
From struggling with a severe stutter to building an 8-figure roofing empire at just 21 years old - Anthony's story proves that limitations only exist in our minds! 🚀
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B
All right, guys, one of the youngest guests I've had on out of a thousand, we got Anthony here today. 21 years old, man.
A
Wow.
B
And already killing it financially too.
A
Yeah, I mean, when I graduated high school back in 2022, I basically just dropped out of college and left. Went across the country to deuce sales. And now you jump ahead two years and I'm running an eight figure business doing it.
B
So wait, you left the country, you.
A
Said no, I pack in high school. I graduated 2022 and then June of 2022, I went from Ohio to Florida to door to door sales, door to door sales. And I learned a lot doing sales.
B
Got it. So you just left on a whim or did you have someone there doing it already?
A
I had a mentor if. Do you know Mo Fala? Mo?
B
Yeah, yeah, he's been on the show. Yeah, Small world.
A
He's my mentor. I just had a call with him like an hour ago.
B
Nice.
A
But he ran these solar company that I went to work with and stuff. But yeah, I mean, it was crazy because I went from back in high school, I didn't really speak to people. I would literally email teachers to get out of speaking in front of the class or like it was 12th grade, I had a teacher call on me and I was just like, oh crap, why'd she call me? And then I wrote her an email and I was scared and I was like, please don't call on me ever again because I was stutter. And I was like, jesus sucks. And then once I graduated high school, I had a couple Division 1 offers to play football and I didn't go. And my parents were like, what are you doing? Like, why don't you go to school? You have all these offers. You can go to school and you don't have to pay. And I was like, I'm not gonna go to the NFL. Like, I don't want to go then.
B
Yeah.
A
Like, because if I went to school, yes, I would get a degree, but, like, it wouldn't lead to any kind of job that I wanted. So when I told my parents that I wasn't going to school, they were like, okay, well then you gotta leave. Like, I was like, all right. So I hit up mo and I was like, hey, pretty much I am getting kicked out of the house right now. I know, like, you hate college too. And I know that you run a haste success full company and what do you do? I didn't even understand how do you find his page? So he actually, he grew up like 12 houses away from me.
B
Oh. You know, when I was a kid.
A
Like, yeah, he was my neighbor. I knew him like, he's about eight years older. He's in my older brother's grade.
B
Yeah, yeah.
A
And he'd hang out with him and I was like 12 years old. He was in high school. Well, yeah, 12. And he was probably 20 or whatever. And I'd hang out with them and I was like, hey, well I gotta hang out with them. And then I had him on like, I believe Instagram or Twitter. And I was just like, always like, oh geez, he's, he's out doing whatever, like, what the heck is this guy doing? And then basically just out of desperation, I just hit him up and I was just like. Blinds.com's Black Friday sales event is happening now with our best deals of the season. Let our design experts help you make the perfect selection for your home on your schedule. We can send free samples right to you and handle everything from measure to install. With over 25 million windows covered, Blinds.com is the number one online retailer of custom window coverings save up to 50% site wide plus door busters and a free professional measure at the Blinds.com Black Friday sales event. Now rules and restrictions may apply. Looking for a pickup truck to get just about anything done. Look no further. The Chevy Silverado EV isn't just the most powerful Silverado ever With next level towing capability and technology. It also offers game changing versatility with the available multiflex midgate and tailgate. Which means Silverado EV helps you carry large, bulky and oddly shaped items up to nearly 11ft in length. Chevrolet together. Let's drive. Visit Chevrolet.com to learn more. Dude, what do you do? I'm pretty much getting kicked out of the house. Like, how can you help me? Like, hey man, like. And then he had me on an interview and next thing you know I was in Florida speaking to people every day doing door to door sales.
B
Wow.
A
Yeah.
B
So you had to overcome your fear through going door to door?
