Factory Worker to Sales Manager: The Risk That Changed Everything

In this episode of the Hoel Truth Podcast, Chris Britt shares his real story — from working at McDonald’s as a teenager, battling cocaine addiction, losing friends to drugs, and eventually turning his life around to become the Sales Manager at Hoel Roofing & Remodeling.

Chris talks openly about the moments that changed everything: meeting his wife Lexi, choosing a different path, and taking the risk of leaving a factory job for a commission-only sales career.

This episode isn’t just about roofing — it’s about redemption, faith, leadership, and the power of making one decision that changes your life.

If you’ve ever wondered whether people can truly change their trajectory, this conversation shows exactly how it happens.

About Hoel Roofing & Remodeling

Hoel Roofing & Remodeling serves homeowners across Central and East-Central Indiana, helping families with roofing, siding, gutters, windows, and full exterior remodeling projects.

We believe in education over sales pressure, which is why we create videos and podcasts like this to share real stories and honest insights about business, leadership, and home improvement.

📞 Call: 765-561-4023
🌐 Learn more: hoelrr.com

Transcript

Chris, what is that journey from McDonald's as a teenager to a cocaine addict to a sales manager of a roofing company?

Well, I'd say that journey, it's a little bit long winded, but to shorten it up, I would say a lot of it had to do. For me, getting here would be God's hand and then probably a lot of late nights of Mamaw staying up and praying for me that, that probably helped me along my journey a lot.

Welcome this edition of the Hoel Truth Podcast. We're going to do a little mini mini series here. We're we're going to bring in our sales team once a week, and talk with, with the salesman.

So today we're going to kick it off with our current sales manager, Mr. Chris Britt. Chris, take a second, introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your beautiful family.

Hey, I'm Chris, with Hoel Roofing and Remodeling. The active sales manager here at the company. I was in sales for three years before Bob graciously promoted me to being sales manager.

In my free time, which is pretty limited nowadays because I have a three year old. And then, also a one month old at home, usually play guitar and hang out with my family. That's that's usually what I'm doing in my free time. And, you forgot about how old's Lexi? I mean, she's just here. Yeah, well, Lexi, Lexi is 35.

No, I'm just kidding. She'll probably kill me when she sees that, Lexi is 29, so, we're both going to be coming up to the big 30 this year. So. Married to Lexi, two, beautiful little boys, running. Well, Carlos running around? Yeah. A little little man's not running around. Yeah. So. Yeah. So, yeah, just, tell your story of your journey.

Because I always like this story. I always laugh, when I, I try to step back and reflect on hiring people and, literally as we're, taping this, we just hired, a new office assistant that accepted late last night, early this morning. So, it's it's always cool, to watch that process and kind of explain a little bit of, like, what got you here.

Because another thing that's crazy is the hire that we just made you guys worked at McDonald's together, and Ella used to work at McDonald's. I know Adam used to work at Taco Bell, so I had a podcast guest about a month ago that said that 1 in 8 or 1 in 10 people start their career or start working at a McDonald's, which is kind of crazy, in the grand scheme of things.

So, yeah, share a little bit of your journey to, to, to get here. I actually started working at McDonald's, when I was like, I think I was 14. And the main reason I started working at McDonald's was so I had money to buy video games. Like, I literally would go if I'd work just enough hours so I could buy, like the new two game or whatever came out.

So I worked there for a good while, and then I did some pizza delivery for a while. Then I did some, like, state cooking for a little bit. And then once I started, like, getting into the age where I needed to, like, get a house and me and Lexy were getting together. I went and worked in a factory for probably almost four years.

And then Nick started working for you guys, which Nick's my then my best friend since we were like 12, so 18 years almost, and, he, he just spoke really highly of you guys and talks about how, how great of a company you guys were to work for, and then also talks a little bit about the checks he was getting.

And I was like, did you show me a check like that? And I was like, I'll quit my job tomorrow. If you've ever seen a dwarf on Wall Street, pretty much just that exact scene from the movie. And so we talked a little bit and then I think probably within the next week, I was on the phone call with you guys and then doing my interviews, and then it went fairly quickly from there.

And so I'm on it. I might interject for a second.

So I remember this, man and driving in a truck, Nick calls me, he's like, hey, I got a buddy, that wants a job. And I said, Nick, you haven't worked here long enough for us to have this conversation, but we don't hire buddies because they're lazier than you.

