Ordinary people like you most often start asphalt maintenance companies. One of the many success stories is Veteran Kenneth Evans of Evans Asphalt & Concrete. He began with a few success tips from his cousins and grew his business to employ multiple crews in a few short years.
Background
Kenneth Evans got his bachelor's degree in accounting and then joined the U.S. Army to fly Apache helicopters. He flew those for 20 years and retired in 2015. Like many Veterans, Kenneth held a few different jobs, and most of them did not suit him.
Kenneth started his own company in 2017. He had cousins in the asphalt maintenance business and did a little parking lot work in his teens. Kenneth was able to get success tips from his cousins and gain momentum in his business quickly.
Tips for Building a Successful Asphalt Maintenance Company
Kenneth offered many practical success tips throughout his interview. These are valuable regardless of where you are in your business journey.
Success Leaves Clues
Kenneth knew someone with an asphalt maintenance company and watched them succeed for years. Before he became a Veteran success story, he and his cousins discussed the business at family gatherings and online.
Kenneth also worked with his cousins directly before starting his own asphalt maintenance company. This direct experience before starting helped him gain the necessary knowledge to avoid common pitfalls.
Momentum is Key
As with many companies, Kenneth's Veteran success story needed a little time to gain momentum. Regardless of the starting speed, he persisted. That allowed him to gain the necessary momentum and references to grow.
When he was starting his asphalt maintenance company, Kenneth thought he would work maybe half the days in a month. Now, Kenneth supports customers full time and employs a couple of crews.
Previous Work is the Best Reference
Kenneth attributes his success to providing quality work on every job. His asphalt maintenance company operated primarily on requests. This success tip means Evans Asphalt & Concrete does not spend a lot on advertising.
The Asphalt Maintenance Work is There
Providing quality asphalt maintenance work is one of the top success tips Kenneth offers. He says the work is out there and will continue to be for companies that deliver outstanding products and care about customer results.
External Factors in Asphalt Maintenance
Many outside factors contribute to whether companies think they need asphalt maintenance on their property. These forces are part of the reason asphalt maintenance companies succeed.
Insurance and liability are enormous driving forces for Kenneth's business. Companies do not want to be liable for injuries or damage in their parking lots, especially if it could drive up their insurance rates. Through patching and crack filling, companies reduce their risk.
Lender requests are another big driver in asphalt maintenance demand. Since the lender has a financial stake in the property, they often provide action items after visits. These items tend to improve or maintain the property's value, which is why the parking lots are often on the list.
Another option that drives demand is property owners. These individuals or companies want to attract more tenants while taking care of existing ones. Taking care of the asphalt looks good to tenants and customers while protecting the property.
Starting on a Budget
Kenneth's business is proof of this success tip. He started his asphalt maintenance company by putting $10,000 on his credit card. Kenneth points out that something needed to move to put things in motion, so he made the decision.
On account of his previous experience, Kenneth knew he could do asphalt maintenance without machinery. That would have cut his start-up cost. However, he knew it was also the inefficient and backbreaking way to start a business.
Graduate to More Capacity
Kenneth started with an AK230 sealcoating sprayer, a single RY10 Pro crack repair machine, and a Titan line striping machine. Within the first six months, he needed to upgrade his capacity to keep up with the work. By that point, he had made enough that he could make that investment comfortably.
Be a Pro
Kenneth's top success tip is doing whatever job you take professionally. He believes in being a problem solver and acting professionally at all times. Additionally, Kenneth noted it's best to be genuine and not turn into a smooth-talking salesperson with customers.
