He Went From Prison to $80M Roofing CEO
Dropping Bombs
Brad Lea
4.9 • 2.3K Ratings
🗓️ 22 January 2026
⏱️ 54 minutes
🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS
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Summary
LightSpeed VT: https://www.lightspeedvt.com/
Dropping Bombs Podcast: https://www.droppingbombs.com/
In this Dropping Bombs episode, Brandon Kowalski, CEO of Brandon J Roofing, shares how he went from 10 years in prison to building an $80 million roofing company in six years. After surviving addiction and a suicide attempt, Brandon discovered recovery and relentless discipline—turning his past into his greatest competitive advantage.
Brandon's transformation is proof that extreme accountability creates unstoppable momentum. From drug dealing to landing a private equity exit, his journey reflects what's possible when personal development becomes non-negotiable. He built a culture-first company where employees earn seven figures and second-chance talent thrives.
Hear the unfiltered truth about building wealth after prison, why discipline is non-negotiable, and the exact morning routine he's followed for seven years straight. If you're ready to stop making excuses and start leveling up, this conversation delivers the blueprint.
đź”— Connect with Brandon J KowalskiÂ
Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonj1122
Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonjroofing
Website: https://brandonjroofing.com
The WIT Podcast (Whatever It Takes) – available on all major platforms
Watch the full-length video version of any Dropping Bombs episode here on YouTube.
Brad Lea is a self-made entrepreneur who turned small-town grit into a multi-million-dollar empire. With over 25 years dominating sales and leadership, he's mentored thousands to outsmart, outwork, and out win their competition. His top-rated podcast, Dropping Bombs, brings raw, game-changing insights from the biggest names in business.
LightSpeed VT is Brad's brainchild—the world's leading interactive training platform. It's built to make your team sharper, faster, and more effective, without wasting time or money. Whether you're a startup or a Fortune 500, LightSpeed VT is how you scale success and dominate your industry. Curious? Check it out:
https://www.lightspeedvt.com/
Brad's also behind Closer School, the go-to program for mastering sales and closing deals like a pro. Want to 10x your income? This is where you start. His book, The Hard Way, lays out the brutal, honest lessons he learned building his empire—your blueprint to winning the game. Get it here: https://bradlea.com/product/the-hard-way/
This isn't just a video. It's a wake-up call. Watch it. Share it. Act on it.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This dude seven years ago was locked up. Seven years later, got an almost $100 million roofing company. The first time I was incarcerated, I was 12 years old. I was more broken than I've ever been in my life. And I wasn't sure of much at that time, but the one thing I was sure of is this world be way better off without me. Man, I wouldn't try to take my own life. And by the grace of God, that didn't work. The very first thing that that paramedics spoke over me was God's not done with you and he's got a plan for your life. The old me died that day. Made my first million the second year home. Like, we're growing across the country right now. We got people on our team that'll touch seven figures this year. It's truly life-changing. You got a hundred million dollar company. What are you doing that all these other roofers aren't doing? Like how did you know to do all this? |
| 0:42.5 | You went from a freaking fuzz to a freaking, you know, astute investor doing all the right? |
| 0:48.5 | What's your number one advice to someone that's sitting right where you started no money no nothing just what i would say number |
| 0:55.1 | one advice man is what it is bradley back again with another episode of dropping bombs today and the folks |
| 1:04.1 | or today in the studio folks i got a real treat for you as always brandon j koalski back in the house |
| 1:10.4 | what's up brandon i'm doing great man |
| 1:12.1 | how are you doing good guys if you guys didn't uh catch his last episode you should go listen to it |
| 1:17.3 | at brandon j roofing is where you find him on instagram and brandon jroofing dot com is where you |
| 1:23.8 | is his business this dude seven years ago was locked up basically yeah that yeah it was |
| 1:31.4 | yeah definitely locked up and how are you and how long were you down 10 years 10 years in the old |
| 1:37.0 | can released seven years ago with not shit in his pocket seven years later got an almost $100 million roofing company. |
| 1:46.8 | Yeah, man. |
| 1:47.7 | And growing. |
| 1:48.4 | And growing for sure. |
| 1:49.6 | So I'm wondering, again, like A, number one, what are you doing that all these other roofers aren't doing? |
| 1:57.6 | Man, it was all the little things, you know, it it's like i remember when i came home and i remember |
| 2:07.2 | i was 34 years old and i remember like thinking it was going to take me so long to get caught up |
| 2:13.6 | i was living to my mom's house she just had to buy me a cell phone type of thing. I remember looking across the street of my neighbors, you know, who owned the house or looked to be about my age. |
| 2:22.3 | I was like, man, it's going to take me so long to get caught up. And I wrote out everything I wanted. And like everything, you know, I wanted, I didn't hear my license at the time. |
| 2:31.2 | Like, I needed to get a license. |
| 2:32.6 | I wanted to become this man. |
| 2:34.0 | I wrote down who I needed to become. |
... |
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