Diane Hendricks is often referred to as the “Queen of Roofing” due to her remarkable success as an entrepreneur in the roofing industry. The self-made billionaire started her career in her home state of Wisconsin, where she built her business from the ground up and created a legacy of excellence within the roofing sector. She is respected by her peers and admired by those who have watched her rise to the top, and her story stands out as an inspiration to dreamers looking to build their own lifelong successes.
Early Life and Career
Diane Hendricks was born in 1941 in Wisconsin. She was raised on her family’s farm, which she helped tend to in her childhood. After her graduation from high school, she married Ken Hendricks, a roofer and painter. After marrying, Diane and Ken decided to take a shot at entrepreneurship, and co-founded ABC Supply in 1982. ABC Supply serves as a wholesale distributor of roofing, windows, and other building materials.
Achieving Success
Though Diane and Ken, who passed away in 2007, struggled to fund ABC Supply in those early days of their business venture, they quickly turned their operation into a successful operation. Diane’s leadership abilities and innovative ideas helped propel their business success and soon the team grew from a small family run operation to a corporation. Known for her competitive spirit and eye for detail, Diane developed ABC Supply into the largest wholesale distributor of roofing and windows in the United States.
Unparalleled Ambition
Diane wasn’t content to simply settle for success. She wanted more and she went for it. When ABC supply acquired its first competitor, Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc., and held its initial public offering in 2011. The ambition and determination of Diane Hendricks was further illustrated in 2015 when ABC Supply Co. Inc. was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in a deal reportedly worth $7.5 billion. This kind of success and recognition had never been seen in the rooftoping industry.
Secret to Diane’s Success
Diane’s success is attributed to her hard work, discipline and her commitment to continually improving the ABC Supply Co. Inc. Diane will tell you that it was far from easy, she built her business from the ground up and never let anyone get in her way. At the root of her success is her willingness to take risks, her passion for her craft and her strong relationships within the industry. Diane has a notoriety of being relentless in her pursuit of excellence and that mentality has carved the path of gold she stands on today.
Business Awards and Contributions
Diane’s success has been recognized through the business awards, medals and accolades she has received throughout her career. Some of her most prominent awards include the Executive of the Year Award from the National Waste and Recycling Association (2008), the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Award of Excellence (2009), the Entrepreneur of the Year Award by Ernst &Young (2011) and the Forbes 400 ranking, recognizing her as the 172nd wealthiest American that year. In addition to her accolades, Diane has made significant contributions to philanthropic causes, such as her annual Celebrate Beloit fundraiser, which has raised more than $2.3 million for local charities.
Giving Back to the Community
Diane Hendricks has come a long way from her humble beginnings to becoming a leader in the industry who is respected for her business acumen and philanthropic contributions. She has always been strong believer in giving back to the communities and organizations that have helped her get where she is today. From supporting educational programs in her home state of Wisconsin to helping to promote economic development in the broader Midwest region, Diane Hendricks has left her mark for future generations to admire.
From her childhood days on the family farm to her current role as a leading businesswoman and philanthropist, Diane Hendricks stands out as one of the most successful entrepreneurs of the 21st Century. Her determination and ambition have been the building blocks of her success, and her contributions to the roofing industry and beyond have made her story a truly inspiring one. Without a doubt, Diane Hendricks is a legendary figure in the roofing sector and beyond, and her success as a self-made billionaire and magnate serve as an example of what one can accomplish with hard work, discipline, and passion.
