Meet the Backbone of Matrix Roofing

By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

A female business owner in the construction industry, Wendy Marvin is hopeful for the 2020 year and future of the industry.

In 2019, Matrix Roofing and Home Solutions had 26 employees, 756 customers, and completed 570 jobs.  They have had a 7% average growth per year. Wendy Marvin, the owner of Matrix Roofing and an RCS Influencer, shared in her interview with Vancouver Business Journal, “2020 is shaping up to be an amazing year.  The weather held for us and spring came early.  Our new space will give us the ability to work with more customers, and our new computer program will streamline our processes.  I just hope that the uncertainty with international trade doesn’t make too much of an impact on our materials cost in the next few months.”

Wendy started Matrix Roofing with her husband.  When they separated in 2017, she was convinced he would be getting the company they built.  However, after some discussion, they both agreed that it would be more challenging to fill Wendy’s role.  “I didn't realize how much I really had been doing behind the scenes for our company. Strategic planning, marketing, finance and more.  He was the face, but I was the backbone,” Wendy explains. Fortunately, all of her staff stayed after the transition.  

A “shero” and a trailblazer, Wendy is working in a predominantly male industry with less than 10% female participation.  And as an owner, she represents an even smaller percentage in the industry. According to Wendy, “In construction, and roofing, in particular, the world is predominantly male.  Women are often objectified. The sales reps look for males as decision-makers, the manufacturers offer rewards that are geared only towards males. It’s been an adventure for sure.”  

She’s encouraged to see both men and women working together to help the industry grow, become more diverse, and get away from the “good ol’ boys club” mentality.  Even with those efforts Wendy reveals, “We still have a long way to go...Equal pay is still an issue. Promotions are still an issue. Women are more likely to just leave the industry than take on the battles necessary to continue working in construction.”

The Vancouver Business Journal asked Wendy what qualities women bring to the construction industries that help to differentiate them in the business.  She responded, “I think women, in general, see things from a different perspective. The empathy behind a sale, the customer experience working with females is just different.  They also bring a spirit of coordination that is different in my opinion. That coordination flows through most everything, but especially communication.”

Founded and run with the understanding that customers are the foundation of the business, Matrix Roofing strives to earn their customers’ trust.  Wendy explains, “The construction industry is like going to the doctor. It’s filled with words most people don’t understand, and by people who don’t really want you to know what they’re doing.”  For that reason, customers of Matrix Roofing are encouraged to ask questions, and employees patiently explain the answers in detail. “I never see a roofing customer as a one-time relationship. I see them as a means to earn a happy referral, and by creating a lot of happy referring customers, our company has grown,” Wendy discloses.

Matrix Roofing has now outgrown their old facility and is moving into a larger one.  Before, employees were doubled up in offices, which wasn’t ideal. Currently working in temporary spaces, everyone is hoping the build will be finished quickly.  Wendy explains, “We’re able to customize our new office. Every person will have their own space and the facility is designed to be more efficient to allow us to scale and grow.”

Wendy is thrilled to be a part of the construction industry and a trade that’s recession-proof.  When asked what advice she would give those entering the construction business on their own, Wendy shared, “...Don’t ever discount yourself for being in the trades.  We’re not ‘just’ a contractor, we’re a valuable part of the infrastructure of any community...As a female, I’d say, you have to have thick skin. You have to be able to assert yourself in difficult situations.  You have to know your own worth, as many others won’t acknowledge you.” 

In terms of the future generation of workers, Wendy encourages people to speak with children about the trades as an alternative to college.  She also urges people to, “...Let your daughter try to use a hammer. Let your son bake. Skills are skills, regardless of gender.” Wendy has first-hand experience with this.  In middle school, her geometry teacher told her that she would be better suited for typing, and today she uses geometry every day. “Who knew my being stubborn would pay off like this?“

Shero, trailblazer, company owner, and geometry whiz, Wendy has made a name for herself in the construction industry.  While it might not always be easy, she has continued to be the backbone of a thriving and growing company.

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