A
Yeah, I went through. I remember when I got to Florida, I was just like, what am I doing here? Think I was like, what is the job? I didn't know what it was. And he's like, you make a lot of money doing it. Like, you can help a lot of people out. I was like, cool, whatever. I'll come. Like game have to come if I do not have a choice, basically. So I went. And I remember at a young age, I was probably 8 to 10 years old, I had a speech. Speech therapist. Yes. And I remember I was like 8 years old and we drew like a line down done middle on a piece of paper and it was like tranx and weaknesses.
B
Right.
A
And it was all these things, like tranx. I was like young. I was eight years old and it was just like all these things. And then the one problem that I had was my speech. And at a young age, it kind of in grained it that like it was a problem and that it would hold me back in life and it would prohibit me from ever like helping people or ever being able to actually do what I want to do. And from 8 years old up until like 20, I was just like, it's a problem. It'll hold. Hit a. Hold me back. And it was pretty scary. Even like doing the podcast and this kind of tough is pretty scary too. But like my under that, like if I don't allow this to be a problem, then it won't hold me back at all. And it's just like you probably haven't ever had a hey cast on here. Who, who has a stutter, I'm assuming, have you?
B
Not to your level. No, not to your level. I've. I've had some that had like a minor one maybe. But this sounds like something you've been dealing with your whole life.
A
Yeah, I mean, I've had it. And there are times where it isn't that bad and then there are times where it is bad.
B
What do you think triggers that difference when it's bad versus just not as bad.
A
I think the main trigger is when I, like, am extremely conscious of, like, what I'm speaking about. When you speak like you're on autopilot, probably, and it just kind of rolls off your mouth, right?
B
Yeah.
A
But when high speak, and I try to speak in a way that I have to actually process what I want to say, that's when it happens.
B
Interesting. So when you have to think about.
A
What you're saying, I stutter. Because if I'm just, like, here talking, I don't really. Isn't that weird?
B
That's what I noticed, because some of your sentences, you're just crystal clear. But then when you have to think of the word or the thing you're thinking about, I noticed that's when it kicks in.
A
Well, it's just like when you speak, like I said, you're on autopilot. When high speak to, like, a homeowner or a client. And it's. This episode is brought to you by Allstate. Some people just know they could save hundreds on car insurance by checking Allstate First. Like, you know, to check the date of the big game first before you accidentally buy tickets on your 20th wedding anniversary and have to spend the next 20 years of your marriage making up for it. Yeah, checking first is smart. So check Allstate first for a quote that could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate Savings. Vary terms apply. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company and Affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois. The script that I've, like, used hundreds of times, it's really, like, I don't really tutter at all.
B
Oh, wow.
A
At all. Because. And I only learned that from getting over this and just speaking to people. Because, I mean, for 12 years, I'd say from. From kindergarten up until when I graduated high school, I didn't speak to people, and I would just be like, no, I'm not talking to anyone today. Like, whatever. But once I, like, had to speak, and it was like, okay, like, you got to give. I was giving 20 plus presentations to homeowners, like, every day. And within that, after about one week, it was almost gone. My stutter.
B
Wow.
A
Yeah. Which is crazy.
B
That is crazy.
A
And then if I, like, when I handle stuff that is pretty uncomfortable and I just handle it often, and I just consistently do stuff that is uncomfortable, then the speech problem kind of goes away when I do that.
B
That's fascinating.
A
Isn't that weird?
B
Yeah. I didn't know that about people that had a stutters. I thought. I thought you just had it in all aspects.
A
No. And it's pretty crazy that, like, I haven't had it my whole life. It just like, kind of spawned in, like, in fourth grade. It just like spawned. And I was like, I have a stutter, I guess.
B
Was it like a specific incident you remember?
A
Yeah, it was. It was fourth grade. I was giving a presentation and I just couldn't speak.
B
Wow.
A
And everyone was like, laughing and I was like, oh, frick. What the heck? It's embarrassing.
B
I can relate to this.
A
It just like hit, like, compiled. And then after the presentation, the teacher was like, hey, come here. And then was like, you have us tutter. Like, you gotta have this helped out and like, whatever. And I was like, oh, well, I guess I have a stutter. But prior to that, I don't have any recollection of, like, having a stutter.
