ABOUT US
Who You Are Working With
Our Background
Total Contentz is the go-to resource for restoration professionals looking to elevate their contents processing capabilities. Led by industry experts Barb Jackson, CR, and Tim Jackson, our team provides consulting, training, and facility design services to help restorers streamline operations, improve efficiency, and enhance their quality of service.
With decades of hands-on experience, we specialize in contents processing facility design, workflow optimization, pack-out techniques, ultrasonic cleaning, and textile processing. Whether you’re a full-service restorer or a specialized cleaning contractor, Total Contentz equips you with the tools and knowledge to succeed.
Meet The Team
Barb Jackson, CR
President, Consultant, Speaker, Instructor
Back in 1990, Barb Jackson saw a need in the restoration world and jumped in feet first. She founded Restoration CleanUps, offering specialized fire, smoke, and water damage restoration cleaning services to contractors across Pittsburgh, Western PA, Ohio and West Virgina. . For over a decade, she and her team tackled hundreds of restoration jobs, developing smart systems that balanced efficiency with compassion for those dealing with a loss.
Fast forward to today—Barb is the powerhouse behind Total Contentz, helping restoration professionals level up their contents processing game. From hands-on training to cutting-edge facility design, she’s dedicated to making contents restoration easier, more efficient, and more profitable. Her expertise spans everything from frontline workflow strategies to pack-out techniques, and she’s helped design facilities ranging from cozy 2,000 SF . spaces to massive 120,000 SF operations.
Barb is also a Certified Restorer (CR) through the Restoration Industry Association (RIA)—an honor held by only a select few, and she was the 11th woman to earn it. She’s shared her knowledge in industry magazines like C&R, Cleanfax, and R&R and co-created the Contents Solutions Newsletter to keep restoration pros ahead of the curve.
If you’ve read about contents restoration, there’s a good chance Barb wrote the article. Some of her published work includes:
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Finding Value in Contents Cleaning & Restoration (C&R Magazine)
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The Nuances of Contents Restoration – It All Depends (C&R Magazine, 2024)
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The Amazing World of Media Restoration (R&R Magazine, 2014)
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Contents: The Future of Restoration (R&R Magazine, 2013)
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Why Communication is Key for Contents Professionals (R&R Magazine, 2012)
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The Value of Contents Inventory Systems (Restoration and Remediation magazine, May 20, 2011)
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Avoiding Pack Out Pitfalls (Restoration and Remediation magazine, July 2, 2008)
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Building a Profitable Contents Restoration Division (Restoration and Remediation magazine, March 1st, 2007)
Bottom line? Barb knows contents restoration inside and out—and she’s here to help you make the most of it.
Tim Jackson
Consultant & Instructor
(Not just Barb’s husband—though she might say otherwise!)
Tim Jackson brings a rare mix of hands-on construction know-how and deep restoration expertise to the table. As a Registered Master Plumber, he’s got a knack for problem-solving, which made him the perfect guy to manage hundreds of structure and contents restoration projects back in the Restoration CleanUps days. For 13 years, he kept jobs running smoothly in the Pittsburgh area, tackling everything from water damage to full-scale pack-outs.
Now, as co-owner of Total Contentz, Tim focuses on facility design, project management, and hands-on training. He and Barb have helped design restoration facilities of all shapes and sizes—from 2,000 sq. ft. setups to massive 120,000 sq. ft. operations. His expertise also covers contents processing, pack-outs, ultrasonic cleaning, electronics restoration, and soft goods processing—basically, if it needs cleaning or restoring, Tim’s got a system for it.
Tim holds a Water Damage Restoration certification from the IICRC and teaches several hands-on courses to help restoration professionals level up their game.
Whether it’s training, consulting, or facility design, Tim’s all about helping restorers work smarter, not harder.
Jennifer Hahne
Administration & Sales
Jennifer has been in the restoration world since the 90s, rolling up her sleeves and getting hands-on with on-site cleaning and pack-outs at Restoration CleanUps. She knows the ins and outs of contents restoration—not just from behind a desk, but from years of real-world experience in the field.
After taking a short detour, she rejoined Total Contentz in 2015 as office and sales manager, where she keeps everything running smoothly. If you call with a question about training, workshops, or consulting, chances are, Jennifer’s the friendly voice on the other end, ready to help.
Whether she’s helping restorers get the training they need or getting connecting them with resources or other industry professionals or jumping into the action herself, Jennifer is an essential part of the Total Contentz team.
Sadie Jackson
Brand Ambassador & Morale Officer
Meet Sadie, the four-legged heart of Total Contentz! This lovable yellow Lab isn’t just a pretty face—she’s a full-time road warrior, riding shotgun thousands of miles across country alongside Barb and Tim to clients facilities, workshops, job sites, and industry events. Whether she’s snoozing in the truck, making new friends, or supervising facility designs (mostly by lying in the middle of the floor), Sadie is always part of the action.
Clients love her, and let’s be honest—so do we. Sadie has an uncanny ability to show up right when you need a break, offering a wag, a nuzzle, or just some good old-fashioned Lab energy to lighten the mood. When things get hectic, she reminds everyone to take a deep breath (and maybe share a snack).
She may not be certified in fire, smoke, or water damage restoration, but she’s an expert in boosting morale, making people smile, and keeping the Total Contentz team running smoothly.
If you see her at a training, go ahead—give her a pat. She’ll probably try to follow you home.
In Memoriam
Steven LaVelle
Author, Speaker & Marketing Consultant
Steven LaVelle wasn’t just a marketing expert—he was a force in the restoration industry. His words, ideas, and teachings helped thousands of professionals build stronger businesses, land more jobs, and navigate the ever-changing world of restoration sales.
As the author of Get Paid!, 197 Ways to Persuade Adjusters to Give You the Job!, and Contents Restoration Success!, Steven shaped the way restorers approach marketing and client relationships. He personally trained over 10,000 professionals, sharing his expertise on sales, marketing, and persuasion. His influence extended beyond workshops and consulting—he appeared on national talk shows, radio programs, and industry events, bringing his unique energy and insight to a broad audience.
In 2008, Steven partnered with Barb Jackson to co-create the Contents Solutions Newsletter, a resource that quickly became a must-read for those looking to grow their contents restoration business. He worked closely with Total Contentz clients, always ready with fresh marketing ideas, practical strategies, and his signature enthusiasm.
On November 2, 2024, we lost Steven after a quiet but fierce battle with illness. True to his nature, he kept his struggles private, choosing to focus on his work and the people he helped rather than his own hardships. He passed peacefully, surrounded by family.
Steven’s legacy lives on in the thousands of professionals he mentored, the timeless wisdom in his books and articles, and the countless businesses that thrive because of his insights. He was more than a consultant—he was a friend, a mentor, and an inspiration to so many.
We are honored to have known and worked alongside Steven, and his impact will never be forgotten.
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