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CONKLIN SUCCESS STORIES

From Rodeo to Riches

Dan and Crystal Hensley

Today, Dan, wife Crystal and son Jace live in a beautiful, new home on a 15-acre spread outside Kansas City. Together, they’ve built Hensley Coating, a thriving Conklin roofing business which has made their new home and lifestyle possible. They’ve also enjoyed many extra perks of a Conklin business, such as Destinations trips to Jamaica and Puerto Rico plus Master Contractor trips to San Diego and Marco Island. Most importantly, says Dan, “Conklin allows me the luxury to travel overseas and spend significant time with my family several months of the year.”

What a wild ride to the top for Dan and his family! They’ve come a long way in just a few years, since Dan was pursuing his first career as a bronc rider on the rodeo circuit. For several challenging, free-spirited years, “I found myself driving cross-country three to four times a week, crashing overnight in budget motels or campers and putting up with the usual aches and pains from a steady line-up of bucking broncs. I drove an ’80 Olds with bald tires and lived on ramen noodles and macaroni and cheese. Between rodeos, I squeaked by with sporadic odd jobs to pay my bills and entry fees.”

Then, a fellow rodeo cowboy told Dan about a business that offered flexibility plus long-term financial stability. “When I first met Dan, he was 21 years old,” said Richard Shuck, who taught Dan how to apply Conklin Roofing Systems. “He didn’t know a thing about roofing, but he did know how to work. He had great charisma, doggedness in follow-up and was very goal-oriented. I knew that if he hung with it, he was really going to be a big success.”

After attending his first Conklin Business Seminar, foundational training for new Independent Business Owners (IBOs), Dan was filled with new possibilities. Between rodeos, Dan rode his Yamaha street bike around industrial parks, leaving dozens of Hensley Coating business cards. Whenever he landed a roofing contract, he used Richard’s equipment, rounded up his work crew and got to work. As business picked up, Dan was able to pay cash for several pieces of essential equipment, including a new truck and an enclosed cargo trailer.

It took only a year for Dan to go full-time with his Conklin roofing business, hanging up his saddle and spurs for good. Thanks to Conklin, Dan has achieved the American Dream in his early ‘30s. Moving his success from the rodeo to the rooftop, he has carved out financial stability, a beautiful home for his family, first-class traveling opportunities through the Destinations program and a thriving business with a flexible schedule to enjoy ample quality time with his growing family.

Business integrity leads to success, recognition

Stan Volkman

In September, Conklin Director and Emeritus Master Contractor Stan Volkman, Robbinsdale, Mn., learned some great news. His company, Skyline Consultants & Building Services, was a finalist for the prestigious 2009 Integrity Award – presented by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Minnesota and North Dakota. The BBB bestows the award annually to a company displaying exceptional ethics and integrity toward their employees, vendors, customers and community. Although Stan’s company didn’t win, he was pleased to be one of 14 finalists from a field of 200 nominees. Here’s why Stan and his company were seriously considered.

Dedicated to quality Conklin products

Stan began his Conklin career in 1979 when he applied his first roof coating system on his own trailer home. (He sold his ’69 Camero to purchase his training and materials.) It wasn’t long before he was applying Conklin roofs all across the country. Thirty years later, he continues to install high-quality Conklin systems exclusively. “With Conklin systems, my clients never have to worry about their roofs,” says Stan. “Conklin’s array of quality roofing products and my experience installing each of their systems means I always have the right solution for every roofing situation,” says Stan.

Devoted to perfecting application

When it comes to application, no one sweats the small stuff like Stan. “My former job as a machinist taught me to pay attention to the details. And I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands,” explains Stan. “I rely on these qualities when applying my roofs.”

“There may be some contractors who consider cutting corners for more profit,” Stan continues. “I just can’t.” At times, he has butted heads with clients who demand the cheapest solution. “One of my customers has always focused on price while I’m all about quality,” says Stan. “But after seeing how well his roof has held up over the years, he’s coming around to my point of view.”

Integrity in action: Three steps to more jobs, loyalty

Stan has built a successful roofing business by focusing on three important steps: “I ask lots of questions up front, focus on solving their problems and personally service my accounts. As a result, several of my clients have been with me for nearly 20 years!”

