Their story is not about shortcuts or overnight success. It is about teamwork, faith and getting comfortable with the uncomfortable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the Head Heart & Boots Podcast<\/a>, John Villon and Nilo Quiroz share their full journey as business partners, breaking down the wins, challenges, and lessons learned in building a successful restoration operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before entering the restoration industry, both John and Nilo built careers in oil & gas. John, a mechanical engineer, spent nearly a decade with Schlumberger, one of the world\u2019s largest oil and gas service companies. The experience gave him exposure to large-scale operations, structure, and leadership\u2014but also clarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After all that exposure, I realized it wasn\u2019t for me to be an employee…I needed to lead. I needed to build something that was meaningful to me. Nilo\u2019s background followed a similar trajectory. He, too, worked internationally with Schlumberger as an engineer, living in nine different countries over the course of his career. The constant movement sharpened his adaptability and people skills, but left him with a growing desire for ownership. When Chris Nordyke asked Nilo why he left his cushy corporate job, Nilo said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n I wanted to know what it feels like to own something. Business partnerships often fail because of overlapping personalities or competing egos, but John and Nilo have different strengths that complement each other. One is measured, the other takes bold risks. John and Nilo Joke-<\/p>\n\n\n\n ‘We\u2019re black and white. Totally different.’ ‘I jump out of the plane, and John is the one who follows and throws me the parachute.’ PuroClean was not their first venture. Before restoration, John and Nilo explored multiple business ideas, including food and beverage and catering. Some showed promise. Others failed outright. <\/p>\n\n\n\n ‘When COVID hit, it basically killed the company… food and beverage was lost everywhere. We came back to the US, reunite and then we said what we’re going to do next.’ “There were moments where the numbers didn\u2019t make sense,\u201d John admits. \u201cThe bank account was going down.\u201d Those moments forced accountability\u2014and ultimately, growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The introduction to restoration came during a hurricane response\u2014not through analysis, but observation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While running a catering operation, Nilo received an urgent request tied to Hurricane Laura: hundreds of meals for disaster response crews on extremely short notice. Nilo recalls:<\/p>\n\n\n\n ‘(First) We delivered 500 meals in a few hours….Then more…Then (soon after) thousands.’<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The sheer volume of orders caught their attention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, John and Nilo operate in one of the most competitive restoration markets in the country. Their success is grounded not in luck, but in discipline, partnership, and a willingness to learn quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI enjoy every failure I\u2019ve had,\u201d John says. \u201cBecause it prepares me for the next step.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For listeners and aspiring owners, their story offers a clear takeaway: progress does not come from certainty. It comes from commitment, adaptability, and choosing the right people to build alongside you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Nilo puts it, \u201cDon\u2019t do this alone. And don\u2019t do it without trust.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n That philosophy is embedded in every company they run\u2014and it\u2019s what turned an unexpected encounter with restoration into a lasting business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PuroClean of Central Southwest Houston was honored to share its story on the Head Heart & Boots<\/a> Podcast. Check out the rest of the podcast on their Spotify<\/a> or Apple<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTwo Engineers, One Shared Dream<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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-John Villon<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n
-Nilo Quiroz<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nOpposite Skill Sets, One Direction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"John](\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/houston-tx-puroclean-central-southwest-houston\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/364\/2025\/12\/John-_Villon_and_Nilo_Quiroz-1024x574.jpg\")
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<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
John Villon<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nilo Quiroz<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nilo is the relationship-builder. He thrives in sales, conversation, and opportunity recognition. John is the strategist\u2014detail-oriented, process-driven, and focused on execution. Together, they make up a robot; one handles the arms, the other handles the legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTrial, Error, and Hard Lessons<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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-Nilo Quiroz<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n
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-John Villon<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nThe Accidental Discovery of Restoration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Building With Intention<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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