BusinessMarketingEntrepreneurship

Roofing Success

Jim Ahlin

The Roofing Success Podcast is a show created to inspire roofing contractors to achieve optimal success in their roofing businesses. The host, Jim Ahlin, is the co-author of the book, "Internet Marketing For Roofing Contractors, How to TRIPLE Your Sales and Turn Your Roofing Website Into an Online Lead Generation Machine", and Co-Founder of Roofer Marketers, the Digital Marketing Agency for the roofing industry. On each episode, Jim will be sitting down with industry leaders to talk about their processes, the lessons they learned, and how to find success in roofing.

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#310
June 2 · 1 hr
How to Scale a Roofing Company Without Losing Control
Most roofing companies hit a wall. The owner becomes the bottleneck. Growth creates chaos. And every problem ends up back on their desk. In this episode, Jim sits down with Chance Peare, COO of SkyRight Roofing & Gutters and founder of Framework OPS, to talk about what it really takes to scale a roofing company without losing control. Chance isn't a consultant teaching theory. He's in the trenches every day managing operations, building teams, creating systems, and solving the same challenges roofing owners face as they grow. We discuss the lessons learned from rapid growth, building an accountability-driven culture, creating clear roles and responsibilities, forecasting for growth, and developing the operational infrastructure needed to scale successfully. If you're the reason everything runs—and also the reason everything slows down—this conversation will show you how to build a company that can grow without depending on you for every decision. Connect with Chance: https://skyright.com https://frameworkopsllc.com Listen to the episode on Spotify & Apple Podcasts (310) 👇 🎧 https://roofingpod.com/spotify 🍏 https://roofingpod.com/apple-podcasts PODCAST SPONSORS: - Coast: https://roofingpod.com/Coast - JobNimbus Marketing: https://roofingpod.com/jobnimbus-marketing-get-started - Day 41 Thrive: https://roofingpod.com/day-41-thrive IG: https://www.instagram.com/roofingsuccess/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roofingsuccess Join Our Facebook Group: https://roofingpod.com/facebook 📱 Text Jim @ (612) 512-1812 – Say Hi! 💬 Leave Us a Review: https://roofingpod.com/review Chapters: 00:00 How to Scale a Roofing Company Without Losing Control 05:02 Roofing Company Org Charts & Accountability Systems 07:48 Getting Roofing Employees to Follow Processes 16:00 Residential vs Commercial Roofing Growth Strategies 19:07 How to Add Commercial Roofing Revenue Streams 25:01 How to Get Commercial Roofing Leads Without Marketing 29:51 Commercial Roofing Bid Process Explained 39:44 Roofing KPIs, Margins & Job Costing 43:10 Preventing Material Price Increases from Killing Profit 47:02 Roofing Company Budgeting & Forecasting 51:04 Capacity Planning for Roofing Contractors 55:59 Roofing Operations Audit: What to Fix First
#309
May 26 · 59 min
The Hiring Mistake That Destroys Roofing Companies with Jon Abernathy
What actually makes a roofing company successful long term? According to Jon Abernathy, it’s not having the biggest sales team. It’s having the right people, the right culture, and the right systems. Jon is the founder of Abernathy Roofing and a longtime roofing contractor with more than 25 years of experience in the industry. After building one of the strongest roofing brands in his market, he went on to help TAMKO redesign its Contractor Edge program and now coaches contractors through the Roofing Strong Alliance. In this episode, Jon shares the lessons he learned from swinging hammers and framing houses to scaling a multi-location roofing business. He breaks down the hiring mistakes that cost him the most money, why culture always beats talent, and how focusing on customer experience completely changed the trajectory of his company. We also dive into project management, production systems, profit sharing, speed to lead, and the operational leaks that quietly kill roofing companies. Jon explains how simple process changes saved hundreds of thousands of dollars, improved customer satisfaction, and helped his team scale