Contractor Snapshot: Asphalt Authority Focus On Quality And Care

Growing up in the asphalt and pavement industry is often the start of a pavement maintenance company. But not every company origin starts with a knack for marketing and returning interest in asphalt. Starting a business takes a lot of determination and can take a significant team effort. With enough dedication and effort, a company can be successful. With devotion and a strong drive to put its clients first, Asphalt Authority flourished.

Growing up in the Industry

Gerry Sebby, owner of Asphalt Authority, grew up amongst asphalt. His mother and stepfather owned their own asphalt seal coating company. Sebby started working in the industry at the age of 15 and continued working with his family’s seal coating company through the summers during college. Sebby eventually experienced burnout from the industry and told himself he wouldn’t do that work again.

Sebby reflected that his skin always burned and it was super hard work. As a result, Sebby pursued sales and marketing instead. But, this hiatus didn’t last long – just 10 years later, Sebby decided to return to the industry by starting up his own company.

Asphalt Authority, a Fort Wayne-based company, does a little bit of everything when it comes to asphalt and pavement care.

Sebby said, “We’re not installing new asphalt, we’re preserving existing asphalt, that’s the market we want to operate in. So [we do] a lot of commercial parking lot work, I’d say primarily. We are expanding into municipal crack-filling of roads, parks, and trails. We do some residential driveway sealcoating. And, apart from that, … we do a lot of striping work as well – so that’s the parking lot pavement marking, warehouse markings, things like that.”

Think Like the Client

When Sebby was taking his 10-year hiatus, he learned how to think from a marketing and sales perspective and Asphalt Authority has benefited. Being sales and marketing-oriented, the company puts the client first and takes on a different perspective altogether.

“I love thinking like my client does so I put a huge focus on online reputation social media, which is really the future and where we’re at. Currently, people don’t open up phone books or Yellow Pages anymore. When people need something, they’re either going to ask a friend or family for a referral or the first thing they’re going to do is go online,” said Sebby.

Asphalt Authority

Sebby said he studied similar companies around him and he took note of what made them excel and what held them back. Asphalt Authority has a large emphasis on its sales team but it also holds pride in its customer service – another important aspect to sales and marketing.

Being customer-oriented, Asphalt Authority has a great response time and Sebby’s wife and co-owner, Leah, is the designated office administrator at the company. Having someone specifically tasked with answering calls and questions keeps responsiveness high and keeps customers’ feelings heard and valued. 

Hard Work and Dedication

When Asphlat Authority first began, it was in the height of the coronavirus pandemic and Sebby’s wife was eight months pregnant. With the company’s start not being at the most ideal time, there was a lot of dedication required from the Sebby family. Sebby and his wife had to be all in and fully committed to make the business work. 

With some hard work and persistence, Asphalt Authority was set in motion and continues to thrive today. 

“We’re very blessed to have so many different people with so many different skill sets that go into us being successful. It’s not one person, it’s not two people, it’s a collaborative group effort, and it starts with the total overall customer experience, everything from the first time they call our company and my wife, Leah, answers the phone,” reflected Sebby.

Asphalt Authority’s hard work, dedication, timeliness, and customer service skills combine to create a strong and successful team dynamic. The company continues to grow, most recently adding municipal crack filling and government work to its services. In the future, Sebby said that the company will be looking to improve employee experience and enhance company culture. 

Putting Your Customers First

Although Asphalt Authority launched during a challenging period, its commitment to customer relations fueled its success. While the expression states, “it takes a village to raise a child,” building a brand-new company from the ground up —especially with a a child on the way— demands an even greater collective effort. This required a dedicated team and significant hard work.

Asphalt Authority’s unique marketing and sales perspective allowed it to effectively understand and address its customers’ needs. Ultimately, Asphalt Authority’s success, achieved through unwavering determination and prioritized customer relations, demonstrates the potential outcome of striving for excellence.