By Jenny Yu.  

TRA Snow and Sun leaders discuss contractor conversations, booth activities and plans for the year ahead. 

TRA Snow and Sun has kicked off 2026 with a busy schedule, including a stop at the 2026 International Roofing Expo (IRE)! Ben Anderson, head of operations, and Mindy Dahlquist, business development manager, sat down with Karen Edwards at The Coffee Shops™ Sound Stage, sponsored by SRS Distribution.  

At trade shows like IRE, conversations at the TRA Snow and Sun booth often involve contractor education. “With snow retention, we've had questions like: what is this? Why would you want to keep the snow on the roof? How does this function? Are we wanting it to melt? Are we wanting it to fall off in smaller pieces? What is the goal?” Mindy said. “Being able to answer those questions for contractors is a lot of fun.” 

To add to the fun, TRA Snow and Sun set up a trucker hat bar at their booth, inviting attendees to decorate hats with a variety of patches. “They’re customizable,” Ben said. “People are having fun with all the patches.” 

The hats also engaged people who normally wouldn’t stop at their booth. “We've had a lot more conversations with contractors who would see snow and they'd be like, ‘Oh, I'm in Texas or I'm in Florida. I'm not going to stop here,’” Mindy shared. “With the hat bar, we've had that opportunity to talk to them about some of the other products that we manufacture that are not snow retention. That opens up other doors as well.” 

On top of representing TRA Snow and Sun, Mindy discussed her involvement with the National Women in Roofing (NWIR). “I am going to be the chair of the virtual council, and we are doing our kickoff call February 10 with Melissa Chapman of The GLO Group,” Mindy said. “It'll be fun to be able to kick off this council and really provide that support for women and men in roofing who maybe don't have a local council near them.” 

Watch the Soundstage interview and check out our interview at their booth to learn more about what TRA Snow and Sun is doing in 2026! 

RCS Influencers celebrate their tenth year of giving back to the roofing industry. 

The Coffee Shops™, the award-winning websites where the industries meet for technology, information and everyday business, announces the 2026 Influencers for RoofersCoffeeShop®.  

Each month, Influencers weigh in on timely topics impacting their respective industries, from technology strategy and diversifying services to leveraging associations, immigration compliance and workforce disruptions. RoofersCoffeeShop delivers these perspectives through interviews, videos and articles. The Influencers represent all facets of the roofing industry, including contractors, associations, manufacturers and service providers. Their insights are featured in dedicated website sections, amplified across social media and highlighted in our weekly eNews, Week in Roofing. 

“Our mission has always been to amplify the voices of professionals who are shaping the future of the trades,” said The Coffee Shops President and CEO Heidi J. Ellsworth. “As we celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the RCS Influencers, we are proud of the impact this community has made by sharing real-world expertise, tackling today’s challenges and helping move the industry forward.” 

 We are proud to announce the following 2026 RoofersCoffeeShop Influencers: 

• Trent Cotney – Adams & Reese 
• Rich Carroll – Carroll Consulting Group 
• Melissa Chapman – The GLO Group 
• Tammy Hall – Hall & Company  
• John Kenney – Cotney Consulting Group 
• Allison Woslager – Integrity PNW 
• Erica Reed – Elite Roofing Solutions 
• Ashley and Seth Pietsch – Integrity Insurance & Bonding Inc. 
• Randy Chaffee – Source One Marketing 
• Wendy Marvin – Matrix Roofing and Home Solutions 
• Will Lorenz – General Coatings 
• Bridget Wilson – Cardinal Roofing 
• Aaron Weinstein – Terial  
• Katie Clymer – Armored Roofing 
• Gottron Group 

Find more information on the 2026 RCS Influencers.

About RoofersCoffeeShop 

As an award-winning website and online community, RoofersCoffeeShop is committed to being a roofing professional advocate by supplying consistent information, education and communication avenues for all roofing professionals, and especially contractors, while promoting the positive growth, education and success of the roofing industry overall. Visitors to the site continue to find excellent opportunities for sharing information while participating in important ongoing conversations concerning new technologies, safety and the overall roofing trade. From the rooftop to the board room, RoofersCoffeeShop.com is “Where the Industry Meets!” For more information, visit www.rooferscoffeeshop.com. 

