EP #234: Sam, Mike, and Andreia with Weather Recovery Solutions
Apr 09, 2024
Jeremy Wolf
When you meet the passionate trio behind Weather Recovery Solutions—Sam, Mike, and Andreia—you can't help but get swept up in their entrepreneurial spirit and the heartfelt devotion they bring to the South Florida roofing scene. I, Jeremy Wolf, had the pleasure of chatting with these mavens of the shingle, who peeled back the roof to share their insider view on starting a full-service roofing contractor business. The conversation was a whirlwind of personal anecdotes and professional insights, as the team recounted the transition from working for others to being their own bosses in the fiercely competitive local industry. They didn't just talk shop about re-roofs and repairs; this was a deep dive into the dedication required to ensure customer satisfaction and foster enduring connections with every client they serve.
As the discussion unfurled, Sam, Mike, and Andreia revealed the pivotal role strong supplier relationships play in their success, giving us a glimpse into their collaboration with vendors like ABC that keeps materials flowing and projects on track. But it's not all work and no play; each one opened up about the art of balancing the persistent demands of their growing enterprise with the rich tapestry of family life. From Mike's tales of Italian escapades to Sam and Andreia's juggling act of business and family, particularly with kids in travel sports, it's apparent that these entrepreneurs aren't shying away from weaving their personal passions into their professional narrative. Tune in to hear how this trio isn't just laying roofs - they're crafting a legacy that stands as sturdy as the structures they protect.
When you meet the passionate trio behind Weather Recovery Solutions—Sam, Mike, and Andreia—you can't help but get swept up in their entrepreneurial spirit and the heartfelt devotion they bring to the South Florida roofing scene. I, Jeremy Wolf, had the pleasure of chatting with these mavens of the shingle, who peeled back the roof to share their insider view on starting a full-service roofing contractor business. The conversation was a whirlwind of personal anecdotes and professional insights, as the team recounted the transition from working for others to being their own bosses in the fiercely competitive local industry. They didn't just talk shop about re-roofs and repairs; this was a deep dive into the dedication required to ensure customer satisfaction and foster enduring connections with every client they serve.
As the discussion unfurled, Sam, Mike, and Andreia revealed the pivotal role strong supplier relationships play in their success, giving us a glimpse into their collaboration with vendors like ABC that keeps materials flowing and projects on track. But it's not all work and no play; each one opened up about the art of balancing the persistent demands of their growing enterprise with the rich tapestry of family life. From Mike's tales of Italian escapades to Sam and Andreia's juggling act of business and family, particularly with kids in travel sports, it's apparent that these entrepreneurs aren't shying away from weaving their personal passions into their professional narrative. Tune in to hear how this trio isn't just laying roofs - they're crafting a legacy that stands as sturdy as the structures they protect.
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Jeremy Wolfe.
Speaker 2:
Well, hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast. I'm your host, jeremy Wolfe, and today I'm joined by. We have a trio, a trifecta, if you will. I am sitting here with Sam Mike and Andrea Sorry to have you go last there, andrea, no disrespect to the ladies in the room and Sam Mike and Andrea join us from Weather Recovery Solutions Guys. Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 3:
Thank you.
Speaker 2:
Thank you for having us. Thank you I know the pleasure is all on this side of the screen, as I like to say and thanks, as always, to our listeners for tuning in. So, guys, tell everyone, what do you do over at Weather Recovery Solutions?
Speaker 4:
So we at Weather Recovery Solutions, we are a full-service roofing contractor, right? So our main focus is on providing our clients with re-roofs, any service related, um, repairs that they may need maintenance, just a full service contractor that that services all their roofing needs. Basically, in a sense, um, and that goes from the residential realm all the way to the commercial realm. So, pretty much in a nutshell, nutshell, that's what we like to focus on and, of course, we strive always to grow every day and yeah, the big and small will do it all.
Speaker 2:
Love it, love it. And what areas do you typically service? I'm assuming primarily the South Florida area. What counties do you go to? What's your reach?
Speaker 3:
primarily the South Florida area. What counties do you go to? What's your reach? Well, we are located in Broward County, but we're a state licensed contractor, so we go, you know, dade County, broward, pound Beach, martin County. We have some jobs in Lee County, yeah, so we basically everywhere we need to go as long as it makes sense.
