Owned and Operated - Episode #203: Investment Joy’s $10M Roofing Journey

Release Date: May 29, 2025
Hosts: John Wilson (Al) and Jack Carr
Guest: Brandon Schlichter, Founder of Investment Joy

Introduction and Origin Story

In this episode of Owned and Operated, host Al welcomes Brandon Schlichter from Investment Joy, an entrepreneur with a diverse portfolio including real estate, laundromats, car washes, and a recent acquisition of a commercial roofing firm. The conversation kicks off with Brandon sharing his humble beginnings in Circleville, Ohio.

Brandon Schlichter [00:04]: "I was working at the warehouse. I was like, how can I get out of this? ... three days later, and someone wired $57,000 to me."

Brandon discusses his family's struggles, including his father’s challenges as a truck driver and the financial hardships they faced, which instilled in him a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit.

Brandon Schlichter [02:24]: "Our family got evicted when I was 6 years old... trying to find any house that we could live in."

Transition to Entrepreneurship

Brandon recounts his transition from a warehouse job to real estate, obtaining his real estate license in 2006 just before the foreclosure crisis. His proactive approach led him to create a successful foreclosure blog, which became a significant lead generator.

Brandon Schlichter [07:08]: "I started this blog back in 2009 and ... it was the number one foreclosure blog online for a reasonable time period."

His efforts culminated in the creation of the Investment Joy brand in 2013, allowing him to pool capital and purchase multiple rental properties, setting the stage for his later ventures into other business areas.

Viral Success and Business Expansion

A pivotal moment in Brandon’s journey occurred in 2019 when a YouTube video of him collecting quarters at his laundromat went viral, amassing nearly a million views in a single day. This explosion of online attention brought an influx of investment opportunities and partnerships.

Brandon Schlichter [10:33]: "My video started going viral, and it was just me collecting $147 worth of quarters... over a billion video views with about 6 million followers."

Leveraging his online presence, Brandon expanded his investments beyond real estate into laundromats, car washes, and ultimately commercial roofing. By April 2025, his roofing firm reached $10 million in revenue, marking a significant milestone.

Acquisition of the Commercial Roofing Firm

In April 2024, Brandon acquired a commercial roofing firm in Rockford, Illinois, after evaluating numerous companies for clean financials and recession-resistant operations. This strategic acquisition aimed to diversify his portfolio and tap into the commercial sector's stability.

Brandon Schlichter [16:34]: "We bought a commercial roofing firm out of Rockford, Illinois... It's a recession-resistant business."

He detailed the challenges of integrating the new business, including managing a larger accounts receivable and maintaining cash flow stability.

Brandon Schlichter [50:10]: "Last October, November, I had a million dollars in accounts receivable... This is new to me."

Operational Strategies and Growth

Brandon emphasized the importance of operational efficiency and capital planning in scaling his businesses. By focusing on higher-margin projects and expanding his geographic reach, his roofing firm achieved a gross margin of approximately 20-27%.

Brandon Schlichter [26:43]: "In our region, it’s about 20% gross margin... 25 to 27% than overhead."

He also highlighted the significance of building a strong team culture, ensuring employee satisfaction, and maintaining high productivity per worker.

Brandon Schlichter [35:18]: "We try to treat our guys right, give them money, make sure that it's worth their time to do travel work for us."

Challenges Faced

One of the toughest challenges Brandon faced was managing a substantial increase in accounts receivable, particularly with the commercial roofing firm. Balancing business growth with personal life, especially family time, remains a continuous struggle.

Brandon Schlichter [50:09]: "On a personal front, it’s always just the balance between work and my kids... ensuring I'm part of their life."

Future Plans and Vision

Looking ahead, Brandon aims to further expand his roofing business by establishing regional shops across the Midwest and Florida, capitalizing on areas with high demand and favorable margins. Additionally, he envisions growing his social media presence to inspire and mentor aspiring entrepreneurs.

Brandon Schlichter [43:03]: "I want to be able to get more time to just do social media... help them think through those things."

He is also interested in exploring multifamily development and enhancing his involvement in government compliance through his news company, the Scioto Post.

Brandon Schlichter [41:33]: "I bought into and built a news agency in southern Ohio to help facilitate with that."

Key Takeaways and Advice

Brandon shares invaluable advice for budding entrepreneurs: think big, embrace risks, and build a complementary team. His philosophy centers on continuous growth and the belief that with the right mindset and partnerships, scaling a business is achievable.

Brandon Schlichter [46:29]: "Think bigger... you can do it. ... your limit is unlimited."

He also underscores the importance of balancing professional ambitions with personal life to ensure long-term happiness and sustainability.

Brandon Schlichter [51:37]: "Just go do it... compensate for it by finding partners with different strengths."

Conclusion

Brandon Schlichter's journey from a warehouse employee to a multifaceted entrepreneur exemplifies resilience, strategic thinking, and the power of leveraging social media for business growth. His insights provide a roadmap for others looking to scale their own businesses within the home services industry and beyond.

Brandon Schlichter [52:56]: "I'm easy to find and DMs are always open if somebody needs to get a hold of me. I try to respond to everything."

For more information on Brandon's ventures and to follow his journey, visit Investment Joy.

Notable Quotes:

• Brandon Schlichter [00:04]: "If anybody wants to send me money and you want to buy some properties with me, here's the routing number."
• Brandon Schlichter [10:33]: "My video started going viral... over a billion video views with about 6 million followers."
• Brandon Schlichter [16:34]: "It's a recession-resistant business."
• Brandon Schlichter [46:29]: "Think bigger... your limit is unlimited."
• Brandon Schlichter [52:56]: "DMs are always open if somebody needs to get a hold of me."

For additional insights and weekly content on growing your plumbing, electrical, and HVAC business, visit Owned and Operated.