B
Interesting. So it's like a traumatic incident triggered it almost, I guess, you know. Yeah. When I. Dude. When I. To give presentations in school.
A
Yeah.
B
I would purposely either skip.
A
Yeah.
B
Or just take it. Zero.
A
Really?
B
That's how scared I was.
A
You just didn't do it.
B
I hated it. It was so uncomfortable.
A
Podcast.
B
I know. That's the thing, right? You gotta. The biggest growth is when you overcome your fears.
A
Yeah.
B
So, yeah, now I'm talking. Like, I'm doing public speaking now, to be honest. And like, yeah. I'm speaking at Irwin McManus's event in a couple weeks. It'll probably be the biggest crowd I've ever spoken at. So. How many people? At least a thousand. I'd assume he's. He's got a huge church and everything.
A
So that scary stuff.
B
Yeah, it's good, though.
A
Like, that's.
B
It's good. Yeah. I'm a little nervous, but I know there's tremendous growth through that, so.
A
Yeah, no, I mean, that's one of, like, the, like. It hit me 2022. I would say October of 2022 is when I understood that, like, the only problems and only limits are created in your own head. Like, it isn't even real. Like, any problem or any stuff that, like, holds you back, his just created in your own head. And I understood that. And I understood that, like, the stutter was only a problem because I let it hold me back and, like, actually become a problem. When I just chose, like, consciously to not let this be a problem anymore, it just went away. And it was like, it didn't hold me back from speaking to people anymore. Like, if you were to have hit me up when I was in High school and asked me to hop on a podcast, I'd just be like, no, there's no way.
B
Yeah.
A
And when I. When you guys hit me up, I was just like, sure. Because it's just like our ready spoken to tens of thousands of, like, homeowners in what I do. And I didn't let that hold me back with that aspect, so I can't let it hold me back from this too, so.
B
Absolutely. I love that mindset. Yeah, we'll get into the business side of things because you're crushing it there. So when you were at home, did you have a stutter with your parents? You said you had a brother too.
A
Yeah, so when I was around my parents, the stutter, like, wasn't bad at all. The stutter really wasn't there. It only happens again when I have to, like, consciously process what I'm speaking about. When I'm around my parents or for friends, it's not bad. And it's because, like, I'm just kind of rolling, like I'm just speaking and it just kind of rolls off my tongue.
B
That's interesting.
A
So if people have a cutter and they are hearing this, like, hits, it didn't, like, hold me back. Once I understood that one, one thing that happened, I would say October again of 2022 is when I became, like, Christian again. That makes sense. And it's in the Bible that the Lord wouldn't give you any problem that you can't handle. And it's like, whatever you have happening, you can handle it. And it's like anything that, like that you question, oh, would I be able to get through it or any thing like that. You can. Wow.
B
So you rediscovered Christianity. So you went through a time when you, you.
A
I was away from that. Yeah. High school. I grew up Catholic and we went to church up until like, high school, and then we stopped and then rediscovered it. 2022.
B
I feel like that's common. I think a lot of people stop in middle school, high school. That's when I stopped too.
A
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
B
You just get so wrapped up with sports. And I was playing like five different sports, so. Plus, I didn't like church, to be honest.
A
Yeah.
B
Like, as a kid, it's like, you know, you want to jump off the wall. Yeah. Well, dude, now you got an eight figure roofing company at just 21 years old.
A
Yeah.
B
And you have the stutter. It's like, honestly, super inspirational. I need to hear, like, how so. So you worked with Mo, right? So he was sort of your mentor.
A
Holder. Yeah. And he is still. He's. He's my coach. Like.
B
Got it.
A
Gotta pay him.
B
And then what was that next step once you were working for him for.
A
A bit with Mo? I worked there from June of 2022 up until April of 2023. And then I got into roofing in Ohio. She moved back, moved back to Ohio. And from April to August I was like 20 back then. Right. I made 190 grand.
