Early Life
Diane Marie Smith was born on March 2, 1947, in Mondovi, Wisconsin, and raised in Osseo, Wisconsin. She grew up on a dairy farm and developed a strong work ethic early in life. At 17, she became a teenage mother. Despite these challenges, Hendricks was determined to build a career. She graduated from Osseo-Fairchild High School in 1965.
Rise to Success
In the 1970s, Hendricks met Ken Hendricks, a roofing contractor. They married in 1975 and became business partners. Together, they co-founded ABC Supply in 1982 in Beloit, Wisconsin. The company has grown to become the largest wholesale distributor of roofing, siding, and windows in the United States. After Ken's death in 2007, Diane Hendricks took full control of ABC Supply. Under her leadership, the company expanded through strategic acquisitions and operational innovations, reaching over 900 locations nationwide and generating $20.7 billion in revenue in 2024. In 2018, Forbes recognized her as the richest self-made woman in the U.S..
Key Business Strategies
Hendricks's success is attributed to several key business strategies. These include a focus on building personal relationships with contractors, emphasizing service and reliability. The company's expansion strategy involved strategic acquisitions, such as Bradco Supply in 2010 and L&W Supply in 2016, which solidified ABC Supply's market position. Hendricks has also been noted for her leadership, which drove growth and adapted to changing market dynamics.
Philanthropy
Diane Hendricks is committed to philanthropy, with a focus on economic development and education in Wisconsin. She has invested in revitalizing Beloit, Wisconsin, supporting infrastructure projects, business relocations, and community initiatives. She also opened a career center in 2017 aimed at providing vocational training.