without losing quality. If you’re an owner trying to build a better team, tighten up operations, or create a company people actually want to work for, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways you can implement immediately. Learn more about TAMKO: https://www.tamko.com Listen to the episode on Spotify & Apple Podcasts (309) 👇 🎧 https://roofingpod.com/spotify 🍏 https://roofingpod.com/apple-podcasts PODCAST SPONSORS: - Coast: https://roofingpod.com/Coast - JobNimbus Marketing: https://roofingpod.com/jobnimbus-marketing-get-started - Day 41 Thrive: https://roofingpod.com/day-41-thrive IG: https://www.instagram.com/roofingsuccess/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roofingsuccess Join Our Facebook Group: https://roofingpod.com/facebook 📱 Text Jim @ (612) 512-1812 – Say Hi! 💬 Leave Us a Review: https://roofingpod.com/review Chapters: 0:00 – Why Culture Matters More Than Money in Roofing Sales 1:27 – Jon Abernathy’s Journey from Homebuilding to Roofing Success 3:10 – How Jon Built a Roofing Empire & Partnered with TAMKO 5:49 – Hiring Roofing Sales Reps: Slow to Hire, Fast to Fire 10:21 – The Biggest Red Flags When Hiring Roofing Salespeople 13:13 – Building a Roofing Company Culture Focused on Family & Community 17:48 – The Cost of Keeping Toxic High-Producing Sales Reps Too Long 21:45 – Where Jon Found His Best Roofing Salespeople 26:27 – The “Dumb Tax” Roofing Contractors Pay on Bad Install Quality 32:30 – Why Roofing Sales Reps Make Terrible Project Managers 37:21 – Roofing Profitability Secrets: Efficiency, Waste Reduction & Incentives 46:40 – Why Most Roofing Companies Don’t Need More Leads, They Need Better Processes
#308
May 19 · 1 hr 1 min
The Customer Experience Strategy Behind 500+ Roofing Reviews with Mike Cochran
500+ roofing reviews don’t happen by accident. Mike Cochran of APEX Roofing built one of the most trusted roofing companies in Texas by focusing on one thing most roofers overlook… customer experience. From communication and follow-up to handling mistakes the right way, Mike shares the systems and mindset that helped APEX grow through referrals, repeat business, and loyal relationships. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why Mike DOESN’T want a perfect 5.0 rating - How great communication creates more referrals - The customer experience details that separate great companies from average ones If you want to grow a roofing company people trust — this episode is for you. Check out APEX Roofing: https://apexroofingcompanies.com Listen to the episode on Spotify & Apple Podcasts (308) 👇 🎧 https://roofingpod.com/spotify 🍏 https://roofingpod.com/apple-podcasts PODCAST SPONSORS: - Coast: https://roofingpod.com/Coast - JobNimbus Marketing: https://roofingpod.com/jobnimbus-marketing-get-started - Day 41 Thrive: https://roofingpod.com/day-41-thrive IG: https://www.instagram.com/roofingsuccess/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roofingsuccess Join Our Facebook Group: https://roofingpod.com/facebook 📱 Text Jim @ (612) 512-1812 – Say Hi! 💬 Leave Us a Review: https://roofingpod.com/review
#307
May 12 · 1 hr 11 min
Inside a Marketing Expert’s Mind: The Strategy Behind Launching Owl Roofing with Tim Brown
What happens when one of roofing’s top marketers launches his own roofing company? In this episode of the Roofing Success Podcast, Jim Ahlin sits down with Tim Brown to break down the strategy behind launching Owl Roofing. From choosing a memorable brand name and testing yard sign messaging, to building a retail-first roofing company powered by SEO, Google Ads, AI search, and strong branding, Tim shares the real-world marketing playbook he’s using to grow fast in a competitive market. They also dive into: • Why branding can LOWER your cost per lead • How to dominate a tight local market instead of chasing everyone • What roofing companies need to do now to show up in ChatGPT and AI search If you want to build a roofing company people remember and search for, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply right away. Connect with Tim: https://www.facebook.com/invigorated/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-brown-%F0%9F%AA%9D-3160bb35/ https://www.instagram.com/timishness/ https://owlroofing.com/ https://hookagency.com/ Listen to the episode on Spotify & Apple Podcasts (307) 👇 🎧 https://roofingpod.com/spotify 🍏 https://roofingpod.com/apple-podcasts PODCAST SPONSORS: - Coast: https://roofingpod.com/Coast - JobNimbus Marketing: https://roofingpod.com/jobnimbus-marketing-get-started - Day 41 Thrive: https://roofingpod.com/day-41-thrive IG: https://www.instagram.com/roofingsuccess/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roofingsuccess Join Our Facebook Group: https://roofingpod.com/facebook 📱 Text Jim @ (612) 512-1812 – Say Hi! 