B
Wow.
A
April to August, three and a half months.
B
Yeah, three and a half months. And I was just like, all right, that's all commission.
A
This is, yeah, all commission based. Like everything's just all commission. And I love that about like this industry is that like if you have a skill like you get rewarded in correlation to kill level. And like when I understood that the income that I make is directly correlated to like what, what high, like produce, I understood that like this is the closest thing to actually honing a business without actually having to own a business.
B
Right.
A
Because like if you don't produce, you don't make money. It's just like you owning a business, like you have to generate revenue to make a living. That's how it is in this as well.
B
That's why I personally like commission. Like yeah, I would never take a salary job.
A
Never.
B
You know what I mean?
A
It's not smart anymore.
B
Just because I believe in myself and I've done commission jobs in the past and done well. And you could translate commission like mentality to almost any industry too, if you're good at sales, which is what you are.
A
Well, yeah, I mean I went from. It hit me in August of 2022 that I was like, okay, I'm pretty good at sales. Like I can use this. And it's because like when you have a tutter like and you speak to a homeowner or any kind of prospect, it hit like almost makes you a human to the homeowner and the. And if a homeowner and let's say I knocked on his home and was like, hey, what's up? And I start to utter. He like hears me out and he's like, what's this kid talking about? I feel like if he hears it out then he's gonna do it. Because it's just like gets. It's either solar is like an absolute no brainer. And the way that we're doing roofing his as well, it's just like, okay. I mean it can help me. Like why not?
B
Yeah.
A
So when you're in hence Hales like your job when you like cold Call is just to get the homeowner to hear you out. And if he hears you out, he's gonna do it. Because it's just like, dude, this makes a lot of sense.
B
Yeah.
A
So having these speech impediment helped me in this industry where I wouldn't have ever understood that if I didn't take a risk, though. And I wasn't like, I'm just gonna do it. I got out of my comfort zone and I was just like, I'm gonna do it. And then it ended up working out crazy. So, yes, in all. Yeah.
B
You used it to your advantage, the stutter instead of like. Because like you said the first 10 years you thought it was like a disadvantage. You looked at it really negatively. You didn't talk to anyone.
A
It held me back. Yeah.
B
Right. So it's just a mindset shift. That's.
A
Mindset shift.
B
That's really fascinating. Yeah. Dude, I'm going to hit you up for solar because my energy bill last month. $2,000.
A
What?
B
Yeah. $2,200 in Vegas. Yeah.
A
Wow.
B
Isn't that crazy?
A
Yeah.
B
And it's not like I use the energy that often. I wasn't even home half the month. I was traveling.
A
2,000 bucks.
B
$2,200.
A
That's insane.
B
Yeah. It's not a big house, though. I wonder what the average savings on solar are compared to electrical here.
A
I don't know here, but where I was doing it in Florida, it would pretty much cut the bill by like 20% at least.
B
Wow.
A
And keep it locked in for like 20 years. 20 plus years.
B
And that's where you save the most because they be raising those rates out here. Oh, my God. Yeah. We're getting wrecked out here.
A
Really?
B
We're the fastest raising state, I believe, like, it went up a stupid amount last year.
A
Maybe it's a good state to do.
B
Solar then you might have to explore here. And it's super hot out here, so there's a lot of sun. Yeah. Now you're doing roofing, which I feel like. Yeah, I want to talk about that transition. Because solar got kind of saturated, right?
A
Yeah.
B
I know a lot of guys that got wrecked. So for you to be able to pivot was a smart move, looks like.
A
Yeah. I mean, it's just like how I do roofing here. We do it to where if the homeowner has like a horrible hailstorm. Right. And he's got an old roof, like let's say usually the homes that I help, like it's about a 20 year old roof and it's like you have to replace it in the next year or two anyways. But if you have a hailstorm and it just crushes the roof, you get your homeowners in currents to actually cover the whole roof cost.
B
Wow.
