We were lucky to catch up with Anthony Carrillo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Anthony, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

My first client actually found me on Yelp. I had just started the business, and at that point it was literally just me — no crew, no helpers, just a lot of determination. He hired me to install rain gutters and leaf guards on his house.
I remember showing up with my tools, doing all the measurements, ordering the materials, and knocking out the whole job on my own. It was a lot of work, but I wanted to prove myself. When I finished, the client was really happy, and that moment made me feel like, ‘Okay, I can really do this.’
That first job gave me the confidence to keep pushing, and it ended up being the start of everything I’ve built since.

Anthony, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Anthony Carrillo, I’m 24 years old, and I’m the owner of Carrillo Roofing LLC. I talked a little about my journey in the LA Voyage Hidden Gems interview, but for anyone who hasn’t read it — I basically started this business from nothing. At the very beginning, it was just me, my tools, a lot of learning, and a lot of faith. My wife was there from day one, supporting me through every late night, every doubt, every job I took on alone. She saw it all before anyone else did, and having her by my side made those early days possible.
My very first client found me on Yelp and hired me to install rain gutters and leaf guards. I was out there doing everything myself, but I remember feeling grateful because I knew God had opened that door for me. Honestly, every step of this journey has felt like God guiding me, giving me strength, and placing the right opportunities in front of me at the right time.
Now, a year and a half later, Carrillo Roofing LLC has grown into a family-run company with multiple crews who are ready for any project — big or small. We specialize in re-roofing, repairs, gutters, leak detection, torch-down systems, skylights, underlayment — pretty much everything a homeowner might need to protect their home.
One thing I really focus on is helping clients choose a roofing system that fits their budget without compromising on quality or warranty. I’m big on honesty, transparency, and making sure people know exactly what they’re paying for. What sets us apart is the way we treat our clients — with respect, communication, and real care. We take pictures, explain everything step-by-step, and make sure homeowners feel confident and taken care of.
I’m proud of how far we’ve come — not just me, but my whole family. My wife, my team, and the people who believed in us early on. And above all, I’m thankful to God for every blessing, every challenge, and every opportunity that pushed us to grow.
If there’s one thing I want people to know about Carrillo Roofing LLC, it’s that we operate with integrity, family values, and faith. We’re here to do things the right way, and we stand behind our work with pride

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

There was definitely a time in my business where I was stuck in that cycle a lot of contractors know too well — robbing Peter to pay Paul. I was using one job to pay for the next, and then using that next job to cover something else. It kept the business moving, but it wasn’t stable, and it definitely wasn’t the way I wanted to run things. I was stressed, constantly trying to stay ahead, and honestly just doing whatever I had to do to survive as a new business owner.
During that season, my mentor — who also owns a roofing company — stepped in and gave me some real guidance. He told me straight up that if I didn’t break out of that cycle, the business would end up running me instead of me running the business. He spent time giving me advice, showing me how he structured his numbers, and how to get control of my cashflow.
He also gifted me a book called Profits for Contractors, and that book changed everything for me. It taught me how to price jobs correctly, manage money the right way, and build a system instead of living from project to project. Once I applied those lessons, the stress dropped, the business grew, and I finally felt like I was running Carrillo Roofing LLC the way it was meant to be run.
Looking back, that whole ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’ season was tough, but it pushed me to level up as a business owner — and I’m grateful for it.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe doing good quality work and being honest has helped build Carrillo Roofing LLC’s strong reputation. Our customers trust us because we show up when we say we will, give clear and honest assessments, and stand behind the work we do. We don’t cut corners — whether it’s a small repair or a full reroof, we treat every project with the same level of care and craftsmanship.
By communicating openly, keeping clients informed, and delivering the results we promise, we’ve built long-term relationships and consistent referrals. Our dedication to quality, integrity, and customer satisfaction is what keeps our name respected in the community and continues to help our business grow

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carrilloroofing.llc
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carrilloroofingllc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Carrillo-Roofing-LLC/61578774009355/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/carrillo-roofing-oxnard-4

Image Credits

keven Ramirez