Veteran's Vision: How SDA Helped Franco Hauling Scale Up

In June 2020, July Franco and her brother launched Franco Hauling LLC, a construction hauling and dump service provider serving the Chicagoland area. As a service-disabled veteran, woman, and minority-owned certified business, Franco Hauling has grown rapidly, but the road to success hasn’t been without its challenges. And for July, a totally chance meeting with the Southland Development Authority (SDA) ended up being just what she needed.

For July, logistics has always been a passion. “I started being interested in logistics when I was 18 years old and I joined the Marine Corps. When I was deployed, I was just fascinated with how things moved and how we were able to keep the supply chain going.” That early fascination turned into a career. Her brother, a dump truck driver in Chicago, had deep industry experience, and July had spent years working in government spaces. That included time with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Combining their strengths, they decided to turn a lifelong dream into reality. “We always talked about it since we were kids. I thought, ‘This is the right time to do it.’”

But despite their expertise, cash flow management presented a major stressor. “I needed to be better at cash flow management and stuff like that,” July admitted. “It was really, honestly, all of it was really confusing and it was all over the place.”

That’s when that one chance encounter changed everything. At a federal contracting networking event, July met Christopher Cooks, her SDA relationship manager. Cooks would end up being the mentor who would help her get Franco Hauling on the right track. “He had a lunch meal ticket in the back of his pocket, and it was going to fall out. I was like, ‘Hey, you don’t want to lose that.’” That small moment sparked a conversation. “And I was like, ‘Oh, it sounds like you're the answer to my problem.’”

Chris immediately dove into the financials, helping July develop spreadsheets for budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow tracking. But it wasn’t really about numbers, after all, though it obviously seems that way on the surface. No, primarily, it was about structure. “He helped me think this through,” she explained. “For example, Monday, you send everybody a reminder like, ‘Hey, this invoice is going to be due at the end of the week.’ Then follow up on Wednesday and collect payments on Friday so that you know what you have for payroll.”

With this new financial discipline, Franco Hauling’s operations transformed. “It’s changed because I actually have procedures to follow. I have checklists on things to do instead of just doing things off the wall.” July also brought on an assistant to manage invoicing every Monday, ensuring smoother cash flow and more strategic financial planning.

Beyond the financials, the impact of Chris’s mentorship was personal. “Chris gave me the confidence to know that even though this is a new business and not everything's perfect, that as long as I have the right assistance and the right help, we can work through things together.” She described him as “full of energy, so much positivity. He’s very warm and welcoming. And he really has you thinking things.”

That confidence has fueled bigger ambitions. Inspired by Chris, July dove into government contracting courses and is now expanding Franco Hauling’s reach. “I feel that in 2025, we are definitely going to be able to obtain more contracts. Hopefully, we can get into the FEMA program this year. And I’m working with two different contractors to get work. I’m even bidding on work at O’Hare Airport.”

As a woman in the construction and trucking industry, July has faced a lot of big challenges. But one thing is clear: she refuses to let them hold her back. “It is extremely difficult to be a woman in this industry, but it is not impossible.” She credits her Marine Corps background for giving her the resilience to lead in a male-dominated field. She shared with the SDA her advice to other women in business: “Embrace your superpower. You’re different. Embrace it, because that’s what makes you special. That’s what makes you stand out.”

From struggling with financial management to building a scalable, structured business, July Franco has come through the other end better positioned for the long term. With government contracts on the horizon and a newfound confidence in business finance, Franco Hauling is just getting started.

About the Southland Development Authority (SDA)

The Southland Development Authority is a nonprofit business organization launched in 2019 by business, civic, and political leaders from around the Southland who recognize the potential of the region’s people, businesses, and real estate. Our mission is to bring the resources and capacity needed to achieve transformative, inclusive economic growth for the south suburbs with a focus on investments in the Southland’s communities, industry, housing, and workforce.