Hard work, dedication, and above all, care are at the backbone of Tony Flattum’s companies. Even after challenging situations that backtracked his progress, he persevered and continued to instill honesty and trust in everything he does to serve the community for the better.
Employee and Consumer trends have seen a recent shift as 49% of individuals in the US began purchasing more from companies because of trust and 53% of employees place their trust in how they are treated, as stated by PWC. Understanding what trust means to both employees and consumers is essential to building lasting relationships and forming connections that are intended to benefit both parties.
Forming trust with customers is the foundation for any business, and when trust is built, you have a higher chance of loyal returning customers. “If you take care of somebody they’re going to take care of you back,” Flattum says, and that’s precisely what he has done.
Flattum understands the importance of putting family first as he follows the same mentality with his own family. He also incorporates this mindset into his company and goes above and beyond to provide safe and reliable services to create a great home for any family.
“Making sure everything is done to a high standard so they’re not going to have leaks or problems with their home to deal with those issues is important to maintaining a good home life.”
An all-around professional that knows the ins and out of the real estate business, Tony Flattum is more than a roofing expert. He and his team work on full exteriors in the Minnesota area including siding, windows, gutters, and more, and the 20-plus years of experience gained in the real estate industry and his successful companies, Flattum Capital and Built Strong Exteriors, credit his expertise and skill with roofing, renovations, and real estate investing.
What is unique about Flattum and his company is that they are more than a roofing company as they also have expert knowledge on all things exterior. If weather conditions cause external damage to a home or building, Flattum’s services are an added convenience factor for homeowners and business owners. “A lot of homeowners want to have a one-stop shop,” he explains, rather than having to “call three or four different companies to do work on their house.” Problem-solving made simple, Flattum strives to serve his community and more with the best possible options.
Back in 2004, Flattum bought a duplex and decided to turn it into a rental property which kick-started his career in renting out properties. He first bought single-family homes which led to office complexes, four and eight plexes, and now has leveled up to be part of the Grant Cardone Mastermind Real Estate club group where he has been learning how to buy bigger apartment buildings. He is now in the process of selling his single-family homes to gear up to buy larger properties.
His multi-faceted skill set affords him several business avenues, including real estate agents and insurance brokers. They often reach out to Flattum’s company requesting their inspection services for clients that filed claims not knowing if their house had damage. His company responds by providing an honest inspection leaving their clients incredibly thankful and appreciative for their services as some companies or individuals often provide misguided information.
“That’s where we come in to do an honest inspection,” Flattum shares, and regardless of profit will give truthful advice if a home requires a claim or not depending on the extent of any damage or issues present. “We’re here to take care of them,” he expresses, and places their client’s experience first and goes above and beyond to develop their trust and reliance. With his years of experience, Flattum has the necessary knowledge to inspect the properties himself and ensures they are taken care of properly with the implementation of his construction business.
At the young age of 22, Flattum got into the roofing business, but after witnessing poorly handled situations that didn’t align with his morals, he decided to leave and became determined to start his own company that treated all employees fairly and with respect.
“Anyone that works for me will always have a paycheck and get paid for what they do,” he says as he understands the importance of receiving money on time to cover personal expenses that are reliant on that paycheck. He opened his company in 2006 to ensure that employees going unpaid would never happen again. Taking care of his team has always been a top priority for Flattum and he continues to follow through with this moral in both of his companies.
It wasn’t always easy for Flattum and it took a long time to get to where he is today. But even after running into troubling situations with former partners including a four-year lawsuit that left him having to pick back up from scratch, it didn’t deter him. He continued to do what he has always done, which is lead by example while he transferred his moral values to every company he is part of. Now managing Built Strong Exteriors after being part of the company for 8 years, he has created a trustworthy and successful business that prioritizes employees and clients.
“I kept moving forward and didn’t miss a beat,” Flattum emphasizes, “I did it for my employees and my people knowing I had to be the calm of the storm.” He continued to show up every day to work and put a smile on his face no matter how hard it was. That is what defines his company – and as the leading figure of his team, he encourages them to work hard to represent what his brand stands for; honesty, integrity, and care.
Whatever the situation, Flattum handles it with consideration and professionalism and if a problem occurs, he is there every step of the way to make sure it is seen through and resolved.
“You can’t control what happens and what comes at you, but you can control how you handle it,” he says, and that’s a key factor in his success.
To learn more about Tony Flattum and his companies, connect with him on Linkedin now.
