Today we’d like to introduce you to Ken Cope.
Hi Ken, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My previous career was in the senior home care business. I worked for Baptist for years and then went to work for a private company running two offices in Memphis and Oxford MS. When I found an opportunity to start my own business I jumped on it. I discovered a business called Roof Maxx and found that they didn’t have a dealer in the Memphis area. After extensive research I decided to start my business. Roof Maxx has a product that when applied to shingled roofs, it reverses the aging process of shingles. It adds back the flexibility that the shingles need in order to expand and contract in changing weather condition. It also helps the granules to stick on the shingles and it enhances other properties like impact resistance and permeability.
After a few years of only treating roofs with the Roof Maxx treatment I decided to expand my business into a full roofing company and rebranded to Reborn Roofing which now is the umbrella that my Roof Maxx business falls under. We went from a meager first few years to a thriving and growing roofing company in a short period of time. We have been able to add a few staff members to support our growth over the past few years.
The main thing that sets us apart from other roofers is that we are able to offer solutions to best fit our customers’ needs and budgets. It is estimated that over 70% of the roofs replaced each year in the U.S. actually don’t need replacing. In these cases we can offer small repairs and Roof Maxx treatments to extend the lives of roofs from 5 up to an extra 15 years of life. If roofs are too far gone for the Roof Maxx treatment then we have mastered the process of roof replacements for our customers. Along those lines we have also been able to be a single source for our customers’ other needs like interior and exterior repairs, carpentry, painting, and remodeling.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Our road has not been smooth at all. We have struggled with finding the right fit for our marketing efforts and have had to make several changes over the years in that regard. Starting a business from scratch is very challenging as well. I had a lot to learn and am still learning. Costs pile up and we have to secure work to sustain the business overhead costs. Another challenge has been that insurance companies have become increasingly more difficult to work with regarding the approval of roof claims from storm damage. We continually learn how to provide what these insurance companies need from us in order to take care of our customers.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In every career I’ve had I have always put a major focus on sales. I have been told throughout my adult life that I am a great salesman. I actually don’t see myself as being very good at sales. I’ve never mastered closing techniques or the art of overcoming objections. Sure, I’ve learned some of that throughout my career, but I actually think my sales success has come as a result of me putting myself in the shoes of my prospects and customers. By doing so, I know that most times all that customers really want is to trust the person they are dealing with. If I don’t like or trust a salesperson I won’t do business with them. Fast talking salespeople who always have an answer for everything actually turn me off and I think most of us are the same. I have found that listening is more important than talking. And being able to offer options as solutions has really given me and my team a leg up in competition. Furthermore, I believe that every customer should be 100% satisfied. I often tell people that I would rather lose money with a customer and have them overwhelmed with customer service than I would to make money and have a customer unsatisfied. Every happy customer has a story to tell about their experience with our business and that can mean a lifetime of referrals.
Unlike most roofing companies, we don’t just try to sell customers on replacing their roofs. One of our tag lines is “Doing what’s right for you by doing what’s right for your roof”. That, we believe is the core of what sets us apart. We have built our entire reputation as a business on trust and honesty. I think that is evidenced by our 100% 5-Star reviews. Of course we aren’t perfect but we see problems as opportunities; opportunities to show how devoted we are to customer service.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I can confidently say that my business partner, Brett Kittleson is the best partner I could hope for. When I started my business I hired him as my General Manager but it didn’t take long to realize his value and so I made him my partner. He’s like me in that he excels in customer service. When anyone meets him they know immediately that he is sincere. He achieves success because of his honesty and integrity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rebornroofing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reborn_roofing901/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebornroofing
