After years in the marketing sector, Melissa McLin is seeing her brand strategies come to life for Blue Collar Roofing.

How long have you been in the roofing industry, and how did you get your start?

MM: Just under three years — but you could say I married into the business! My husband, Kevin, is a third-generation roofer, so it’s practically in his DNA. We teamed up and launched our company together in 2022, and it’s been full-speed ahead ever since!

What are a few reasons why your company is successful?

MM: Our goal? Happy homeowners and strong roofs over their heads. We’ve built our business on a few key pillars:

• Community Involvement – We love giving back and being part of the neighborhoods we serve.
• Honesty Every Step of the Way – Homeowners deserve the truth, and we make sure they get it.
• Fair Pricing for a Premium Product – Quality roofs shouldn’t break the bank. We offer top-tier work without sky-high costs.

Melissa McLin, center, with other women in roofing selected to be part of the Class of 2025 Young Guns.

What are the significant challenges in your particular market, and how is the company addressing them?

MM: Right now, it’s all about volume — thanks to back-to-back hurricanes, it’s been non-stop. Unfortunately, we’re also seeing a wave of out-of-town “storm chasers” trying to take advantage of local homeowners. We’re fighting back by educating our community — reminding folks to stick with local companies like ours because we’ll still be here long after the storm dust settles. And we’ll be here to honor every single warranty.

Do you see your age as an advantage or disadvantage in this business? Why or why not?

MM: We’re young, we’re hungry, and those 8:30 or 9 p.m. workdays? No problem. We’re not afraid to put in the late nights and the extra hustle. While others clock out at 5 p.m., we’re putting in that 5-to-9 grind — building a future we know will be worth it.

What part of roofing are you most passionate about? Why?

MM: I’ve been in the marketing and sales world for over 10 years, but now I get to prove that all those strategies actually work for my own business. From designing our logo to wrapping our trucks, creating mailers and yard signs — you name it, I’m all over it. Plus, I also run a graphic design and print brokerage, so blending my two worlds has been the ultimate dream!