Ep 68. Scaling Contracting Business: Lessons from Alex Fransen’s Journey

02/17/25 • 29 min

In this episode, I sit down with Alex Fransen, the owner of Derby City Pools & Outdoor Living in Louisville, Kentucky. As a contractor in the pool and landscaping industry for the past 28 years, Alex has some serious stories to share about the challenges of scaling his business. Alex opens up about the tough transition his company went through—shifting from a maintenance-focused operation to one centered on construction. He calls it a "monster" that his smaller maintenance side just couldn't keep up with. And finding and keeping good talent to grow those construction teams? A total headache.

But the real eye-opener for Alex was getting his financial house in order. Like many contractors, he was grinding away, working hard, but had no real insight into whether he was actually making money. Once he started using the right software, organizing his books, and tapping into a supportive peer group, everything changed.

Alex shares how getting a handle on his numbers not only gave him peace of mind but also the confidence to scale strategically—without sacrificing quality or his relationships with customers. No more just "working harder"—he's now working smarter.

This conversation is packed with valuable insights for any contractor who feels stuck trying to break through the ceiling of their business. Alex’s story highlights the power of using data to drive decisions and the importance of not just working your butt off but building the right systems and processes to grow sustainably.

https://www.instagram.com/derbycitypools/

If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out:

SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software https://synkedup.com/

https://www.instagram.com/derbycitypools/

If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out:

SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software https://synkedup.com/

Previous Episode

Ep 67. The Power of Believing in Yourself with Leonardo Diez

In this episode we sit down with Leo Diez, the owner of Volunteer State Landscapes, from Tennessee. Leo took a chance on himself, previously working as an Irrigation Technician he decided he wanted to pursue a landscaping business and took the plunge. Leo shares his inspiring story of overcoming the fear of starting his own company and the challenges of running a successful landscaping business. We drop some serious truth bombs about the importance of shifting your mindset from blaming everything around you to taking responsibility for your own growth and success. Be ready to get empowered to embrace self-belief, take action, and unlock your true potential.

You can find Leo on Instagram @‌volunteer_state_landscapes

If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out:

SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software https://synkedup.com/

Next Episode

Ep 69. Growing a Family-Owned Landscaping Business w/ Joel De La Paz

I’m at the HNA Expo in Louisville, recording live with Joel De La Paz from Nuñes Outdoor Living, a family-run landscaping business in northern Michigan.

Recording podcasts at tradeshows like this—where we get to sit down with our customers, hear their stories, and learn from their experiences—is one of the most fulfilling parts of what we do. Joel gets real about the biggest challenges they’ve faced—figuring out their financials, keeping cash flow steady in the off-season, and navigating the dynamics of running a business with family. We dig into how he transitioned from being hands-on in the field to building processes that actually scale, and why networking, mentors, and the right systems (like SynkedUP) made all the difference.

Give them a follow them on Instagram: @‌nunezoutdoorliving

If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out:

SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software https://synkedup.com/