/ Globe PR Wire /
In an industry often criticized for poor customer service and pushy salespeople, DaBella CEO Donnie McMillan Jr. has built a company culture that puts people first. With 52 locations across 20 states, DaBella stands out not just for its growth, but for its unwavering commitment to leadership development, community service, and customer care.
At the heart of DaBella’s success are three core values that guide the business from end to end: lead, care, and grow. The values are so deeply embedded into the company’s culture that employees have held steadfast to them even after a rebrand.
“Growth with success through the success of others. That’s a cultural thing. We can’t get anywhere on our own,” McMillan explains.
To that end, DaBella’s approach to employee development is comprehensive and intentional. “We invest a tremendous amount into even the most entry-level employee,” McMillan says. Every employee receives about two hours weekly of self-growth, teamwork, or leadership training. For those in management positions, approximately 20% of their time is dedicated to coaching others and supporting personal growth initiatives.
This investment in people has paid off. The company maintains a strict policy of promoting from within, and all 52 of DaBella’s branch locations are led by individuals who started in entry-level positions. “You have to start off as an entry-level person in the company and work your way through sales before you can be put in that class to go with the location for us,” McMillan explains.
Despite working in what McMillan candidly acknowledges as “the most complained-about industry in the nation, right behind lawyers,” DaBella has achieved a 97% customer success rate. This comes from a simple but powerful approach: treating every project as if it were for family.
“I like to ask people, if that was your grandmother, or was your mother, how would you want to treat that person?” McMillan shares, explaining how he encourages employees to approach their work.
## Community Impact
DaBella’s commitment to community service is substantial and growing. In October 2024, the company raised $280,000 for cancer charities through its DaBella Cares initiative. Additionally, through Operation Hero, in partnership with the GAF Community Contractor Initiative, DaBella provides free home improvement projects for veterans and families in need.
The company has set an ambitious goal: to provide a free project in every community where a branch is located. “We’ll probably get halfway there in 2025,” McMillan says. “We’ll complete that mission in 2026.”
## Looking Forward
Unlike many companies in the industry that rely on private equity funding, DaBella remains independently owned and debt-free. The company has expanded thoughtfully, recently launching solar roofing solutions through an exclusive partnership with GAF that offers integrated systems designed to blend seamlessly with traditional roofing materials.
From its humble beginnings with 12 employees in 2011 (five of whom still work for the company today), DaBella has grown into a significant force in the home improvement industry. Yet despite this growth, McMillan’s focus remains on people rather than profits.
“Leadership is an awesome responsibility,” he emphasizes. “It’s not about money. You’d better know that it’s about taking care of other people.”
When DaBella entered the roofing business, the firm didn’t just offer basic installations. Instead, it focused on complete roofing systems with proper ventilation and insulation, ensuring long-term value for homeowners. This commitment to quality has helped DaBella secure exclusive partnerships with major manufacturers like GAF.
“We want to make sure we have the right partners,” McMillan explains. “If I can’t guarantee it for a customer and say this is the best quality that’s out there, we won’t do it.”
Through this steadfast commitment to values-based leadership, employee development, and community service, Donnie McMillan Jr. continues to demonstrate that success in business doesn’t require compromising on principles. DaBella’s story shows that when you put people first — whether they’re employees, customers, or community members — sustainable growth naturally follows.
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