Michelle Boykin: Stories from the Roof - PODCAST TRANSCRIPT

Editor's note: The following is the transcript of a live interview with Michelle Boykin with Rackley Roofing. You can Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast.

Megan Ellsworth: Welcome to Stories From The Roof, from rooferscoffeeshop.com, where we tell the stories of roofing professionals from around the globe.

Hello everyone. My name is Megan Ellsworth here at rooferscoffeeshop.com, and I'm back again for stories from The Roof Podcast. And I'm so excited because I have my dear friend Michelle Boykin here with Rackley Roofing. Hi, Michelle.

Michelle Boykin: Hi Megan. It's so good to see you.

Megan Ellsworth: It's so good to see you as well. I'm very excited to get to chat and maybe learn some things about you that I don't already know. So, let's dive in and have you just introduced yourself, your company, your position and your journey through roofing thus far.

Michelle Boykin: My name is Michelle Boykin. I'm the chief operating officer of Rackley Roofing Company out of Nashville, Tennessee. I'm also the past chair of National Women in Roofing, and currently the president of CREW Nashville, which is commercial real estate women. So a lot of women things in there. I've been in roofing for about 15 years, and I've been at Rackley for 13 of those. I've done everything from receptionist to running our service division to now running our leadership team basically. So lots of stuff.

Megan Ellsworth: Wow, that's amazing. I didn't realize you've been at Rackley for 13 years. That's amazing. Congrats.

Michelle Boykin: I started when I was five.

Megan Ellsworth: Okay, that makes more sense now. I love it. So you got into roofing when you were five. How did you get into roofing?

Michelle Boykin: So real story, I graduated college with a degree in accounting and decided that I never wanted to do anything accounting related by my senior year, but I did graduate. I was in property management and my husband is a realtor and was a realtor at the time that the market crashed in 2008. And so I was looking for him a job and looking in the newspaper as one did back in 2008. There was this ad for an office manager, and that's what I was at the time in property management office. And it said all these requirements that I had and then it said, "Spanish speaking not required, but a plus. And accounting, not required, but a plus." And I had just graduated with my accounting degree. And while I'm not fluent, I know enough Spanish to get by and I said, "This sounds perfect." So I applied and got the job and I've been in roofing ever since. I love it.

Megan Ellsworth: That is amazing. Oh my gosh, that's so cool. I love that it just feels like that all aligned so conveniently and now look at you.

Michelle Boykin: Yes. It's awesome. I love it.

Megan Ellsworth: So, who taught you about roofing? Who was one of your biggest mentors through this process?

Michelle Boykin: Well, I have to mention someone that is special to both of us, Heidi Ellsworth. Heidi was very instrumental in my roofing leadership skills. She really pushed me to start a council in National Women in Roofing and really know my worth and know my value and all of that. So props to her for doing that for me and for countless other people.

Actual roofing itself, my boss, Curtis Sutton, who has been... He was my boss's boss when I first started in roofing. He's now my boss and partner and... Business partner. Sorry, I need to clarify that. But he taught me a lot in roofing. And then also just learning from some of the field techs when I was in the service division. One gentleman named TJ Stinson actually taught me how to weld my first curb, so props to him for that. But yeah, so I've had a lot of folks that have taught me across the years different things, being on roofs, talking to different people, different trainings. But really I would say Curtis Sutton and Heidi Ellsworth have been instrumental in a lot of my roofing knowledge.

Megan Ellsworth: Oh my gosh, that's so sweet. I love it. We love Curtis as well, and the whole Rackley crew. So what's one of the most valuable lessons you would say that you've learned you either about roofing or because of roofing for your life? What's a lesson?

Michelle Boykin: I think I've learned a lot about myself and my value and worth. I think that not knowing anything in roofing and not understanding what I could know. For probably the first four to five years that I was in roofing, I never stepped foot on a roof. I didn't know that was an option. And once I did know that was an option, it was like, "Oh, well, the doors have opened." So understanding what's available, what's out there, what I can do, instead of focusing on what I don't know or what I can't do has been huge for me. And that's helped me professionally.

When I was in high school, I did a presentation in my English class or whatever it was, and I'm so introverted and I hate speaking in public. And so my face turned bright like purple, broke out into welts to the point that my teacher stopped me and said, "Oh my God, are you okay? Are you going to pass out?"

Megan Ellsworth: Oh my God.

