For Roofing Contrator’s Young Guns series, Rice discusses the company's beginnings, the leadership lessons she has picked up along the way, and why she believes the right systems can make an impact far beyond the back office.

What are you doing when you're not thinking about roofing?

KR: When I'm not thinking about roofing, I'm spending time with my daughter or enjoying a good night out with friends, whether that's fine dining or finding a great cocktail spot. I also enjoy sports, especially LSU. Geaux Tigers!

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

KR: I got my start in the roofing industry in 2014 when my brother, George Boudreaux, asked if I wanted to be part of a roofing business he was starting. Honestly, I thought it was a little crazy that we had no roofing experience, but I was excited for the challenge and knew it would be a fun ride. For the first couple of years, it was just the two of us. I handled the majority of the administrative side of the business, while he focused on sales, managing jobs and growing the company. That hands-on experience gave me a strong foundation and a full understanding of how the business operates from the ground up.

What are the top reasons Pelican Roofing is successful?

KR: Strong operational structure: We've built systems and processes that allow us to stay organized and scale effectively. Our people: Our team truly sets us apart. We hire people who care, take pride in their work, and want to do things the right way and work efficiently. There's a strong culture of being on the same team and working both hard and smart. Commitment to customer experience: We genuinely care about our customers and how they feel throughout the process. Strong communication and simply doing what we say we're going to do are huge factors in building trust. Adaptability: We're willing to pivot quickly when something is t working and continuously improve. Accountability: Clear expectations across departments keep everyone aligned and moving forward.

How is the company addressing big challenges in your market?

KR: As we continue to grow our Baton Rouge market, we're very focused on building the right infrastructure to support that growth. That means being intentional about staffing, tightening our processes and making sure communication between teams stays strong across locations.

Do you see your age as an advantage or disadvantage in this business? Why?

KR: I see it as an advantage. Being younger in a leadership role pushes me to stay adaptable, open to change and willing to challenge the way it s always been done.

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

KR: I'm most passionate about the overall business structure. I enjoy helping to build and implement systems that make the company run more efficiently and creating processes that support both the team and the customer experience. When processes and systems are strong, everything else improves profitability, employee morale and customer satisfaction. That's where I feel I can make the biggest impact.

What did you get from attending the Young Guns meeting at Best of Success?

KR: I'm not naturally a big networker, but I really appreciated the opportunity to hear others' challenges and share insight from my own experiences. It reinforced how much you can learn by being in the right room with the right people.

What are your future plans for the business?

KR: A big focus for us right now is learning and leveraging AI to streamline processes, improve communication and make better data-driven decisions.