Episode 155 LIVE FROM UTAH at the REVOLT RETREAT!
Episode 155 of Behind the ToolBelt is being hosted live from Utah at the Revolt Retreat! This is a special episode with quite a few special guests joining us. Those guests are:
Barry with Brookens Construction out of Wisconsin
Zach with American Commercial Roofing out of Kansas
Kevin (or Gavin?) with American Veteran Roofing & Restoration out of Texas
Ty starts by asking Zach how he got involved with Revolt and the Roofing industry in general. Zach explains he got started about 2 and a half years ago. He was initially going to become a doctor but after his father got sick he decided to just start looking for work and was given an opportunity at American Commercial Roofing & Restoration. It was the Owner of the company that introduced Zach to Hunter and the Revolt team.
The conversation then goes to Barry as he explains how he got introduced to the roofing industry via his family, his two younger brothers who started Brookens Construction. Barry wanted to finish school so he skipped out on the original offer to join the company. After finishing school he realized the corporate world wasn’t all he expected it to be so he began working for his brothers in 2018. He started off as a sales rep, worked his way up to sales manager and last year they went from $7 million in sales to $25 million! Barry expresses the Revolt retreat has so much to do with it because of how it helped to teach them different techniques when working and interacting with staff as well as clients.
Finally we are introduced to our brother from Texas who explains he moved out that way due to personal reasons, then found a job as a roofing salesman and became General Manager within a year. After 2 and a half years he opened his own company, which was a little over 1 year ago at this point and did about $3 million in sales. He attributes a lot of his recent success to the Revolt team and the connections being made plus the networking being conducted.
Chris then asks what his biggest challenge has been since joining the Roofing industry. “Birdman” responds that due to his sobriety, maintaining internal peace while dealing with the day to day activities is his biggest struggle. Chris replies how much he respects how he is running his own business while dealing with his own personal issues and demons. Birdman then mentions how Revolt is great because it allows him to lean on others for support when he needs it.
Ty remarks how that was authentic with his reply, and Chris agrees this is one of the many things that make Behind the Toolbelt a different type of podcast. While having this discussion, another member of the Revolt retreat pulls up in a go kart and introduces himself. He mentions how great the retreat has been and the camaraderie and brotherhood that’s alive in that Utah Desert.
Chris goes on to ask the same question to our new guest as he did Birdman. “What has been the hardest part of owning your own company?” Our guest replies that finding the right people is the biggest challenge so far. It’s hard to find someone he can trust and rely on so he can work “On the business, not in the business”. He is located out of St. Louis Missouri and has been in the industry for 15 years, 2 of the past has been owning his own company. He mentions different ways he tries to find employees in his everyday life. He also mentions that he is working on figuring out his company’s core values and how he wants to serve his community. Chris mentions that oftentimes core values can change, and accountability is then brought up circling back to the point of the Revolt Retreat.
Logan from Division 1 Roofing out of Central Ohio then jumps on screen and introduces himself. He just started the business this year and his toughest issue was a lawsuit he had to deal with, but he overcame that mountain and it has been smooth sailing ever since. Chris responds how Logan has a great group of guys around him at the retreat and to take advantage of those relationships.
Our next guest Joe joins us, and he owns a remodeling company out of North Carolina. He started doing construction from age 5 and grew up in the industry as his father was in the industry before him. Joe mentions he has owned his own business for 7 years and his toughest hurdle to overcome has been himself. Chris and Joe then discuss the business and how the retreat helps to learn from one another and help hold accountability.
Ty then joins us again and tells Chris he’s killing it with his interviews. They banter back and forth regarding being lost in the desert and their gratitude for GPS because of how easy it is to get lost in the desert. Luckily everyone is alive, well and having fun. Ty mentions once again to tag Redbull for some sponsorship since we handle extreme sports too!
Ty asks how everything has been at the office and Chris replies that everything is running smoothly, mentioning our gift exchange occurring the next day. Chris goes on to reply that everything has been great other than how the studio could be due to our heat being out! Ty explains that the day prior they were broken into groups and were performing drills and relays to tally up points and see who wins at the end. Apparently a rap battle was to occur and Ty has someone on their team who’s very skilled at rapping so they know they have it in the bag!
Chris lets Ty know that Jana and the team at TC Backer say hello and hope he is having a great time! Ty appreciates his wife and team backing him up and mentions the love he has for all of us. Ty mentions that we “Revolt against being average” and jokes about flipping the go-karts. Ty has to jump off due to his phone dying but enjoyed going live from the Utah desert!
Victor Yori then hops behind the mic and speaks with Chris for the remainder of the show. Victor plays such an enormous role on the show as he is behind the scenes so Chris is looking forward to hearing some input from Vic. Vic’s first reply is also how cold it is in that studio! Sounds like we definitely need to get that heat fixed. Vic goes on to mention everything is great and has nothing to complain about.
Chris goes on to mention his excitement about the secret santa coming up the next day. He was really excited to see some of the gifts that are going to be exchanged and the feeling in the office built from the bond of us all coming together. After some joking back and forth, Vic and Chris continue to discuss what’s going on in Vic’s life. Chris introduces those watching to ask Vic some questions.
Chris asks the first questions by asking Vic “What’s the hardest part of juggling the podcast, work, and home life all at the same time?” Vic replies that time management is the hardest part. He mentions that he loves everything we do so it isnt necessarily a job, but more so a passion of his. So outside of his house and the family this is his happy place. Coming back to time management being the most difficult part, which is simply handling deadlines and making sure things get done.
Chris talks about being “Comfortable in the uncomfortable” and expresses how many times he has been able to come back to work with his uncomfortability and through his work family be able to let go and find his comfortability within. Chris believes our bubble of people that are in our circle that we all have in common is to not get frozen and come to each other for help when needed.
Vic continues he was in a completely different field prior to coming to TC Backer and the uncomfortability that comes with starting at a new location. Vic then mentions that uncomfortability builds growth and he now appreciates the uncomfortability. Chris mentions at one time when Vic joined Behind the Toolbelt prior to actually joining the team, just to show how far back the relationship goes.
Chris and Vic continue to comment on the magic that happens behind the walls at TC Backer and watch everyone grow. They both agree that we are one big family and definitely represent that we are “Family Owned”. Vic then shouts out the field guys who always give it 100% no matter the conditions and wants to give them the recognition they deserve. Chris follows up with how being out of the field has made it unbearable for him dealing with these cold conditions, and agrees wholeheartedly with Vic’s sentiment.
In closing Vic and Chris reminisce on some funny memories of Christmas seasons past. He goes into mention how we are doing the same thing this year, and one day consists of Ugly Christmas Sweater day, which he will gladly participate in. As you can see, we enjoy the fun stuff in the office and how it allows for the camaraderie and culture we’ve built at TC Backer Construction. Vic mentions how great it is the team feels comfortable enough to enlist a week of activities to follow to get the company in the Christmas spirit! We all look forward to the secret santa coming up the following day, and can’t wait to see the team laugh, live, and have fun together.