Michelle Boykin: So, my whole goal in life was to never do public speaking and never speak in front of a crowd. And then I got into roofing and learned that to be a leader in this industry, you have to public speak. The things that I can do now that my high school self would've been like, "There's no way that she would ever do this," it's crazy and it's amazing and it's really cool.

Megan Ellsworth: Oh my gosh, that's beautiful. I can't believe you broke out into welts though. That's awful.

Michelle Boykin: Yeah.

Megan Ellsworth: That's horrible. Especially in high school when you're already like, "It's the worst time." Oh gosh, that's awful. But again, look at you now. You survived, you're thriving.

Michelle Boykin: Yeah, it's now part of my day-to-day job duties.

Megan Ellsworth: Yeah, exactly, talking to the crew. If you were to go back and start at the very beginning of your career, maybe even before Rackley, what would you do differently if anything?

Michelle Boykin: I don't know that I would do anything differently. I think maybe I would've started learning about myself more. There's a lot of things that as you get into leadership, you learn personalities, you learn how to deal with people in certain ways. You learn that not everybody acts like you or works like you. So I think it would've been helpful to know that information earlier on in my career. But really the journey here, I don't think that I would change a single thing.

Megan Ellsworth: That's beautiful. Love that. So what would you say is the best thing you've ever done for your career or for your business for Rackley?

Michelle Boykin: The best thing that I've ever done for my career or for Rackley. I think joining National Women in Roofing and really taking a stance in leading that. That was big for me career-wise. Like I said, I never would've thought that I would speak publicly. Actually, the very first National Women in Roofing Tennessee council meeting that I had was in conjunction with our Tennessee Roofing Association, TARC. They were wonderful. They gave us some free space and they came to the meeting. Trent Cotney was there. It was the very first time that I met Trent Cotney. I was so scared and nervous to meet this "famous" lawyer, and I was like, "Oh my God, he's here. What's he going to say?" Well, I'd already prepared sort of, "Hey, this is who I am." And it was really the first time that I had spoken publicly since college, and I said, "Look, I'm an introvert. The last time I did this, I broke out into welts. This is scary for me, but this is a great opportunity for the folks in Tennessee to join."

And after I got done, Trent pulled me to the side and he said, "You did great. By the way, you didn't break out. And I'm the exact same way." And I'm going, "What? You're the famous Trent Cotney. What are you talking about?" He's like, "Oh yeah, same way. Same way. I get nervous in front of crowds and all of that." So that meant a lot to me. And so I think that that helped me. And then also just all the things that being part of an organization like National Women in Roofing has done for our company and for me personally, knowing the people that I met, Heidi, Steve Little, Ken Kelly, some of those greats that also were involved in other things like RT3. And then we won Innovator of the Year, the very first year that they had that. Had I not been part of National Women in Roofing, we would not have known about RT3 and we may not have ever won that award. So all those pieces fit together.

Megan Ellsworth: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, that's what I love about roofing and what so many people love about roofing is how it can feel really big. But once you're in it, it's so small. And everyone knows everyone, it's like a big family. It's so nice. So that's really cool that you have had that experience.

Michelle Boykin: It really is. I mean, we've known each other for a long time. I feel like I've known you since you were little, even though I think you were in high school or maybe even in college when I first met you, but we were joking that I could see your brother next week. And while we love your brother, it's not the same as you and all of that. So it really is like a family. I'm excited to see James. And we do. It's like you see each other at these events and you hug like you haven't seen each other in years, even though it might've been last month or whatever, but it's like the time has passed too.

Megan Ellsworth: Yeah. Yeah. And it's so funny too, because I think we did meet when I was in high school. So yeah, still a baby in a sense. It's just so sweet to see all the people that I know in roofing also grow up. I'm growing up and we're all just continually growing up, so I love it.
Okay. So in one word, describe what you think is the most important trait in an employee or a coworker.

Michelle Boykin: In one word?

Megan Ellsworth: You could maybe do a small sentence too.

Michelle Boykin: I would say humility. I think that encompasses so much of other things. And if you can have humility, you can pretty much get through anything.

Megan Ellsworth: Yeah, that is so true. That's so true. And that really is the best trait in a coworker too, because the last person you want to be working with is the puffed up ego guy that's like, "I know everything and blah, blah, blah. You can't teach me anything." And so having someone that you feel like you're on the same level with is always so nice to work with.

