This week, John Teichow of Top Rail Fence walked us through something every business owner has — but few intentionally design or audit: their tech stack.
Rather than using his presentation to highlight fencing projects, John shared a practical audit of the tools he uses to run his business. From CRM and job management to accounting and expense control, he laid out what each platform does, where it falls short, and how he’s prioritizing improvements.
In a room full of small business owners and operators, it was very relevant information.
John shared he currently uses tools like ServiceMinder for CRM, QuickBooks for accounting, FenceCloud for plans, and Ramp for expense control. Some are powerful but not mobile-friendly. Others do the job but lack key features. By mapping it all out, he’s able to identify gaps, set measurable priorities, and make SMART Goals and smart decisions about what to upgrade or replace.
One of his biggest takeaways?
Most businesses need clarity in five core areas:
- CRM
- Accounting
- Communication
- Job management
- Marketing automation
When those systems aren’t aligned, friction builds. When they are aligned, efficiencies compound and growth happens.
Before entering the fence industry, John worked in printer technology — and here, that technical background shows. He approaches business systems with the same precision and practicality as he does a job site: plan and measure, execute, clean up.
His presentation was a reminder that growth isn’t just about sales. It’s about infrastructure. Taking time to understand your technology ecosystem can reveal blind spots, reduce wasted effort, and unlock smarter scaling.
If you’re a homeowner or property owner who wants a a great fencing solution, connect with John! And if you’re a business owner or manager who wants sharper operations — and sharper conversations — joining Border to Border Business Connections may be the right next move for you. All are welcome to visit a meeting, any time.