💬 Leave Us a Review: https://roofingpod.com/review Chapters: 00:00 Why Tim Brown Started Owl Roofing 03:02 Building a Roofing Company From a Marketing Mindset 05:05 Choosing the Perfect Roofing Brand Name 09:01 How Google Sees Roofing Company Names 11:28 Retail Roofing vs Storm Chasing Strategy 13:20 Testing Yard Signs and Brand Messaging 17:20 Radio Ads, Billboards, and Attention Marketing 20:27 Marketing Budget Strategy for Roofing Companies 24:03 Why Branding Lowers Your Cost Per Lead 31:05 Creating the Perfect Roofing Customer Avatar 34:45 SEO, Google Ads, and AI Search Optimization 45:10 The Marketing Channels Driving Leads Right Now 59:53 How to Rank in ChatGPT and AI Search Results
#306
May 5 · 1 hr 4 min
From $1,500 to a Multi-Million Dollar Business: The Blueprint for Market Domination with Mark Easton
From $1,500… to a multi-million dollar roofing company. That’s the journey Mark Easton breaks down in this episode. He shares how Buccos Roofing started with just a few guys, one truck, and a simple belief… roofing is a real business, not just a trade. And over time, that mindset turned into a company doing over 1,000 installs a year. But this wasn’t overnight. We get into the long grind… years of reinvesting, figuring things out, and the moment that pushed Mark back into serious growth mode after hitting a plateau. You’ll also hear the strategies that helped him dominate his market. Like buying real estate instead of billboards to drive local leads… and how a free roof giveaway turned into both community impact and real revenue. We also talk about what’s happening right now with private equity in roofing… and what you need to do to stay competitive as the game keeps changing. If you want to grow a real company, build a strong team, and create something that lasts… this one’s for you. Connect with Mark: https://buccosroofing.com https://www.instagram.com/buccosroofing/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-easton-6a299734/ Listen to the episode on Spotify & Apple Podcasts (306) 👇 🎧 https://roofingpod.com/spotify 🍏 https://roofingpod.com/apple-podcasts PODCAST SPONSORS: - JobNimbus Marketing: https://roofingpod.com/jobnimbus-marketing-get-started - Day 41 Thrive: https://roofingpod.com/day-41-thrive - The Roofing & Solar Reform Alliance: https://roofingpod.com/RSRA IG: https://www.instagram.com/roofingsuccess/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roofingsuccess Join Our Facebook Group: https://roofingpod.com/facebook 📱 Text Jim @ (612) 512-1812 – Say Hi! 💬 Leave Us a Review: https://roofingpod.com/review Chapters: 00:00 Why Perfection is Slowing You Down 01:21 Meet Mark Easton & Buccos Roofing 02:06 Starting with Just $1,500 03:40 Why Roofing Was the Right Bet 04:26 The First $23K Check Feeling 05:06 Growing Into a Real Business 06:46 10 Years of Reinvesting Everything 08:56 The Best Investment: Real Estate 11:02 The Ice Cream Stand That Changed Everything 17:35 What Marketing Works Today 18:21 The Free Roof Giveaway Strategy 27:13 Building Strong Vendor Relationships 35:19 When You Realize You’ve “Made It” 40:50 Building a Team & Culture That Wins 50:39 Private Equity is Changing the Game
#305
April 28 · 52 min
The Real Stages of Growing a Roofing Business with Zachiary Kuper
