Jessica Reid, President of St. Albert’s Reid’s Roofing & Insulation, is a finalist in Beacon’s Female Roofing Professional of the Year. Out of 1,800 nominations, five finalists were selected – and Jessica is the only finalist from Canada. Everyone is invited to visit Beacon’s site, read about the finalists, and cast a vote.
Reid’s Roofing was her husband’s dream and they launched the company in 2008. While she considered herself “along for the ride” at the time, Jessica quickly discovered her passion for the business and shared in their joint desire to help change the contracting industry for the better through providing detailed, honest, high quality service homeowners could always depend on. When Jessica’s husband unexpectedly passed in 2018, she embraced the role of President while, along with her family and team, strived to overcome the loss of a company owner, partner, husband, and friend.
“It is a great challenge to address the loss,” Jessica says, “but the greatest reward is being able to stand behind his name and serve customers the way he wanted and expected.”
Reid’s Roofing is incredibly successful with outstanding reviews on Google and HomeStars. Jessica calls the success a team effort.
“We wouldn’t be able to be successful without the people I have in place. They are part of the supportive community that wants change in the industry. We consider the entire well-being of the customer’s home and build relationships; we don’t just get the job done and leave. We are the roofing and insulation company they can call year after year.”
She was surprised to be nominated for the Beacon honour.
“Honestly it came as a shock! But it’s empowering at the same time,” smiles Jessica. “Over the last three years so many people have said ‘I’m proud of you, you’re so strong,’ but when the nomination was announced, at that moment it hit me. I can be proud of this. I am a female in the industry and so many people questioned that I could do this when the tragedy happened. To have the progress personally and professionally over the past three years makes me proud to be in the industry as a woman.”
To other women in construction and trades she says, “There are times you feel undervalued in the expectation that you can provide the same level of excellence when it comes to carrying out the job or providing for the customer. They think you won’t get on the roof because it is steep, or you won’t go up the ladder. Challenge accepted! Do it and prove people wrong. I will quote my mother: ‘there is nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it.’ Make the choice. You just have to go for it.”
Jessica says a big thank you for all the support. “Without my team there is no chance I would be where I am today. The same goes for the people by my side supporting the business and family, and our clients that support us and trust us to provide the best quality of service. Whether they see this 20 years down the road or not, I want to thank my kids. I get up every day because of them.”
Reid’s Roofing continues to evolve. Jessica says, “A lot of growth is happening in our business. We are taking it one step at a time. With the new opening of the commercial side of the business and pandemic challenges, we are just taking it day by day.”
Learn more about what Reid’s Roofing can do for you by visiting their site online and vote for Jessica on the Beacon website.