About The Coffee Shops 

Award-winning websites and online communities make up The Coffee Shops. Starting with RoofersCoffeeShop, which launched in 2002, the growth of the sites has been explosive for the construction trades of roofing, metal, coatings and their customers. Currently featuring four Coffee Shops, RoofersCoffeeShop, MetalCoffeeShop®, CoatingsCoffeeShop®, OutdoorCoffeeShop™ and their sister site AskARoofer™, all the sites are committed to advocating for the construction trades by supplying consistent information, education and communication avenues for all contractors, while promoting positive growth, education and success of construction industries overall. The Coffee Shops also feature strong microsites with RoofersCoffeeShop.ca, RoofersCoffeeShop.uk and En Español. Visitors to the site continue to find excellent opportunities for sharing information while participating in important ongoing conversations concerning new technologies, safety and overall construction information and education. The Coffee Shops are “Where the Industries Meet!” For more information, visit www.thecoffeeshops.online. 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Certified coaches bring bilingual, industry-specific support to roofing companies, and the ROI speaks for itself. 

In this episode of the Roofing Road Trips® podcast, host Karen Edwards wraps up a compelling conversation with Melissa Chapman and Monica Vornbrock of The GLO Group, digging into the real-world impact of coaching within the roofing industry. While early parts of the episode lay out the foundations of coaching versus consulting, the conversation hits high gear in the final segment, revealing what sets The GLO Group apart and why roofing companies are taking notice. 

As certified professional coaches and longtime roofing insiders, Melissa and Monica say their coaching model isn’t one-size-fits-all. They’ve tailored it to meet the evolving demands of field and office teams, individual leaders and entire departments across the industry. One standout element? Their bilingual capabilities. Melissa shared, “To have the benefit of having an English-speaking and a Spanish-speaking coach on staff, it identifies what's really going on in our industry.” 

But it's not just about language, it's about legacy. Melissa and Monica bring decades of industry experience, and that lived knowledge fuels their coaching impact. “We understand the differences between the field and the office, the field hierarchies that happen,” Melissa noted. That deep-rooted familiarity helps them get to the heart of internal misalignments that often derail growth, whether it's clunky customer relationship management (CRM) adoption or departments working at cross-purposes. 

What started as a response to a recurring pain point has evolved into a proven solution. Melissa cites a study showing an immediate 529% ROI from coaching, climbing to 788% when factoring in employee retention and broader financial gains.  

But the benefits of coaching go beyond ROI. For many professionals, it becomes a space to reset, gain clarity and move forward with purpose. “A lot of times, it's—you owe yourself the ability to take that time for yourself,” said Monica. She emphasized how structured support helps people stay on track. “We do checkups at every session to make sure that there's progress that's being made,” she explained. “If there's something that deters that progress, we work on that. What's happening? Where are we stuck? Why are we stuck?” 

For companies unsure where to begin, The GLO Group offers a no-pressure, 15- to 30-minute consultation to explore coaching needs. “You can start with a consultation, and I believe it's a 15- to 30-minute consultation,” said Monica Vornbrock. “We can discuss what your goals are, where you want to go, what you're looking to improve or what you're looking to talk about.” 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about how The GLO Group’s bilingual, industry-savvy coaching helps roofing professionals align teams, boost leadership and turn internal challenges into measurable growth! 

RCS Influencers En Español bring authentic voices and expertise to empower the Spanish-speaking roofing community. 

RoofersCoffeeShop®, the award-winning place where the industry meets for technology, information and everyday business, announces the 2026 RCS Influencers en Español.     

RoofersCoffeeShp is committed to highlighting the thought leadership of our Spanish-speaking industry leaders through the RCS Influencers en Español program. Each month, these influencers share their expertise through interviews, videos and articles that address the most pressing issues in the industry. From contractors to associations to service providers, they represent every corner of the industry, offering insights that help bridge knowledge, resources and opportunities for Spanish-speaking professionals. Their contributions are showcased in the dedicated RCS Español Influencers section, ensuring their perspectives reach the broader roofing community. 

“We are proud to highlight the voices of our RCS Influencers en Español,” said Heidi J. Ellsworth, president of The Coffee Shops. “Their stories and expertise showcase the value of inclusion in the trades. We are all one community celebrating every culture within.  It is our privilege to bring all voices to The Coffee Shops and in turn to the roofing industry.”   

