Posted 9:55 pm Sunday, October 25, 2009
Off-Beat Business: Frisby, Todd Take Ponding To New Level In Tyler
By BRIAN PEARSON
Business Editor
Cole Frisby dabbled in private-investigation work before plunging into his true passion: ponds.
Business Editor
Cole Frisby dabbled in private-investigation work before plunging into his true passion: ponds.
Born and raised in Bullard, where he graduated from high school in 2002, Frisby spent a few semesters in college before taking a job as a fraud investigator for a Dallas insurance company.
He obtained a private-investigator license and engaged in busting those with bogus claims.
One of those was an Oklahoma truck driver who got an $80,000 payout for an alleged arm injury due to a slammed truck door.
"She said the wind blew into the door," Frisby said.
As a side business, he got into creating outdoor water features.
NEW HOMES FOR FISH: FncPonds Stone & Grass sells a variety of ponds, as well as rocks, plants and fish to go along.
"I've always been into ground digging," he said. "It became a passion, the water and being outside.
"I just didn't like office life."
Two years ago, he left the private-investigator work behind and went into ponds full-time. He went on to construct 25 ponds in the Dallas area.
Two years ago, he left the private-investigator work behind and went into ponds full-time. He went on to construct 25 ponds in the Dallas area.
PEACEFUL: A type of pond constructed by Cole Frisby and Tanner Todd with FncPonds in Tyler.
"I saw that maybe there was a bigger market here (in Tyler)," Frisby said.
He moved his business to Tyler in 2008 and partnered with high school buddy Tanner Todd, who also had experience in ponding.
The two added grass and decorative rocks to the business, called FncPonds Stone & Grass.
"Rocks and water kind of go together," Frisby said.
Today, the business, located at 10117 U.S. Highway 69 North, sells ponds and rocks as well as koi fish and exotic plants to go with them.
Pride sources for the business include two projects at the Villa Montez restaurant in Tyler. One is a pond ecosystem and the other a pondless fountain.
The business also did work at the Villa di Felicita, a local hot spot for weddings and special events.
Prices vary depending on size. An 11-by-16-foot pond with a waterfall goes for about $7,000. Customers can buy the materials and build their ponds for less than $2,000.
Todd, 26, said a pond has five essential components: a waterfall called a "biofall," skimmer, fish, rocks and plants.
All components work in symphony to create an ecosystem that draws butterflies, dragonflies, frogs, turtles and other critters, he said. The fish and moving water take care of the mosquitoes, and the rocks provide hiding places for the fish should the neighbor's cat come looking for a meal.
After graduating from Bullard High School in 2002, Todd went on to study kinesiology at the University of North Texas in Denton.
Like Frisby, he did ponds on the side. He got married, had a child and moved back to the Tyler area two years ago.
Todd was the driving force behind Frisby moving back to Tyler, where the business would be easier to market.
"People are more friendly in East Texas," Todd said.
He said ponds are more than just decoration.
"People are attracted to them," Todd said. "It brings families together, and it's an education center for kids.
"People are attracted to them," Todd said. "It brings families together, and it's an education center for kids.
"It's peaceful and tranquil."
Know of an interesting business? Send ideas to Business Editor Brian Pearson at bpearson@tylerpaper.com
Know of an interesting business? Send ideas to Business Editor Brian Pearson at bpearson@tylerpaper.com
or 903-596-6280.