A
And I've had homeowners. Hey, Okay. I had one last week. On Monday, he had approved for, like, 120k.
B
Holy crap. For a roof insurance, they cost that much?
A
Yeah.
B
How big was the house?
A
It was a big house. It was like 12,000 square feet.
B
Oh, okay.
A
Big house.
B
Still. That's.
A
That's still a big roof. And it was about 20 years old. And he was like, if you can get our insurance to, like, handle this roof cost, then I'm all here for it. Because he. He didn't want to spend 120 grand on a roof.
B
Right.
A
It's a lot of money out of pocket at once. And just a roof. And his insurance covered the whole roof cost, so.
B
So you. Where do you step in on that to make money? Exactly. Like, you negotiate that. Oh, you're the ones actually doing the roof. Okay.
A
And this year, we've done eight and a half million this year.
B
Nice.
A
So we're close to. By the end of the year, we'll probably be over 10 million for sure.
B
That's incredible.
A
Yeah.
B
I mean. Yeah. You got time. You'll definitely hit that. I was just in Dallas last week, and there was a hailstorm.
A
Yeah. Big hell.
B
I Woke up at 4am you heard it? Yeah. It was the second one I've ever been in. I was. Where was I? I was in a crazy one one time.
A
Really?
B
Yeah. Hail's no joke.
A
Yeah.
B
That could definitely damage a roof.
A
Yeah.
B
And cars, too. I wonder if car insurance covers that.
A
Yeah, it does.
B
It does.
A
Usually it does.
B
Wow.
A
Yeah.
B
Damn. So I'll keep an eye out for hail storms and text you.
A
Hail or tornadoes, anything like that.
B
What states do you do this in?
A
I'm in Ohio. We're in Ohio. But we just had that hurricane that hit down in.
B
Oh, that reached Ohio.
A
Florida. No, it hit Florida and Georgia, like, pretty bad. And we're gonna head there Monday next week. We're gonna go there.
B
I got a buddy that. Yeah.
A
Chases storms.
B
Chase the storms. And he makes a lot. Yeah, Millions.
A
Yeah, he's good.
B
As soon as he sees a big storm, he flies out the next morning.
A
Flies.
B
Rents a car and then drives around, looks for damaged buildings and then finds the owner's number. Hits them up.
A
Yeah.
B
Crazy.
A
Yeah.
B
I mean, it's. It sounds fun, actually.
A
I mean, we had a I mean, it was a horrible hurricane and then got ready like 112 people died from it.
B
Holy crap.
A
Yeah, it was bad.
B
That's crazy.
A
And homes are just destroyed. Like, it isn't only like the roof that that has to get replaced. Like, gets the whole homes, a lot of them. So.
B
But yeah, I was seeing some wild videos.
A
It's nuts.
B
Well, dude, it's been really cool getting to know, like, what goes on behind the scenes. Where can. Where can people keep up with you, find you, potentially work with you or work for you?
A
Yeah, I mean, on my Instagram, they can hit me up. I have a link in my bio that they can reach out to me on. But one of the one things that I want to do, like, within the next year or two years is like to speak at a conference for youth that have, like, tutters. Like, just speak there. And I believe there's like a foundation for the youth that have a stutter and they hold like a conference once a year. So that's like one goal that I have is to speak there and just let the youth understand that, like, what they have can actually help them if they are in the right vehicle. Likes sales. If a kid has like a. Hey, speech problem, then, like, they need to do sales. Like, you can help them a ton.
B
Absolutely.
A
I mean, they can make a killing doing it.
B
I mean, you're living proof of that, man. You're living proof.
A
Yeah. I mean, it's helped out a ton.
B
I'll do my best to get you on that stage, man. I'll see what connections I can make for you.
A
That'd be sick.
B
Awesome, dude. We'll link your Instagram below. Thanks for coming on.
A
Of course.
B
Yep. Thanks for watching, guys. Check out his stuff below. I'll see you next time.
