Rhys from Upfront Builders is a Kiwi business owner like many others: he works to live, not lives to work! In fact, he moved from Auckland’s North Shore in 2018 to Rotorua and downsized his business to bring that “work less, live more” philosophy to life. Rhys went from having two full teams running to a small three-person team in a more lifestyle-friendly area, and he hasn’t looked back.

To balance a small but successful building company with a life full of family and outdoor pursuits (Rhys won the Tarawera Ultra Marathon in 2021!), it was necessary to outsource a few things and seek help from the experts. In addition to having the Released team work wonders on his admin, Rhys has used FreeUp’s service several times over the years. After speaking to the previous owner Anna at an NZCBA conference, he started using job management software to streamline his systems and take a lot of time back.

Since then, Rhys has changed software systems and settled on Nextminute. This powerful software works hard for Upfront Builders—along with VA Hannah—to make sure that all administration and accounting ticks along in the background so Rhys and his team can focus on building beautiful, high-end homes.

Knowing when to call on the experts and outsource some aspects of a business is often a key to success; Rhys has used this ability to create balance and achieve his goals. Back costing is one of the ways that Nextminute provides enormous value for Upfront Builders. Accurate cost tracking happens easily with very little extra effort, offering him a clear overview of his finances and the profitability of individual projects. 

We asked Rhys if he’d share some advice with other business owners, and he had this to say:

 “Definitely look into the software systems you’re using!”

Simple, but effective—having the right digital tools in place will help you to achieve your objectives. These will be different for different business owners: growth, stability, profitability, work-life balance. We’re stoked to have helped Rhys achieve his own version of success alongside the Released team!

If you’re interested in aligning your software systems with your unique business goals, book a 15-minute chat with one of our software experts. We’d love to provide the advice and guidance that will get you started.