We are excited to announce the 2026 RCS Influencers en Español: 

1. Julissa Chavez – SRS Distribution 
2. Octavio Vázquez – Owens Corning 
3. Lorna Rojas – Tremco 
4. Monica Vornbrock – The Glo Group 
5. Moises Morales – SRS MVP 
6. Amparo Sancen – Sancen Contracting and Latinos En Roofing 
7. Teresa Ramírez – Southeast Contracting Services 
8. Chris Navarros – National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) 
9. Perla Arias – Project Map It 
10. Krissia Guillen – Labor Central 
11. Mike Monterroso – SRS MVP 
12. Carlos Rodriguez – Mr. Roofing 
13. Ana Maria Pulido – CertainTeed  
14. Alan Lopez – GAF  
15. Reyna Mora – HB Fuller/GSSI 

Find more information on the 2026 RCS Influencers en Español. 

About RoofersCoffeeShop 

As an award-winning website and online community, RoofersCoffeeShop is committed to being a roofing professional advocate by supplying consistent information, education and communication avenues for all roofing professionals, and especially contractors, while promoting the positive growth, education and success of the roofing industry overall. Visitors to the site continue to find excellent opportunities for sharing information while participating in important ongoing conversations concerning new technologies, safety and the overall roofing trade. From the rooftop to the board room, RoofersCoffeeShop.com is “Where the Industry Meets!” For more information, visit www.rooferscoffeeshop.com. 

About RoofersCoffeeShop En Español 

RoofersCoffeeShop has expanded its Spanish offerings with a dedicated en Español section. Sponsored by SRS Distribution Para Latinos, this resource was first launched in 2018 to provide Spanish-speaking roofing professionals with relevant content, community and recognition. Today, it features articles, podcasts, project profiles and more, all developed by Spanish-language writers and hosts to ensure content is timely and meaningful. RoofersCoffeeShop en Español is a central hub for Spanish-speaking members of the roofing industry to learn, grow and thrive. For more information, visit www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/en-espanol. 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

A fresh approach to success is taking root in the roofing industry, one focused on people, not just profits. 

In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, host Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Monica Vornbrock and Melissa Chapman, co-founders of The GLO Group, for a candid and compelling conversation that peeled back the layers of traditional roofing culture. While earlier parts of the conversation tackled mental health awareness and sobering statistics, the closing stretch of the podcast goes deeper into what’s driving real change and how companies are making culture a core business strategy. 

“The most successful companies are team-led,” Chapman explained. “They’re not led by one individual.” The GLO Group is calling for transformation from the inside out. Melissa and Monica speak openly about the challenges that plague contractors today, from labor shortages and language barriers to misaligned leadership structures and poor communication. And yet, rather than focus on the pain points, they shift the narrative toward practical solutions that foster growth and retention. 

One of the biggest hurdles? When company leadership is reluctant to let go of the reins. “It’s not easy letting go,” Monica admitted. “But it connects directly to that mental health piece because then it helps avoid that burnout and feeling like the world’s on your shoulders.” Their approach with GLO Group emphasizes building strong, communication-driven cultures that promote innovation and consistency. Monica’s message to leaderships in this situation? She encouraged, “You hire people, they’re good at what they do for a reason. Let go.” 

Perhaps the most eye-opening takeaway is how deeply tied culture is to profitability. “After a year of working with an organization, we’ve seen 92% of our clients have seen an increase in profitability,” Melissa noted. It’s not just about boosting numbers, it’s about creating environments where people want to stay. As Melissa added, “You’re not going to lose laborers over a dollar to the competitor because your culture is set in a way that ‘I don’t want to leave here, they care about me.’”  

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn exactly how Monica and Melissa are helping reshape the roofing industry, one culture shift at a time! 

By The GLO Group.

Resilient leadership isn’t about being the toughest, it’s about being clear, steady and accountable when everything else is up in the air.

Every roofing business hits tough spots — weather delays, tough clients, crew issues, cash flow crunches. But what separates contractors who survive from those who thrive? One thing: resilient leadership.

Resilience is the ability to stay steady in uncertainty. To keep leading even when things go sideways. It’s not about being invincible. It’s about being intentional.

