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/

If Adam'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!

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/

Support The Show

If Brendan'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!

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!

In this episode of No Suits Allowed, Connor Rodich speaks with Tony Carleo, owner of Patriot Roofing and a man whose life story reads like something out of a Netflix series.

Tony opens up about his fall into addiction, his nine-year stint in prison, and the moment he realized that if he didn’t change course, he wouldn’t survive. Through grit, voracious reading and a return to the roofing trade he’d briefly tasted years earlier, Tony found a new path. Today, he and Connor share a bond that’s part brotherhood, part business partnership, and all about keeping each other honest and accountable.

Together, Connor and Tony dive into the nuts and bolts of building a roofing company from the ground up: why the devil really is in the details, how the right CRM can turn data into dollars, and what it takes to train and retain good people in an industry where goalposts are forever shifting. By blending Connor’s operational savvy with Tony’s “bulldog” mentality for customer advocacy, especially in the complex world of insurance restoration, they’ve carved out a business that’s as profitable as it is principled.

Whether you’re wrestling with your own “rock bottom” or simply looking for fresh ideas on scaling a service business, this conversation proves that even the toughest pasts can fuel the boldest futures.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share with a friend who needs a lift, and stay tuned for more unfiltered talks with real executives, no suits required.

1. Episode Kickoff & Tony’s Introduction (from partnership origin to Patriot Roofing founding) – 00:00:34
2. Addiction Spiral, High Roller Casino Heist & Incarceration – 00:07:18
3. Post-Prison Transformation & Return to Roofing Industry – 00:15:48
4. Entrepreneurial Takeaways & Scaling Challenges in Roofing – 00:17:51
5. Final Reflections & Motivational Advice (“I love money… do it legally”) – 00:29:45

Connect With Tony

• Website: https://patriotroofco.com/
• The High Roller Heist: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-high-roller-heist/id1725340781 (the 8-part episodes sharing Tony's full story)

Connect With Connor

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

Support The Show

If Tony'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!

In this episode of No Suits Allowed: Real Talk with Real Executives, Connor speaks with Aaron Christy, owner of Indy Roof and serial entrepreneur, about the highs, lows, and hard-won lessons of scaling a service business.

Aaron takes us from his first hesitant days learning roofing in 2018 to hitting nearly $10 million in revenue by year three, and the unglamorous balancing act of “grow the sales, fix the operations” that followed. Listeners will hear how he swapped a $50,000 salary and reinvested every penny, hired the right integrator partner to complement his visionary drive, and overhauled systems so his team could handle 15 million in annual volume without melting down.

Along the way, Aaron dives into the nuts and bolts of financial stewardship, building reserve accounts that cover monthly payroll, tapping turnkey real-estate syndications for tax-efficient returns, and avoiding the pitfalls of outgrowing key teammates. He shares why “inspect what you expect” became his mantra, how to know when to let go of underperformers (even family), and the critical mindset shift from working in the business to working on it. Whether you run a contractor shop or a startup, Aaron’s unfiltered play-by-play of risk, reward, and razor-sharp focus offers plenty of takeaways.

Timestamps

1. Aaron’s entrepreneurial background and founding of Indy Roof – 4:38
2. Scaling to $9.8 million and balancing sales vs. operations – 7:53
3. Hiring Adam as integrator to fill operational gaps – 15:49
4. Visionary–Integrator partnership dynamics and decision-making – 22:05
5. Financial management and real estate investment strategies – 26:02

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.christy.79/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronchristy/

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/

If Aaron’s story resonated with you, please:

• Rate and...

In this episode of No Suits Allowed, Connor speaks with Ben Hodson, founder and CEO of JobNimbus, from right inside the company’s Salt Lake City headquarters. Ben takes us on a journey through a roller-coaster entrepreneurial career, ten startups in all, with hard-won lessons learned from early wins, devastating investor fraud that froze the bank accounts of his last venture, and a pivot into home-exterior software that he funded with every dollar he had. Along the way, Ben doubled JobNimbus’s revenue in 2020, raised a $53 million Series A that same year, and then closed a record-setting $330 million Series B in 2024, the largest Series B ever in Utah history.

Together, Connor and Ben dig into the habits and mindsets that have carried him from survival mode to scale mode: daily meditation with intention-setting, embracing sacrifice without losing sight of family, and the single-minded focus on impact over income. They also pull back the curtain on private-equity partnerships, why you should raise capital when you’re thriving, how to cast your own vision rather than being “one-and-done,” and why you should always ask potential investors what returns they’re promising to their own backers.

By the end of this conversation, you’ll walk away with a playbook for building resilience, balancing growth with fulfillment, and finding true meaning in your work. Whether you’re plotting your first startup, weighing a PE deal, or simply looking for some real talk about what it takes to lead a purpose-driven business, Ben’s stories and insights deliver the kind of no-nonsense guidance you need. Don’t miss it, subscribe, share, and get ready to turn every challenge into your next big win.

