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Roofing Success Community

He Put the Wrong Roof On… and Made a Fortune from It

πŸ“… August 12, 2025 ⏱️ 1:04:39 🎀 Brett Tesson, Jim Alen

Chapters

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  • 0:00
    Extreme Ownership in Action
    Brett Tesson recounts an instance where his team installed the wrong roof color, and how owning and fixing the mistake became a marketing win.
  • 4:29
    Starting Strong in a Recession
    Brett explains how he started Tesson Roofing in 2008-2009 with low overhead, seeing it as an advantage during challenging economic times.
  • 14:15
    The Foundation of Service
    Brett emphasizes serving clients, treating crews fairly, and viewing all relationships as partnerships, focusing on honesty and integrity.
  • 28:46
    Generosity and Ethical Leadership
    Brett discusses how generosity and making decisions based on what's right, not just cost, builds trust and a strong company culture.
  • 38:40
    Managing Risk and Building Loyalty
    Brett highlights the importance of managing risk in roofing and building loyalty with subcontractors and suppliers through appreciation and timely payments.
  • 54:50
    Core Principles for Success
    Brett advises aspiring business owners to prioritize honesty, a desire to serve, humility, and loyalty.
  • 1:08:44
    Vision and Investing in People
    Brett shares his leadership philosophy of painting a clear vision and heavily investing in W2 employees with good salaries, vehicles, and resources.
  • 1:26:03
    The W2 Transition
    Brett describes the challenging but ultimately rewarding transition from a 1099 to a W2 model, which involved a significant change in company culture and team.
  • 1:36:32
    Future of Roofing and AI
    Brett discusses his outlook on the roofing industry, foreseeing a shift towards a retail market and the increasing role of AI in streamlining operations.
  • 1:41:02
    Final Advice: Serve and Trust
    Brett's ultimate advice for success includes doing what you say, answering the phone, serving others, and trusting in a higher power.

Speakers

B
Brett Tesson
Founder of Tesson Roofing
J
Jim Alen
Host

Key Takeaways

✦

Always own your mistakes and be prepared to pay to make things right; this builds incredible customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth.

✦

View customers, crews, and suppliers as partnerships; actively seek to understand and meet their expectations to foster strong, long-term relationships.

✦

Prioritize honesty, humility, and a desire to serve in all business dealings; these values will attract and retain the right people and opportunities.

✦

Invest heavily in your team, even if it means a higher upfront cost; offering W2 employment, good compensation, and resources attracts top talent and creates a supportive culture.

✦

Be proactive with your suppliers by communicating needs in advance and paying on time; this often leads to better pricing and service for your business.

✦

Maintain focus on your business's unique roadmap and avoid getting sidetracked by competitors; stay true to your vision and execute your plan.

✦

Recognize that money is a byproduct of how well you serve people; focus on quality service and ethical practices, and financial success will follow.

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