Case study · Tower Communications Experts

Case Study: Tower Communications Experts

Turning a Telecom Construction Company from Loss to Growth

Case Study Telecom Construction Fractional COO Leadership

ScaleUpExec gave us access to executive-level talent that had previously been out of reach for TCE. That caliber of expertise made the difference, we went from losses to profitable growth to being positioned for a successful exit in under 18 months.

Laura
Laura
Founder of Tower Communications Expert
01The challenge

The Challenge

Tower Communications Expert (TCE), led by CEO Laura, faced one of the toughest periods in its history. A prolonged industry downturn drove three successive quarters of losses, with revenue declining and crews underutilized.

The leadership team was operating with limited data and spent most of their time "firefighting" rather than making informed, proactive decisions.
Inconsistent work volume meant quality and efficiency were slipping, creating customer risks.
With overhead locked into fixed labor costs, profitability was eroding fast.
Tower Communications Experts
Tower Communications Experts
Tower Communications Experts
02The engagement

The Engagement

Beau Scott, a member of the ScaleUpExec team, joined TCE as fractional COO to stabilize operations, restore profitability, and position the business for future success.

Key steps included
Rapid assessment & alignment: Analyzed financial and operational data, gathered leadership input, and prioritized opportunities. Built a joint action plan combining immediate wins with long-term fixes.
Rebalancing labor costs: Shifted labor spend toward revenue-generating activities and introduced more variable cost structures to match volatile industry demand.
Rebuilding data & reporting: Implemented a company performance tracker focused on the right KPIs. Established weekly leadership routines to drive disciplined decision-making.
Tech-enabled process redesign: Streamlined processes and rebuilt the tech stack from field service management to payroll and CRM to eliminate inefficiencies and improve compliance.
Leadership development: Provided coaching to reorient the team toward performance, accountability, and engagement.
03The results

The Results

Within 18 months, TCE achieved a full turnaround:

30%
Revenue Growth

From Q2 2024 to Q2 2025

66%
Gross Margin Improvement

From 15% to ~25%

25%
Reduction in Overhead

From ~$425k/month to ~$320k/month

Profitability Restored

From 4 negative quarters to achieving positive net income

Faster Financial Visibility

Closing the books accelerated from 28 days quarterly to 7 days monthly

Cashflow Control

Improved forecasting and liquidity management

Operational Efficiency

Integrated payroll systems, stronger compliance, and real-time visibility into profitability by site, project, region, and customer

Team Health Maintained

Improved engagement, sustained safety standards, and turnover rates below industry averages

Importantly, TCE not only returned to profitability but was also positioned for exit with a Letter of Intent (LOI) secured for sale.

04Where they are now

Conclusion

Through disciplined execution and leadership alignment, TCE achieved a complete turnaround: regaining profitability, strengthening operational control, and restoring confidence across the organization. What began as a crisis became a case study in how data-driven leadership and the right fractional partnership can stabilize and scale a business. Today, TCE operates with sharper visibility, stronger margins, and the momentum to move confidently into its next chapter under new ownership.

If your business is navigating similar challenges, ScaleUpExec can help you turn complexity into clarity and momentum. Partner with experienced operators who know how to build scalable systems, drive accountability, and deliver measurable results.

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