The 3 Franks Services paving crew pauses to pose for a picture.
Celebrating Small Businesses: 3 Franks Services
May is Small Business Month, and we’re taking the opportunity to celebrate the small business owners across the country who work hard to follow their dreams and better their communities. As part of our Small Business Month series, we’re sharing some of our clients’ stories in their own words.
Today, we’re hearing from Steve Franks of 3 Franks Services, a paving business based in Beloit, Wisconsin. They’re a family business that strongly believes in giving back to their community and performing their jobs with integrity.
In His Own Words: Steve Franks
Standing in my garage in July of 2011, my younger brother Zach, our father and I decided to start our business. At that time, my father had just retired from a union paving company, Zach was working for the county highway crew and I was a foreman at a decent-size asphalt and excavating company. Our idea was to do some small asphalt-patching jobs, maybe buy a few houses to rent out… We didn’t have any big dreams of getting rich.
My father was to be the financing partner, and Zach and I would be doing the actual work.
My father was to be the financing partner, and Zach and I would be doing the actual work. We bought a small foreclosed house in September of that year and quickly had it ready to rent. From there, we bought a small (very old) dump truck, a small skid-steer and some hand tools. We were running everything out of my small garage in the city (neighbors weren’t pleased).
When the paving season started up that April (2012), we had a few small jobs lined up but not enough to inspire much confidence in any of us. Knowing that the three of us had a great reputation in the area we were filled with hope that something would break for us… and, boy, did it ever!
By the end of the 2012 season, we had purchased our own paver and a couple rollers.
We started lining up an enormous amount of paving jobs, but we didn’t have a paver or a roller—or even a full crew for that matter. But we did have Jesse, an extremely hard worker, and we had an acquaintance who had a struggling paving company. We would rent his equipment for the day—and him, as well—and, by the end of the 2012 season, we had purchased our own paver and a couple rollers.
However, we were still operating out of my garage, and the city, understandably, shut us down. So, we found an amazing 12-acre piece of property and established our very own home! We have increased our sales every single year, and 3 Franks Services is now the most reputable name in paving in our area. Our fleet consists of eight dump trucks, two service trucks, three rollers, a paver, a grader, a back hoe, a dozer, a mill, four skid-steers and 15 employees!
Since day one, our mission statement has been to provide the best-quality paving at a competitive price, to fully stand behind every job we do and to create a great environment for our employees.
Since day one, our mission statement has been to provide the best-quality paving at a competitive price, to fully stand behind every job we do and to create a great environment for our employees. We offer excellent health insurance, free dental and a retirement package. We continuously reinvest in our company and update equipment. We have donated over $40,000 to the homeless veterans program in Rock County and over $10,000 to the local YMCA! We donate free services to the local school district’s athletic department and provide sponsorships to several local organizations!
It has been so rewarding to build the type of business that I always wanted to work for! This has been an amazing experience with my father, brothers, sister and, most of all, my wife! We have been truly blessed.
Why 3 Franks Services Chose Townsquare Interactive
Client Since February 2015
When Steve started looking for a digital marketing company, younger brother Zach pointed him in the right direction. 3 Franks Services’ relationship with us feels like a partnership, Steve says. And he knows for a fact that that partnership has given them the opportunity to take on more bids. 3 Franks Services’ improved rankings on Google have played a huge role in their growth, and so have their Facebook page and reviews.
Here are the digital marketing products that helped them do it:
Pave the Way for Your Small Business
Are you thinking about starting a small business? Have you already taken the first step toward reaching your goal and need some help getting there? May is all about empowering small business owners and entrepreneurs, but providing that much-needed support is something we’re committed to all year long. If you need assistance with digital marketing or want to learn more about how Townsquare Interactive can help you get found online, attract customers and grow your small business, explore our site or fill out the form below to request a free quote.