“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” This quote by Warren Bennis perfectly captures the essence of exceptional business leaders. These individuals not only see the potential for greatness but also have the drive and skills to turn their visions into tangible success. Their influence extends beyond the confines of their organizations, impacting entire industries and communities. They lead with integrity, inspire innovation, and consistently strive for excellence, ensuring their businesses are resilient and dynamic.
Nick Branon, the CEO of Hero Roofing, is a shining example of such influential leadership. Under his guidance, Hero Roofing has experienced remarkable growth and established itself as a pioneer in the roofing industry. Nick’s commitment to innovation, ethical standards, and community engagement has set him apart as a visionary leader. His ability to motivate his team and maintain a customer-first approach has solidified his reputation as a transformative figure in business. Nick’s journey and accomplishments truly embody the spirit of impactful and inspiring leadership.
Journey to Leadership
Nick’s journey to becoming a prominent leader is both inspiring and unconventional. Right out of high school, he was deeply involved in martial arts, earning black belts in karate and Taekwondo, and training in jiu-jitsu and wrestling. His passion for martial arts led him to compete in various competitions, including mixed martial arts (MMA).
To support his MMA career, Nick worked as a server and bartender at several restaurants, eventually settling at Taco Mac, a corporate restaurant where he learned valuable lessons in customer experience and service. His entrepreneurial spirit emerged when he founded a clothing brand called Civilized and Savage Clothing, targeting the martial arts community. Despite the challenges of the clothing business, including frequent travel and occasional financial losses, he gained significant business insights.
As Nick and his wife prepared for the arrival of their first child, he sought a more stable career outside the restaurant industry. Initially considering a career in alcohol sales, he struggled to find opportunities until a roofing company hired him as a sales representative. He quickly fell in love with the industry, appreciating the importance of providing quality roofs to protect families and their homes.
After several successful months in roofing sales, Nick’s father encouraged him to start his own company. In 2018, Nick and his father founded Hero Roofing with just $1400. The company grew rapidly, achieving over $1.6 million in sales by 2019. Today, Hero Roofing employs 35 people, operates four crews, and installed 1000 roofs last year.
Leadership Philosophy
Nick attributes his leadership philosophy to his diverse work experiences and varied interactions with different bosses. He emphasizes the importance of treating employees the way he would like to be treated, which forms the cornerstone of his approach. Nick believes in treating all employees equally, regardless of their roles, and recognizes the value each person brings to the company.
Nick views his employees as peers and strives to create a respectful and inclusive work environment. He ensures that achievements and hard work are duly recognized, fostering a culture of appreciation and mutual respect. When hiring, Nick looks for long-term compatibility, seeking individuals who fit into the company culture and can work harmoniously with the existing team. Trust and camaraderie are vital, and Nick prioritizes these qualities in his hiring decisions.
Decision-Making Approach
Nick faces the complexities of the business world with a strategic approach to decision-making that ensures both innovation and stability. Recognizing the unpredictable nature of the roofing industry, which can fluctuate based on economic conditions and weather patterns, Nick emphasizes the importance of a strong leadership team. He has hired key managers, including a general manager and a highly experienced sales manager, to bring diverse perspectives and expertise to the decision-making process.
Nick values the input of his team and relies on their specialized knowledge to make informed decisions. He believes in hiring individuals who can elevate the business, often seeking those with skills and experiences that complement his own. This collaborative approach allows him to delegate responsibilities effectively and make well-rounded decisions.
When facing tough decisions, Nick ensures that they are made collectively, without emotion, and with a clear understanding of the potential benefits and impacts. He communicates changes transparently, explaining the reasons behind them and how they align with the company’s goals. This methodical approach helps to build trust and maintain a unified vision within the team.
For example, Hero Roofing recently transitioned its sales staff from 1099 to W-2 employees, a significant change for the organization. Nick carefully explained the rationale and long-term benefits of this decision to the team, ensuring everyone understood and supported the move. By fostering open communication and providing thorough explanations, Nick creates an environment where employees feel informed and valued.
Culture of Innovation
Nick understands that innovation is crucial for sustained success. As a relatively new business experiencing significant growth over the past six years, Hero Roofing strives to be the most innovative company in its market. Nick believes that homeowners and consumers prefer to do business with companies that leverage the latest technology and offer the best value.
To foster a culture of innovation and adaptability, Nick encourages his staff to remain open to change and continuously evolve. He emphasizes the importance of not getting stuck in old ways and being willing to experiment with new technologies and processes. Hero Roofing frequently tests new software and systems, discarding what doesn’t work and keeping what does. This approach keeps the company agile and forward-thinking.
One notable example of Hero Roofing’s innovative initiatives is its early adoption of GAF solar shingles. Nick aimed to be the top-tier contractor in his market and worked diligently to achieve this status. When GAF introduced solar shingles, Nick proactively reached out to GAF to be part of the pilot program, even before the products were available in Georgia. His efforts paid off, and Hero Roofing became one of the first companies in the state to install these innovative solar products. Nick also ensures that his team is well-versed in new offerings. He repeatedly emphasizes the importance of discussing solar shingles in sales meetings until it becomes a natural part of their sales process.
