Roofing Success

Hosted by Jim Ahlin

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309

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Jun 2026

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About the show

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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June 16, 2026Episode 31258 min

Why Networking Beats Marketing for Roofing Companies with Nicholas Riley

Most roofers spend more money on marketing when they want more leads.Nicholas Riley believes there's a better way.After spending nearly a decade in consulting with KPMG and Deloitte, Nick left the corporate world to buy Driftwood Builders Roofing in Austin, Texas. What he discovered surprised him: some of the best growth opportunities don't come from marketing. They come from relationships.In this episode, Nick shares why networking with realtors, insurance agents, and other local professionals has become a key part of his growth strategy. He also explains how he applies lessons from consulting, data analysis, and business acquisitions to build a stronger roofing company.If you're looking for more leads, stronger referral sources, and a smarter way to grow your roofing business, this conversation is for you.Connect with Nicholas:Website: https://driftwoodbuildersroofing.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/driftwoodbuildersroofing/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/driftwoodbuildersroofingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@driftwoodbuilders2592Listen to the episode on Spotify & Apple Podcasts (312) 👇🎧 https://roofingpod.com/spotify🍏 https://roofingpod.com/apple-podcastsPODCAST SPONSORS: - Coast: https://roofingpod.com/Coast- JobNimbus Marketing: https://roofingpod.com/jobnimbus-marketing-get-started- Day 41 Thrive: https://roofingpod.com/day-41-thriveIG: https://www.instagram.com/roofingsuccess/FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roofingsuccessJoin Our Facebook Group: https://roofingpod.com/facebook📱 Text Jim @ (612) 512-1812 – Say Hi!💬 Leave Us a Review: https://roofingpod.com/reviewChapters:00:00 Why Networking Beats Marketing in Roofing01:20 From Montana Laborer to Roofing Company Owner05:39 How Nick Bought Driftwood Builders Roofing10:00 Consulting Lessons Roofers Can Use Today13:49 Testing Marketing Ideas with Data16:09 Customer Feedback Creates New Revenue Streams19:50 The Cost-Benefit Analysis Every Roofer Should Run22:03 How Referral Partners Outperform Vendor Discounts28:28 Working On the Business vs In the Business31:35 Why Private Equity Loves Roofing Companies35:48 The Real Purpose of Networking and Relationships41:36 How Sponsoring Local Events Generates Roofing Leads48:18 Using YouTube and AI to Build Trust and Win More Jobs

June 9, 2026Episode 3111 hr 9 min

Build A Roofing Business That You Love with Kody Landals

Building a successful roofing company isn't just about selling more roofs. It's about creating a business that gives you freedom, predictable profits, and a team that loves coming to work.In this episode, Jim Ahlin sits down with Kody Landals, founder of Reimagine Roofing and Reimagine Your Sales, to discuss the lessons he learned building, scaling, and exiting a roofing company.In this conversation, you'll learn:• How Kody built and scaled Reimagine Roofing into a private-equity-backed company• Why virtual roofing sales can increase efficiency without sacrificing close rates• The key financial and marketing metrics every roofing owner should track• How to improve margins, build accountability, and create a business you actually enjoy runningConnect with Kody: https://calendar.app.google/YNWv3h8ambny45qV7Listen to the episode on Spotify & Apple Podcasts (311) 👇🎧 https://roofingpod.com/spotify🍏 https://roofingpod.com/apple-podcastsPODCAST SPONSORS: - Coast: https://roofingpod.com/Coast- JobNimbus Marketing: https://roofingpod.com/jobnimbus-marketing-get-started- Day 41 Thrive: https://roofingpod.com/day-41-thriveIG: https://www.instagram.com/roofingsuccess/FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roofingsuccessJoin Our Facebook Group: https://roofingpod.com/facebook📱 Text Jim @ (612) 512-1812 – Say Hi!💬 Leave Us a Review: https://roofingpod.com/reviewChapters:0:00 The Margin Fix That Adds $300K+ to Your Business0:38 Welcome to the Roofing Success Podcast3:22 How Kody Landals Got Started in Roofing7:50 Building Reimagine Roofing & 15-Minute Roof Quotes10:08 The Birth of Virtual Roofing Sales15:07 Why Homeowners Prefer a Low-Friction Buying Process16:24 The Private Equity Journey & Selling Reimagine Roofing20:45 How Roofing Companies Create Predictable Revenue25:38 The KPIs Every Roofing Owner Must Track37:30 Financial Literacy, P&Ls & Building an Exit-Ready Company43:17 The Profit Levers That Increase Roofing Margins58:00 Leadership, Accountability & Building a Strong Team1:07:50 Final Advice: Build a Roofing Business You Love

