After decades of working in excavation, John Hickok knew the industry inside and out. But he needed a partner he could trust to manage the business side of things. That is the moment FINSYNC became part of the solution.
John, the owner and sole operator of J W Hickok Excavating in Idaho, spent years working for other companies before deciding to go out on his own. “I just got tired of working for other people, having to be on their time clock,” he says. “There comes a point when you want to be accountable for everything you do.”
A Security Scare That Sparked a Change
For several years, John relied on QuickBooks to manage his business finances. But everything changed when he became the target of a phishing scam that compromised his financial data.
“I got hacked. Someone posed as a QuickBooks manager and got access to my debit card information,” Hickok recalls. “I had to cancel all my cards and basically start over.”
That experience pushed him to search for an alternative. His bank, WaFd, recommended FINSYNC.
A Simpler, Safer Solution
John was immediately drawn to how easily FINSYNC integrated with his bank. “What stood out was how smoothly it works with my WaFd account,” he explains. “That connection makes it so much easier than what I was doing before.”
He also appreciated the pricing. “QuickBooks was charging outrageous fees for electronic payments,” he says. “With FINSYNC, the pricing made more sense for a small business. Even the accounting tools felt more intuitive.”
Though still early in his journey with the platform, John has already used FINSYNC for estimates and is preparing for his first complete billing cycle. He is particularly excited about the system’s smart automation. “Once I enter operator hours and machine time a few times, the system starts recognizing the patterns,” he says. “Eventually, it will know exactly where things belong without me touching them.”
Support That Speaks
As someone who does not consider himself tech-savvy, John greatly values accessible support. He says one of FINSYNC’s biggest benefits is the ability to speak directly with someone who understands him.
From Dirt Roads to Digital Records
Running a business in the rugged terrain of Idaho comes with unique challenges. John and his wife move between McCall and the milder Riggins during the winter. With FINSYNC, that transition is more effortless.
“Being able to forward everything electronically, especially during tax season, is a game changer,” he says. “It saves me from driving an hour through the snow just to drop off documents.”
With the constant changes in the costs of raw materials, John also appreciates how FINSYNC helps him stay organized. “Prices change daily. One day apart is five dollars; the next, it’s ten. I don’t try to remember it all. I let the software do that.”
Advice for Entrepreneurs
John Hickok has strong advice for aspiring business owners. “Go slow. Many guys start by buying brand-new equipment and end up in debt before they even land their first job,” he says. “Start with what you can afford. It’s like your first car. Don’t get the brand-new luxury vehicle. Get the reliable Honda Civic.”
He also stresses the importance of insurance. “In excavation, you can hit gas lines, fiber optics, and power lines. You need to be protected. And that applies to any business.”
Today, Hickok is mentoring a young landscaper and encouraging him to take ownership of his future. “I tell him daily, if you’re motivated to work for yourself, do it. You’re building your own house. You’re buying your food. That’s freedom.”
Why FINSYNC Works
For John Hickok, FINSYNC is not just accounting software. It is a tool that allows him to run his business with confidence.
“I am a simple guy. I like things that just work,” he says. “FINSYNC keeps it simple, and that is what makes it powerful.”
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