• Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
• National Roof Co. is a full-service roofing company specializing in residential, commercial, and multi-family projects. Our headquarters is in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, with additional branches in Murfreesboro, TN, Chattanooga, TN, and Bowling Green, KY. We provide durable and cost-effective roofing solutions tailored to property owners’ needs across these regions. From apartment complexes and office buildings to family homes, our team delivers craftsmanship that lasts and customer support that guides clients through every step, from inspections and insurance claims to installation and long-term protection. We also offer siding and gutter services, giving property owners a trusted one-stop partner for exterior improvements.
• Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
I started National Roof Co. in 2009, building it from the ground up and bootstrapping it financially on my own. I have been my own boss since I was 22 years old, and entrepreneurship has been my path ever since. Over the years, I have taken the company from a one-man operation to a growing roofing business with multiple branches, a strong team, and a reputation for quality and trust. One of my greatest achievements is not only creating a company that serves homeowners, business owners, and property managers, but also building an environment where employees have the opportunity to grow and succeed alongside it.
• What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Before launching National Roof Co., I worked as a general contractor for several years, beginning in 2006. By 2009 it became clear to me that there was a major gap in the roofing industry. The demand was there, but the market was largely untapped and underserved. I saw an opportunity to bring the same level of professionalism, organization, and quality I had developed in general contracting into roofing. That realization inspired me to start this company and focus on meeting a real need in the market while raising the standard for how roofing projects are handled.
• What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Don’t chase perfection — chase momentum. Small steps forward matter more than flawless plans.
Build a team earlier than you think you need to. Longevity comes from people, not just ideas.
Learn to market yourself as much as your product. If no one knows about your business, it doesn’t exist.
• What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Adaptability: Markets change fast; you have to adjust faster.
Communication: You need to rally a team, win over clients, and negotiate with partners.
Financial discipline: Growth without smart money management is just chaos dressed up as success.
• How many hours do you work a day on average?
On average, I work about 12 hours a day, but being a business owner means the job is never really done. Even when in the office, I am thinking about strategy, customers, and the team. It is part of the responsibility that comes with building something bigger than yourself.
• To what do you most attribute your success?
I attribute my success to hard work and relationships. Building strong relationships in business has been a major key to growth. Just as important is honesty. No matter the situation, we believe in being upfront with our clients, our partners, and our team. Even when the truth is not easy to hear, honesty builds trust, and trust is the foundation of long-term success.
• How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
We combine digital marketing (SEO, paid ads, social media) with boots-on-the-ground efforts like community events, property manager partnerships, and referral programs. Our most successful marketing strategy has been canvassing, where we connect directly with homeowners in their neighborhoods. This face-to-face approach allows us to build trust quickly, educate clients about their options, and showcase the value of our work in real time.
• Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
I was able to build the company by being disciplined and smart with money early on. National Roof Co. was financially bootstrapped from the ground up without relying on outside investors. By reinvesting profits and keeping operations lean in the beginning, I was able to grow the business steadily while maintaining full control over its direction.
• What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
For me, the key to long-term success is building people, not just building a business. When you focus on bringing in great people and helping them grow, the company naturally becomes stronger. The more talented and motivated individuals we have on our team, the bigger we can grow and the better we can serve our clients.
• Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
In the next five to ten years, I want National Roof Co. to be known as a truly great place to work. Creating an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and able to grow is just as important to me as building roofs. For our clients, I want us to be the trusted company that homeowners, business owners, and building owners can always count on to get the job done right. Our vision is to have at least one branch in every state so that our local teams can also support the nationwide clients we already serve.
• Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
• I have always admired Lumber Liquidators. They have been a long-time partner of mine, and I have looked up to the way the company was built from the ground up. Tom Sullivan started the business in New Jersey with just one office and grew it into a nationwide brand, becoming a billionaire in the process. I respect that kind of vision and determination.
• How important have good employees been to your success?
They are everything. You can’t scale a roofing company without a crew and admin team you can trust. Good employees are the brand because they are the ones homeowners actually see on roofs, in yards, or talk to on the phone.
• How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
I don’t give up. If something isn’t working, I look for another way to make it work. The key is persistence and adaptability rather than quitting.
• What motivates you?
Legacy. I want National Roof Co. to be known for changing the standard in roofing and creating opportunities for families inside the company.
• What are your ideals?
Integrity, accountability, and progress. Roofing has to be honest, or it fails.
• How do you generate new ideas?
