Felon Turned Founder: Tony Carleo and the Rise of Patriot Roofing

In this episode of No Suits Allowed, Connor Rodich speaks with Tony Carleo, owner of Patriot Roofing and a man whose life story reads like something out of a Netflix series.

Tony opens up about his fall into addiction, his nine-year stint in prison, and the moment he realized that if he didn’t change course, he wouldn’t survive. Through grit, voracious reading and a return to the roofing trade he’d briefly tasted years earlier, Tony found a new path. Today, he and Connor share a bond that’s part brotherhood, part business partnership, and all about keeping each other honest and accountable.

Together, Connor and Tony dive into the nuts and bolts of building a roofing company from the ground up: why the devil really is in the details, how the right CRM can turn data into dollars, and what it takes to train and retain good people in an industry where goalposts are forever shifting. By blending Connor’s operational savvy with Tony’s “bulldog” mentality for customer advocacy, especially in the complex world of insurance restoration, they’ve carved out a business that’s as profitable as it is principled.

Whether you’re wrestling with your own “rock bottom” or simply looking for fresh ideas on scaling a service business, this conversation proves that even the toughest pasts can fuel the boldest futures.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share with a friend who needs a lift, and stay tuned for more unfiltered talks with real executives, no suits required.

Timestamps

Episode Kickoff & Tony’s Introduction (from partnership origin to Patriot Roofing founding) – 00:00:34
Addiction Spiral, High Roller Casino Heist & Incarceration – 00:07:18
Post-Prison Transformation & Return to Roofing Industry – 00:15:48
Entrepreneurial Takeaways & Scaling Challenges in Roofing – 00:17:51
Final Reflections & Motivational Advice (“I love money… do it legally”) – 00:29:45

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