What does resilient leadership look like?

• Confidence in chaos: You don’t panic when a curveball hits. You assess, adapt and lead forward.
• Clear communication: You say what needs to be said — directly and constructively — even when it’s uncomfortable.
• Healthy boundaries: You protect your energy and focus, knowing burnout helps no one.

This kind of leadership creates psychological safety — your team feels supported, even when pressure is high. And that translates to better performance, loyalty and results.

Owning your role

Too many contractors try to be “one of the guys” and the boss at the same time. But leadership is a responsibility — not just a title. Resilient leaders own their role. That means:

• Delegating instead of micromanaging.
• Coaching instead of criticizing.
• Holding others, and yourself, accountable.

Conflict doesn’t get ignored. It gets addressed. Poor performance doesn’t get tolerated. It gets corrected. Because strong leaders know that what they allow becomes the standard.

The internal game

Resilience starts inside. Do you trust yourself? Are you growing as a decision-maker, communicator and business owner?

Self-awareness and mindset are often the hidden advantage. If you don’t believe in your ability to lead, it shows. If you’ve developed that inner confidence, your business reflects it.

You can’t control the market or the weather. But you can control how you show up. And how you show up sets the tone for everything else.

Want to develop the resilience your business needs to grow?

Apply to the LDR Accelerator and gain the leadership tools that will carry you — and your crew — through the challenges ahead.

By The GLO Group.

How to streamline and scale without the stress.

Ask any growing contractor what they struggle with and you’ll hear it: “I’m the only one who knows how to do it right.” That belief leads to micromanagement, burnout and bottlenecks.

The solution? SOPs — Standard Operating Procedures.

They might sound boring, but they’re the most underrated growth tool in your business.

Why SOPs Matter. SOPs document how things are done — from how you send estimates to how your crew handles punch lists. When those steps are written, shared and followed, you get:

• Fewer mistakes
• Faster onboarding
• More consistency
• More freedom

It’s not just about efficiency. It’s about empowerment. Your team performs better when they’re clear on what “right” looks like.

Start simple. You don’t need a full SOP library tomorrow. Start with one thing — something you do often, something you’ve had to fix more than once. Write out the steps. Review it with your team. Refine it after a few uses.

Over time, you’ll create a systemized business that doesn’t rely on you for every answer.

SOPs and scaling. Want to grow without chaos? SOPs are your foundation. They let you delegate confidently, hire faster and maintain quality at scale.

They also protect your brand. Customers experience the same level of service — whether it’s you or a foreman handling the job.

And when you step away — whether for a weekend or a well-earned vacation — the business doesn’t fall apart.

Culture, not just checklists. The most effective SOPs aren’t just checklists — they’re tools for building culture. They reinforce what’s important. They set expectations. They show your team that excellence isn’t optional.

Tired of being the bottleneck in your own business?

Join the LDR Accelerator to learn how to systemize your operations and scale with confidence.

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Revealing how strong, intentional leadership, not just relentless hustle, is the real key to sustainably scaling a successful roofing business. 

In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, host Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Melissa Chapman, co-founder of The GLO Group, to dig into the real reasons many roofing contractors hit a ceiling and how a bold leadership shift could be the missing piece.  Melissa reveals one of the tools that can lead to this deeper transformation, the LDR Accelerator, which aims to create a cultural and structural reset designed for long-term growth, not survival-mode management. 

Melissa speaks candidly about what happens when business owners finally let go of being the sole decision-maker. “When you have a team-led company, what you find is there’s more collaboration and ownership,” she says. “These folks were coming to the table with cost-cutting ideas, their margins increased and their customer retention improved.” 

One of the most striking elements of the LDR Accelerator is how it flips the idea of leadership from a top-down command into a shared ecosystem of growth. “We help them create a leadership structure that gives them time back,” Melissa explains. “Whether that’s evenings with their families or weekends off for the first time in years, the goal is to build a business that supports your life, not one that consumes it.” 

But don’t mistake this for feel-good fluff. Melissa’s team brings real-world roofing experience, 25 years of it, and combines that with certified coaching practices to meet contractors exactly where they are. She shares, “Anybody can say that they’re a coach, but we actually have been certified as coaches. We’re not going to tell you what to do. We’re going to help you figure out what is best for you and your business.” 

