So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

My name is John Asch, and I’m the owner of Asch Poconos Roofing. Roofing has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My family’s roots in the trade began in Central New Jersey, where my father, John Asch Sr., started building what would become our family business back in 1955. I grew up surrounded by the values of hard work, integrity, craftsmanship, and keeping your word, and those principles have stayed with me throughout my life and career.

Today, I’m proud to be based in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, where I own and operate Asch Poconos Roofing and serve homeowners throughout the greater Pocono region. What means the most to me is being able to continue a family legacy that now spans three generations, while building genuine relationships within the local community. For me, this business has never been just about putting roofs on homes. It’s about protecting families, standing behind our work, and treating people with the same honesty and respect I would expect for my own family.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now?

One of the things I love most about living in the Poconos is the sense of community. It’s a beautiful area, of course, but what really stands out to me is the people. There is still a strong neighborly spirit here, where relationships matter and people genuinely want to support local families and businesses. I also love being surrounded by the mountains, wildlife, and changing seasons. It’s a place that feels grounded, peaceful, and like home.

Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?

Asch Poconos Roofing is a third-generation, family-owned company specializing in residential roofing and related home improvement services. We provide new roof installations, roof repairs, slate roof repairs, chimney repairs, vinyl siding, and other services designed to protect and improve our customers’ homes.

Our story began in 1955, when my father, John Asch Sr., started mastering the roofing trade while working with new homebuilders throughout Central New Jersey. After gaining years of hands-on experience, he established John Asch Roofing. I grew up around the business and later started my own company, John Asch Contracting, in 1978. Today, my son Jason is also part of the family business, allowing us to proudly continue a tradition that now spans three generations.

What we do for our customers goes far beyond simply installing or repairing a roof. A home is one of the largest investments most people will ever make, and the roof is one of its most important protections. We help homeowners identify problems, understand their options, and make informed decisions without unnecessary pressure. Whether someone is dealing with an active leak, storm damage, an aging roof, or simply wants greater peace of mind, our goal is to provide honest guidance, quality workmanship, and a solution built to last.

One of the things that has always set our company apart is that we stand behind our work. We believe customers deserve more than verbal promises, which is why we offer a strong written guarantee and do not require a deposit upfront. That kind of accountability has been part of our family’s approach to business for generations. At the end of the day, we want every customer to feel confident that their home has been cared for properly and that they chose a contractor who will still be there after the job is complete.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice will help them?

My biggest advice is to build your business on honesty, consistency, and the quality of your work. A good reputation takes years to earn and only moments to lose, so always do what you say you are going to do, stand behind your work, and treat every customer with respect.

I would also tell new business owners not to expect success overnight. There will be long days, setbacks, mistakes, and times when you question whether it is all worth it. You have to be willing to keep learning, adapt when necessary, and stay committed to the reason you started in the first place.

Most importantly, never forget that people remember how you make them feel. Customers are not just numbers or jobs on a schedule. They are trusting you with their homes, their money, and often something they have worked their entire lives to build. If you take care of people, communicate honestly, and consistently deliver work you are proud to put your name on, the business has a much better chance of growing and lasting.

What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won't forget about?

One piece of feedback I’ll never forget came from a customer who hired us for a roof replacement. While working on a section of the roof, my son Jason noticed something that did not seem quite right and took the time to investigate rather than simply shingling over it. He discovered electrical wiring running dangerously close beneath the roof. Had the crew continued without catching it, the roofing nails could have punctured the wires and potentially caused a fire.

The customer later left us a wonderful review saying how grateful she was that Jason was observant enough to question what he saw, and she also recognized the crew for working an incredibly long day to complete the job. She mentioned that our price was significantly lower than another quote she had received, but what stayed with me most was knowing that careful workmanship may have prevented a serious danger to her home and family.

That kind of feedback means a great deal to us because it reflects exactly what we believe this business should be about. It is not just about finishing a roof. It is about paying attention, doing the right thing, protecting the people who trust us with their homes, and treating every job as though it were our own family living underneath it.

Where do you see your company in the future?

I see Asch Poconos Roofing continuing to grow throughout the Pocono region while staying true to the values that have carried our family business through three generations. Growth is important, but I never want us to become so large that we lose the personal relationships, accountability, and attention to detail that our customers know us for.