Speaker 2:
How long has Weather Recovery Solutions been in existence? When did you start the business? And let's hear a little bit about how you guys got into the roofing business.
Speaker 3:
Go ahead.
Speaker 5:
So we've been around for about two years now and we started. We've been doing this for a long time. I mean, I've been personally doing it for about 18 years. Mike's the same 19 19, he's about the same and we worked for other companies, and me and him. We were both working together and we just kept talking about it all the time, talking about it, talking about it, until one day the light bulb came on our heads and said all right, well, it's time.
Speaker 2:
Why not us? Right, right, nobody else is doing this, right, so are you guys. Sam and Mike, are you long-term friends? Are you related? What's your relationship?
Speaker 5:
No long-term friends.
Speaker 2:
Okay, so you were both in the roofing business. Did you work at the same company together? Yes, or were you in different companies? You were at the same place, right? And after 18, 19 years of doing that, hey, why don't we go ahead and do this for ourselves and get into business for ourselves? So, having done that, having taken the leap of faith and become an entrepreneur and starting your own business, what would you say was the most challenging thing about starting your own business? And then, on the other side of that, the most rewarding thing that you've experienced since you've gone out on your own?
Speaker 5:
For me, the most challenging thing was not knowing where that next paycheck was going to come from the unknown. Love it, the unknown Very scary, you know. Just starting from zero, not getting any type of income and just starting your own company. That was the biggest scare for me. What about you, mike?
Speaker 4:
I mean that's you're right on. That was the same for me too. It was taking that leap of faith and trying, because at the time we were both still working full time jobs Right.
Speaker 4:
And it was like at a point where we still wanted to stay at our full-time jobs because we were getting obviously that income every week, right, and then trying to push ourselves to say, you know what, we just need to go and and just go in at 100 and let our work ethic and the camaraderie, our teamwork in each other, belief in each other and just go for it. And that's what we did.
Speaker 2:
The rest is history. The rest is that's why we're here. So what, what, what's the most rewarding part now, having gotten to the other side of that and having your own business for the last two years?
Speaker 3:
Well, for me and I I would think that for them as well is just the way we get rewarded with the clients. That was the main reason why we kind of started this business. You know, they were miserable working where they were working in terms of, you know, seeing that things were not done properly. It was always about the money and the clients were not always happy. And you know, I said we got to make this happen, so we started. As you know, customer satisfaction is our number one priority. We love what we do and we show it, and I think being able to have clients becoming friends because of the way we deal with business, it's the most rewarding thing. So a lot of our clients became friends and you know, to me that's the ultimate goal, friends and you know, to me that's that's the ultimate goal, you know, obviously.
Speaker 2:
You know customer satisfaction and being happy doing what you do. Now, Andrea, do you also come?
Speaker 3:
from a background in this industry, or what's your journey like? No, my journey, yeah, what I have not done? But my journey into the, into the construction industry, started probably four years ago and I decided that I needed a new route. And you know, I decided to go into construction, the building construction technology college, not knowing that we were going to end up, you know, opening a roofing company. So my goal was to go to college and maybe get a GC license and, in the midst of everything you know to me was already guiding me through that path. You know, we opened the roofing company. So you know, I've been, uh, in the industry like four years, but being the owner, being into the roofing industry for two now.
Speaker 2:
So and how do you know? Uh, sam and mike, are you relation to either of them or just friends?
Speaker 3:
for 20 years we, we married for 19. Ah.
Speaker 2:
I figured as much. So very cool. So husband and wife team friend for life, I mean that's what it's all about, right.
Speaker 5:
Local, family-owned operated businesses that are-.
Speaker 2:
Veteran owned as well.
Speaker 5:
Veteran owned.
Speaker 2:
Veteran. Well, thank you for your service. By the way, that's fantastic, yeah, thank you. Thank you, mike. Yeah, yeah, so I probably have more experience than most people with roofs. I had to re-roof my old house. I'm in the process of re-roofing my current house, so I have a general idea of what goes into this. But, speaking to somebody out there that maybe has never gone through that process of changing their roof or what are some common myths or misconceptions or things that you generally encounter when working with clients that are doing these types of projects, Well, what I see is that people are never too excited about changing their room.
