From Heart Attacks to Partnerships: A Roofing Owner's Journey to Sustainability

What happens when a roofing company owner faces his own mortality through a series of heart attacks that were repeatedly misdiagnosed? For Austin Watterson of Royal Roofing, this life-altering experience completely transformed his approach to business growth and sustainability.Austin's journey begins with an unexpected background—starting as a Sonic Drive-in partner at just 19 years old before transitioning to roofing at 30. Unlike many in the industry who build their businesses through door knocking, Austin leveraged his natural talent for relationship building. "I've knocked less than probably 500 doors in my lifetime," he reveals, having built his company instead through strategic alliances, referral networks, and later, digital marketing.The conversation takes a profound turn when Austin shares the story of his health crisis. For months, he experienced what doctors misdiagnosed as back pain and muscle spasms. These were actually multiple heart attacks affecting his thoracic spine rather than presenting with the stereotypical chest pain. "Sixty percent of heart attacks are in your back, not in your chest," Austin explains, hoping his story might save others who mistake similar symptoms for muscle issues.This brush with mortality forced Austin to confront an uncomfortable question: what would happen to his business if he wasn't around to run it? The answer led him to completely rethink his approach to growth and ownership. "I'd rather have part of a watermelon than an entire grape," he shares, explaining why he's now pursuing mergers and partnerships to build Royal Roofing toward becoming a $100 million company within three years.Austin's wisdom extends to all roofing business owners wondering how to scale their companies without burning out. His advice? Define your end goal, build systems that don't rely entirely on your presence, and don't be afraid to share ownership with the right partners. "Most guys in business, if they were to take a month off work, what would their company look like?" he challenges listeners to consider.Ready to transform your roofing business from a one-person show into a sustainable enterprise that could survive without you? Listen now to discover why Austin believes the days of "working off Excel spreadsheets and Big Chief tablets" are over, and how the right partnerships might be the key to unlocking your company's true potential.