In the future, I would like to see us continue expanding our reach, strengthening our team, and introducing more homeowners to the level of craftsmanship and honesty we have built our reputation on. I also hope to see the next generation continue carrying the business forward, bringing new ideas and modern technology into the company while preserving the work ethic and integrity it was founded on.

Ultimately, I want Asch Poconos Roofing to remain a name people trust. Years from now, I hope families throughout the Poconos still feel confident recommending us to their children, neighbors, and friends. To me, that kind of lasting reputation is the real measure of success.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

One of the biggest misconceptions about the roofing industry is that all roofing companies are essentially the same and that the lowest price is automatically the best deal. In reality, there can be a major difference in the quality of materials, installation methods, experience, warranties, communication, and whether a contractor will still be there if a problem arises later.

A roof is a complete system, not just a layer of shingles. Proper ventilation, flashing, underlayment, workmanship, and attention to what is happening beneath the surface all matter. Sometimes the most important part of the job is identifying an issue a homeowner cannot see before it becomes a much larger and more expensive problem.

I also think people are understandably cautious because the industry has its share of contractors who overpromise, ask for large deposits, or disappear after the work is completed. That has created distrust. We try to challenge that misconception by being transparent, standing behind our work with a strong written guarantee, and treating customers the way we would want our own family treated. A reputable roofer should not just sell you a roof. They should help you understand what your home actually needs and give you confidence in the work being done.

What has been one of your biggest struggle building your business and how did you deal with it?

One of the biggest struggles has been growing the business without sacrificing the quality, personal attention, and accountability our name has always stood for. In roofing, growth can happen quickly, but if you take on more work than your team can handle properly, the customer experience and workmanship can suffer. I have never wanted to build the biggest company just for the sake of being big. I have wanted to build a company people can trust.

The way we have dealt with that is by being selective about who represents our family name, surrounding ourselves with experienced people, and never lowering our standards just to complete more jobs. We have also had to adapt over the years as the industry changed, from new materials and building practices to technology and the way customers research contractors before ever picking up the phone.

Another challenge has been overcoming the distrust that exists in the contracting industry. Unfortunately, many homeowners have had bad experiences with companies that disappear, cut corners, or make promises they do not keep. We deal with that by letting our actions speak for us. We communicate openly, provide a strong written guarantee, do not require a deposit upfront, and stand behind the work we perform.

For me, the answer has always been consistency. Keep showing up, keep doing quality work, take responsibility when something needs attention, and never forget that your reputation is being built one customer at a time. That mindset has helped our family business continue for three generations.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

Choosing one favorite music artist is nearly impossible for me because I have been an avid music junkie for as long as I can remember. Rock music has always been a huge passion of mine, but my taste extends far beyond just one artist or era. Over the years, I have built an extensive music collection featuring thousands of artists, and I genuinely enjoy everything from rediscovering the classics to finding lesser-known musicians and songs that deserve more attention.

Music has never just been background noise for me. It is something I truly love, and I even have a dedicated music room with an awesome booming entertainment system where I can fully enjoy the collection the way music is meant to be heard. Honestly, if anyone ever wants a tour, I would be happy to share it. I can talk music for hours, and I always enjoy introducing people to something they may have never heard before.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

I definitely want to give a shoutout to Pocono Home & Property Services, a new and upcoming local handyman and home improvement company serving our area. They are working hard to build their reputation around dependable service, honest communication, and quality workmanship, and I always respect a local business that is committed to taking care of people and earning trust the right way.

I also want to recognize some of the local businesses that make this area feel like home. The Bagel Experience is always worth a mention, especially for anyone who appreciates a great local breakfast or lunch spot. Spring Mountain Farms is another fantastic local business, and of course, the local candy shop along Route 209 deserves some love too. Places like these add personality to our community and give people a reason to keep supporting local.

Running a small business is not easy, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for the owners who get up every day, work long hours, create jobs, serve their neighbors, and put their name behind what they do. Those businesses, along with so many others throughout Kunkletown, Brodheadsville, and the surrounding Pocono communities, are part of what makes this area special.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

Readers can learn more about me and Asch Poconos Roofing by visiting our website at PoconoRoofs.com. There, you can learn more about our family history, the services we provide, our written guarantee, areas we serve, and see examples of our work and testimonials from customers we have had the privilege of helping.

You can also reach us directly by calling 610-681-7007 or emailing JohnAsch@gmail.com. I have always believed in being accessible to our customers, so whether someone has a roofing question, needs an estimate, or simply wants honest guidance about their home, we are happy to talk.