They don't work out. Then that gives you they get that puts a bad taste in my mouth about you. He's like, no, no, no, honestly, I've had some friends that want jobs that I haven't even brought it up. And I was like, all right, we'll see if this kid's interested or not. So I said, have them call Emily.

And literally like, it felt like what? 30s later, like, Emily gets a call was like, hello, this is Chris Britt. Is this Emily? So, and then I always like your story of, like, when it comes to, And this might sound bad if the wrong person is listening to this, but, when it comes to sales, I don't really want somebody with a lot of roofing experience, roofing sales experience, because then I've got a I've got to correct all their bad habits.

Where you said you stayed up most the night before studying about roofing, and then I didn't even ask a simple roofing even once roofing question because for me it's about character and work ethic. And do you fit with the team? And I mean, that is one thing that I've always admired about you, Cody and Nick, is that you three?

Are you guys have each other's backs? Like, that's what friends are truly about. And, like, you know, if one of you move, you're over there trying to help paint, well, what? Whatever that is. And it's just, you know, I lost a good friend of mine, which will be 18 years this fall, which is crazy to say out loud.

But he was that friend. Like, if I called him, he was there to help. Vice versa. If he need to use this truck or he needs to use this trailer, like, just come and do it. And in this world that we're in, unfortunately there's not a lot of that. So that is one thing that, like, I've just always admired about you, sir.

I mean, we always joke and say that you guys might be gay and that your wives are cover ups, you know? But, on a serious note, and I and on a serious note, though, your guys's loyalty and your friendship, you know, that's that's that's fun to see. So, so, yeah, we went ahead. We hired them, and, you know, it was, you know, and then this might be the best part.

Was it day three? Chris. So you come in here and you. Yeah, I think it was day three I got fired. No no no no no no not that. Yeah I love that story. But it was when you walked in and told me that Lex was pregnant and, like, you just started working here, like I knew her name.

Don't get me wrong. But you're like, you're walk in this nonchalant. You sit down and you're like, yeah, Lex is pregnant. Yeah. Now, guys, he just quit a hourly job of a guaranteed paycheck every week to go to a straight commission job. That there is no guaranteed. There is guarantees. You'll have weeks that you make zero.

You're guaranteed. Especially in the beginning. But, you know, and I was like, well, what do you think? And you're like, I'm good. And, you know, I, I thought to myself, I'm like, he's either going to sink or swim, like, I mean, literally like there's only two options here, you know? And I mean, one thing that I, that I don't think anybody understands, especially in the beginning, especially when a guy like me is trying to hire straight commission sales guys.

I take so much responsibility, and I put so much weight on my shoulders to make sure I'm providing you guys with the best crews possible, the best products, the most opportunities. You know, and I take it to heart, when a crappy lead comes in or a crew messes up and we're all humans, it happens. You know, but, you know, we threw you in a transit van, and, you know, you started selling, Nick may or may not want this promoted, but you actually did better in your first year than you did in the New year.

So, I mean, that's to me, that's the fun. That's the success. That's the reason me and Emily do this crazy world, you know, in business and everything. So, Yeah. And, like, you know, and, and one thing that I really try to focus on is, like, truly, like, it's a family around here. Like, I love teasing Lex and giving her a hard time, like, hey, I'm over by Waldron.

Like, I'm going to stop and have supper, you know? What? Do you fix it for supper? Where's the steaks? But, you know, a little Kylo coming out, loving to see the cows, like, you know, or you send me videos of of jamming out with Kylo, you know, like, that's, you know, that's what it's about as a leader, as a business owner.

And and it has been cool. And if you watch the episode that me and Chris did a couple years ago, like, you know, the reason and we'll just go ahead and talk about it for a minute, there was the meeting that we had to have, that there was some rumblings of some past and some dumb shit that you had done.

And we've all been teenagers and we've all done dumb stuff. Some maybe just a little different. And, you know, and, and I sit down and I was just like, Chris. Like where we where are we at on this? Because unfortunately, you've lost friends to addictions, and that kind of stuff. So kind of talk a little bit about what got you out of that hole and like some things, unfortunately, that you've kind of witnessed in, in some of them, downtimes and troubles.