June 2, 2026Episode 3101 hr 0 min

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.comhttps://frameworkopsllc.comListen to the episode on Spotify & Apple Podcasts (310) 👇🎧 https://roofingpod.com/spotify🍏 https://roofingpod.com/apple-podcastsPODCAST SPONSORS: - Coast: https://roofingpod.com/Coast- JobNimbus Marketing: https://roofingpod.com/jobnimbus-marketing-get-started- Day 41 Thrive: https://roofingpod.com/day-41-thriveIG: https://www.instagram.com/roofingsuccess/FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roofingsuccessJoin Our Facebook Group: https://roofingpod.com/facebook📱 Text Jim @ (612) 512-1812 – Say Hi!💬 Leave Us a Review: https://roofingpod.com/reviewChapters:00:00 How to Scale a Roofing Company Without Losing Control05:02 Roofing Company Org Charts & Accountability Systems07:48 Getting Roofing Employees to Follow Processes16:00 Residential vs Commercial Roofing Growth Strategies19:07 How to Add Commercial Roofing Revenue Streams25:01 How to Get Commercial Roofing Leads Without Marketing29:51 Commercial Roofing Bid Process Explained39:44 Roofing KPIs, Margins & Job Costing43:10 Preventing Material Price Increases from Killing Profit47:02 Roofing Company Budgeting & Forecasting51:04 Capacity Planning for Roofing Contractors55:59 Roofing Operations Audit: What to Fix First

May 26, 2026Episode 30959 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.comListen to the episode on Spotify & Apple Podcasts (309) 👇🎧 https://roofingpod.com/spotify🍏 https://roofingpod.com/apple-podcastsPODCAST SPONSORS: - Coast: https://roofingpod.com/Coast- JobNimbus Marketing: https://roofingpod.com/jobnimbus-marketing-get-started- Day 41 Thrive: https://roofingpod.com/day-41-thriveIG: https://www.instagram.com/roofingsuccess/FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roofingsuccessJoin Our Facebook Group: https://roofingpod.com/facebook📱 Text Jim @ (612) 512-1812 – Say Hi!💬 Leave Us a Review: https://roofingpod.com/reviewChapters: 0:00 – Why Culture Matters More Than Money in Roofing Sales1:27 – Jon Abernathy’s Journey from Homebuilding to Roofing Success3:10 – How Jon Built a Roofing Empire & Partnered with TAMKO5:49 – Hiring Roofing Sales Reps: Slow to Hire, Fast to Fire10:21 – The Biggest Red Flags When Hiring Roofing Salespeople13:13 – Building a Roofing Company Culture Focused on Family & Community17:48 – The Cost of Keeping Toxic High-Producing Sales Reps Too Long21:45 – Where Jon Found His Best Roofing Salespeople26:27 – The “Dumb Tax” Roofing Contractors Pay on Bad Install Quality32:30 – Why Roofing Sales Reps Make Terrible Project Managers37:21 – Roofing Profitability Secrets: Efficiency, Waste Reduction & Incentives46:40 – Why Most Roofing Companies Don’t Need More Leads, They Need Better Processes

May 19, 2026Episode 3081 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 onesIf you want to grow a roofing company people trust — this episode is for you.Check out APEX Roofing: https://apexroofingcompanies.comListen to the episode on Spotify & Apple Podcasts (308) 👇🎧 https://roofingpod.com/spotify🍏 https://roofingpod.com/apple-podcastsPODCAST SPONSORS: - Coast: https://roofingpod.com/Coast- JobNimbus Marketing: https://roofingpod.com/jobnimbus-marketing-get-started- Day 41 Thrive: https://roofingpod.com/day-41-thriveIG: https://www.instagram.com/roofingsuccess/FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roofingsuccessJoin Our Facebook Group: https://roofingpod.com/facebook📱 Text Jim @ (612) 512-1812 – Say Hi!💬 Leave Us a Review: https://roofingpod.com/review

