Sterling Roofing Co., Inc.

Jeremy Jagdfeld: Driven to Succeed

By Matt Solis, Editor

Jeremy Jagdfeld has been connected to the roofing industry his entire life, and even though he spent some time exploring other professional avenues, he always knew he’d end up back in the family trade. “My dad owned his own roofing business and I worked with him for a couple of summers when I was a teenager before moving on to other things,” he explains. “Eventually, I decided to get back into roofing, but I ended up injuring my back and it took me out for almost two years. That was the spark I needed to start my own company—I was limited in the field because of my injury, so I shifted my focus to the business side. That was almost 20 years ago and we’ve been going strong ever since.”

Today, as owner of Sterling Roofing Co., Inc., Jeremy says his favorite part of his job is having positive interactions with his clients and employees. “I love the satisfaction of a job well done because it proves that we wholeheartedly and honestly care about our customers’ best interests. The entire roofing process is enjoyable for me, from completing projects to knowing I’m employing people and helping them provide for their families.”

A lifelong resident of the Bay Area, Jeremy currently lives in Santa Rosa with his wife (and business partner), Asia, and their three children. He says his favorite part about life in Sonoma County is its proximity to a variety of enticing locales. “We’re a couple of hours from the beach, a couple of hours from the redwoods and a few hours from Lake Tahoe. It’s just a great place to be.”

Outside of work, Jeremy strikes a balance between spending time with his family and maintaining an active lifestyle. “We’re a close family, so we like doing everything from hiking to just relaxing at home,” he says. “Personally, I also enjoy doing projects and remodels around the house, and I make time to play golf and go skiing as well.”

In terms of a personal or professional philosophy, Jeremy stresses the importance of perseverance in all aspects of life. “Don’t be afraid to try something new, because if you don’t try, it’ll never happen,” he offers. “And it doesn’t matter how many times you fail; it only matters how many times you get back up. That’s the best way to learn how to succeed.”

When asked what his life might look like if he retired tomorrow, Jeremy says he would pivot his attention to a different business endeavor. “This company requires me to work about 60 hours a week, so if I retired, I’d probably start a business that didn’t involve so much of my time. Maybe an auto repair shop where I could just have one manager and a couple of employees onsite, and I could stay in the background and check in to make sure the wheels don’t fall off.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What are your favorite sports teams?

A: The Golden State Warriors, the San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco 49ers.

Q: Are you a dog person or a cat person?

A: We have both, so I guess I’m in the middle.

Q: If you could drive any car, what would it be?

A: I always wanted a Ferrari when I was growing up, but these days I’m more into American muscle classics, so I would go with an early ’70s Chevy Fleetside.

Q: If you were a professional athlete, what number would you wear on your jersey?

A: 21. It’s a number that has always resonated with me and it’s also my birthday. It just feels right.