Peer coaching, expert guest speakers and strategic planning sessions are just some of the tools contractors can expect. The program’s biggest strength, however, may be how it transforms companies from within. By elevating untapped leaders and fostering open communication across teams, Melissa says the results ripple outward, boosting morale, profitability and retention all at once. Melissa states simply, “When leaders grow, the business follows.” 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about success stories and practical insights from the field!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

How leadership culture is helping roofing contractors retain talent in a tough labor market. 

The roofing industry has long struggled with labor shortages, but one leadership coach believes the answer isn’t just in recruitment, it’s in culture. On this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Melissa Chapman, co-founder of The GLO Group, shared why creating a workplace that values team development, transparency and personal growth may be the most powerful tool contractors have in attracting and retaining talent. Melissa shared, “If they understand that there’s an opportunity for growth, if they feel like they’re being cared for and their family’s being cared for, they’re not going to leave you over 50 cents an hour.”  

Rather than treating company culture as an afterthought, Melissa’s LDR Accelerator program treats it as the foundation of long-term business health. In a climate where younger generations want more than just a paycheck, Melissa’s approach highlights clarity, consistency and connection between leadership and the field. “Younger folks want to know what’s important to you as an organization. Where are you putting your money? How do you care about your community? How do you show that?” she said. “If you don’t have that culture dialed in, you’re not going to recruit the talent that you want and you’re not going to retain the talent that you have.” 

Melissa argues that a strong company culture isn’t just a recruitment asset, it’s a retention engine. In one example, a contractor struggling with internal resentment and disengagement among team leaders saw morale and margins improve simply by opening the floor to input and promoting more inclusive decision-making. “When you have a team-led company, what you find is there’s more collaboration and ownership,” Melissa said. “These folks were coming to the table with cost-cutting ideas. Their margins increased and their customer retention improved.” 

It’s a compelling case for contractors who feel stuck in the churn of hiring and turnover. The LDR Accelerator’s coaching sessions, peer cohorts and leadership playbooks are designed to support busy teams with just 12 to 15 hours of structured development each month. For Melissa, the end goal is simple: build companies where people want to stay. “People want to feel like they’re part of something,” she said. “And when you create a culture that allows people to feel like they have a voice… magic happens.” 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about how culture-building strategies are helping contractors weather the labor storm and why leadership may be the smartest retention tool in the truck!

By The GLO Group.

Why every contractor needs a three-year growth roadmap.

In the fast-paced world of contracting, it’s easy to focus only on what’s right in front of you — the next job, the next bid, the next fire to put out. But here’s the truth: reacting to the daily grind is not the same as building a thriving business. Without a long-term vision, you’re not steering the ship — you’re drifting.

That’s where a three-year growth roadmap comes in. It’s more than just a business plan. It’s a living, breathing vision of where your company is headed and how you’ll get there.

Why having a vision matters. Your vision is the foundation for every decision you make. It answers the big questions:

• What kind of business are we building?
• Who do we want to serve?
• How do we want to be known?

Contractors who have a clear, compelling vision stand out. They aren’t just bidding jobs — they’re leading businesses with purpose. And that clarity shows up everywhere: in their team culture, their customer experience and their long-term growth.

Align your vision with your values. Your roadmap should begin with your core values. What matters most to you and your business? Is it quality, reliability, innovation, people? Your vision should reflect these values, so it becomes more than a goal — it becomes a guide for how you operate.

When your team understands and buys into that vision, they know why their work matters. Alignment around shared goals fosters loyalty, trust and performance. That’s how you create a culture that lasts.

From big picture to daily action. Once your vision is clear, you break it down:

• Year 1: Foundation — what do we need in place?
• Year 2: Growth — how do we increase capacity and impact?
• Year 3: Scale — what systems will sustain our success?

Each year has milestones. Each milestone has action steps. This roadmap becomes your decision filter. New opportunity? Ask: Does it move us closer to our three-year vision? If not, it’s a distraction.

Stop reacting. Start building. The most successful contractors don’t build by accident. They set a course, then align people, processes and priorities to stay on track. That’s the power of vision.

Ready to create your three-year roadmap and lead with clarity?

Apply now to the LDR Accelerator, the leadership and business growth program built specifically for contractors like you.