From corporate to contractor

By Jesse Sanchez. 

One industry leader shares the story of her unexpected leap into roofing and the birth of her female-led roofing company. 

When Wendy Marvin left a two-decade career at Kaiser Permanente to launch a roofing business with her ex-husband, she wasn’t chasing shingles, she was chasing integrity. “I came home one night, literally the week after we opened the company, and I said, ‘I want to do this too. I’m done. I’m sick of corporate,’” Wendy recalled on this Stories from the Roof podcast hosted by Megan Ellsworth. “To his credit, he said okay. Our family lost their minds, asking, ‘You both have six-figure incomes what are you doing?’” 

That leap of faith in 2007 became Matrix Roof & Home, a general contracting company that would outlast a marriage and outshine low expectations. Wendy didn’t grow up dreaming of gutters and gables. In fact, she said, “I don’t think anybody ever just goes, ‘Hey, I want to be a roofer.’” The business started as a side hustle, grounded in Wendy’s dissatisfaction with the status quo. “If we can answer the phone and show up on time for appointments, we’d be better than half the people out there.” 

What began as a pragmatic entry into an underserved market quickly turned into something deeper: a commitment to reshaping the contractor-customer relationship. “We knew that we were good at relationship sales,” she said. “People don’t know how to call people back. They act like they’re doing people a favor by showing up an hour late.” 

What sets Wendy’s story apart isn’t just the risk she took, it's the perspective she brought with her from the corporate world. Rather than focusing solely on the technical side of roofing, Wendy emphasized leadership and business acumen. “Business is business is business. Doesn’t matter what you’re doing,” she said, citing her previous ownership of a bridal shop as an unexpected primer for entrepreneurship. 

Even now, nearly 20 years later, Wendy is clear-eyed about the work it took. “Being a business owner is no small feat. I’m telling you, it is. It’s exhausting but it’s rewarding.” 

Listen to the podcast to learn more about Wendy’s leadership at RT3 and her take on the future of roofing tech!