Michelle Boykin: Yeah. And having the ability... Usually when you're humble, when a group of people have humility individually, there tends to be a sense of trust that can happen. And so if I mess up, I'm okay with saying, "Hey, I messed that up. Here's how I'm going to fix it. Let's move on." Or whatever that looks like. So yeah, I think it's important.

Megan Ellsworth: Yeah. Yeah. It's so important. Okay, next question. These are just going by so fast. We kind of already touched on this, but just I'm just going to hit it again.

Michelle Boykin: Sure.

Megan Ellsworth: Who's the best boss you've ever had and what did they teach you?

Michelle Boykin: Well, I guess I should say Curtis Sutton. No, I really would. No, I would say Curtis Sutton. What has he taught me, was that the question?

Megan Ellsworth: Yes. Yeah, what's something, the most important thing he's taught you?

Michelle Boykin: I think that he's helped teach me that I need to step outside of my comfort zone to grow as a human and to grow as an employee. He's pushed me to uncomfortable places, to the point we joked. I was talking to Lee Lipniskis about this. It's been a long while ago, but we sort of came in and grew up together in the roofing industry, and now she's doing amazing things. But we were talking and it was like Curtis tends to not only take me to the cliff, but then he kind of kicks me off of it and I have to figure out what's next. And so it's scary sometimes, but I think it's good. I think that he's there cheering me on along the way, so it's been great. And I mean, I wouldn't work for him for 15 years if that wasn't the case. So it's been good.\

Megan Ellsworth: Yeah, that's great. I love that. That's so funny because I mean, I don't know Curtis super well, but I know him well enough to totally see him kicking you off the cliff, [inaudible 00:13:17] the most loving. And like, "You're going to do this" kind of way.

Michelle Boykin: Yep, exactly.

Megan Ellsworth: I love it. This next question is my favorite question that we ask in these podcasts. And that is, what makes you smile when you think about your job?

Michelle Boykin: I don't know how I would've answered this six months ago or a year ago. But now my answer is the impact that I can have on others. And I don't mean that in a boastful way. I've always looked at it like sometimes it stinks to be the token girl. And not that I'm not now, but I did feel like that a lot along the way. And a lot of times still I'm seen as somebody thinks I'm the sister or the wife of Curtis, which I'm not. Or they think that somebody thought he was my dad, whatever. There's no relation. But a lot of times there's a sort of thought that a woman in roofing can't be anything more than a secretary, or she's related somehow or whatever.

I was actually at my son's birthday party back in September, and one of the parents came up to me and said, "I want you to know that you mean so much to my daughter. She looks up to you. She wants to be you when she grows up." And I'm like, "Really?" But it was the moment that I realized that it wasn't just me working day to day and me putting in the grind. Other people were watching. And so that changed my perspective on everything and how I handle myself and how I look at things. And those moments that I'm like, "Oh, here we go. I got to do this thing, or I got to be on stage or whatever," I'm making a difference for some little girl. And so to be able to continue to do that means a lot to me. So that's what makes me smile.

Megan Ellsworth: My gosh, I'm a little teary. That is so powerful. Oh, I can't even imagine being told that. Because kids are just so truthful and so honest and genuine. And so getting a compliment like that from a child is beyond. You know they mean that from the bottom of their little heart. Oh my gosh, that's so beautiful. Oh, I love that.

Michelle Boykin: Thanks.

Megan Ellsworth: Wow. I just can't get over that. That is so cute. So sweet. I hope that little girl grows up to be a COO as well.

Michelle Boykin: Me too. And she always has a job here at Rackley as soon as she turns 18.

Megan Ellsworth: Oh, me too. Love that. Okay, so maybe this next question goes out to her. Any tips for new people starting out in roofing?

Michelle Boykin: Yes. Don't be afraid to try. Whether that's you are afraid to get on a roof, because sometimes, especially in the office folks, they don't know that they can get on a roof or that they want to get on a roof. Do it. You want that promotion? Apply for it. You want to learn more? Do it. Just go do it.

Megan Ellsworth: Yes, absolutely. We just had, one of our riders went up on a roof for the first time. She started with us a couple months ago, and now she's hooked. Once you're on that roof, there's no going back. So get up there.

Michelle Boykin: That's awesome. I love it.

Megan Ellsworth: Yeah. I love it too.

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Megan Ellsworth: So, the sponsor of today's episode is Johns Manville, who we love. They're great. Let's talk a little bit about how important the relationship between manufacturer and roofing contractor is. What's that relationship like?

