If This Desk Could Talk “The Story Behind Monument”
Well, hello there — have I got a story for you. You see, I’ve been around a long time and I’ve seen just about everything: coffee rings, blueprints, elbow grease, and more than a few late-night prayers. I’m the old desk that’s been with the Smith family since the beginning, and though I’ve got a few scratches and stains, every mark tells a story. Now, follow me on an adventure as I tell you the story of all I’ve seen
It started back in 1958, in Denton, Texas, when a ten-year-old boy came home after working for his father’s roofing business and dropped his lunch pail right here on my corner. He was sunburned, sore, and tired from a long day in the Texas heat. That boy was Charles Smith.
He didn’t know it then, but I could already tell — he had the kind of determination you can’t teach. From that day forward, I watched him learn the art of working hard and caring about the product of his work, coming home with dust in his hair and ambition in his eyes. I even remember one time when he came home and swore he’d never step foot on a roof again. (Spoiler alert: that didn’t stick.)
The Early Days of Grit
By the time he was 12, Charles had swapped shingles for a push mower. He set aside his roofing tools and began mowing lawns—one dollar per yard, using a manual mower, no shortcuts.
When he decided he needed a gas-powered mower, he didn’t just dream, he made a deal. A simple handshake with the local Wyatt Hardware sealed it. He paid it off one lawn at a time.
Even at twelve, he already understood something many grown men never do, your word is your worth.
The Spark of an Idea
Years later, after countless jobs and long days, I heard Charles come back through the door one evening, voice full of excitement. He was talking to a friend, still half laughing as he said…
“You’re not gonna believe this. I just saw a guy pull up to a job site in a pink Corvette — no truck, no ladder rack — and he’s out there building a house all by himself! I took one look at him and said, Well looky here, if he can make a living doing it, I can too.””
You see, Charles understood in that moment that it wasn’t about what you owned…it was about having determination, grit, and making the most of what you had. That realization stuck with him, I could feel the spark take root right there. That same night, he leaned over me with a fresh pad of paper and began sketching the business plan that would become Monument Constructors.
There weren’t any offices or nice trucks back then — just me, a wobbly chair, a few pencils, and one man’s faith and vision. I remember the late nights, the constant figuring out, and the way he pushed through every challenge.
He worked from garages, borrowed rooms, and eventually moved into a small space off Avenue A in Beaumont. I couldn’t have been more thrilled when he took me with him…finally, a real office, where every pencil, blueprint, and idea had a place to land.
The air felt different that day, full of promise and possibility, and I knew we were stepping into something bigger than either of us could have imagined.
If it was honest work, it got done. Roofing, framing, concrete, cabinets…whatever the job, it was done with care, commitment, and pride.
And as the business grew we outgrew our office space. We moved from Avenue A to College Street, to Montrose Avenue, and finally to Chemical Road — each new place a little bigger, a little brighter, and a little closer to the vision Charles had sketched out that first night on my surface all those years ago.
A Turning Point: Focus and Vision
Fast forward a few decades. I’d seen a lot more coffee stains and more than a few late nights. Then one day, the next generation of the Smith family came into the office with an idea that would change the course of Monument’s business.
You see, back then commercial construction (general contracting) was Monument’s bread and butter, but with one idea, all that changed. I still remember it…at the end of one very long day, the kind that leaves your boots tired, your hands sore, and your mind buzzing with possibilities…Slade and his father sat down around me. I could feel the energy shift in the room as Slade looked at his dad and said,
“It’s time for a change. Let’s do one thing, and do it well.”
That moment wasn’t just a conversation; it was the kind of turning point that sets a company on a path it didn’t even know it needed, the kind of change that would shape the future while honoring everything that came before.
Together, Charles and Slade built something remarkable…a company grounded in experience but open to innovation. The kind that could handle both a Texas summer and a hurricane with equal resolve.
And trust me, I know…I was there through Hurricane Harvey, COVID, material shortages, and every storm (both literal and figuratively) in between. My surface may be worn, but so is every story of endurance I’ve held.
A Fourth Generation Rises
Today, Slade Smith leads as COO, carrying the same integrity that’s defined Monument from the start.
And now, a new name has been carved into my surface: Slade Smith Jr. — “Mac.” That’s right — the fourth generation of Smiths in the roofing business.
He’s got that same fire in his eyes that I saw all those years ago in Charles. It’s the same promise, renewed…family, faith, and doing what’s right.
Built on People, Not Just Projects
Now, if you ask me what really keeps Monument strong, it’s not steel or roofing membranes…it’s people.
I’ve seen crews come in before sunrise, boots muddy, laughter loud, coffee strong. I’ve watched the same folks brave heat, rain, and long days with pride in their work and honor in their hearts.
These men and women are the backbone of Monument…the kind who do the right thing even when no one’s looking.
Over the years, I’ve seen just how important each member of Monument truly is. They’re more than employees…they’re family to the Smiths, and vital to the heart of this company. The Smiths have always been thankful for every person who becomes part of this family, knowing it’s their hands, hearts, and hard work that keep Monument strong.
They’re proof that this company wasn’t just built on hard work…it was built on character, honesty, and faith.
Still Standing Strong
So here I am, still creaking a little when someone leans too hard on me, but proud of every scratch that tells this story. Because I’ve seen it all…from Charles’s first ladder to Mac’s first day at the office…and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Monument wasn’t built overnight. It was built one handshake, one roof, and one honest day’s work at a time.
Now, the story of this desk may or may not be fictional… but the story of Monument’s beginnings is very real. And so are the core values that have carried it for over half a century…faith, honesty, hard work, and service. If you ever need help with your roofing needs, or just want to work with people who mean what they say, we’re here and happy to help. At Monument Roofing Systems, we’ll treat you with kindness, respect, and loyalty…the way business ought to be done.
And as for me? Well, I’ll still be right here…the same old desk, proud to hold the plans, the prayers, and the purpose that built this company and keeps it going strong.