Yeah. So, I had a pretty decent cocaine addiction for a little bit. Just to be blunt, not to laugh about cocaine addiction, but a decent, decent, decent one for a while. And,

I lost my best friend to heroin addiction, and, I've probably had 7 to 8 other friends overdosed on heroin. And, you know, I've seen some of that, and just, I think I eventually kind of got a little bit tired of living that life, but I wasn't necessarily taking myself out of it.

I was still, still doing it, but I was kind of sick of it. And then I'd met Lexi and me and her. It got more serious, and she kind of just put it down and was like, if, you know, because she was a well put together woman, had her own place, had a good job that she had been at for years, and health care, she kind of just put it as in like, hey, I really like you.

You're a lot of fun. Like, we have great times together, but I hate waking up twice a night and thinking that you might be dead. So, if you want to be with me, then this has to stop now, or we're going to have to go our separate ways. So kind of fought it briefly. And then I just kind of, like, made my decision, like, okay.

Like, everyone has a point in their life where they can go this way or they can go this way. And fortunately, I chose to go with Lexi. Because if not, who knows where I'd be at right now? I certainly wouldn't be here sitting in this chair talking to you. So that was kind of like the breaking point for me in that direction.

And, fortunately, I made the correct decision that it was kind of time to get my life together, go get me a stable job, and, then eventually down the road, have a family, and now I get to live the good life.

Well, and, you know, if you believe in God and we believe in God around here, and it's not.

Well, I'm not going to biblethump you if you don't. It's not that. It's just like you truly believe. Like, I was explaining this to kids the other day, like some of Emily's dads like parents and distance Lucas are buried right around the corner from our house, and I was like, we we live in a world that's created by such an amazing God that, you know, 30 years ago, literally within about the next month, my dad moved me as a young kid and my two older siblings in Indiana for a job opportunity.

And then, you know, this happened, then that happened. And then then eventually I met Emily, you know, and then we, you know, there's no accident that we went Forestville school, you know, and it just kind of all it it all comes together. So like, you are right. You know, it's there's there's turning points in life. There's, there's the time that it is it planet enough a drug addiction.

Is it starting a business. Is it starting a health journey? Like where is the line in the sand? And you know, kudos to Lex. Like I love Lex. She's a fireball. I love her like I love just poking the bear. Yeah. However, it took God creating her to be like, Chris, I love you. I think you're pretty cool, dude, but you're not going to do this like a pass.

Like a girl that wasn't as up front. What the said that and like, where, where could that, you know ever, you know you know. Hey how did that work out. You know and like it all kind of comes together and to me like that's that's the fun part of just stepping back and looking at journeys and how you meet people.

And Adam and Elly that work here. I've worked here for several years now, like me and Emily were a part of their help with leading their youth group. You know, 15 years ago now they work here like that's to me. To me, that's cool. And one thing that I always thought, it was cool that you told me the other day, your mama's husband, John, used to take Lexi.

Yeah, to church. Him and his first wife that passed away, like. Yeah, they used to take her to church that time. That's cool. Like, you know what I mean? So, Yeah. Yeah. But no, like, world. Yeah, yeah. It's just. Yeah, like I said, it's it's it's awesome. So as we kind of talk about sales and, you know, construction and there's just so many like, you know, battle was about construction and contractors and stuff like that. 

And you know, as a leader of the sales team, like, what do you feel like sets us apart from, you know, let's just be honest. There's 30 roofers within an hour of here. Probably pretty freaking easy. If if you searched hard enough. Yeah, I would say, really, what sets us apart is that we always have the customer's, like, best interests in mind when we're out there.

Like, if I show up to your property, I'm not trying to sell you anything that you don't need. If you've got a six year old roof and you have a couple shingles missing, like, I'm going to do a complete inspection and make sure that everything is in integrity, and it's good. But I'm going to give you exactly what you need for what your issue is to.

Whereas somebody else who may be a little bit more dishonest may come out there and be like, we'll look at this and look at this and this is bad and see, this is going to be really bad, when maybe that's not exactly the case. And I've, I've went out as a second opinion on multiple roofs and they've been told their entire needs to be replaced, or there's three layers on the roof and that you know, that all has to go.