May 12, 2026Episode 3071 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 searchIf 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-podcastsPODCAST SPONSORS: - Coast: https://roofingpod.com/Coast- JobNimbus Marketing: https://roofingpod.com/jobnimbus-marketing-get-started- Day 41 Thrive: https://roofingpod.com/day-41-thriveIG: https://www.instagram.com/roofingsuccess/FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roofingsuccessJoin Our Facebook Group: https://roofingpod.com/facebook📱 Text Jim @ (612) 512-1812 – Say Hi!💬 Leave Us a Review: https://roofingpod.com/reviewChapters: 00:00 Why Tim Brown Started Owl Roofing03:02 Building a Roofing Company From a Marketing Mindset05:05 Choosing the Perfect Roofing Brand Name09:01 How Google Sees Roofing Company Names11:28 Retail Roofing vs Storm Chasing Strategy13:20 Testing Yard Signs and Brand Messaging17:20 Radio Ads, Billboards, and Attention Marketing20:27 Marketing Budget Strategy for Roofing Companies24:03 Why Branding Lowers Your Cost Per Lead31:05 Creating the Perfect Roofing Customer Avatar34:45 SEO, Google Ads, and AI Search Optimization45:10 The Marketing Channels Driving Leads Right Now59:53 How to Rank in ChatGPT and AI Search Results

May 5, 2026Episode 3061 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.comhttps://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-podcastsPODCAST 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/RSRAIG: https://www.instagram.com/roofingsuccess/FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roofingsuccessJoin Our Facebook Group: https://roofingpod.com/facebook📱 Text Jim @ (612) 512-1812 – Say Hi!💬 Leave Us a Review: https://roofingpod.com/reviewChapters: 00:00 Why Perfection is Slowing You Down01:21 Meet Mark Easton & Buccos Roofing02:06 Starting with Just $1,50003:40 Why Roofing Was the Right Bet04:26 The First $23K Check Feeling05:06 Growing Into a Real Business06:46 10 Years of Reinvesting Everything08:56 The Best Investment: Real Estate11:02 The Ice Cream Stand That Changed Everything17:35 What Marketing Works Today18:21 The Free Roof Giveaway Strategy27:13 Building Strong Vendor Relationships35:19 When You Realize You’ve “Made It”40:50 Building a Team & Culture That Wins50:39 Private Equity is Changing the Game

April 28, 2026Episode 30552 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.comhttps://www.facebook.com/skconstructionremodelingListen to the episode on Spotify & Apple Podcasts (305) 👇🎧 https://roofingpod.com/spotify🍏 https://roofingpod.com/apple-podcastsPODCAST 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/RSRAIG: https://www.instagram.com/roofingsuccess/FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roofingsuccessJoin Our Facebook Group: https://roofingpod.com/facebook📱 Text Jim @ (612) 512-1812 – Say Hi!💬 Leave Us a Review: https://roofingpod.com/reviewChapters:00:00 Starting a Roofing Business With No Brand00:32 From Beginner to $10M Roofing Business01:08 Why Starting at the Bottom Gives You an Edge02:35 The Real Reason He Started His Roofing Company04:52 Working 2 Jobs to Build a Roofing Business06:37 When Friends & Family Leads Dry Up09:03 Why You Must Learn Roofing Marketing Early12:26 How Saving Cash Sets You Up to Scale15:34 Door Knocking vs Buying Leads (What Works?)17:54 The Scaling Problem Most Roofers Face24:24 The Numbers That Control Roofing Profit34:21 How to Build Trust and Close More Roofing Sales47:05 Daily Habits to Stay Focused as a Business Owner

April 21, 2026Episode 3041 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, overheadThe 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.comListen to the episode on Spotify & Apple Podcasts (304) 👇🎧 https://roofingpod.com/spotify🍏 https://roofingpod.com/apple-podcastsPODCAST 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/RSRAIG: https://www.instagram.com/roofingsuccess/FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roofingsuccessJoin Our Facebook Group: https://roofingpod.com/facebook📱 Text Jim @ (612) 512-1812 – Say Hi!💬 Leave Us a Review: https://roofingpod.com/reviewChapters:0:00 Why Most Roofing Companies Lose Control When They Scale0:28 How Josh Swisher Built a $10M Roofing Company From Scratch1:01 From Tarp Dragging to Business Owner at 152:30 The Real Reason He Started His Roofing Company4:49 How to Grow From $1M to $10M in Roofing6:36 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 Everything14:11 The $5M to $12M Growth Mistake That Cost Him17:51 Why You Can’t Scale a Roofing Business Alone20:07 How to Delegate and Buy Back Your Time36:45 The Only 3 Numbers That Control Your Profit53:22 How to Build a Roofing Company You Can Sell1:01:00 Rebuilding Systems for Scalable Growth1:07:15 Final Advice to Young Roofing Entrepreneurs

April 14, 2026Episode 3031 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-podcastsPODCAST 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/RSRAIG: https://www.instagram.com/roofingsuccess/FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roofingsuccessJoin Our Facebook Group: https://roofingpod.com/facebook📱 Text Jim @ (612) 512-1812 – Say Hi!💬 Leave Us a Review: https://roofingpod.com/reviewChapters: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?