Desperado72
12-22-2010, 08:55 AM
First-time poster here. I'm a single, 38-year-old guy from Richmond, VA, currently working in I.T. for a small software company. I've been thinking about switching to a field where I can have a little more job variety, see the sky, and work for myself. I haven't decided on lawn care just yet, but I have read many of the threads here. I do have a few concerns.
The first is, I will come right out and say I'm a convicted felon. I won't go into any details except to say it was a nonviolent offense, it happened about 8 years ago, and I didn't do any jail time. This is my main reason for wanting to switch careers. Job opportunities in the corporate world are extremely limited when you have a record, and expungement is not a realistic option in my state. I am VERY lucky to have my current job (small company, no background check), but we're losing clients and I fear we won't be around for too much longer. My work record is spotless, but I'm terrified at the idea of having to look for another job in this economy given my "other" record. I would much rather find a line of work where I can be my own boss. So my question is, will having a felony conviction be an issue for me in lawn care as far as obtaining licensing, insurance, etc?
My second concern has to do with equipment. I own a townhouse, so I have none - the HOA takes care of landscaping, snow removal, etc. I have no driveway or garage to store anything, although I do have a small fenced back yard. I'm guessing I would either have to buy an enclosed trailer and park it on the street or get an open trailer and rent a storage unit someplace. That's a pretty big expense considering I'm not even sure if I would like the work. Eventually I would probably buy a house with a garage, but that's a little ways off. Anybody else in this situation?
I have a lot of other concerns as well (my lack of knowledge of the business, my physical ability, income potential as a solo operator, etc.)...but for now those are the big two.
On the plus side, I have good credit, no debt besides my mortgage, no family to support, and enough savings to take some classes, buy some equipment, and perhaps get a business started in the next year or two.
So far my plan is to see if I can get a job working for someone else part-time this coming summer, while keeping my full-time job. Basically see if I like it before I make any big investment in equipment or schooling. Does this sound like a decent plan? Any suggestions?
The first is, I will come right out and say I'm a convicted felon. I won't go into any details except to say it was a nonviolent offense, it happened about 8 years ago, and I didn't do any jail time. This is my main reason for wanting to switch careers. Job opportunities in the corporate world are extremely limited when you have a record, and expungement is not a realistic option in my state. I am VERY lucky to have my current job (small company, no background check), but we're losing clients and I fear we won't be around for too much longer. My work record is spotless, but I'm terrified at the idea of having to look for another job in this economy given my "other" record. I would much rather find a line of work where I can be my own boss. So my question is, will having a felony conviction be an issue for me in lawn care as far as obtaining licensing, insurance, etc?
My second concern has to do with equipment. I own a townhouse, so I have none - the HOA takes care of landscaping, snow removal, etc. I have no driveway or garage to store anything, although I do have a small fenced back yard. I'm guessing I would either have to buy an enclosed trailer and park it on the street or get an open trailer and rent a storage unit someplace. That's a pretty big expense considering I'm not even sure if I would like the work. Eventually I would probably buy a house with a garage, but that's a little ways off. Anybody else in this situation?
I have a lot of other concerns as well (my lack of knowledge of the business, my physical ability, income potential as a solo operator, etc.)...but for now those are the big two.
On the plus side, I have good credit, no debt besides my mortgage, no family to support, and enough savings to take some classes, buy some equipment, and perhaps get a business started in the next year or two.
So far my plan is to see if I can get a job working for someone else part-time this coming summer, while keeping my full-time job. Basically see if I like it before I make any big investment in equipment or schooling. Does this sound like a decent plan? Any suggestions?