Michelle Boykin: It is a must that there's some trust and transparency and relationship there, especially after COVID when all the material shortages happened. If you didn't have a relationship with your manufacturer, I don't know how you survived. There were some tough conversations that we had to have with our manufacturers. "Hey, this material doesn't exist anymore," or "It's not going to be here for a while," or "The cost has skyrocketed." And without that trust and that relationship, we wouldn't have survived. Folks like Fernando Milanes at Johns Manville, they're huge. They're so impactful in that they really help to bridge the gap when it comes to concerns or training or pricing or whatever that is. If you have that relationship with them, you can pretty much get anything that you need to get done. You just have to sometimes be... We're past the material shortage now, but in that material shortage time, it was like, "Let's get really creative on what we can do to make things happen." And you had to have those relationships to do that. So we really appreciate our manufacturers, including Johns Manville.

Megan Ellsworth: Yeah, that's great. Oh, man, yeah, just thinking back to, I guess, three years ago now. What a crazy time that was. And so glad that all of our roofing friends made it through that, and they're still afloat. Wow. Crazy to think about that's three years ago now.

So kind of going off of that, how important is ongoing training and continued education for not only you, but your employees at Rackley?

Michelle Boykin: I don't know who coined the phrase, but if you're not learning, you're dying.

Megan Ellsworth: Oh.

Michelle Boykin: And I truly believe that. If you're not learning, you're just one foot in the grave [inaudible 00:19:49]. Learning is what keeps us moving and growing and continuing and being excited about stuff. So I think a lot of times, especially with trainings, let's take manufacturer trainings. There's a new product or there's an old product but they're teaching you how to use it, you may already know how to do it, but there might be that one little nugget that you didn't get the first 10 times you heard of those, whatever, and you pick it up and all of a sudden it changes your world.

I was recently at an event for one of the softwares that we use. We've been using the software for 13 years, and they said, "Yeah, you just click this button and you do this." And I had no idea. And I'm like, "This just saved me hours." And so sometimes it's those little things that you never would've picked up on, and you're like, "I'm going to go do this training for the millionth time" but you learn and it's always worth it. So training is essential, and every single person in your company needs training. It may not all be the same training, but every single person in your company needs training.

Megan Ellsworth: Oh, I completely agree. And man, tips and tricks like that, they really do, they can save you hours. We have a professional development coming up here at RoofersCoffeeShop, and it's all about Outlook 101. And I feel like I'm going to learn so many shortcuts and it's going to make my day so much more efficient. I'm actually very excited for it. So yes, I love everything you said about that. If you're not learning, you're dying. That's great.

Michelle Boykin: Yeah.

Megan Ellsworth: Okay. Well, somehow we've already reached the last question. Thank you so much for chatting with me. This has been so fun. We love Rackley, and I love you. You're the best.

Michelle Boykin: Thanks. I love you too, Megan.

Megan Ellsworth: Okay. So how long have you been following RoofersCoffeeShop, and what's your favorite thing about RCS?

Michelle Boykin: I don't know how long I've been following RoofersCoffeeShop. Probably 15 years or however long I've known of RoofersCoffeeShop I've been following it. I've actually been an influencer, so I've written some articles for you guys before. I think my favorite thing are the podcasts, not just because we're on a podcast right now, but I love listening to podcasts. That's how when I'm getting ready in the mornings, when I'm driving into work, which I'm driving somewhere, podcasts are my go-to. And to be able to get either a quick snippet from y'all that's, "Hey, here's a two or three minute quick snippet on something," or those longer podcasts where it's a read, listen, watch and I can learn all that I need to learn and really keep the finger on the pulse of the industry, I think is important. So for me, that's the biggest piece that's helpful. And I can listen to it on my own time. I can binge it if I need to, all those things.

Megan Ellsworth: Yeah. That's amazing. I'm so glad to hear that. Yay! We love podcasts as well.

Michelle Boykin: Yeah.

Megan Ellsworth: Well, thank you again for joining me here on Stories From the Roof. It's been so amazing hearing a little bit more about your story and Rackley story. So thank you so much.

Michelle Boykin: Thank you, Megan. I appreciate it.

Megan Ellsworth: Yeah. For all of you listening out there, if you're a contractor and you want to share your story, go to rooferscoffeeshop.com and reach out to us through the signup tab on the page and we will get you on the podcast. We want to hear all your stories and everything everyone has to say. So make sure to subscribe and hit the follow to get all the updates on when we post, and we'll be seeing you next time on Stories From The Roof.

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