In this episode of No Suits Allowed: Real Talk with Real Executives, Connor speaks with Adam Kaminski of Indy Roof & Restoration. Adam pulls back the curtain on his unlikely rise, from scraping concrete forms as a 14-year-old in Chicago to studying theology in Indiana, then pivoting into sales and climbing the ranks of a regional alarm company for 17 years.

Along the way, he earned an executive partnership, helped ready a $650 million business for sale to a PE-backed Fortune 500, and learned the mantra that “businesses don’t grow, people do.”

Adam shares how he turned data into insight, built ready-now leaders, and ultimately answered a persistent invitation from Aaron Christy to co-found the fast-growing Indy Roof & Restoration. Connor and Adam dig into the nuts and bolts of scaling with purpose: why you need a clear “why” before chasing $50 million in revenue, how to marry data-driven decisions with a people-first philosophy, and what it really takes to navigate M&A integration.

They also get candid about work-life integration, replacing a false pursuit of balance with living fully in both family and business today. If you’re wrestling with recruiting, culture, or how to lead in an era of relentless growth, this conversation offers practical frameworks and hard-won wisdom to help you do more than just hit the numbers.

Timestamps

1. Adam’s Early Career Journey – From Blue-Collar Roots to Theology Student – 3:11
2. Pivot into Sales and Corporate Rise – First Alarm-System Sales to Executive Promotion – 7:13
3. Navigating a Major Acquisition – Selling a $650 M Company to a PE-Backed Fortune 500 – 12:38
4. Leadership Philosophy – “Businesses Don’t Grow, People Do” and Developing Ready-Now Leaders – 23:00
5. Work-Life Integration Over Balance – Prioritizing Family While Scaling the Business – 36:27

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-kaminski-60206314/

You can learn more about how Indy Roof and Restoration helps homeowners protect and restore their roofs at Indy Roof and Restoration - and grab their free Storm Damage Checklist.

• Website: https://exec.partners/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connor.rodich/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-rodich/

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In this episode of No Suits Allowed, Connor speaks with Brendan O’Keefe, founder and CEO of RoofSource in the Denver market. Brendan opens up about growing up as one of three triplet brothers, watching his parents lose everything in the 2008 real estate crash and instantly adopting a survival-first mindset. He shares how a pivotal encounter with faith sent him chasing an intentional entrepreneurial path straight out of high school, ultimately leading him to launch RoofSource in 2017. Over the last six years, Brendan walked us through the highs and lows of scaling a roofing business to $14 million in annual revenue, everything from getting his own books in order (six months of OPEX is non-negotiable) to strategically splitting Resource into separate residential and commercial entities so he could step off the sales floor and truly learn to lead.

Along the way, Brendan sheds light on the financial habits and faith-driven discipline that underpin his success, from building cash reserves and savvy tax strategies to practicing generous stewardship. He also explains why he made his wife, Amy, majority owner and chief financial officer, how their weekly “coffee agenda” keeps their marriage and mission on track, and why every entrepreneur has a “platform to rescue and shepherd” whether you’re selling roofs, running crews or coaching your kids’ little league team. If you’re hungry for an unfiltered look at what it really takes to lead with character, prioritize your family first and build a business that lasts, this conversation lays out the blueprint.

Timestamps

1. Early life & entrepreneurial beginnings – 00:00

2. Spiritual encounter & growth-mindset shift before 2017 launch – 05:10

3. Scaling the roofing business & restructuring into three LLCs – 11:45

4. Financial stewardship: six-month cash reserves, tax planning & solo 401(k) – 20:30

5. Family-first leadership: spouse involvement & the “shepherd” philosophy – 28:00

Connect With Brendan

Website: https://roofsourcellc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendan_okeefe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brendan.okeefe2/

Connect With Connor

Website: https://exec.partners/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connor.rodich/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-rodich/

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If Brendan's story resonated with you, please:

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In this episode of No Suits Allowed, Connor speaks with Derrick Christy, a self-made entrepreneur whose journey spans from mowing lawns and running a cleaning company in high school to founding one of Indianapolis’s most respected mortgage and real estate enterprises. Derrick opens up about his early years, selling a small cleaning business, taking a corporate job at Prudential to earn his insurance and investment licenses, and ultimately launching his own mortgage firm in the early ’90s. He recounts the pivotal decision to buy his first 60,000-square-foot office building in 1998, the bold leap into a $26 million retail acquisition in Florida, and the stress test of the 2008 financial crisis, sharing candid lessons on cash management, cultivating strong banking relationships, and the importance of maintaining reserves when the unexpected hits.

Throughout the conversation, Derrick outlines how he built his real estate portfolio to nearly 17 properties today, all while simultaneously growing Horizon Property Group (managing retail, office, and multifamily assets), an independent insurance agency, and a mortgage banking operation. He delves into the strategy behind each business line, highlights the value of choosing the right partners and team members, and explains how he balances risk, keeping overall loan-to-value below 50% and maintaining corporate cash cushions. He also speaks to the mindset and daily disciplines that have carried him forward: from disciplined goal-setting and time management to the wisdom he draws from Proverbs, Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits,” and the power of unrelenting faith and purpose.

Connor and Derrick close the episode with practical advice for any entrepreneur feeling burned out or tempted to pivot too soon: nail one business first, write your goals, guard your time, and never lose sight of why you started. Whether you’re a first-time founder or a seasoned investor, Derrick’s story proves that persistence, sound financial controls, and a clear “why” can turn risks into lasting success. Stay tuned for more real-world lessons on No Suits Allowed, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss a behind-the-scenes look at how today’s top executives keep it unfiltered.

Timestamps

1. Early Entrepreneurship & Mortgage Career Beginnings – 00:01:15
2. First Commercial Real Estate Acquisitions (1998–2002) – 00:08:45
3. Navigating the 2008 Financial Crisis & Loan Maturities – 00:18:20
4. Building a Diversified Platform (Mortgage, Insurance, Property Management & Syndications) – 00:25:50
5. Work-Life Balance, Cash-Reserve Strategy & Entrepreneurial Mindset – 00:32:40

• Website: https://www.derrickchristy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derrick.christy/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrickchristy/

• Website: https://exec.partners/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connor.rodich/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-rodich/

If Derrick's story resonated with you, please:

• Rate and review on Apple Podcasts
• Share this episode with another entrepreneur who needs encouragement
• Subscribe so you never miss an episode!