253 - How Passion Turns Into Opportunity with Antonio Aparicio

Written By Guest User

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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