Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast How This Operator Turned a Viral Laundromat Video into a $20M Roofing Company
Nov 6, 2025
Brandon Schlicter, known as Investment Joy, is a serial operator and investor with a diverse portfolio including laundromats and roofing businesses. He shares how a viral laundromat video sparked his journey into a $20M commercial roofing company. Brandon discusses the critical shift from small to large investments, the significance of social media in attracting capital, and the complexities of union commercial roofing. He also emphasizes the importance of accurate estimating, managing cash flow, and the drive to create impactful content that inspires aspiring entrepreneurs.
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You Buy Data, Not Just A Brand
- Buying businesses gives you the seller's historical data and blind spots you must discover and fix.
- Clean, long-term financials matter because many small owners under-report revenue and over-report expenses.
Plan For Exit Or Succession Early
- Companies either sell or shut down; succession planning matters because kids often won't take over.
- Consider ESOPs or buyer alignment to preserve culture and care for employees post-exit.
Union Commercial Roofing Economics
- Union commercial roofing shifts economics: higher labor costs but steadier, relationship-driven sales cycles.
- Average commercial tickets rose to ~$250–300k and offer clearer capital planning than emotional residential sales.