Timestamps

1. Entrepreneurial Beginnings & Past Exits – 00:03:12
2. Surviving Investor Fraud & Early JobNimbus Struggles – 00:08:45
3. Scaling JobNimbus and Raising Series A & B Rounds – 00:16:30
4. Time Management, Mental Health & Productivity Rituals – 00:27:05
5. Private Equity Partnerships & Vision for Contracting’s Future – 00:37:50

Connect With Ben

• Website: https://jobnimbus.me/3W53LGU
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benlanehodson/

Connect With Connor

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

If Ben's story resonated with you, please:

- Rate and review the podcast!

- Share this episode with another entrepreneur who needs encouragement

- Subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In this episode of No Suits Allowed, host Connor Rodich sits down with Patrick Carr, founder and CEO of Blue Collar Media Group, for an unfiltered conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, and the real cost of building a business from nothing.

Patrick's story is one of incredible determination - from facing home foreclosure and living in a $1,000/month motel to building a debt-free media company that serves contractors nationwide.

This isn't your typical success story; it's a raw, honest look at what it takes to survive and thrive as an entrepreneur when everything is on the line.

Get ready for an authentic conversation about failure, pain, persistence, and the mindset shifts that separate those who give up from those who break through.

Key Topics Covered:

• Patrick's dramatic fall from a failing funding company that left him $50K in debt and facing foreclosure
• The moment his car broke down on I-95 while heading to his first client meeting with no money for repairs
• How he started Blue Collar Media Group with just a cell phone and YouTube tutorials
• Taking out a $90K loan with $70K in interest and $1,850 weekly payments
• The mindset shift from "trying to be someone else on camera" to authentic leadership
• Balancing entrepreneurship with personal relationships without burdening your partner
• The difference between physical mistakes and effort mistakes in business
• Why "it's okay to fail, but it's not okay to give up"

Powerful Quotes:

• "Entrepreneurship is a lot like hitting a piñata. You don't know how close you are to achieving what you want."
• "It's okay to fail, but it's not okay to give up on yourself."
• "As men, we sometimes take what we do at the business home, and our partners want to look at us as providers."
• "I accept physical mistakes here. What I don't accept is effort mistakes where you just didn't get in position."

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of taking a shot on yourself when nobody else will
• How authenticity beats trying to be someone you're not
• The power of communicating with your team and partner about difficult seasons
• Why pain and wasted potential can become powerful motivators
• The value of leading from the front and experiencing what your team goes through

• Website: https://bluecollarmediagroup.com/

In the inaugural episode of No Suits Allowed: Real Talk with Real Executives, host Connor Rodich sits down with his VP of Executive Partners, Mikaela Freeman, for an unfiltered look at his entrepreneurial journey. Connor pulls no punches as he shares the real story behind building, losing, and rebuilding multiple businesses across nearly a decade.

From his early days climbing the corporate ladder in NYC tech to his serial entrepreneurship phase that led him through restaurants, golf courses, construction, consulting, and coffee ventures, Connor reveals the costly lessons that shaped his current philosophy. He opens up about going broke twice, navigating 8-9 business ventures, and the health scare that forced him to confront his 80-hour work weeks and 3-hour sleep schedule.

Connor and Mikaela dig deep into the messy reality of business partnerships - the red flags he ignored, the deals that went south, and why most 50/50 partnerships fail. They explore his evolution from majority-stake owner trying to juggle multiple ventures to his current approach of going "all in" on Executive Partners while taking strategic minority positions in other companies.

The conversation gets personal as Connor discusses the mental health challenges that come with high-stakes entrepreneurship, his August 2023 heart episode, and the frameworks he uses now to stay off the emotional roller coaster. If you're struggling with partnership dynamics, work-life boundaries, or the temptation to chase every opportunity, this raw conversation offers hard-won wisdom from someone who's lived through the consequences.

Timestamps

• Connor's Corporate-to-Entrepreneur Transition - NYC Tech to Serial Business Ventures - 6:27
• The Serial Entrepreneur Phase - Restaurants, Golf, Construction, and Consulting - 7:20
• Partnership Lessons Learned - Why 50/50 Deals and Majority Stakes Both Failed - 14:38
• Going Broke Twice - The Real Cost of Spreading Too Thin - 5:36
• The Health Scare Wake-Up Call - Heart Episode from 80-Hour Weeks and Burnout - 27:03
• Mental Health and the Entrepreneurial Roller Coaster - Anxiety, Panic Attacks, and Perspective - 29:06
• The Philosophy Shift - From Multiple Ventures to "All In" on One Thing - 9:15
• Creating Margin and Financial Cushions - The 6-Month Rule and Schedule Boundaries - 34:18
• Why This Podcast Exists - Breaking the "Suits" Facade in Business - 37:05

Connect With Connor

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

Learn more about how Executive Partners helps scale exterior contracting businesses at