Speaker 3:
It's not like doing your bathroom or remodeling your kitchen, so people are hesitant. They know it costs a lot of money and it's not exciting, but it's the most important part of your house, right? If you don't have a roof over your head, your walls, everything can get destroyed if you don't have a roof.
Speaker 4:
Yeah, I agree with you. I think a lot of misconceptions too, or the expectation is going to get done right now. I don't fully understand, and that's our job, obviously, to educate them that it doesn't happen. You know, just like that, at the snap of a finger. There's a whole process that you know we all have to go through, from permitting and stuff like that, and, as we all know, I don't know what you're experiencing, but some billing departments can take several months to get a permit.
Speaker 4:
So that kind of you know is a little hesitant on homeowners. They think you can just be there tomorrow once you know they come to an agreement. But it's just not the case. And again, we have to educate them on that and be as upfront as possible because there's other contractors that'll tell them yep, we can get it done, you know, in two, three days.
Speaker 2:
That's just you know Red flag, red flag, red flag.
Speaker 4:
That's a red flag. You know, we just believe in being honest and upfront and explaining the whole process and constant communication with them and letting them know where we're at in the process, and that's how they get a more feel and more comfortable with us as a roofing company. So what about you?
Speaker 5:
I'd do the same way.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, all good things take time right. I wanted to ask, though, about is there still, I know, post-COVID? Obviously there was issues with supply chains. Are you finding that, in terms of ordering materials, Is it still taking many, many months to get certain orders? Are supplies more readily available now? What's going on with that?
Speaker 3:
well it's getting better with the tile part of it right, it is. It's getting better but it was time that we had 20 week hold. I think that's like the tile is the was the biggest. Yeah, the tile.
Speaker 4:
The tile was, I mean there were some other products, tpo, I think.
Speaker 3:
Yeah.
Speaker 4:
TPO's for more commercial side. They had six plus month lead times, but now that is gradually not the case anymore. You're looking at a couple week lead time. But tile's still one of the longer time frame products still out there and I mean it's starting to come down. Longer timeframe products still out there and I mean it's starting to come down, but no, experiencing not so much with. You know our materials, we can get them in a very quick manner. Well, we've got a great relationship with ABC.
Speaker 5:
Tell them, tell them, because you know people in high places in the material industry world.
Speaker 2:
You know people, who know people.
Speaker 5:
You know people, that knows people.
Speaker 4:
I used to work for one of our suppliers Very cool, that branch that I came from. We've got a great relationship. Anything that we need, it's a simple phone call. These guys are great. They'll literally move heaven and earth to get us what we need. It's a great relationship. They've just been with us every step of the way and help our company grow. So it's a great relationship.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, very important to build relationships with vendors within your business and your industry makes a lot smoother of a process. So obviously, two years into the business, I'm sure you guys all work like dogs and you're busy all the time as entrepreneurs Never ends 24-7. But when you do have some downtime, when you do have some free time, what do you guys like to do for fun?
Speaker 3:
Oh, me first, you first.
Speaker 2:
You first, Mike.
Speaker 4:
So I've been traveling the world quite a bit lately here, I guess. I just came back from Europe in November and again in what? Last month? Ireland, Ireland last month.
Speaker 2:
So I went to Italy. How are you having time to travel the world with this new business?
Speaker 4:
Well, that's why you have partners Exactly.
Speaker 2:
You're on to something here. I like it, I like you.
Speaker 5:
You take a couple of weeks off off, we'll hold down the fort. Yeah, vice versa I love it.
Speaker 4:
I love it cool man stuff like that we try to really enjoy because we're not getting any younger. Um, I've never been out of the country except for my time in the service and that wasn't fun. So I want to explore, you know, other countries and enjoy with my family, and so that's one thing I look forward to, other than other things that I like to do, but I don't know if it's, you know, appropriate. I'm a gun enthusiast, so you know you like going to the range yeah, a lot of guns over here, it's fine.
Speaker 2:
So so, mike, where? What was your favorite place that you've traveled to thus far?
Speaker 4:
Sofrae Scala is definitely Italy.
Speaker 2:
Yep, I was going to say same thing for me. I, through my the limited places that I've been, I would always gravitate to Italy, such a beautiful country. Oh it is. Ah, let's go to Italy. All right, I'm next, I'm next All right. Sam Andrea, your turn.
