When I first sat down with Branden Hiles, founder and owner of Atlas Gutter Co., I knew his story would resonate with anyone who’s ever dreamed of turning their side hustle into a thriving business.
Before launching Atlas, Branden worked for a custom home builder, while installing gutters on the side. “I just loved it,” he said. “I enjoyed doing gutters, and I knew right away this was something I wanted to do on my own.”
That passion eventually turned into his full-time focus. The demand was there, and so was his drive. But as with many entrepreneurs, the real challenge began once he was no longer just installing gutters — he was running a business.
The Early Days: From the Dollar Tree Dock to a Growing Team
Branden started Atlas Gutter Co. with modest beginnings — literally interviewing his first employees on the loading dock of a Dollar Tree. He handled everything himself: installation, sales, invoicing, and paperwork — often late into the night.
“I was doing everything,” he said. “Installing all day, bidding in the evenings, and invoicing late at night. It was all on me.”
Like many small business owners, Branden struggled with letting go — holding tightly to the hands-on work he loved. But eventually, he realized that doing everything himself was limiting the company’s growth.
The Turning Point: Partnering with FiveFour
When Branden and I started working together, Atlas Gutter Co. had already built a great reputation for quality work. But like many growing businesses, it had reached a plateau — the systems, processes, and structure needed to evolve for the business to keep thriving.
For Branden, one of the first things FiveFour helped bring was accountability.
“For me, the most important thing was having someone to hold me accountable for the things I like — but especially the things I don’t,” Branden said.
He was tired of trial-and-error learning and wanted to move faster by learning from others’ experience. That’s where we came in — providing structured support, frameworks, and a space for Branden to work on the business, not just in it.
Together, we focused on a few key areas:
- Clarifying Atlas Gutter Co.’s ideal customer
- Shifting from subcontract work to direct homeowner relationships
- Building repeatable processes for marketing, sales, and operations
- Helping Branden step out of the truck and into leadership
These changes transformed the company.
Finding the Right Customer and the Right Work
In the early days, most of Atlas’s work came through contractors and subcontracting relationships. While steady, that model gave Branden less control over communication, scheduling, and the customer experience.
Through our work together, he began to focus directly on homeowners, where Atlas could follow its own proven process — from the first call to final installation.
“We’re a gutter company. That’s our focus. Working directly with homeowners lets us deliver exactly what they need and follow our own process all the way through,” Branden explained.
This shift not only improved customer satisfaction but also stabilized the business with more consistent leads and better margins.
Reclaiming Time and Building a Team
One of Branden’s biggest realizations came when we analyzed how he was spending his time. Every hour he spent on the truck — while productive in the short term — was costing him three days of higher-value work that wasn’t getting done.
That insight led to one of the biggest steps in Atlas’s growth: hiring an office coordinator to manage scheduling, client communication, and follow-ups.
“It was overwhelming. I realized I couldn’t do everything anymore. Things were slipping through the cracks,” Branden shared. “Now someone is focused on those details, and it’s made a huge difference — for me and our customers.”
This hire freed Branden to focus on strategy, leadership, and building a culture where his team feels connected and proud of their work.
Culture, Communication, and Growth
Today, Atlas Gutter Co. has moved far beyond that Dollar Tree loading dock. With a dedicated shop and office in Harrisburg, multiple crews, and a growing staff, Branden continues to invest in culture and communication.
Every Monday morning, the Atlas team meets to talk through safety, quality, and challenges — a ritual that’s built trust and accountability.
“We use those meetings for training, for sharing feedback, and just staying connected. It’s a big deal for us,” Branden said.
Looking Ahead: Letting Go to Grow
When I asked Branden about his future goals, he didn’t hesitate:
“I’d like to add more crews, stay focused on direct homeowner work, and maybe even open another location someday. But personally, I know I need to keep letting go — trusting my people, trusting the process, and staying focused on what matters most.”
That mindset — moving from “doing the work” to “building the business” — is exactly what we help leaders achieve at FiveFour.
Branden’s story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about growth or revenue — it’s about creating a business where people love to work and customers love to buy.
Final Takeaway
“Winning work used to feel like the big win,” Branden said, “but now it’s building a team that shows up and enjoys being here — that’s what matters most.”
That’s the heart of Atlas Gutter Co., and it’s exactly what Building Loved Businesses is all about.