We Need to Develop More 100-year Business Models

By Cass Jacoby.  

FRSA President Matt Criswell talks with RCS about how to build a company philosophy that will bring success over the next century. 

In a new Roofing Road Trips episode, Heidi J. Ellsworth travels to Florida to visit with 2022 president of the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA), Matt Criswell. In this celebratory episode, the two talk about the FRSA’s 100-year anniversary. Founded in 1922, the association has been bringing contractors and businesses with related roofing interests together for the last century. 

The annual convention this year took place in a special location: Daytona Beach — the location of FRSA organizational meeting. An epic four-day event, packed with educational sessions, networking events, sports tournaments, auctions and more, the 100 FRSA anniversary was the event of the decade.    

“We've got all of our sporting events that we've had before. We've got the fishing, we've got the golf, we've got the rifle and pistol shooting. We have our kids program back for the entire time. We're going to have a welcome reception on that night, Tuesday the 19 from 5:30 to 7:00,” says Matt. “And then Wednesday, boom starts our seminars, we've got a kickoff luncheon right after the expo floor show opens at 11. Thursday we've got our business lunch and that night we've got our dinner. There's going to be a lot of stuff.” 

The FRSA philosophy for the last 100 years has been one built on licensing, respect, professionalism and ethics, which is how the association has garnered so much success. Matt talks about this as a “100-year business model,” one where you focus on the legacy of your work and doing right by homeowners. 

“We have to have some type of insurance reform or our regulations have to get reorganized,” says Matt. “We're going in the right direction. We have so many codes, so many regulations. I personally abide by those or hold those to a really high standard because, in the end, it's what protects our business, it's what protects our industry, and it's what protects the public. You got to have rules and regulations.” 

Learn more about FRSA in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.floridaroof.com.   

Listen to the podcast to learn more about the FRSA and about the 100-year business model that has brought them so much success.