I listen. Employees, customers, even competitors will tell you where the gaps are if you’re paying attention.
• How do you define success?
When clients call us back years later, not because something failed, but because they trust us for the next project.
• How do you build a successful customer base?
Be visible, be responsive, and deliver more than you promised. If you do those three, customers sell for you.
• What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
My favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur is the freedom it gives me. I enjoy being able to create my own path, make my own decisions, and build something on my own terms. I have not worked for anyone else since I was 22 years old, other than my clients, and I value that independence. Entrepreneurship comes with challenges and responsibilities, but the tradeoff is the ability to create opportunities for others while staying true to my own vision
• What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
For me it’s when I am able to give back and do something meaningful for others. The money, the trips, and the material rewards are nice, but what truly stands out is helping employees or people in the community in ways they never expected. Seeing their gratitude and knowing I was able to make a difference in their lives is the most rewarding part of this journey.
• What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
The biggest difference is that entrepreneurs carry the risk. That responsibility forces you to think differently about time, money, and people. Over time, you have to develop what I call a calloused mind. Just like calluses on your hands protect you when you work with them every day, a calloused mind helps you push through the challenges that come nonstop in business. Problems don’t break you down, they sharpen your resilience. Employees often have the option to step back when things get tough, but as an entrepreneur, you have to keep moving forward no matter what.
• What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
At National Roof Co., we’ve built a family-style culture where people feel supported, valued, and part of something bigger than just a job. We constantly invest in our team through ongoing education, mentorship, and clear pathways to grow within the company. Every employee knows they have the chance to develop new skills and advance their career here. At the same time, we emphasize accountability and ownership so that each person takes pride in their work and their role in our success. The result is a team that looks out for each other, delivers for our clients, and grows together.
• In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Relentless.
• If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
I would have bought more Bitcoin. Jokes aside, I think the real answer is that I would have invested earlier in personal growth and leadership skills. Hard work builds a foundation, but learning how to lead people and scale a business is what accelerates success.
• How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
It has blurred the lines between work and home. My family sees both the stress and the wins up close. It has made me more intentional about carving out quality time, because the business will always be there, but moments with family cannot be replaced.
• What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
My greatest fear is becoming stagnant, letting comfort get in the way of progress. I manage it by surrounding myself with people who challenge me and by setting goals
• How did you decide on the location for your business?
Goodlettsville gave us the perfect balance of being close to Nashville’s growth while staying connected to the communities we serve. Expanding into Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, and Bowling Green came from recognizing demand and wanting to keep our services accessible across key regions.
• Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all formula, but the pattern I see is persistence. Those who succeed don’t necessarily have the best idea, they’re just the ones who keep going when others quit.
• If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
I would choose Albert Einstein. He and his group developed some of the most impactful patents and ideas in history, many of which are still in use today. They were true creators and problem solvers, and I admire the way they looked at challenges with curiosity and imagination. Having the chance to learn from that mindset would be invaluable.
• Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My greatest inspiration has been my mother. Her strength, patience, and ability to support me through every stage of life have shaped who I am today. Watching the way she handled challenges with resilience and care has always pushed me to work harder and stay grounded.
• What book has inspired you the most? (OR what is your favorite book?)
One of my favorite books is The Secret. I believe strongly in the law of attraction and the idea that what you focus on is what you create in your life. That mindset has been a powerful force for me both personally and professionally.
• What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
One of the biggest mistakes I’ve made has been giving too many second chances to people who weren’t the right fit for the business. Early on, I struggled with letting go of employees or partners who weren’t aligned with our values, and it ended up costing both time and money. Learning how to make those tough decisions faster has been one of the most important lessons I’ve learned.
• How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?
You prevent mistakes by listening and planning, but when they do happen, own them immediately. Clients and employees respect honesty more than excuses.
• What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
When I am not working, I enjoy traveling and spending time outdoors. I love bass fishing, flying airplanes, off-roading, and hiking. Those activities give me a chance to recharge, challenge myself in different ways, and enjoy life outside of business.
• What makes you happy?
My hobbies and my business both make me happy. I genuinely find joy in building and growing a business. Creating something meaningful with my team and watching it succeed is just as rewarding to me as the time I spend on my personal passions.
• What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Time is the biggest sacrifice. Late nights, missed events, and putting the company first are part of the process. But those sacrifices are also investments in building something that lasts
• If you were conducting this interview, what question would you ask?
I’d ask, “What drives you when no one is watching?” because the answer tells you who someone really is as an entrepreneur.
