Case study · DockedLiving

Case Study: DockedLiving

Through fractional COO leadership, DockedLiving shifted from financial instability and team burnout to a position of strength. By restructuring revenue models, streamlining operations, and implementing a sustainable operating system, the company not only reversed its cash flow challenges but also built the foundation for long-term success.

Case Study Real Estate Investment Firm Fractional COO Leadership

The impact of ScaleUpExec on my organization has been nothing short of extraordinary. There's a clear demarcation between the 'before' and 'after' stages of their involvement.

Santi Estrada
Santi Estrada
CEO, DockedLiving
01The challenge

The Challenge

DockedLiving, a fast-growing real estate investment firm run by two first-time founders, had reached a breaking point.

They recognized the need for outside leadership to stabilize operations, drive revenue, and build a foundation for long-term growth.

The leadership team had hit a skills ceiling.
The entire company was experiencing burnout.
Operations relied on inefficient manual processes.
Despite growth, the business remained cash-flow negative with limited runway.
DockedLiving property, living room
DockedLiving property, workspace
DockedLiving property, bedroom
02What ScaleUpExec did

What ScaleUpExec Did

We stepped in as a fractional COO, and here's how we helped unblock their growth and guide them toward profitability:

01Return to profitability

Return to Profitability

DockedLiving's top priority was to get to cash flow positive as quickly as possible to stop the financial bleeding. The fastest way to achieve this was to increase earnings from existing customers. However, they were locked into long-term contracts at below-market rates.

Our solution
We crafted a creative plan, engaging transparently with current customers about the company's financial state.
We proposed a solution where we could enhance their investment returns while also adjusting the fee structure to more sustainable levels.
Within a few months, DockedLiving's revenue was up by 40%, stopping the financial drain.
02Reduce burnout

Reduce Burnout

The burnout across the team was palpable, largely due to the overly manual processes bogging down operations. For instance, the tenant acquisition process involved tracking hundreds of prospective tenants across multiple Google Sheets, leading to missed follow-ups and inefficiencies.

Our solution
We introduced a new real-estate specific CRM, guiding the team through a role-model implementation project that included clear milestones, roles, responsibilities, & risk mitigation.
This not only streamlined their processes but also served as a blueprint for running future projects, easing the burnout of the entire team.
03Build sustainable operations

Developing a Sustainable Culture

To make these and other changes last, we knew DockedLiving needed a strong operating system. Being a remote team, it was important to establish effective asynchronous communication and accountability mechanisms.

Our solution
We developed an operating system with quarterly and annual goals that flowed into weekly accountability structures.
This included impactful team meetings, one-on-one sessions, and methods for the founders to collaborate more effectively.
This system provided the direction and stability needed to keep the company on track for future success.
03Headline results

Headline Results

+40%
Revenue Growth

40% increase from restructured client agreements.

Improved Efficiency

Reduced manual workload, freeing capacity and reducing stress.

Sustainable Culture

Clear goals, accountability, and stronger team cohesion.

04Where they are now

Conclusion

What began as a business under strain is now a high-functioning organization with renewed clarity, accountability, and confidence in its future. DockedLiving's transformation highlights the power of experienced operational leadership: unlocking hidden potential, creating lasting systems, and positioning the company for sustainable growth in a competitive market.

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