Speaker 3:
What do you got?
Speaker 2:
for me.
Speaker 3:
We love traveling as well, but lately what we've been doing for fun is baseball, baseball.
Speaker 5:
Really we got kids, Our yeah.
Speaker 2:
How old are the kids?
Speaker 3:
11 and 12. And 28.
Speaker 5:
I have a 28-year-old in San Diego California 28, 11, and 12.
Speaker 3:
Our 12-year-old is in travel baseball. We do a whole lot of baseball.
Speaker 2:
You got your hands full with that. Travel, the travel sports yeah, they keep you running around, keep you on your toes yes daddy uber and mommy uber I'm failing, I'm gonna get volunteered Mikey Uber in here.
Speaker 5:
Hey, that's not a bad idea.
Speaker 3:
But when we're not in baseball, we love, you know, just going to the beach and just relaxing and, you know, barbecuing Right.
Speaker 5:
Yeah, I don't know. Anything else, go fishing here and there. I like to fish.
Speaker 2:
Just don't go as often as I want to, or should but how could you have enough time between the travel, sports and the business to get out there?
Speaker 3:
there's none.
Speaker 5:
There is not a lot of time and uh you know what I what?
Speaker 5:
I found out a lot too, that the customers, uh, when they work, so, um, a lot of customers want to talk to you after hours Friday, saturday, sundays, because that's the time they're home and we accommodate. So that takes a toll as well, because business hours they're working, so they don't have time to talk to a roofer. So when they get home Friday afternoon, saturday, sunday, that's when the messages, the calls start coming in. Hey, by the way, hey, by the way, and we accommodate 24 seven concierge service.
Speaker 2:
I'm going to remember that. I'll be calling you. I'll do a roofing project. I'll be calling you at like three 30 AM. I don't know about three to get you out here now. Guys, an emergency leak? Let's go. I'll answer, because she's had calls before. It's not an emergency leak, let's go. I'm talking about proposals at midnight.
Speaker 5:
Morning to morning.
Speaker 2:
So, guys, before we wrap up here, what would be the one thing that you'd like for our listeners to know about the business? If you had to pick one thing, I'll give you one thing for each of you. He's got three people, how's that?
Speaker 3:
Okay, I would like them to know they are family veteran owned, locally owned business. So support your local business, your family owned business.
Speaker 2:
Absolutely. That's what it's all about.
Speaker 4:
So for me it would be we want our listeners to know, or your listeners, that if you're doing a roofing project, especially with us, we are there from start to finish and we're with you every step of the process. So we're always on site and any questions or anything that come up, we're there to resolve it with you.
Speaker 3:
You're going to get either Mike Sam or Andrea, Nobody else.
Speaker 2:
All right, anything else, you want to leave us with something, sam, could be one thing you'd like us to know, maybe a tip or insight, something for the listeners to take away.
Speaker 5:
Trust, trust in us. Try us out, trust us, and you'll be happy.
Speaker 2:
All right. So anyone out there that's listening, that has been staring at their 30 year old roof for the last several years and know they, they know they need to get something done. They just haven't done it yet. How could they reach you? How could they learn more? Maybe share your website, your contact information?
Speaker 3:
Yes, could they reach you? How could they learn more? Maybe share your website, your contact information? Yes, um, so the phone number is the, probably the best way. It's 954-999-6600. We are on instagram, google um, weather recovery solutionscom. Uh, just google us and you'll see. The reveals will speak for itself. So, and even instagram, you'll see our jobs, our projects. I try to stay, you know, up to date with that, so just go on social media and you'll find us we're also bbb accredited too, yes, all right, and we will, of course, put a link in the description below to all of your contact information.
Speaker 2:
Guys, thanks so much for joining us today. This was fun.
Speaker 5:
No thank you so much. Thank you so much for having us.
Speaker 2:
It's our pleasure, this is what we do, and thanks as always to our listeners for tuning in and we will catch you all next time on the next episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast. Everyone have a blessed day, take care.
Speaker 1:
Everyone have a blessed day, take care, bye guys, thanks for listening to the good neighbor podcast, cooper city. To nominate your favorite local business to be featured on the show, go to gnpcoopercitycom. That's gnpcoopercitycom, or call 954-231-3170.