He elaborates: “When I’m on a roof for the first time, I ask them about their business operations as well as their roof,” says Stan. “Usually, the more questions I ask the more likely I am to land the job…often before I even finish touring the roof.”

Stan finds it easy to sum up his job. “I’m in the business of solving problems,” he explains. “It’s through solving problems that I apply roofs.” He continues: “Once you solve someone’s problem, you develop their trust – which helps ensure you won’t be underbid down the road. And if you can solve a problem that 20 other roofers couldn’t, you will earn a lifetime of loyalty.”

Finally, Stan services all of his accounts himself, even if he uses a subcontractor. “No matter how small the repair, I’m the one that shows up,” says Stan. “That’s how I maintain the relationship I’ve established.”

Time for family, career, new goals

Stan is grateful for the flexibility his Conklin career has provided. He’s been able to focus on raising his family while growing his roofing business. “With the freedom I’ve had to set my own schedule, I was able to coach youth hockey for about eight years,” explains Stan. “My kids enjoyed playing, plus it was a great way to give back to the community.”

With the kids now grown, Stan is focused on building a new team of Conklin contractors as well as selling and applying roofs. “I’m working toward securing my retirement,” he says. “This past year, I sponsored five contractors, and I plan to start traveling like I did in the early days of my Conklin career – both to service customers and introduce others to Conklin’s Roofing Systems.”

Stan’s trade show “gold”

Stan believes in the value of attending trade shows – especially association trade shows that are industry specific. “We exhibit at several food industry trade shows. The people who attend either work for or service companies that process, manufacture, ship and store food and commodities,” explains Stan. “Many of these businesses have large facilities that need quality roofs – giving us plenty of good leads.”

Stan continues: “We started attending these types of events when a client invited us to exhibit at one of their industry’s shows.” If you’re interested in pursuing this angle, Stan recommends you check out your current customer base and learn which trade associations or groups they belong to. “Then, try to gain access to those associations and their shows through your clients,” advises Stan. “It has proven to be a very lucrative inroad for me.”

Roofing Route to Riches

Jerry and Dorothy Cruise

Conklin has transported Jerry and Dorothy Cruise from struggling to feed their family of six and keeping their century-old home standing to owning two dream homes including a vacation retreat in Venice, FL. They’ve participated in extended family vacations to more than ten foreign countries including Czechoslovakia and Singapore. They’ve taken five international missions trips including West Africa and Russia. Jerry even flies his own plane.

What’s most important to the Cruise’s financial prosperity, though, is their increased ability to help others. “We’ll always treasure the security, freedom and travel opportunities that our Conklin business affords us,” acknowledges Dorothy. “But, the greatest reward is the personal growth and stability that we can impart to others by working with them to succeed in their own Conklin business.”

Back in ‘79, Jerry left the stresses of teaching junior high school math, going into business for himself as a home remodeler. He had to continue scratching out a living while the recession hit with a vengeance in the early ‘80s. His dreams were shattered when he had to go back to teaching again.

In ’83, Jerry and Dorothy took out a government loan for essential rehab on their home. They were quite self-sufficient, only needing assistance with their roof. They hired a church friend who applied Conklin roofing products usually reserved for commercial roofs. When they personally witnessed the quality of Conklin products and prayed about the Conklin opportunity that was introduced to them, Jerry once again left his teaching job. On a wing and a prayer, the Cruise’s Armour Roofing was born, exclusively for applying Conklin building products.

“Dorothy, our son Ryan and I were the Armour Roofing crew up on the roofs together,” says Jerry. “Lo and behold, it took us only a few months to make money! In our first full year with our fledgling Conklin business, we tripled the income that we had ever made in our best year prior to Conklin. And in a couple of years after that, our Conklin business got us totally out of debt.”

It didn’t take long for Jerry and Dorothy to get off the roofs all together to focus on building their Conklin organization. Today, they’ve built the largest organization in the Building Products division, spawning countless leaders who in turn are growing their own successful Conklin organizations. The foundation that Jerry set in the early days has set the stage for the surge in the Conklin Roofing Systems today. They are recognized for operating one of the best Conklin business models and are active leaders in training and marketing for the Conklin Roofing Systems division.

