From Selling Shingles to Building Systems: One Man's Journey to Scale Roofing Companies

Behind the Toolbelt

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What does it really take to scale a roofing business beyond the daily grind? Brad Akers joins Ty Cobb-Backer for a refreshingly honest conversation about the entrepreneurial journey—not just the tactics and strategies, but the emotional and mental challenges that define success.
Brad shares his unexpected path from selling shingles at SRS Distribution to helping roofing companies reach eight figures, revealing how his desire to genuinely help contractors grow led him to digital marketing and eventually launching his own business. Rather than focusing solely on business metrics, this conversation dives deep into the psychological aspects of entrepreneurship that rarely get discussed in industry circles.
"Entrepreneurship's hard. It goes up and down," Brad explains, describing his biggest lesson as understanding these inevitable cycles and learning to manage emotions through them. Both men candidly discuss their struggles with being present at home after intense workdays, with Ty noting, "When daddy gets home, he sets the tone," highlighting the ripple effects our work stress can have on family life.
The discussion extends beyond business to explore the profound impact of mentorship, with Brad crediting his father's humility and service-oriented approach as foundational to his own leadership style. He also describes how working with mindfulness coaches has transformed his ability to navigate challenging business situations without falling into emotional reactivity.
Whether you're already running a successful contracting business or dreaming of starting your own, this episode offers something valuable—permission to struggle, wisdom for growing through challenges, and perspective on what truly matters in the entrepreneurial journey. As Brad reminds us, "Try to be kind to yourself... everyone's just figuring it out, whether they've been doing it for 10 years or 50 years."
Subscribe now and join the conversation about what happens behind the tool belt—where the real work of leadership happens.

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Chapters

1. Show Introduction and Sponsor Break (00:00:00)

2. Meeting Brad and His Industry Background (00:01:10)

3. From Distribution to Entrepreneurship (00:03:12)

4. Managing Emotions in Business (00:08:29)

5. Work-Life Integration vs Balance (00:17:25)

6. Personal Mentors and Influences (00:27:58)

7. Being Kind to Yourself as an Entrepreneur (00:48:36)

8. Wrap-up and Final Thoughts (00:59:32)