You don’t have to keep adding overhead to grow your business. Builders can stay lean and nimble while scaling by embracing technology and smart systems. Dominick Thompson, founder of Watershed Builders in Charlotte, North Carolina, has mastered this balance.

Dominick didn’t follow the typical path into construction. His career kicked off in the Air Force as a reservist, where he learned how to build and manage projects while juggling college and deployments. Along the way, he picked up skills not just in building but in business management, giving him a unique perspective on what it takes to keep a contracting business running smoothly.

Now five years into running Watershed Builders, Dominick has embraced technology to streamline operations and scale his business while staying lean. Here’s how he makes it work, and why Adaptive has been a game-changer for his business.

Adopt New Technology

Dominick firmly believes that adopting the right technology is critical to success and business growth. But he’s also realistic about the main challenge which is change management: people are often resistant to change, which can stand in the way of progress. For technology or a new process to truly be effective, it needs buy-in from everyone, including team members, subs, vendors, and sometimes even clients.

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So, how does Dominick make it work?

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• Choosing user-friendly software: It all starts with selecting the right tools. Dominick prioritizes software that’s intuitive and user-friendly, automating labor-intensive workflows without the headaches of complicated interfaces or endless clicks to complete simple tasks. Modern software should work for you—not the other way around—and it shouldn’t require excessive overhead just to manage it.
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• Investing in relationships: Dominick values his trade partners’ success and builds strong relationships with his subs and vendors. These relationships play a key role in driving change. When introducing new tools or processes, Dominick ensures that they benefit not just his business, but also his partners. By creating a win-win scenario, he’s able to bring everyone on board and make the transition smoother for all parties.

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Take his transition from checks to ACH payments, for example. At first, some subs were hesitant to make the switch. But Dominick sat down with them, articulated the benefits of using ACH payments: simple and secure process, no more trips to the mailbox, faster payments.

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“All I needed them to do was fill out the ACH form,” Dominick explains. “Fill it out, put your bank account information, and the money will just appear in your account.” Before long, his subs were on board, enjoying the convenience of ACH payments, and the old system of mailing checks was a thing of the past.

Achieve Healthy Cash Flow with Real-Time Bookkeeping

Cash flow is the lifeblood of any construction business. However, builders often make the mistake of becoming the bank for their customers, fronting costs without ensuring timely revenue. As Dominick puts it, “If you’re waiting to get paid because you’re waiting to track your costs, you’re down whatever dollar amount you’ve already spent.” The goal is simple: don’t let cash flow bottlenecks jeopardize your operations.

1️⃣ Real-Time Bookkeeping

Healthy cash flow starts with having a clear picture of your costs in real time. When you track expenses as they happen, you avoid surprises and can bill your clients with confidence. Real-time job costing means you’re never left waiting for receipts to trickle in or playing catch-up with your books. It’s about clarity and control, knowing where every dollar is going and ensuring no costs fall through the cracks.

2️⃣ Standardized Approval Workflows

To keep your finances moving smoothly, every part of your payment process needs to work seamlessly. This means staying on top of what you’ve spent, billing your customers promptly, and paying your subs and vendors on time. Standardized approval workflows help eliminate bottlenecks and avoid costly mistakes when it comes to approving bills or expenses. With a clear, streamlined system in place, you can ensure timely payments, keep projects on schedule, and build stronger relationships with your trade partners.

3️⃣ Visibility and Control

Visibility is power. Dominick shares how staying on top of financials in real time allows him to approve bills even when he’s away from the office. With easy access to accurate financial data, you’re never in the dark about your project’s financial health. Whether you’re at the job site or on vacation, you’ll always know where your money stands and can make decisions with confidence.

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Healthy cash flow doesn’t just happen—it’s built on efficient systems, clear processes, and real-time insights. When your finances are under control, you can focus on what you do best: building and growing your business. Adaptive helps Dominick achieve and maintain healthy cash flow on autopilot.

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“The control I have because of the visibility… I can see everything real time from the app on my phone. It’s so simple…it’s just a no-brainer,” he says.

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Dominick’s journey is proof that embracing technology doesn’t have to be daunting—it can actually be freeing. With tools like Adaptive, builders can simplify their workflows, gain financial clarity, and spend less time buried in busywork.

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