“Until Conklin came into our lives, our dream was simply to be able to buy enough groceries to feed our children,” says Dorothy. With their Conklin business, the Cruise’s initial dream has been eclipsed with multiple homes, world travel, building a business dynasty and financing church ministries and missions.

Create a Family Legacy

Mose, Brian and Jonathan Beachy

Mose and Ellen Beachy’s commitment to excellence has set high standards for their children to follow. Leading by example, Mose’s determination and willingness to face challenges head-on have inspired their sons Brian and Jonathan to join– and succeed– in the Beachy family business.

Once a well-respected diesel mechanic, Mose was impressed with Conklin vehicle products, and recommended them to customers and friends. Holding sales meetings at his home, people were easily drawn to his honest demeanor and product knowledge. When a change of direction brought Mose to the roofing business, he utilized his natural talent for sales to market Conklin roofing products and share the business opportunity. During this time, his young sons Brian and Jonathan began working with their dad on the roof. Today, the Beachy’s roofing company, MEB Systems, is highly regarded in their home state of Ohio, and is a shining example of a successful second-generation family business.

After a serious fall from the roof in 2004, Mose has made a miraculous recovery and continues to work each day at the company office. Brian is in charge of bidding jobs and Jonathan manages a crew of seven as the field supervisor. Being part-owners in the company has given Brian and Jonathan a sense of pride and self-satisfaction. Mose appreciates the flexibility of being his own boss, and is pleased that he has something of value to pass on to his children.

In addition, Mose enjoys his Conklin business because “it doesn’t seem like a job. I have always liked taking on new challenges and using my sales ability. And I look forward to family time and working as a team with my sons,” said Mose.

Mose and Ellen have worn the title of Conklin Directors for 26 years, and Mose has held the prestigious designation of Master Contractor for over a decade. Brian is also a Master Contractor, and the Beachy’s actively share the business opportunity with those they meet. Mose and Ellen’s commitment to excellence has set high standards for their children to follow. “My father’s determination is inspiring,” said Brian. “He’s taught me everything. The important thing is that you don’t take shortcuts, and treat each job as if it’s our own building.”

Team Up for Success

Mike and Jodi Stout

Mike and Jodi Stout have always made a formidable team. Co-owners of Stout Construction, Mike has been a General Contractor for more than 35 years, while Jodi was employed as an Alzheimer’s specialist at an Independent Living center. However, that was before they decided to work in tandem promoting their Conklin business.

“We have always been happily married and lived without much money while working hard to get what we had” Jodi said. “We were not dreamers, and never thought things would be easier for us.” Working long hours at their respective jobs, they were just making ends meet, and had little hope of saving for retirement. When Mike began using Conklin roofing products – and made a substantial profit from a roofing job in just two weeks – Jodi’s interest was piqued. Her eagerness to learn more about selling roofs was fueled by a background in healthcare marketing, and driven by her desire to make their own business more profitable. In a leap of faith, Jodi took an extended break from her job to begin promoting their new joint venture. “Mike figured it made more sense for us to work together for our own profit, rather than have me work for someone else,” said Jodi.

They began by making a plan of how they would work the business as a husband and wife team. Mike prefers to work on the roofs. He also enjoys selling roofing jobs, talking with contractors and doing shows and presentations. Jodi prefers the office work, phone conversations, marketing and advertising, brainstorming and training. Jodi cold-calls and writes email blasts, and then Mike follows up by bidding jobs and talking details. Together they sponsor contractors and attend trainings.

This partnership has afforded them opportunities they may not have been able to enjoy, such as their recent Master Contractor trip to sunny California. “We have more family time and money to spend on our four children and five grandchildren, and we want to travel, travel, travel!” said Jodi. In addition, they hope to fund their retirement, put their grandchildren through college, and give their children opportunities they may have otherwise never had.

This couple has found that a solid marriage is a great foundation for becoming business partners, and follows some similar principles. “Working together can be very rewarding if you decide who is responsible for each role. And knowing that you are there to help and support each other in whatever you are doing takes trust, faith and belief in each other as well” said Jodi.