The Partner You Need When You've Run Out of Gas — George Boudreaux & Nathan Rath

He was drowning in investor debt, swinging a hammer in Houston just to make payroll — and still found a way to build something worth fighting for. This is a story about grit, partnership, and what it really takes to grow a trade business from the inside out.George Boudreaux founded Pelican Roofing Company in Lafayette, Louisiana on July 4th, 2014 — not from a place of momentum, but from a burning need to survive. After a real estate venture in Houston went sideways and left him half a million dollars in the hole, he bootstrapped a roofing company and grew it into a regional force. But after years of hurricanes, burnout, and carrying too many people for too long, he knew he needed a partner — not a buyer. Nathan Rath, a 12-year Halliburton veteran who traded oil rigs for rooftops, answered that call. Joining host Joshua Wilson and co-host Scott Shea, George and Nathan unpack the real mechanics of finding the right partner, making hard decisions, and building a business with staying power. Pelican Roofing has grown from roughly $9M to $19M in revenue — with no storm tailwind.🎯 What We Cover:How George lost $500K in Houston and rebuilt from scratch with a roofing companyWhy he started Pelican Roofing on July 4th, 2014 — and what that date meantWhat Nathan gave up at Halliburton and why family drove him toward ownershipThe list George wrote in December 2022: "Find a partner by July 4th, 2023"How they structured and inked their partnership deal on August 8th, 2023Growing from $9M to $19M with no hurricane boost — and the hard lessons in betweenThe first principles exercise that led to layoffs right before ChristmasWhat makes a great door-to-door roofing salesperson — and why motivation beats resumeHow Nathan's community roots (and a pelican suit) built Pelican's brand in AcadianaWhat George and Nathan are really looking for before they'd ever do a PE deal🤝 Connect with George Boudreaux: 🌐 https://pelicanroof.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-boudreaux-64031120/ 📘 https://www.facebook.com/BoudreauxGeorge/🤝 Connect with Nathan Rath: 🌐 https://pelicanroof.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-rath-2aa371120/🤝 Connect with Co-Host Scott Shea: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/escottshea/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/