Aspen Grove
SEAN RYAN is chief executive of Aspen Grove, a software solution provider for property sales and property management business processes within the US market.
From its base in Tralee, Co Kerry, Aspen Grove – and its associated companies, Donseed and DCS Energy Savings – provide software solutions which connect clients to business processes that need to be managed, tracked, and reported on, but also lend themselves to employing “software as a service” or a cloud-based model.
US-based asset managers – such as Government-sponsored entities including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, banks and investment firms – typically add properties to their portfolios and outsource all or part of the management, maintenance and sales process to estate agents or brokers. Aspen’s software solutions track these processes and monitor all interactions and financial transactions that take place between such parties.
An associated Aspen Company, Donseed Workplace Management Solutions, is designed to specifically focus on managing the construction phase of commercial property development. This can include the management of time and attendance on site, controlling site access, and monitoring compliance with health and safety requirements.
Another entity within the Aspen Grove group of companies, DCS Energy Savings, is an internet hub designed for the tracking and management of energy consumption on commercial properties and construction sites.
In combination, these three corporate entities cover a broad spectrum of solutions for the international property management and maintenance market. Ryan and his executive management team have witnessed unparalleled growth across the group since its buyout by the current owners in 2008.
Aspen Grove is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, is ISO 207001 security accredited, and is BS25999 business continuity accredited. All of this allows the group to provide enterprise level solutions across its business interests. Ryan sees significant potential for future growth and anticipates that the combined staff will stand at more than 100 by the end of 2012.
Products:
Start-to-finish software solutions for real estate professionals that encompass the areas of property sales and property management business processes.
Customers:
Aspen Grove’s primary market lies within the US where the company offers software solutions to more than 5,500 real estate agents and service providers. Additionally, clients of Donseed Workplace Management include some of the top 20 UK construction companies.
What is the best business advice you ever received?
“‘The first $5 million is the easiest’ – meaning that as small company it is easy to track and control everything. As you scale to the next level, that’s when it gets really difficult.”
What advice would you give entrepreneurs starting out today?
“Be clear about your direction and don’t try to ‘boil the ocean’ – focus, focus, focus.”
Has anyone acted as a mentor to you?
“I am very lucky to have partnered with Edmond Buckley. Together we have faced numerous challenges within the company and invested in our complimentary businesses, Donseed and DCS Energy Savings. I have learned a huge amount from Ed and continue to do so.”
