Built to Last: Roofing, Risk, and Real Talk with Special Guests Justin Dant and Brian Arnold

Jack welcomes longtime friends and roofing industry leaders Justin Dant and Brian Arnold for a straight-shooting conversation on business, mistakes, and the current state of the industry.

Both Justin and Brian entered roofing in 2010, pivoting from real estate and homebuilding after the market crash. Their early wins—from selling dozens of roofs in days to scaling multi-million-dollar companies—set the stage. But it’s not just about revenue. Both leaders are focused on building smart, sustainable businesses.

Justin sees himself as a business owner who sells roofs. Brian identifies as a salesperson learning to run a company. Each has built strong teams, brought in key leadership like COOs and CFOs, and learned to delegate. The goal: stop doing everything, avoid burnout, and grow the right way.

They’re honest about mistakes. Justin lost over $300K on a mispriced commercial job. Brian is millions deep into completed work while waiting on insurance payouts. Their takeaway? Not every deal is worth it. Protect yourself with solid contracts and don’t grow too fast.

Justin and Brian also address private equity. Both have been approached, but remain cautious. The money is tempting, but culture, values, and long-term fit matter more. They agree: if they ever partner up, it’ll be on their terms—with people they trust.

Finally, Jack, Brian, and Justin raise concern over growing legislative threats—like proposed laws in Louisiana limiting contractor involvement in claims. Insurance carriers are lobbying hard, and the industry needs to take it seriously.

Bottom line: success in roofing takes more than hustle. It takes leadership, patience, and good people. The industry may be getting tougher, but with the right mindset and structure, contractors can still build businesses that last.

A Glimpse of What You’ll Learn:

●       [02:12] Brian Arnold and Justin Dant’s Backgrounds and Business Philosophies

●       [16:07] Their Thoughts on Private Equity

●       [24:33] Legislative Threats to Insurance Carriers

●       [29:43] Biggest Roofing Contractor Horror Stories

●       [36:49] The One Thing Brian and Justin Would Do Differently if Starting Business Anew

Memorable Quotes:

●       "You're not gonna get rich overnight, and you're not gonna build your business overnight—but you sure as hell can lose it overnight."

●       "Insurance claims are not about policy and date of loss anymore—they're strictly business decisions."

Connect with Justin Dant, CEO of Soderburg Roofing & Contracting, at

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-dant-b7134bb7

Connect with Brian Arnold, President of Arnold Roofing and Restoration,

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-arnold-4510468/