What does it really take to build a thriving roofing business in today's competitive market? According to Ronnie Lawler, CEO of Avco Roofing, the answer might surprise you.

"The most important part of our business is the people side," reveals Lawler in this compelling conversation that peels back the curtain on what truly drives sustainable growth in the roofing industry. From his unlikely start as an 11-year-old newspaper salesman knocking doors in New Jersey to building a multimillion-dollar roofing company, Lawler shares the hard-won wisdom that comes from being in the trenches.

Lawler doesn't shy away from discussing the mistakes that shaped his leadership philosophy. He candidly explains how promoting top salespeople into management roles backfired when they lacked leadership skills, and how ignoring "yellow flags" about character in favor of potential performance created costly problems. These lessons transformed how Avco approaches hiring, training, and retention.

Perhaps most valuable is Lawler's insight into why door-to-door sales remains effective despite changing times. "Our number one sales guy this year has knocked the most doors," he notes, while breaking down the psychology that separates successful reps from those who fail. His practical advice for overcoming mental barriers and rejection will resonate with anyone who's ever felt anxiety about prospecting.

What truly sets this conversation apart is Lawler's counterintuitive approach to retaining talent. Despite not being the highest-paying company in their markets, Avco rarely loses employees to competitors. The secret? Lawler blocks the first hour of every day for connecting with team members – no meetings, no exceptions – a practice he's maintained for seven years. "Professional problems are personal problems, just in fancier clothes," he explains, emphasizing the power of understanding the whole person.

Whether you're running a roofing business or simply interested in leadership principles that work, this episode delivers actionable strategies for building systems, developing people, and creating a culture where everyone thrives. Subscribe now and discover why the human element remains the ultimate competitive advantage.

What does it take to build a thriving retail roofing business in America's most impoverished region? Juan Curling's remarkable journey from missionary kid to successful entrepreneur offers a masterclass in process-driven sales, faith-based leadership, and the power of perseverance.

Born in Mexico to missionary parents, Juan's life took a dramatic turn when his father abandoned the family while his mother battled cancer. At just 16, he stepped into the role of man of the house, developing leadership skills that would later serve him in business. Through a series of divine appointments and strategic decisions, Juan eventually founded Frontline, a roofing company that achieves what most would consider impossible: a 70% close rate with 50% profit margins in retail sales.

Unlike most roofing companies that rely heavily on storm insurance work, Juan's business generates 98% of its revenue from retail customers in South Texas—an area with three counties ranking among the nation's 17 poorest. His secret? A meticulously structured sales process where every lead receives 27 contact attempts in three days, coupled with specialized departments handling everything from lead generation to final closing. "Getting the lead is the easiest part," Juan explains. "The money is made on how you handle that lead."

The conversation offers invaluable insights into effective sales techniques, including what Juan calls a "spiral close" where objections are systematically addressed throughout the presentation rather than at the end. He also shares his unique compensation structure featuring salary advances with quarterly "true-ups" that keeps his team motivated year-round despite seasonal fluctuations.

Beyond business strategies, Juan's story is fundamentally about faith and priorities. He recounts a pivotal moment when he nearly sacrificed his marriage for career success, only to discover that honoring God and family first mysteriously eliminated the business obstacles he couldn't control. "Put God first, put your family second, and work fits into there," he advises. "Don't grow if you're not ready to do that."

Whether you're looking to strengthen your retail sales approach or seeking a more balanced path to entrepreneurial success, this episode offers both practical tactics and profound wisdom from someone who's built something extraordinary against all odds.

What happens when you dare to stand out in an industry where everyone looks the same? Adam Ross of Honeybee Roofing discovered the answer when he traded in traditional red, white, and blue branding for bright yellow trucks that literally stop traffic.

"When I had one truck, people told me they saw our trucks everywhere," Adam shares, describing how his distinctive branding transformed his business visibility in Rockford, Illinois. Within just 30 days of rebranding, their SEO performance skyrocketed, proving that sometimes the boldest moves bring the sweetest rewards.