And then I get uptake layer picture. It's one layer, the roof, six years old. You know, they've got a leak because the stat flashing wasn't installed correctly and they don't have ice and water there or whatever. And then I bring it down, I show the customer the pictures and I'm like, I don't know who told you you had three layers of shingles on your roof.

You got one. I don't know who told you your roof was shot. Here's 40 pictures we can go through. I can show you that there's really nothing going on up there. Your issues caused over here, and this is why it's happening. Would you like to go ahead and get this taken care of? You know what I mean?

I think, and I've the guys that I've trained on the sales team, I've just trained them to lead with honesty and like, caring. Caring more about people than, like, the bottom line than the dollar. That's it's much more important. And it all comes full circle because when they have a great experience with us, when they're at work and their coworker is saying, like, I need to get her up, or I need this done, she's going to remember or he's going to remember whoever.

I had a great experience with whole roofing and remodeling. I think you should have those guys out there very trustworthy. So I really think that sets us apart as a company.

Well, one thing that I've learned, and I haven't been in the sales role for several years now, it feels like. But I remember one time I was up in fishers in a neighborhood, and, there was been some wind blow through part of the neighborhood.

And I got a call, like, in a completely different part of the neighborhood that had no damage. It was like, oh, yeah, this this guy said, there's hail damage up there. I was like, okay, so I get up there. Well, it was a foot traffic from when they installed the roof originally. And it must have been hot when they installed it.

So there was some what you call foot traffic and I took pictures. I mean, some of this damage was this big, like, we had broken out windows of hail was that big. So I asked lady, I was like, and she was a single lady, which unfortunately, like some people think that, you know, you can take advantage of that.

I was like, did you see any pictures? No. But let me show you what he's calling hail. But I said, then I showed her a bunch of other pictures. I was like, there's nothing up here. This is what this is from, you know? And you know, another thing like and I mean, it's like we take care of people.

Like, I remember another lady in that exact same neighborhood, had aluminum ridge vent blew up, and she called me, and it was going to rain at like, midnight. And I was just sitting down the supper at, like 730. So by the time I ate a little bit of supper, jumped in my truck, it was like 830, 9:00.

It was completely dark. I remember she open a bedroom window. I crawled out on her second story roof. I had a headlamp on and I crawled on this 1212 pitch. So we're like, this straddled that thing. I tapped it down. I get back in and she's like, what do I oh yeah. I was like, oh, nothing. I, I said, I'm crazy enough.

I do this for fun. I, I truly, I truly like your peace of mind. And, I'll never forget four months later, she called and said, hey, the insurance adjuster just left. He's approving a brand new roof. I've got to check. What do you guys need for me? Yeah, like and that's the kind of business that we've built.

But it takes great people if it's, you know, the sales. It starts with the sales team a lot. I mean, yeah, technically starts with Ellie when she answers the phone, but it's really that sales team going out there, you know? And like, we're always asking for five star reviews because we want people to understand, you know, and it one thing that this pops up is like, one of our current sales guys, Tanner, like, he gets some raving reviews.

Yeah. They're long and, you know, and what I love about Tanner, though, he's got your your bubbly personality. Like, sometimes I was like, Tanner, are you ever in a bad mood? But, like, you know, you know. So, to me, that's that's what it's about. And it's it's so cool for me and Emily to hear compliments from people.

I mean, we're to the point now that strangers are coming up to us in our trucks in a sweatshirt and they're like, hey, you guys did a riff. Like, you guys are awesome. And I don't even know, like, yeah, there's plenty of people that we I know, and that's awesome, don't get me wrong. But, you know, when you start driving and see signs that I don't even know, the people or people are coming up to us or what I'm saying a lot of now on Facebook is people recommending us that I don't even know.

So that means we've had, you know, you know, they've had a good experience with us. So as a sales guy, as a sales leader, what is what is a product? What is probably your favorite or what is your favorite product to sell? When, when you were out selling my favorite product to sell, whenever I was out selling was, definitely metal products.

Metal roofing is my favorite. If I was going to put a roof on my home and most likely be metal, I just think it provides like a great value to the homeowner, like long term for their house. It's a good return on investment. Metal roofs are hot right now, so if you've got a metal roof on your home and then you do go to sell it, that's definitely going to be a selling factor of it.

