Meet Jill Warner of Warner Roofing

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Warner.  

Hi Jill, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I grew up and spent most of my life in/around Milford. I had worked in every aspect of the restaurant business, from server to bartender, to corporate trainer, and into management. After I had had enough of that, I went to work in real estate. In 2009, I met my now husband, Bryan Warner. September of 2011, we joined our families, making it three daughters for us both. After the downturn of the real estate market, I was let go from a large builder and began my journey with my husband as part of Warner Roofing Inc. for the last 12 years, we’ve grown year after year, including during industry down years. We are proud of the name we have built, using only our good name and great honest work. We have a business model that has no advertising built-in; we are a referral-based business and are humbled by our customer fan base, who keeps our business growing. We’ve brought on the second generation just this year. Our middle daughter and son-in-law have joined the company, and we are excited to see where these leads. 

In my spare time, I’m a wanderer. I find that my brain can calm down, and I get the refilling of my cup while hiking. It’s invigorating for the body, brain, and soul. I’m currently training to backpack The 100 Mile Wilderness in Maine this August 2023. 

After years of success, I started feeling the urge to give back in a meaningful way. It wasn’t long after praying for the outlet of that, when a friend reached out asking me to join the board of The Ray of Hope Foundation. Tina Wene founded The Ray of Hope Foundation in 2020 in honor of her late husband, Raymond Wene. We are a nonprofit organization trying to raise awareness for all brain tumors and research, care for the patients and their families, and education for the medical providers helping people fight thru this journey. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Initially, the biggest challenge was simply being a female in this industry. Although I was confident in my part of the company, there came unforeseen roadblocks a time of two. Thankfully, between my husband’s commitment to educating me on the job and the change of times, that is almost a long-gone story anymore. The everyday obstacles of our profession are always things out of our control… weather, communications regarding weather, the roller coaster of pricing to keep competitive but fair, and the fun of all trades since March of 2020. 

Truly the hardest times happen when personal and professional collide. As a husband-and-wife team running a company that should have 6-8 employees, once one of us goes down…the fun begins. Whether it be my 2 neck fusion surgeries, Bryan’s 3 back surgeries, my ovarian cancer, or his 2 shoulder surgeries, we find our strength in each other in all aspects of life. I guess, it’s the secret to this being successful. We do better together. 

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Is it grandiose to say our morality and virtue? At our core, our WHY is to serve with respect. Remembering that ideal creates a very easy way of business. When you wrap your head around the truth that nobody WANTS to pay us, the fact that we are not a fun purchase, but the item we sell is required…it helps set the tone. We don’t expect excitement upon our arrival, but our goal is always to leave with a smile. The goal at every home is to educate, not intimidate. 

To be successful in business, I hold the basics close to my heart. Clear precise communication, show up when you say you’re going to, do what you say you’re going to do, be honest, and follow through. The very basics seem lost in the trades so often anymore. 

I always say we are business owners first and foremost, just in the business of roofing. I think it makes us stand out because there is a shocking majority in our industry that set a low standard. When we deliver the old-school basic business practices, people are extremely happy. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Warner-roofing.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WarnerRoofingCincy?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
Lyons Photography