Most business content shows the outcome but hides the cost.

In this episode of Built the Hard Way, Josh sits down with Kevin Birky, founder of RoofSource, to talk about what it really takes to build a successful construction company from the ground up.

Kevin’s entrepreneurial journey started long before roofing. From working in construction as a teenager to helping grow an equipment rental business from 7 employees to 95 employees across multiple markets, he learned the realities of scaling operations, managing people, and building something bigger than himself.

But eventually, Kevin realized something every entrepreneur faces: he was building someone else’s company instead of his own.

That realization pushed him to take the risk and launch RoofSource. With limited capital, no guaranteed path, and a willingness to bet on himself, Kevin used relationships, reputation, and relentless execution to build a roofing company in one of the most competitive markets in the country.

After moving from Minnesota to Florida, Kevin rebuilt again — navigating hurricanes, insurance changes, labor challenges, and a shifting roofing industry. Instead of relying only on storm restoration, he strategically moved RoofSource toward commercial projects, government contracts, high-end residential work, and long-term relationships.

Connect with Joshua Pies

👉LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuapies/

Connect with Kevin Birky

👉LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-birky-a7b38628b/

Want to be a guest? Sign up here https://c47films.com/about/bu-business-podcast-network/built-the-hard-way/

00:00 — Why Most Business Content Doesn’t Tell the Truth

01:20 — Growing Up Around Entrepreneurs and Construction

04:30 — Scaling a Company From 7 Employees to 95 Employees

10:10 — The Moment Kevin Realized He Was Building Someone Else’s Dream

12:45 — Buying a Roofing Company That Fell Apart at Closing

15:30 — The Yellow Pages Gamble That Started RoofSource

18:30 — The Tornado That Changed Everything

22:30 — Moving RoofSource From Minnesota to Florida

27:00 — Why Storm-Based Roofing Businesses Fail

31:00 — The Power of Referrals and Building Trust

35:00 — Building Crews and Taking Care of Your People

38:00 — The Hardest Part of Scaling: Letting Go

42:00 — The Long Game of Entrepreneurship

45:00 — Kevin’s Advice for Entrepreneurs Building From Scratch

🔔Follow Built the Hard Way on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartradio, Deezer and etc., for honest conversations with founders, operators, and builders who know success is never as simple as it looks online.

Because behind every great business is a story nobody talks about enough: what it cost to build it.

#BuiltTheHardWay #ConstructionBusiness #EntrepreneurJourney #RoofingIndustry #SmallBusinessGrowth