But Honeybee Roofing's success stems from something much deeper than eye-catching colors. Adam has built his $2.25 million company on relationship foundations that most contractors overlook. While competitors chase storms hours away, Adam focuses on serving his local community with what he calls "unreasonable hospitality." His philosophy is simple yet profound: "We treat our clients like neighbors because they are neighbors."

This relationship-centered approach has yielded remarkable results. Adam recounts how a single relationship led to a contract for 14 duplexes—a job that generated more revenue than their entire previous year combined. "I had two hours of work into that specific project but years of work into the relationship," he explains, revealing the compounding power of consistent connection.

Beyond business strategy, Adam shares candid insights about balancing entrepreneurship with family life and faith. From establishing financial systems to creating meaningful routines, he demonstrates that success comes from small, consistent actions rather than grand gestures. His humility shines through when he advises: "Be open to the fact that other people know things you don't."

Whether you're a roofing contractor looking to differentiate your brand, an entrepreneur seeking sustainable growth strategies, or a business owner navigating work-life balance, Adam's journey offers practical wisdom you can apply immediately. Ready to transform your approach to business relationships and create a brand that truly stands out?

What happens when a roofing company owner faces his own mortality through a series of heart attacks that were repeatedly misdiagnosed? For Austin Watterson of Royal Roofing, this life-altering experience completely transformed his approach to business growth and sustainability.

Austin's journey begins with an unexpected background—starting as a Sonic Drive-in partner at just 19 years old before transitioning to roofing at 30. Unlike many in the industry who build their businesses through door knocking, Austin leveraged his natural talent for relationship building. "I've knocked less than probably 500 doors in my lifetime," he reveals, having built his company instead through strategic alliances, referral networks, and later, digital marketing.

The conversation takes a profound turn when Austin shares the story of his health crisis. For months, he experienced what doctors misdiagnosed as back pain and muscle spasms. These were actually multiple heart attacks affecting his thoracic spine rather than presenting with the stereotypical chest pain. "Sixty percent of heart attacks are in your back, not in your chest," Austin explains, hoping his story might save others who mistake similar symptoms for muscle issues.

This brush with mortality forced Austin to confront an uncomfortable question: what would happen to his business if he wasn't around to run it? The answer led him to completely rethink his approach to growth and ownership. "I'd rather have part of a watermelon than an entire grape," he shares, explaining why he's now pursuing mergers and partnerships to build Royal Roofing toward becoming a $100 million company within three years.

Austin's wisdom extends to all roofing business owners wondering how to scale their companies without burning out. His advice? Define your end goal, build systems that don't rely entirely on your presence, and don't be afraid to share ownership with the right partners. "Most guys in business, if they were to take a month off work, what would their company look like?" he challenges listeners to consider.

Ready to transform your roofing business from a one-person show into a sustainable enterprise that could survive without you? Listen now to discover why Austin believes the days of "working off Excel spreadsheets and Big Chief tablets" are over, and how the right partnerships might be the key to unlocking your company's true potential.

What happens when a football coach with 32 seasons of experience decides to tackle the roofing industry? Ken Blankenship's remarkable journey from coaching NFL players to building Superior Roofing offers powerful lessons for anyone struggling with sales teams, business growth, or finding meaning in their work.

Ken entered roofing in 2018 without knowing what drip edge or underlayment was—yet made nearly $400,000 in commissions his first year. His secret wasn't technical knowledge but a deeply human approach to sales. "Everything is about relationship building," Ken explains. "If you don't know how to handle that human interaction, it wears on you mentally and emotionally."

The conversation reveals why door-to-door sales feels so challenging despite being physically simple. Ken's coaching background shines through as he shares techniques for handling rejection, reading subtle client cues, and transforming confrontational moments into meaningful connections. His story about knocking on doors after they've been slammed in his face—offering compassion rather than sales pitches—illustrates the power of genuine human concern in business.

