Mission Control

Podcast

In this episode of the mission control podcast Mike sits down with Daniel Cherniske, Co-Founder of Roof Leopard, to discuss his journey from teaching prison aquaponics to building a high-growth roofing company in Western New York. Daniel shares how he pivoted from a niche consulting background to the roofing industry, where he and his partner Willie have focused on professionalizing the trade and moving past the “Uncle’s roofing” stigma. The conversation dives into Mike’s “solutions, not excuses” philosophy, the importance of delegating production to maintain quality, and tactical sales advice—including a role-play on how to secure reviews from every prospect. From scaling standing seam metal roofing to leveraging micro-websites for lead flow, Daniel breaks down the strategies Roof Leopard is using to stay ahead in 2026.

Interested in learning more about Roofr? Get your first roof measurement report for free: https://shorturl.at/quCQ5

In this episode of the Mission Control podcast, Mike sits down with David Carroll, founder of DOPE Marketing, to discuss the mental evolution of an entrepreneur. David reflects on his recent trip to Chicago and shares insights on the importance of self-awareness, giving oneself credit for personal growth, and shifting away from a “grinder” mentality toward a more balanced life. The conversation touches on maintaining “equanimity” during business challenges and why leaders should focus on mental fortitude and the original “why” behind their ventures. Ultimately, David highlights that true success is the freedom to prioritize personal values, such as spending time with family, over constant productivity

Interested in learning more about Roofr? Get your first roof measurement report for free: https://shorturl.at/quCQ5

In this episode of the Mission Control Podcast, Mike sits down with Kyle Weber, co-owner of Hometown Roofing Services, to discuss the business’s rapid rise since its launch in October 2022. Kyle details his transition from a repair technician to a business owner, highlighting how a reputation for being customer-facing and maintaining personal relationships fueled his initial lead flow. The duo explores the significant competitive edge gained by performing attic inspections, a practice that builds homeowner trust and uncovers hidden issues like code violations or misrouted water lines before a project starts.

Mike interviews Bradley Dillon of Virginia-based Dillon Roofing, a company celebrating 30 years since its founding by Bradley’s father. Bradley shares his journey from decade-long laborer to partner, emphasizing his efforts to modernize the business through CRM systems, digital roof measurements, and social media branding. The conversation explores the power of organic word-of-mouth growth and Bradley’s commitment to maintaining high-quality craftsmanship over rapid scaling.

In this episode of the Mission Control Podcast, Mike sits down with Aaron Christy to discuss the growth of Indy Roof & Restoration and the specific marketing strategies used to dominate the Indianapolis market. A major focus is placed on leveraging real estate agents as power partners to generate high-quality leads with a $0 cost per acquisition. Aaron also breaks down his Google review hacks and modern sales approaches, emphasizing character-driven hiring to avoid sleazy tactics and ensuring long-term brand trust.

In this episode of the Mission Control Podcast, Mike sits down with Chris Zimmerman, co-founder of Master Your Craft, where they teach contractors how to fish to proactively protect homeowners and advance the roofing industry. Chris shares his long-sighted philosophy on building a sustainable business, detailing how he pivoted his company from 90% storm restoration to 70% retail by prioritizing systems, core values, and strategic partnerships over short-term gratification. The conversation offers a masterclass in protecting your reputation and achieving long-term success in the roofing space through mastering sales psychology and strategic partnerships.

Mike sits down with Matt Grassmyer, Director of Outside Sales at HailTrace, to discuss mastering customer acquisition in roofing before, during, and after storms. Matt explains why roofing companies shouldn’t wait for weather to hit before seeking opportunities and emphasizes building brand awareness year-round. He shares strategies for using technology to monitor past customers’ neighborhoods, post-storm follow-up tactics, and creating purposeful content calendars.

Mike interviews Danny Shannon from Australia, who shares his journey from heroin addiction starting at age 15 to achieving 16 years of sobriety. Danny discusses early recovery challenges, daily accountability practices, and his therapeutic app Encapsulator, which allows users to record video messages to their future selves for personal growth tracking.

At the 2026 IRE, AJ Briley, CEO of ProLine, and Mike discuss the ‘high floor’ strategy for business growth focusing on unscalable, local work that builds strong foundations. They explore ProLine’s evolution into a conversational platform, warn against AI red flags in the current gold rush, and reveal the key filter needed before implementing new technology with customers.

Mike Stearns welcomes George Schiano, owner of Epic Exteriors in New Jersey, who shares his compelling story of launching his business six years ago after his employer cut his sales commissions. George explains how he expanded from roofing to siding, windows, and doors by fulfilling trusted clients’ requests. The conversation explores his unique sales strategies, including 48 months interest-free financing, and the importance of accountability in business.

Jeffrey Teitelbaum, owner of RST Roofing and Renovation, shares his career journey from Atlanta police detective to insurance adjuster to roofing company owner. He discusses launching his business in 2019 just before COVID-19, his organic growth strategy focusing on SEO and brand presence, and his transition to AccuLynx for better operations. Jeffrey outlines his ambitious plans to dominate his market through consistent video content and building trust with homeowners.