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Anthony Cirino
Release Date: November 27, 2024
In this inspiring episode of the Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly welcomes one of his youngest guests, Anthony Cirino, a 21-year-old entrepreneur who has achieved remarkable financial success at a young age. Sean highlights Anthony's impressive journey from overcoming personal challenges to building an eight-figure business in just two years.
Anthony shares his unconventional path post-high school. After graduating in 2022, he made the bold decision to drop out of college and move across the country to Florida to pursue door-to-door sales.
Anthony (01:31): "When I graduated high school back in 2022, I basically just dropped out of college and left. Went across the country to do door-to-door sales. And now, you jump ahead two years and I'm running an eight-figure business doing it."
A significant part of Anthony's journey revolves around his struggle with a stutter that began in the fourth grade. He recounts a traumatic incident during a school presentation that led to years of self-doubt and fear of public speaking.
Anthony (08:35): "From 8 years old up until like 20, I was just like, it's a problem. It'll hold me back. And it was pretty scary."
However, a turning point came in October 2022, when Anthony realized that his limitations were self-imposed. By choosing not to let his stutter define him, he gradually overcame the impediment.
Anthony (16:05): "I understood that the stutter was only a problem because I let it hold me back. When I consciously chose not to let this be a problem anymore, it just went away."
Anthony credits much of his success to his mentor, Mo Fala, whom he reached out to in a moment of desperation. Mo, already a seasoned entrepreneur, took Anthony under his wing, guiding him through the nuances of door-to-door sales.
Anthony (02:37): "He's my mentor. I just had a call with him like an hour ago."
This mentorship provided Anthony with the necessary skills and confidence to excel in sales, laying the foundation for his future business ventures.
Transitioning from sales, Anthony ventured into the roofing industry in Ohio. Emphasizing a commission-based model, he highlights the direct correlation between effort and earnings, which mirrors the principles of running his own business.
Anthony (21:13): "This is, yeah, all commission based. Like everything's just all commission. And I love that about this industry is that like if you have a skill, you get rewarded in correlation to skill level."
In just a few months, Anthony achieved impressive financial milestones, earning $190,000 between April and August while operating his roofing business.
Anthony (21:50): "This year, we've done eight and a half million. By the end of the year, we'll probably be over 10 million for sure."
Anthony adeptly turned his speech impediment into a business advantage. His stutter made him more relatable and trustworthy to homeowners, facilitating smoother sales conversations. By consistently engaging in uncomfortable situations, he diminished his stutter's impact over time.
Anthony (25:03): "Having these speech impediments helped me in this industry where I wouldn't have ever understood that if I didn't take a risk."
Recognizing market saturation in the solar industry, Anthony pivoted to roofing, especially targeting homeowners affected by hailstorms and other natural disasters. His ability to adapt to market demands and leverage insurance coverages positioned his business for sustained growth.
Anthony (27:28): "We do it so that if the homeowner has a horrible hailstorm and an old roof, we help them get their insurance to cover the whole roof cost."
Beyond business, Anthony emphasizes the importance of personal growth and mindset. He plans to speak at conferences for youth with stutters, aiming to inspire and guide others facing similar challenges.
Anthony (31:19): "One of the things I want to do within the next year or two is speak at a conference for youth that have stutters... to let the youth understand that what they have can actually help them if they are in the right vehicle, like sales."
Anthony's story is a testament to the power of resilience, mentorship, and mindset. Overcoming a lifelong challenge, he not only built a thriving business but also seeks to empower others facing similar obstacles. His journey underscores that self-imposed limitations can be dismantled with determination and the right support system.
Anthony (17:41): "The only problems and limits are created in your own head. It isn't even real. Any problem or stuff that holds you back is just created in your own head."
Sean Kelly wraps up the episode by highlighting Anthony's achievements and the invaluable lessons he offers to aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals.
Connect with Anthony Cirino:
This episode serves as a powerful reminder that personal challenges can be transformed into competitive advantages, and with the right mindset and support, remarkable success is attainable.