In this special episode honoring Antonio Aparicio's memory, we revisit his inspiring journey of turning a passion for koi ponds into a successful landscaping and pool construction business. Discover his entrepreneurial spirit, how he overcame challenges, and the valuable lessons he shared with fellow contractors.
Time Stamps
- 00:00 - Honoring the Life of Antonio Aparicio
- 04:39 - Episode Intro
- 05:25 - Antonio's Background and Journey to the US
- 07:07 - Cultural Adjustments and Family Decisions
- 09:40 - Early Career Struggles
- 17:30 - Discovering a Passion for Landscaping
- 20:31 - Starting Aquascape
- 31:36 - Sales Strategies and Business Growth
- 35:12 - The Struggles of Starting a Business
- 36:43 - Facing Financial Hardships
- 38:55 - Marketing and Organization Challenges
- 40:14 - Pricing Strategies and Profit Margins
- 45:39 - First Key Employee and Growing the Team
- 50:47 - Personal and Professional Challenges
- 55:58 - Dealing with Tragedy and Finding Support
- 01:03:46 - Transitioning to Pool Construction
- 01:10:00 - Overcoming Initial Challenges
- 01:10:32 - First Pool and Immediate Referrals
- 01:11:47 - Rebranding to Aquascape Pools
- 01:12:40 - Learning Curves and Growth
- 01:15:11 - Pricing Strategies and Margins
- 01:16:41 - Understanding Costs and Time Management
- 01:23:53 - Target Market and Custom Designs
- 01:27:41 - Importance of a Strong Online Presence
- 01:29:38 - Continuous Improvement Through Education
- 01:31:36 - Summarizing Key Business Principles
- 01:32:52 - Mount Rushmore Segment
- 01:40:47 - Final Thoughts & Future Plans
Snippets from the Episode
- “I still don’t think of myself as a great salesman. I’m just going to help people get where they want.” — Antonio Aparicio
- “Give people a reason other than price to buy from you.” — Martin Holland
- “Every journey is going to have bumps... You have to expect those tough times and have the resolve to get through them.” — Antonio Aparicio
- “Discomfort can breed growth.” — Khalil Benalioulhaj
- “They chose your character and your passion, and they knew even before you that that would translate into a magnificent pool.” — Martin Holland
- “You can’t have every day be profitable. Our goal is to be profitable at the end of the year.” — Antonio Aparicio
- “It’s not sales for the sake of sales. It’s sales that bring you margins and then, ultimately, at the end of the year, bring you a profit.” — Martin Holland
Resources
- 24 Things Construction Business Owners Need to Successfully Hire & Train an Executive Assistant
- Schedule a 15-Minute Roadblock Call
- Check out OpenPhone
- Build a Business that Runs without you. Explore our GrowthKits
- Need Marketing Help? We Recommend Benali
- Need Help with podcast production? We recommend Demandcast
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