After working for 16 yrs at American Motors and doing roofing part time, Herbert J Smet (H.J.) decided he wanted to be his own boss and go into the roofing business full time. So in 1971 after working out of his car with one ladder and putting shingles in the back seat, he bought a truck and started H.J. Smet & Son Roofing. At the time he would take