A woman’s superpower in the roofing industry

By Dani Sheehan. 

Mishell Cox is a leader in roofing and works to build up her company, her employees and other women in the industry. See why she’s described as bold, daring, passionate and a warrior in the world of roofing. 

One of the most influential women in Indiana, Mishell Cox started Cox Residential Construction Company with her husband, and it has since made its way onto the INC. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing companies. In Season 5, Episode 69 of Roofing Road Trips®, Megan Ellsworth sat down with Mishell to discuss her honor as a Beacon Female Roofer of the Year finalist. Her company has generated incredible support for the Latino community and her tenacity in the industry has helped her achieve her goals. 

Mishell credits most of the success of the company to her team and shared that they really value inclusion and diversity in the workplace. She shares with Megan, “This is a company that is owned by a woman who happens to be Latina. We have to make people feel like they are a part of it. I always say, they’re not my employees. You don’t work for me; you work with us.”  

When she found out she was a finalist in the Beacon Female Roofer of the Year contest, she didn’t believe it at first. Another owner showed her the good news and expressed his encouragement. She says, “It feels amazing coming from another owner, those words. And ever since, a lot of people have reached out, and it has been a humbling experience. But at the same time, knowing people are seeing what you do, it inspires me to become a better woman, a better entrepreneur and a better human being to make sure that I’m doing everything that goes along with my ethics and values.” 

While she faced some adversity when they were first getting the company started, she loves being a woman in roofing. When asked about advice for other women looking to get into the industry, she says, “Do it... You don’t just have to install roofs. Women are completely different from men, but at the same time, we complement each other. Neither is better than the other one and women have so much to offer to the roofing industry.” Being a woman is Mishell’s superpower in the industry, not a weakness. 

Beacon shines a spotlight on hardworking women in the industry each year with the Female Roofing Professional of the Year contest. It’s a way to express gratitude for the incredible women who are inspiring others and strengthening their communities each day. See who won in 2023 and start thinking about who to nominate for next year! 

Read the transcript or Listen to the full podcast episode to hear more of Mishell’s story and why she loves the roofing industry.