Say Hello !!!

[Florida Lawn & Landworks]

Hi everyone, I first want to say thanks to everyone in this forum. I started my business last year after being laid off by my employer. Learning that I had my first child on the way, I couldn't afford to live on unemployment while waiting for the next job. Having no previous experience, this forum has helped me out daily! I now have around 30 residentials, 2 big commercials, and over $25,000 we are bidding for the new year. =) I couldn't have done it without Gopherhaul. Thanks again. Kyle - Florida Lawn & Landworks

[Steve]

That's great news Kyle. Keep us posted on how everything progresses.

[Asef77]

Hi and hello to this nation of snowplowers landscapers and all the rest that are here, and of course the guests that come and go.

Oh yeah you to Steve!

So anyway I am like brand new to this snowplow game, I haven't even hatched from my egg, but I'm cracking my way out, what makes me soo happy that I found a site like yours, where I'm thinkin I will get everything I need, now and future.

Im getting in to the snow plow business, went crazy looking for a starter truck, and ended up getting 2, good story but maybe weird too, maybe some other time I can share that, but yeah I'm getting busy reading everyone's posts and getting to know the site.

Oh well don't wanna give too much to read, once again hi hello and loads of THANKS!
Asef

[DannyP69]

Hi Steve, and All. I love this site and am very happy to have found it. It is already answering a lot of the questions I have had.

I started out my business late last summer. Around early August. I only worked for a couple of months because I am also working fulltime somewhere else.

I bought a mower, trimmer, chainsaw, and pressure washer. I also bought a Ford Ranger. Mainly due to wanting to start a Landscape business for the last few years. But also due to renovations to my house. I make a decent amount of money with my fulltime job and that basically pays for the bills, mortgage, etc.. But I started on my own to gradually get out of my fulltime job over the next few years.

Would you say that it's a good idea to kind of phase out my fulltime job while seeing how my business progresses as oposed to quitting outright and going fulltime at Landscaping?

Also, I am still learning a lot of the different aspects of the trade. I did a little bit of it years ago with someone who had their own company and he taught me the basics. But I am trying to pick up a lot more stuff by researching, and doing jobs on my own. Do you have any basic tips on starting out? Should I stay unregistered for a couple more years until things get rolling? Should I register the company right away and start charging taxes? Any other tips would be great.

My plan is to basically work my @zz off between my fulltime job and my business for the next couple of years so I can eventually run my company fulltime. I have also noticed that in the few short months that I did this in between my 9-5 job, it seemed to kind of get in the way. Clients didn't want their lawns mowed on Saturday, they wanted it done today. This was my biggest problem. Any tips?

Thanks again on the great site and many helpful tips on here. Thank You all.

Danny.

[Steve]

Welcome to our forum.

Would you say that it's a good idea to kind of phase out my fulltime job while seeing how my business progresses as oposed to quitting outright and going fulltime at Landscaping?

I think phasing out the full time job as your business picks up is a great idea.

Should I stay unregistered for a couple more years until things get rolling? Should I register the company right away and start charging taxes? Any other tips would be great.

I'd say it's always better to start off on the right foot than it is to try and fix bad business practices later.

Clients didn't want their lawns mowed on Saturday, they wanted it done today. This was my biggest problem. Any tips?

Can you set them up on weekly mowing schedules and then maybe take a day off of work each week to mow?

[mikosiko]

Hello all and my situation is exactly like DannyP69... So looking forward to see his progression also. I am excited about starting and my plan is basic, great person and exceptional service. These are the only two things that matter to the customer and thats what I intend to provide. I have experience in lawn treatment about 2 years and mowing from a youngster, so I am definitely registering to go to lawn school... Thanks Steve... Other than that my experience is in my current career of 15 years that involves lots of standing, labor, thought work, working all day every day and never taking a sick day. So now its time to take those things and add to it learning how to operate a business. The market here consists of 305 lawn care companies and very few all in ones (that provide all services in lawn care). Most only do some services but not others, maybe I'll find out why, or maybe I will find what makes me more viable and hire-able than the others. There are about 300,000 single family homes in this city with lawns to be cared for. Plenty of market share in my view and great reason to make my mark to find my niche. Look forward to chatting with all of you. Thanks again Steve for all you do. Happy Holidays to all of you!!

[Steve]

Happy Holidays to you too and I look forwards to hearing all about your company growth into the new year.

[Dkoester]

Hi Steve, I came across this site while searching for ways to grow our business. I'm impressed. I could tell right away you care for people to do well. My name is Dewain Koester and I own Extremely Green Inc. We do lawn care and landscape maintenance. I have 2 employees, sometimes 3 during the summer months. 2007 is when we opened for business. Great to be here!

[groundworks]

My small landscaping company is only one year old, however, I have been doing landscape work for five years as a hobby. My hobby has grown to a point I desided I had better form a company.

I live in a small city in Indiana so have to deal with the winter months, fortunately I have a full time job to support my hobby/company.

I provide almost all aspects of the landscape business except hardscape, don't have the equipment or knowledge.

[Steve]

Welcome! I look forwards to hear more about the ways you want to improve your business going into the new year.