In the world of residential asphalt maintenance, few have the depth of experience that Jack Sherrill brings to his new venture, J’s Driveways. In a recent interview with Tiffany Anton from the Biz Foundry, Jack shared the journey that led him to focus exclusively on residential driveways after three decades in the asphalt business.
Humble Beginnings
Jack’s story begins at age 12, when his father volunteered him to help a family friend seal a driveway. “I remember when he paid me to do that driveway, I thought I may be on to something here,” Jack recalled. That single job, which earned him $120 as a preteen, sparked an entrepreneurial flame that has burned for over 30 years.
During his teenage summers, Jack worked with another family business in the North Georgia/South Chattanooga area, gaining valuable experience in larger-scale asphalt maintenance. “It just ignited something in me because at that point, it was all I was around,” he explained.
The Evolution of a Craftsman
What started with buckets and squeegees has evolved dramatically over three decades. Today, J’s Driveways uses modern sprayers that can cover vast areas efficiently, and advanced repair products that overcome traditional limitations.
“From the bucket technique, we have sprayers now… we can spray out 100,000 square feet in a few hours,” Jack explained. He also highlighted innovations like Aqua Fault, a water-activated repair product that eliminates dependence on asphalt plants, allowing for more responsive service to homeowners.
The Residential Focus
While Jack’s previous business handled both commercial and residential projects across six states, J’s Driveways represents his return to roots – focusing exclusively on helping homeowners in the Upper Cumberland region maintain their property value through proper driveway care.
“If you seal coat your driveway, keep it maintained, keep the cracks filled, don’t let the water in through the cracks to freeze and bust up the asphalt… it doubles the life of the asphalt in most situations,” Jack advised. He noted that while longevity is the practical benefit, customers’ first reaction is almost always about appearance: “Wow, that looks great. Makes it look like my house got painted or something.”
A Community View
“We’ve worked with a number of different clinics, and companies and seen what happens when you collaborate and work together. For example Achieve Wellness & Recovery , might not be the right fit for a rehab client, so they may send them to another facility to get help because they care more about ensuring they get the treatment they need. Is that similar to your approach to your competitors?
“That’s one of the big mistakes I made early on. I seen everybody as a competitor and it’s just not that way. Not in my world. But I had to go out and seek that. It didn’t just roll into the doorstep. You got to get rid of the ego a little bit, especially for a guy that’s tougher. We enjoy it and they enjoy it and their guys enjoy working with their people. We just finished a deal in Alabama.
Working with another company, same type of thing, you know, but you benefit from it. You really do because I’ll give you a good example. That guy, the one in Alabama that I’m referring to that we just finished the job for, he called me in the last 10 days with two pretty large jobs. He said, ‘Hey, I can’t do it all. I need a partner on these jobs.’ So we roll in.
We’ll bankroll the whole deal, make sure everybody gets paid, do the project and they’re happy, we’re happy. So it strengthens them too. And what we do a lot of times is I’ll buy materials, chemicals, additives, things like that, and I’ll buy it in bulk and have pallets delivered. And we all share in that.”
A Different Approach to Asphalt
What separates J’s Driveways from competitors is Jack’s commitment to customized solutions rather than one-size-fits-all applications. “A lot of companies just go and buy sealers, stick some water in it and off they go. We don’t do that,” he explained. “We have chemicals and additives that we put in there to make it dry blacker, make it dry quicker. We put a little bit of sand in for some grit, especially if you’re on a hill so you don’t slide out.”
This attention to detail stems from lessons learned early in life. Jack shared a pivotal moment from his youth, when his father, who ran a service station, scolded him for not checking the oil and tire pressure of a customer who had only purchased 50 cents worth of gas. “That 50 cents means more to him than as much as anyone else that comes in,” his father told him. “Until you learn that, you won’t understand the business side of it.”
The Customer Service Difference
This philosophy of service above all else permeates every aspect of J’s Driveways. “Customer service means everything,” Jack emphasized. “If we tell you we’re going to be there on Monday morning at eight o’clock, we’re there Monday morning at eight o’clock” – or as Tiffany Anton joked, “7:50.”
Even when a job appears complete, Jack’s team goes the extra mile, often cleaning neighboring areas they didn’t even affect. “I think I owe that to the customer,” Jack said. “I understand what it takes to make that money, to spend that money. And I respect that for the customer.”
Looking Forward
After 30 years in the asphalt business, Jack’s creation of J’s Driveways represents both a return to his roots and a refinement of his expertise. The new venture serves homeowners in Cookeville specifically. Bringing commercial-grade quality and attention to detail to residential driveways.
For homeowners wondering when they might need Jack’s services, he offers simple advice: watch for discoloration, cracks, and depressions in your driveway. When you see those signs, it’s time to call J’s Driveways to extend the life of your investment and enhance your home’s curb appeal.