Meet Our Diamond Certified Expert Contributor

John Hess: Built on Grit

By Caitlyn Stair, Diamond Certified Research Reporter

For John Hess, success came from taking a chance when the stakes were high. What started as a leap into the unknown became a steady climb through hard work, ultimately leading to a business he could call his own.

John first got involved in the roofing industry in 2001 during a time of personal uncertainty. “I was dead broke…weeks or months away from running out of money,” he recalls. With few options, he answered a newspaper ad that promised training and high earning potential. “I had no choice but to have faith and jump in with both feet. Within six months, I became the company’s top sales performer, and I was promoted to manager shortly after that.”

As John’s responsibilities grew, so did his understanding of the business. He went on to open multiple branches across the United States (including locations in Ohio and Colorado), taking on everything from sales to operations. “I was doing everything,” he affirms. “Eventually, I asked myself, ‘Why am I doing this for someone else?’”

That realization became the turning point in John’s career. Drawing on the experience he gained building successful companies for others, he branched out on his own and founded Urban Exteriors LLC in 2012. Today, John focuses on delivering high-quality roofing and exterior construction services while maintaining a hands-on approach to leadership and a heavy focus on craftsmanship. “I’m there at the beginning of most jobs,” he says. “I do a lot of quality control myself—I don’t just hand that off to someone else.”

John says he’s passionate about seeing his clients’ projects come together. “I like solving problems and seeing the fruits of my labor come to fruition. There’s nothing better than getting a smile and a handshake from a homeowner when you’ve done everything you said you would do.”

Originally from Iowa, John lived in several parts of the country (including Minnesota, where he met his wife, Jen) before eventually settling in Golden, Colorado. He says life at the base of the Front Range offers the perfect balance of lifestyle and location. “Golden has a small-town atmosphere, but it’s also really close to Denver. I can be downtown in 25 minutes, but it feels like I live in the country. It’s one of the best places I’ve ever lived.”

Outside of work, John enjoys cooking, traveling and spending time with his family. While he once stayed active with skiing and golf, he now prefers activities that allow him to slow down and enjoy time with loved ones.

For John, the work doesn’t stop once the structure is in place—he believes in following through on every detail and standing behind the final result. In his view, success is built just like any solid structure: from a strong foundation to the finishing touches that hold everything together. “It’s always the last five percent that gets people into trouble,” he says. “If there’s a problem, you should handle it right away instead of hiding from it.”

Ask Me Anything?

Q: What’s the first thing you’d do if you could retire tomorrow?
A: Travel. I really want to see the Redwood Forest. I’ve spent a lot of time traveling around Northern California, but that’s one area I’ve missed. I’d also spend more time with my family and take up a few new hobbies.

Q: What are your favorite sports teams?
A: The Denver Nuggets, the Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers.

Q: Do you prefer being somewhere cold or somewhere hot?
A: Somewhere hot. When my knees were better, I loved the snow because skiing was one of my favorite things to do, but now it’s more about warm weather and relaxing at the beach.

Q: If you could time-travel, would you go to the past or the future?
A: The future. I’m a curious guy, so I’d like to see where things are headed.