Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Donaldson.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am born and raised in the Houston area (between the West University and Memorial) and started in the roofing business in 2004 after graduating from Texas A&M.
There aren’t as many college graduates getting into the roofing industry these days. We pride ourselves as being the most educated roofing and general contractor in Houston.
I know good roofers and bad ones.
From 2004 to 2015, I was in the roofing business running distribution houses for major roofing suppliers. I was literally running my own business with someone else’s money, and that’s when I knew I needed to bring Roof MD to the masses.
My goal is to offer one of the most educated roofing and solar businesses to homeowners in the Houston area and greater Texas market.
We want to build a clean roofing business with customers that will use me and my company many times over in their lifetime because the customer experience is better than most.
Roof MD & General Contracting, LLC was formed in July of 2015, as a business serving as a guide to other contractors on best practices.
The year 2016 was about entering a new market and learning about the Solar Rooftop product that would differentiate the Roof MD from other roofing contractors.
We’re not looking to be the biggest roofing contractor in Houston or Texas, we just want to be one of the best. I sell myself first, and the products and services next. Good thing that, the products and services we sell beat competitors offering and we offer services that exceed local building codes.
Using my in-depth knowledge of the roofing business, we aim to serve residential and commercial roofing customers. We have also built a really quick roof repair business.
Caring too much has never been a problem for me, and with Roof MD!
We provide an opportunity for individuals to get away from the corporate world, and be a part of one of the best roofing companies in the state of Texas. Where the quality of life that we lead is more important than the very last deal we just sold. Where doing what we said we would means more than the profit on a job. Even if that means it’s out of my own wallet.
Roofing salespeople get jerked around often by uneducated, inexperienced, bad business managers. My goal is to provide an opportunity for them flourish in open forum business model that maximizes each individual’s strength while teaching them ways to differentiate themselves from the competition.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Fear of failure was something that kept me from going out on my own several years back.
I knew the roofing and contracting industry was lacking an honest, hardworking, knowledgeable, professional and customer first sales person. I am someone who breaks the stereotypes of what people expect from a roofing contractor.
I was raised by a public school teacher of 40 plus years and an entrepreneurial businessman who owns a courier and messenger service here in Houston called HotShot Delivery.
I developed the kindness of a teacher’s heart with my customers, crews and suppliers. As well as the mind of business owner from a very young age, I sold everything from little league candy bars to stamped painted t-shirts, from mistletoe to friendship bracelets. In middle school, I was never the musician in the band, I was always trying to negotiate on the bands behalf for new gigs.
I had it in me all along but that failure to launch probably cost me 5 years of being my own boss. But I truly believe everyone arrives exactly where they are supposed to be, in their own time!
The company itself is a joy and blessing. There are good days and others are more stressful. Managing expectations of customers concerning the scope, budget, and timing sometimes causes that. But great communication and coordination among multiple crews allows for deadlines to be met and customers to be delighted!
Roof MD and General Contracting – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Roof MD & General Contracting, is a business that helps homeowners, business owners, builders, other general contractors and architects, with their roofing and construction needs.
No job is too big or too small, we care about the customer and will do everything within our power to make sure we satisfy their needs and expectations.
One of the ways we do this, is with our FREE ROOF INSPECTION. We want to make sure you have a healthy roof and property, so any call for inspection is absolutely free.
We do all kinds of roofing, residential and commercial. We also do drywall repair, fencing, painting, gutters, insulation, window replacement, radiant barrier systems and even solar.
The products and services we sell beat competitors offering and we offer services that exceed local building codes.
We have an urgent care roof repair business that services customers with minor leaks and construction issues.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Helping people solve problems other people couldn’t or wouldn’t!
Some contractors run from jobs, we take on big and small projects. If people need help diagnosing an issue, the Roof MD is who they need.
It’s really rewarding when we see customers that are anticipating spending money on a repair, but allow us to help with an insurance claim after our free roof inspection.
A lot of times homeowners have been affected by a storm and we can assist in getting them money from their insurance company.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3262 Westheimer #449
Houston, TX 78098 - Website: www.roofmd-gc.com
- Phone: 832-967-7663
- Email: info@roofmd-gc.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/roof_md
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/roofmdgc
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/roof_md
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