Key Milestones
Nick attributes his success to several pivotal experiences and achievements throughout his leadership journey. One of the earliest milestones was making crucial hires to delegate key tasks and job titles. Recognizing that many business owners become too involved in daily operations to effectively grow their businesses, Nick prioritized hiring key people to manage various departments.
This delegation allowed him to focus on strategic growth and development. Another significant achievement was Hero Roofing’s dedication to customer experience. The company focused heavily on providing exceptional customer service, which led to receiving numerous positive reviews and referrals. Hero Roofing became the top-rated company in its market on Google, boasting the most five-star reviews. This recognition not only brought pride but also increased business due to the company’s stellar reputation.
Achieving the GAF Master Elite contractor status was another major milestone. This status, along with joining the prestigious GAF President’s Club, placed Hero Roofing among the top 75 roofers in the nation. These achievements underscored the company’s commitment to excellence and innovation.
In 2021, a devastating tornado hit their market and community. Hero Roofing responded by focusing on genuinely helping the community rather than simply seeking profit. They provided free tarping services and collaborated with nonprofits to support those affected by the storm. This approach not only doubled their revenue that year but also earned them recognition as true heroes in the community.
Continuous Leadership Growth
Nick Branon emphasizes the importance of continuous leadership growth and staying updated in an ever-changing business landscape. To achieve this, Nick has a mentor who owns and runs a separate business, providing him with valuable insights and guidance. Learning from another leader has been crucial in his development.
In addition to mentoring his employees, Nick benefits from the experience and advice of his mentor. Nick also actively engages in his industry by speaking at roofing conferences and meetings, attending roofing and leadership classes, and participating in business conferences. Networking with other business owners allows him to observe different business practices and integrate the best strategies into his own company.
Despite being a young business owner and entrepreneur, Nick Branon believes he is ahead of the curve due to his proactive approach to surrounding himself with the right people. This commitment to learning and growth not only benefits him but also helps his team grow together, ensuring Hero Roofing remains competitive and innovative.
Ongoing Skill Development
Nick Branon continues to develop his skills and stay updated in the ever-changing business landscape by maintaining a mindset of perpetual learning. He believes in always being open to new knowledge and never assuming he knows it all. By observing and learning from other business owners, he keeps up with industry trends and innovations.
A recent learning experience that significantly influenced Nick’s leadership style involved addressing an underperforming employee. Instead of immediately confronting the employee about their poor performance, Nick’s sales manager, Rob, who has an open-door policy, took the time to sit down and talk to the individual.
They discovered that personal issues were affecting the employee’s work performance. This experience taught Nick Branon the importance of understanding and addressing the personal factors that can impact an employee’s productivity. It reinforced the value of one-on-one conversations and getting to know his team on a deeper level to support their overall well-being and performance.
Ethical Leadership and High Performance
Nick Branon places a strong emphasis on ethical leadership and consistent high performance. As a Christian, he integrates his faith and values into his business practices. Every Friday, Hero Roofing hosts a Bible study session for its staff, aligning the company’s core values with Christian principles. The core values of the company include integrity, humility, growth, determination, selflessness, leadership, and boldness. Nick Branon emphasizes that these values are not just guidelines for work but also principles to live by, ensuring that the company maintains high ethical standards.
When issues arise on job sites, Hero Roofing prioritizes integrity by addressing and rectifying problems, putting the customer’s needs ahead of financial considerations. This commitment to doing what is right helps maintain the company’s reputation and fosters customer loyalty. Nick Branon believes that customers value a company that owns up to its mistakes and takes steps to make things right, rather than one that prioritizes profits over people.
To ensure high performance and goal attainment, Nick Branon implements a strategy where every employee sets individual goals that contribute to the overall company objective. At the beginning of each year, employees create vision boards outlining their personal and professional goals.
These individual goals are then compiled to form the company’s targets. This approach ensures that everyone is aligned and motivated, as achieving the company’s goals depends on each person meeting their targets. Hero Roofing also incentivizes high performance through various rewards and competitions. Top performers are recognized with bonuses, company vacations, and internal competitions. For instance, a current competition rewards the employee whose name is mentioned the most in 5-star reviews with a $250 cooler.
Advice for Emerging Leaders
Nick Branon shares crucial advice for emerging leaders aspiring to make a lasting impact in the business world. He emphasized the importance of resilience and calmness in leadership. Nick advises that regardless of the challenges faced in business, leaders should “walk through the fire” and remain composed. Stress, he noted, only exacerbates problems and fuels negative outcomes. By staying patient and calm, leaders set a positive example for their staff, fostering a stable and reassuring work environment. Employees are more likely to thrive under a leader who maintains their composure during crises.
Additionally, Nick Branon highlighted the significance of community involvement. He believes that actively engaging with and giving back to the community can significantly enhance a business’s success. By prioritizing the well-being of both the community and employees, leaders can build a strong foundation for sustained growth and success. This approach not only benefits the business but also creates a positive impact on the community, fostering a sense of mutual support and success.
Quote
“Hero Roofing is a family-owned roofing company that offers full-service roofing for both residential and commercial clients around Newnan, GA.”