Most roofing businesses don’t fail because of bad sales… they fail because they don’t understand what stage they’re in. In this episode, Zachiary Kuper breaks down what growth really looks like—from getting off the ground to managing crews, sales teams, and the daily chaos that comes with scaling. With over 15 years in the industry, Zach shares what he’s learned building and running S&K Construction And Remodeling, where he now oversees multiple crews, sales reps, and project managers while staying deeply involved in sales and operations. You’ll hear how he approaches leadership, keeps his team moving, and delivers a customer experience that actually builds long-term success. If you’re trying to grow your company, build a stronger team, or figure out what comes next… this will help you see the path more clearly. Connect with Zachiary: https://skroofingandconstruction.com https://www.facebook.com/skconstructionremodeling Listen to the episode on Spotify & Apple Podcasts (305) 👇 🎧 https://roofingpod.com/spotify 🍏 https://roofingpod.com/apple-podcasts PODCAST SPONSORS: - Coast: https://roofingpod.com/Coast - JobNimbus Marketing: https://roofingpod.com/jobnimbus-marketing-get-started - Day 41 Thrive: https://roofingpod.com/day-41-thrive - The Roofing & Solar Reform Alliance: https://roofingpod.com/RSRA IG: https://www.instagram.com/roofingsuccess/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roofingsuccess Join Our Facebook Group: https://roofingpod.com/facebook 📱 Text Jim @ (612) 512-1812 – Say Hi! 💬 Leave Us a Review: https://roofingpod.com/review Chapters: 00:00 Starting a Roofing Business With No Brand 00:32 From Beginner to $10M Roofing Business 01:08 Why Starting at the Bottom Gives You an Edge 02:35 The Real Reason He Started His Roofing Company 04:52 Working 2 Jobs to Build a Roofing Business 06:37 When Friends & Family Leads Dry Up 09:03 Why You Must Learn Roofing Marketing Early 12:26 How Saving Cash Sets You Up to Scale 15:34 Door Knocking vs Buying Leads (What Works?) 17:54 The Scaling Problem Most Roofers Face 24:24 The Numbers That Control Roofing Profit 34:21 How to Build Trust and Close More Roofing Sales 47:05 Daily Habits to Stay Focused as a Business Owner
#304
April 21 · 1 hr 8 min
How to Scale a Roofing Company Without Losing Control with Josh Swisher
Scaling a roofing company sounds great… until everything starts slipping. More jobs, more people, more chaos. Suddenly you are stuck trying to hold it all together. In this video, Josh Swisher shares what it really takes to grow without losing control, based on his journey from tarp dragging to building a $10M+ company. Here’s what you’ll learn: - Why fast growth like $5M to $12M can break your business if you are not ready - The real reason throwing bodies at problems kills your margins - The 3 numbers that actually control your profit: revenue, margin, overhead The big takeaway? You cannot do it all. Scaling takes the right people, real systems, and the discipline to make hard calls when it counts. Connect with Josh: https://northfaceconstruction.com Listen to the episode on Spotify & Apple Podcasts (304) 👇 🎧 https://roofingpod.com/spotify 🍏 https://roofingpod.com/apple-podcasts PODCAST SPONSORS: - Coast: https://roofingpod.com/Coast - JobNimbus Marketing: https://roofingpod.com/jobnimbus-marketing-get-started - Day 41 Thrive: https://roofingpod.com/day-41-thrive - The Roofing & Solar Reform Alliance: https://roofingpod.com/RSRA IG: https://www.instagram.com/roofingsuccess/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roofingsuccess Join Our Facebook Group: https://roofingpod.com/facebook 📱 Text Jim @ (612) 512-1812 – Say Hi! 💬 Leave Us a Review: https://roofingpod.com/review Chapters: 0:00 Why Most Roofing Companies Lose Control When They Scale 0:28 How Josh Swisher Built a $10M Roofing Company From Scratch 1:01 From Tarp Dragging to Business Owner at 15 2:30 The Real Reason He Started His Roofing Company 4:49 How to Grow From $1M to $10M in Roofing 6:36 Is the Roofing Market Slowing Down Right Now? 9:00 The First Big Lesson in Delegation (And Why It Matters) 12:25 Why Knowing Your Numbers Changes Everything 14:11 The $5M to $12M Growth Mistake That Cost Him 17:51 Why You Can’t Scale a Roofing Business Alone 20:07 How to Delegate and Buy Back Your Time 36:45 The Only 3 Numbers That Control Your Profit 53:22 How to Build a Roofing Company You Can Sell 1:01:00 Rebuilding Systems for Scalable Growth 1:07:15 Final Advice to Young Roofing Entrepreneurs
#303
April 14 · 1 hr 9 min
Roofing Is Changing FAST… Most Owners Won’t Survive This Shift
