If we can look back and say we made a difference, took care of people, and honored God in the process – that’s real success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://restoration1.com/rancho-cucamonga
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restoration_1_rancho_cucamonga
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Restoration-1-of-Rancho-Cucamonga/61559525630116/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-van-holland-6b758a19a/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/restoration-1-of-rancho-cucamonga-upland-4

Image Credits
Allen Wayne Photography