After pivoting to roofing sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, Amanda Veinott-Praml jumped in with both feet in 2023 to start her own roofing business.

She’s on the right track — in 2024, the roofing maven was named National Women in Roofing’s 2024 Rising Star.

At the 2024 NWIR Days event, Lisa Garcia, a member of the Rising Star committee, described Veinott-Praml as an active member who constantly promotes the organization to increase membership, mentors other women, and is doing what she can to change the mantra that “roofing is a man’s world.”

“This woman checks every box of our Rising Star criteria list plus many more that we haven’t even thought of,” Garcia said in a written statement.

Before starting her own business, Veinott-Praml had spoken at various events and been featured in podcasts, magazines and more both locally and nationally, highlighting her experience as an exterior designer specializing in roofing and siding sales at a company in New Jersey.

In addition to this, she brings the knowledge gained from a degree in organizational psychology with a minor in leadership studies from Christopher Newport University and an MBA from Centenary University.

Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt of the interview and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

What do you feel makes Maven Roofing & Exteriors successful?

AVP: Maven’s success can be attributed to my deep involvement in the community and local social media presence; relationships within and outside of the industry; our professionalism, reputation, and clear internal and external communication.

What do you see as the biggest challenges in roofing and how is your company addressing them?

AVP: As in any other industry, there are good and bad companies. We work tirelessly to inform and educate our customers and neighbors with accurate information, so they are well-informed to make the best decision for themselves and their families. As a company, we are continuously learning about new products, attending trainings, and speaking with industry leaders and partners so we can give our homeowners the most innovative and up-to-date offerings in the market.

Veinott-Praml at the 2024 Young Guns event, where newcomers and alumni alike gathered to network and share ideas.
Photo: RC Staff

What area of the roofing business are you most passionate about?

AVP: Sales, marketing and tech. The intersection of all three is where I thrive and why Maven has taken off so rapidly.

Do you see your age as an advantage or a disadvantage in roofing?

AVP: I think it’s an advantage because social media and content creation come easily to me. I grew up with a computer in my lap. I think that being younger and a female takes people by surprise — in a good way — and opens up conversation about the elephant in the room. There's no dancing around it.

Looking ahead, what are your plans for Maven Roofing?

AVP: Expanding into siding this year, and we plan to double our roofing services within the next two years. Personally, I am looking to be able to develop our sales team so I can step fully out of selling and work on perfecting our systems and processes, which I love nerding out on. Also, I adore speaking about marketing, sales, and tech to my industry peers, so I hope to do more of that on behalf of manufacturers and tech companies in the future.

How was attending the Young Guns meeting at Best of Success?

AVP: I enjoyed connecting with subject matter experts in that quick round robin format. It was almost like we were speed dating. Being paired in small groups with other roofing company owners allowed us to bounce ideas off each other and think through how we could implement those ideas in our markets.