The roofing industry today doesn’t even look like it did a few years ago. In this conversation, Greta Bajrami Campoverde — COO & Co-Founder of Golden Group Roofing — shares what she’s seen building her company through it all. More talent is coming in. Tech, AI, and private equity are changing the game. And most companies are not ready. She breaks down how to attract (and keep) great people, why old-school leadership is failing, and what “brand” actually means (hint: it’s not your logo). If you’re running your company the same way you always have, this is your wake-up call. The companies that win next aren’t the toughest… they’re the ones who adapt, lead, and build something real. Learn more Greta and Golden Group Roofing: https://goldengrouproofing.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/greta-bajrami-970916140/ Listen to the episode on Spotify & Apple Podcasts (303) 👇 🎧 https://roofingpod.com/spotify 🍏 https://roofingpod.com/apple-podcasts PODCAST SPONSORS: - Coast: https://roofingpod.com/Coast - JobNimbus Marketing: https://roofingpod.com/jobnimbus-marketing-get-started - Day 41 Thrive: https://roofingpod.com/day-41-thrive - The Roofing & Solar Reform Alliance: https://roofingpod.com/RSRA IG: https://www.instagram.com/roofingsuccess/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roofingsuccess Join Our Facebook Group: https://roofingpod.com/facebook 📱 Text Jim @ (612) 512-1812 – Say Hi! 💬 Leave Us a Review: https://roofingpod.com/review Chapters: 00:00 What Is a Brand in Roofing? 03:43 Why Are More People Getting Into Roofing? 08:00 Is Roofing Recession-Proof or AI-Proof? 12:01 Why Do Roofing Companies Fail to Grow? 16:16 How Do New Roofing Companies Beat Established Competitors? 19:18 What Should a Roofing Company Brand Stand For? 25:23 Why Do Roofing Companies Lose Their Standards Over Time? 32:22 What Are the Biggest Problems in Roofing Operations? 40:00 How Do You Improve Customer Experience in Roofing? 49:46 Why Do Roofing Sales Reps Quit or Leave? 55:45 How Do You Make Sure Roofing Jobs Stay Profitable? 1:04:38 How Do You Build a Successful Roofing Company Long-Term?
#302
April 7 · 1 hr 3 min
The Problem With Copying $10M Roofing Companies
Most roofing companies see what a $10M business is doing and assume they should copy it. The systems, the hires, the structure… it all looks like the path forward. But the truth is, that advice often doesn’t apply yet. In this video, we break down why copying bigger companies can actually slow your growth, create unnecessary complexity, and pull you away from what really matters at your stage. Because running a $10M playbook at $1M doesn’t make you grow faster… it usually creates problems you’re not ready to solve. Instead, you’ll learn how to focus on what actually moves the needle right now, so you can grow the right way. Watch this before you try to model your business after someone else. Listen to the episode on Spotify & Apple Podcasts (302) 👇 🎧 https://roofingpod.com/spotify 🍏 https://roofingpod.com/apple-podcasts Learn more about Dope Marketing: https://www.dopemarketing.com/ Learn more about Dave: https://thedavidcarroll.com/ PODCAST SPONSORS: - Coast: https://roofingpod.com/Coast - JobNimbus Marketing: https://roofingpod.com/jobnimbus-marketing-get-started - Day 41 Thrive: https://roofingpod.com/day-41-thrive - The Roofing & Solar Reform Alliance: https://roofingpod.com/RSRA IG: https://www.instagram.com/roofingsuccess/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roofingsuccess Join Our Facebook Group: https://roofingpod.com/facebook 📱 Text Jim @ (612) 512-1812 – Say Hi! 💬 Leave Us a Review: https://roofingpod.com/review Chapters: 00:00 Why Copying $10M Companies Backfires 00:26 The “Build to Sell” Trend Explained 01:06 Businesses Are Scaling Faster Than Ever 01:38 Getting Lost Following Big Company Advice 03:11 Build to Sell vs Build for Yourself 04:19 Why You Need to Define Your End Goal 09:32 When Growth Stops Being About Money 10:50 The Truth About Growth and Burnout 15:30 Pullers vs Pushers in Your Business 17:40 Why Big Business Advice Doesn’t Apply 26:32 How to Identify Your Bottlenecks 34:42 How to Actually Use AI in Your Business 57:34 The Best Way to Start Using AI Today

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