Having launched Superior Roofing's residential division just months before this conversation, Ken's fresh perspective on growth challenges resonates with both new and established business owners. His "five-minute rule" for handling disappointment and failure offers practical wisdom for anyone facing setbacks. The episode culminates with a fascinating story about eating off strangers' plates at a high-end restaurant that perfectly encapsulates Ken's philosophy: "What's the worst that can happen when you try?"

Whether you're in roofing, sales, leadership, or simply interested in building better relationships, this conversation offers rare insights into growing businesses through genuine human connection. As Ken puts it, "I'd rather try and fail than not try at all."

What happens when everything falls apart in your roofing business? Matt Dravis of Trinity Roofing and Restoration opens up about the gut-punch moments that have tested his resolve during one of his most challenging years as a business owner.

From a bounced check that left him $34,000 in the hole to a project gone wrong that damaged a five-year relationship with a valuable general contractor, Matt doesn't shy away from the brutal realities of entrepreneurship. Yet his perspective on these setbacks offers a masterclass in resilience: "Everything's a lesson, nothing's a failure. You're only a failure if you quit."

Matt shares his journey from reluctant industry participant to passionate business builder, detailing how he transitioned from the oil and gas sector to founding Trinity Roofing nearly a decade ago. The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Matt reveals how he's completely transforming his sales approach with an inside-outside sales model that's already delivering remarkable results just two months after implementation.

Perhaps most valuable is Matt's insight into maintaining mental toughness during business challenges. His morning routine combining physical training with prayer and positive self-talk provides a practical framework for other owners facing similar struggles. "If I tell myself that I'm strong and resolute... eventually it's going to be who I am, because I'm speaking it into existence."

Whether you're struggling with business challenges or looking to refine your systems, this conversation delivers actionable wisdom from someone in the trenches. As Matt reminds us, success isn't about natural talent or formal education—it's about determination and getting out of your own way. Ready to take your roofing business to the next level? This episode is your blueprint.

Dive deep into the inspiring journey of Jared and Nathan, co-founders of Tejas Roofworks, who bravely transitioned from their corporate jobs into the world of entrepreneurship. Driven by their values of faith, family, and community, they transformed their dreams into a booming roofing business, earning $4 million annually while maintaining a focus on integrity and service. In this episode, we explore their candid reflections on the challenges of balancing business growth with family life, the importance of mentorship, and the effective sales strategies that helped them flourish. From their early days of knocking on doors to the establishment of a robust office culture, discover how these two friends navigated pitfalls, overcame obstacles, and learned to appreciate the power of a supportive community. Listeners will be encouraged to reflect on their own journeys and consider how embracing faith and purpose can lead to fulfillment both personally and professionally. As Jared and Nathan continue to set ambitious goals for scaling their business, their story serves as a beacon of inspiration. Join us in celebrating their success and gleaning practical wisdom for your own endeavors. If you resonate with their mission, subscribe, share the episode, and join the conversation!

- Transition from corporate jobs to roofing business
- The role of faith and community in their journey
- Balancing work and family life
- Sales strategies: the effectiveness of door knocking
- The value of mentorship and continual learning
- Future aspirations for scaling the business
- Key challenges faced in establishing Tejas Roofworks
- Work-life balance strategies adopted
- Their company mission of community service and honor

Are you curious about what it takes to thrive as a roofing contractor? In this episode, Luis Venegas, founder of Texas Stag Roofing, shares his incredible journey from having no background in roofing to establishing a successful company focused primarily on retail sales—even amidst the challenging storm market in Texas!

Luis reveals the importance of education in sales, emphasizing a consultative approach that empowers homeowners to understand the value behind their choices. He dives into the innovative strategies Texas Stag employs, including an in-house call center, to generate leads efficiently. This unique method not only yields numerous appointments but allows the company to retain control over their sales process.

Throughout the conversation, we tackle significant themes such as adapting to market shifts, the pros and cons of insurance versus retail roofing, and the importance of cultivating a knowledgeable team through the use of virtual assistants.

Join us for an insightful discussion that underscores how a shift in perspective and strategy can revolutionize a roofing business. After listening, we encourage you to think critically about your own approach—what unique value can you provide to your customers? Don't forget to subscribe and share your thoughts!