I’m so excited to bring you this interview today. Rick Dutmer, my old business coach, helped me build my roofing company over thirty years into a highly profitable business, enabling me to successfully exit and pursue the things I wanted to do in life.

When I first hired Rick, I was really struggling and wearing all the hats in the business. I knew there was a better way, and Rick was the one who helped guide me through it all. It started with building a business plan that set me up with a saleable business.

Today you’ll hear all about how to build a profitable business that will support you and your family with a great lifestyle, how to build a valuable business that you can sell when you’re ready to retire, and so much more.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How Rick’s business background helps contractors improve their own businesses
• Rick’s process he used in helping Dave build his business plan
• While building your business, always be thinking about the horizon! This is when business goals transition to more of a business/personal goal.
• You have a strategy for growing your business and for growing your people. What’s your strategy for exiting?
• The main reason that contractors go out of business.
• “Profit thrills, volume kills”
• Building a business that has a saleable value depends on your goals
• Having a strong team that will continue the business beyond you or your generation
• Rick’s recommendations around selling if/when you decide to exit
• Roll-ups: the good, the bad, and the ugly

Resources:

Connect with Rick!

Email: rdutmer@duadllc.com

Check out this episode on our Youtube channel at @DaveSullivanRooferShow or use this link - https://youtu.be/N7F2wJVbfwk

Be sure to subscribe, like, and comment!

Set up a FREE strategy call with Dave and get a few tips on how you can improve your business: https://davesullivan.as.me/free-strategy-call

Interested in learning more about our 1-on-1 coaching, mastermind groups, or fractional CFO services? Email me or send me a text at (510) 612-1450.

No Plan? No problem. Download our FREE 1-Page Business Plan For Roofing Contractors: https://theroofershow.com/plan

The Roofer Show’s Vetted Sponsors

Check out this episode on our YouTube channel at @DaveSullivanRooferShow.

Have RUBY answer your phones and tee up the sale by leaving a great first impression. Use this link to get up to $150 off your first month’s service: theroofercoach.com/ruby.

Automate your follow-up process and close more sales with ProLine. Get started for FREE at https://useproline.com/. Use promo code “DAVE50” to get 50% off your first month’s service.

Today, host Dave Sullivan (“The Roofer Coach”) shares expert advice on the crucial first hire for roofing business owners aiming to grow beyond solo operations. Drawing on 30+ years of experience, Dave explains why building solid systems, outsourcing key tasks, and developing clear job roles are essential before hiring full-time staff. He emphasizes profitability, strong processes, and smart leadership as the foundation for sustainable growth, offering practical tips and free resources to help contractors build businesses that don’t depend solely on the owner. Tune in to hear more!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Importance of determining the first hire in a roofing business for solo operators
• Common mistakes in hiring, particularly bringing on salespeople too early
• Necessity of having a proven sales process and marketing system before hiring
• Importance of clear job descriptions and realistic expectations for new hires
• Aligning compensation plans with business goals to ensure sustainability
• Value of training, coaching, and retaining employees to minimize turnover
• Consideration of hiring from outside the roofing industry for fresh talent
• Need for a structured organizational design with defined roles and responsibilities
• Benefits of outsourcing administrative and inside sales functions to maintain focus
• Importance of having effective tools, such as CRM systems, to support business growth

Resources:

Check out this episode on our Youtube channel at @DaveSullivanRooferShow or use this link - https://youtu.be/N7F2wJVbfwk

Be sure to subscribe, like, and comment!

Set up a FREE strategy call with Dave and get a few tips on how you can improve your business: https://davesullivan.as.me/free-strategy-call

Interested in learning more about our 1-on-1 coaching, mastermind groups, or fractional CFO services? Email me or send me a text at (510) 612-1450.

No Plan? No problem. Download our FREE 1-Page Business Plan For Roofing Contractors: https://theroofershow.com/plan

The Roofer Show’s Vetted Sponsors

Check out this episode on our YouTube channel at @DaveSullivanRooferShow.

Have RUBY answer your phones and tee up the sale by leaving a great first impression. Use this link to get up to $150 off your first month’s service: theroofercoach.com/ruby.

Automate your follow-up process and close more sales with ProLine. Get started for FREE at https://useproline.com/. Use promo code “DAVE50” to get 50% off your first month’s service.

In this episode of The Roofer Show, Dave Sullivan sits down with Brian Huff, the guy behind Modern Roofing Group in Denver and Littleton, CO. Brian dives into his story of how he got into the roofing world and even started his own business right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic! He discusses how crucial it is to build a solid reputation and tackle financial hurdles, and how mastermind groups can be a game-changer for contractors. They chat about how Brian uses CRM systems to make things run smoother, keep up with follow-ups, and improve how they interact with customers. Plus, Brian shares some cool marketing strategies and why keeping an eye on ROI is so important. This episode is packed with great tips for contractors looking to grow their business and boost customer service, so tune in!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Importance of having a reliable Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system for roofing contractors
• Brian Huff's journey into the roofing industry and his experiences working for various companies
• Challenges of starting a roofing business during the COVID-19 pandemic with limited financial resources
• Significance of maintaining a strong reputation in a competitive market
• Value of networking and being part of a mastermind group for contractors
• Innovative strategies for business growth through technology and automation
• Lead generation techniques and the importance of quality leads over quantity
• Tracking return on investment (ROI) for marketing strategies and adapting to regional market conditions
• Use of automation in managing customer interactions and streamlining operations
• Importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the roofing industry for sustained success

Resources:

Connect with Brian Huff and Modern Roofing Group!

Modern Roofing Group,

Call Brian! (720) 334-3449

Check out this episode on our Youtube channel at @DaveSullivanRooferShow" or use this link - https://youtu.be/N7F2wJVbfwk

Be sure to subscribe, like, and comment!

Set up a FREE strategy call with Dave and get a few tips on how you can improve your business: https://davesullivan.as.me/free-strategy-call

Interested in learning more about our 1-on-1 coaching, mastermind groups, or fractional CFO services? Email me or send me a text at (510) 612-1450.

No Plan? No problem. Download our FREE 1-Page Business Plan For Roofing Contractors: https://theroofershow.com/plan

The Roofer Show’s Vetted Sponsors

Check out this episode on our YouTube channel at @DaveSullivanRooferShow.

Have RUBY answer your phones and tee up the sale by leaving a great first impression. Use this link to get up to $150 off your first month’s service: theroofercoach.com/ruby.

Automate your follow-up process and close more sales with ProLine. Get started for FREE at https://useproline.com/. Use promo code “DAVE50” to get 50% off your first month’s service.