And I just knew that I could sell so much metal. I could sell more than Cody and Nick combined. And, so that was definitely my favorite product to sell. You know, the funny thing is, though, like, you could step back and look at sales rep sometimes, like, you know, if a guy gets on really pushing malarkey or really pushing metal, it's like they sell a lot more of it.

And it's, and it's funny that you make it a competition with Cody and Nick, you know? But, I really believe in a product, and, you know, it's right. It's the right solution for the homeowner. Then it's not a it's not like a it's not a hard sell. You know, it's like if I, if a homeowner is really in between shingles and metal and I can properly convey why metal is the right option for them, then it's really the homeowner's decision at that point.

And typically they'll choose to go with metal, because I firmly do believe it's more bang for your buck and you're going to get that long term value out of it. What is what is something maybe a service that we offer, that maybe a lot of people don't even know that that we offer that. Well, we offer a little bit of everything.

So I mean, we've done all kinds of stuff. We're working on, the Greenwood Apartments up in Richmond. I mean, we have a huge remodel there. I think we're doing some painting countertops, I think cabinets, maybe some flooring. I think some bathroom remodeling there. I know we we did some decks for, we did a deck for Lexi's uncle, over in Carthage recently.

So we really do while we while we do a lot of, like, roofing, siding, gutters, fascia, soffit that kind of work. We're well versed, and we we can virtually do almost anything. It's like we don't do a lot of electrical or plumbing, but, so I call Shane. Yes, we call Shane for that kind of stuff. But, I mean, really any kind of project that you need done, I feel like you could be 100% confident that we could complete it.

Well, and another thing that we've really gotten into really over the last years is some more commercial work. Yeah. Where, you know, working on churches and we've always done a little bit of that. But like you said, the, the apartment buildings, we did a standing seam roof last year and it went so well. And they were having problems with their interior contractors.

They had to throw them out. And then that local staff was like, we had such a good experience with these guys. Let's see if they can handle it. And you know, we're we're also literally in a remodel, we're working on a house right now, which a couple of years ago, we did the roof and gutters, and now we've got a the entire house, and we've reframed it.

Drywall, insulation, siding, windows, front doors, you know, so, yeah, there's there's a lot of things. If you're looking to get a project done, you know, you know, get get with us on that. So what is what are some goals, around here I talk a lot about goals and like, you know, you know, Zig Ziglar says if you aim at nothing, you hit it every time.

But like, what are some of your goals? Just in the, in the phase of life that you're in right now? Chris. Yeah. So a big goal that I've had recently is just to like, grow a stronger connection with God and be, and be like a godly man for my family. So, like, make sure I'm doing the right things for my family, and setting the right precedence at home.

So that way my sons see their parents grow up in a loving relationship, and then that way when they get to that age and they're ready to, you know, have a girlfriend or a wife or have a family that they remember the way that they grew up and the way they've seen their dad treat their mom, and then they can pass that on to their kids and then their kids.

So that's that's one of my big goals right now, is just make sure I'm doing everything for my family and my kids. And then I would say some of my other goals here, here at work really are just to like, make sure that I'm pouring everything that I've learned, especially into the three new guys that we've brought on and I've trained this year.

I really want to make sure that they have the same experience at this company that I was fortunate to have. Things are a little bit different when I started. I mainly you've trained me, you and Nick did. I brought a lot with you. So I learned straight from your mouth on how I needed to be. And now I'm kind of.

It's like playing a game of phone, phone tag, you know? So now I'm trying to take all this stuff you instilled in me, and then instill in these guys. And I do think that last year, I mean, we had we had a tremendous year last year. As far as the sales teams goes, we're training towards another tremendous year.

So I think things are working out. But those those are two of my biggest goals right now is just making sure that I'm pouring the right stuff into the sales team, and then I'm pouring the right stuff into my family. Well, and I mean, that is one thing that I didn't say, talk about when we hired you, but you talked about your mam all so much.

Oh, yeah. When, when we hire or when we interview. And I remember Emily saying for some, I for as much as he loves his mama, he's got to be a good guy, you know. And then we've been fortunate to get to know your mama all. And, I mean, she's just the sweetest thing in the world, you know, like fam and, like, when we were at your guys's wedding, you kind of did it wrong and had Kylo first and then got pregnant again, but that's okay.

