“Those conversations helped me realize I had a long-term vision for how our company’s brand should evolve,” Gean said. “As a result, I was given more responsibility within our marketing initiatives.”

The returns have been strong, thus far, and Gean said he hopes to position the company for growth across Indiana and southern Michigan by innovating around what’s kept the company moving for more than three decades.

Gean Roofing has earned trust and long-term relationships within the communities they serve. The company even offers a roof inspection guarantee that if a homeowner does not find value in an appointment, they get $100 for their time.

“To us, value can mean talking ourselves out of a job if the homeowner truly doesn’t need one,” he explained. “Sometimes that means explaining things many contractors gloss over—such as the difference between material warranties and labor warranties.”

Why do you believe Gean Roofing is successful?

CG: The top three reasons Gean Roofing has remained successful for more than 35 years are fairly simple.

First, we view our team as consultants rather than salespeople. At the end of the day, homeowners want to be treated with respect and told the truth, and we have focused on doing that consistently for decades.

Second, we focus on accurate pricing rather than being the cheapest option. In an industry where many contractors compete strictly on price, we aim to stand out as more than just a number. Homeowners often notice the difference between a contractor who plans to do the job correctly and someone focused on short-term jobs.

Third, our company structure was shaped by an early lesson my father learned in the industry.

Early in his career, he performed small repairs for Sears when they were still installing roofs. Much of the work had been subcontracted to the lowest-bidding crews available, with very few requirements and little supervision.

That experience became a turning point for him. It showed him exactly how he did not want to run a roofing company. When he eventually started his own business, he made a commitment to doing things differently.

What are some of the big challenges in your market?

CG: One of the biggest challenges in our market is the sheer number of contractors operating in our area. For a smaller region, the contractor density is comparable to what you might expect in a large metropolitan market. We address this by focusing on reputation and homeowner education. While homeowners may feel they have many options, the reality is that only a small number of contractors truly meet the standards we believe are necessary. Even if a homeowner ultimately decides we are not the best fit, there are only a few contractors we would confidently recommend.

We are also navigating ongoing price increases, shifting market conditions, and long-term strategic decisions as we continue to grow the business. At the same time, we remain committed to keeping the core values the company was built on at the center of everything we do.

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

CG: Early on, I viewed my age as a disadvantage because many people assume someone younger is inexperienced or unqualified. However, I took pride in proving those assumptions wrong.

Over time, I have come to see it as an advantage. I often notice how customers initially respond when I arrive for an appointment. But by the end of the conversation, sometimes as I am walking out to place a yard sign, they will ask, “Just out of curiosity, how old are you?” I am always honest about my age and explain that while I have only been in the industry for a few years, much of my knowledge comes from my father and the experienced team at Gean Roofing.

Our team took me under their wing, showed patience when I had questions, and helped guide me through mistakes. That mentorship has played a significant role in shaping my development in the industry.

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

CG: Right now, I am most passionate about marketing because it’s where I spend most of my time. I naturally pay close attention to advertising wherever I go and enjoy analyzing how different campaigns are structured. My interest largely comes from a fascination with understanding why people do what they do. I enjoy studying what influences people’s decisions, emotions, and actions, and then applying that understanding to marketing strategies that resonate with homeowners regardless of the economic environment.

What are your future plans?

CG: My plan is to continue leading our marketing efforts while gradually transitioning into a larger leadership and ownership role. Long-term, my goal is to continue building our company into the household roofing name in our region, while serving the community that has supported our family business for more than three decades. Just as importantly, I want to ensure we continue giving back to the community that has treated us so well over the years.