But, just to see your guys's family, like, even even Lex's dad came up to me, you know, and I was trying to, like, tease him about. Oh, man. Are you sure you want this guy to be your son in law? You know? And he's like, oh, man, he's a hell of a provider. And like, I get tired of hearing like, oh, these kids these days, they suck.

They're lazy. Like, man, I've got some really good, hard working, late 20 year old man in this building, that are focused on their health, their family, like they're focused on the right things. And it's it's pretty cool to see, because, like, I'm a big believer and you need a mentor. But I've also believer you've got to be mentoring somebody because, you know, like I it's good for me when one of you younger guys like, hey, how would you handle this, boss?

You know, and it's not even work related. It's like, you know, over here. And like, one thing I've tried to just pan in your guys's head is love the fan, love the love on your life, love on them kids. Because it freakin goes so darn fast. And it's something that I'm trying to work on. Like, okay, am I making sure?

Am I balancing keeping the business rolling as as well as I can? And am I balancing love and my kids? Because, you know, Rhett now will be 11 here literally in a few weeks after this podcast drops. And that's, you know, when he turned nine, I told em I was like, he's halfway growed up at the house. And, you know, that was not a very good thing to tell your emotional life.

You know, I won't tell her next year at this time, it'll be two thirds away. Like, I mean, it's crazy, you know, but, it's it's it's cool to be able to lead. I'm a firm believer in you create a lot of stuff, you know, and you attract, you know, like, another thing that, kudos to you.

When you came to interview, like, you had a pile of money saved up, like, once again, that's another thing that you hear. Like, nobody has any money saved. Everybody lives paycheck to paycheck. So like, that's, that's that's another part of our DNA is financial wisdom or being wise with finance, however, you want to say that being generous. Another thing that I've always respected about you was how many times you've called, hey, girls.

Hey. I'm like, hey, yo, you guys want some Taco Bell? Hey, I'm getting a coffee. You girls need a coffee? Like, that's the kind of little things. And, you know, one compliment that I always got when you were out selling, I was like, he's just so nice. So nice. And literally the interview that we were doing the other night, me and Emily were like, the lady's like, oh, yeah.

Like the thing about Chris was he might be a little goofy. Yeah, I am, but, he's just so nice. And, if you guys ever meet his wife, he is a you'll know I jokingly said I knew you'd be a good sales guy when I met Lex. Because Lex is a pretty girl. And if you can convince her to date you, then you can convince people to give you money.

She's been rough on our house, but. Yeah. Absolutely. So, as we wrap up, I just want to thank you for your loyalty, your dedication to to our family. Because it's more than whole roofing like, it's it's a family thing. Like, it's the it's the family cookouts. It's the. We just did the Christmas party at our house this year with so many little kids, you know?

And then, sure enough, I have a cow in labor. So half the team and their kids go out and watch me pull a calf out of a cow. You know, Kylo Cat trying to jump the fence and get in there with the cows. It's like, dude, you can't do it. He needs to come back out because he does.

We've had two red heifers born lately. So, they're not just all like, solid black cows, like, a lot of times. But. So as we wrap up, Chris, any words of wisdom? I just want to say thank you for everything you've done for us. And I'm proud of you. To watch your growth, to see you develop into a leader.

As a business owner like that, I want everybody growing, like. And not everybody can grow and be a leader. Like, be the leader in the business because there's only so many. But, just, you know, getting married. You love Lexi so. Well. You love them boys, you know? And but you you love this team. And, like, I gotta brag on you and Ellie, like, we had a team meeting last Friday and end up being a cattle show, so, I mean, Emily work there, and Emily's like, do we already schedule?

I said, absolutely not. I said, so why? We have leaders in the business. So any words of advice? Yeah, I guess I guess for some short words of wisdom is, don't ever, don't ever stop yourself from like, pursuing an opportunity out of fear that you might not succeed. Because really, if if I hadn't have came here, because I was scared.

You know, it's a commission job. I'm not going to make any money. Lexi's pregnant. Like, if I hadn't taken that risk to work here, then I'd. I'd probably still be working in a factory, which for some people is great. They like it. There's nothing wrong with working a factory for me. I wasn't happy there, so I think I think just if you have an opportunity, you know, don't let fear be the reason that you don't take it.

That would be my words of wisdom there. Thanks, Chris. I appreciate you, sir. Thanks, boss. Love you.