Start-up Advice...

[Steve]

You have great contacts and just knowing these people I think will be very beneficial. At this point I wouldn't give up any ownership. That has a tendency to muddle things. Plus it sounds like these people already have their plate full and how much energy would they really be able to focus on your business.

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[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by [b Quote[/b] ]The tree company had near $92,000 in sales last month alone. Thier biggest month yet I believe. What do you think got this company to the size they are today? Also what do you think are the biggest hurdles they face at this point?

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[bogilvie]

Number one the owner met a great business contact along the way that pumped capital investment of around 180K and got the company running on some basic sound principals.

They incorporated as an LLC, they created a leasing company and bought new trucks and equipment and they hired a business/tax consultant to review internal processes.

They have invested in good people, they have an excellent full time sales/marketing director who has achieved great sucess in getting the name recognized as charlestons #1 rated tree service.

They really came up from starting in a beat up truck and some saws and rope!

Thier story in not something you find everyday where an investor will come in and plunk down money and mentor you.

one thing that he does have is a lot of drive and determination, that the single most important thing he has carried with him, besides being blessed by God. He is a faithful tither and recognized his debit owed to God by giving of ten percent of his income to his church.

[Steve]

I think it is pretty amazing.

How did he ever find such an investor? Was it a family member? I bet a lot of small businesses would love to find someone like that to take them to the next level.

Is the investor really business savy? Sometimes money is good but knowing how to spend it is even better. Sound business advise is so important.

Have you considered talking to this investor yourself to have him help you?

[Big Lebowski]

What a great read this topic is. The ownership thing... I agree, it's yours.

But I wanted to comment. The bike story, awesome. The encouragement, awesome. I have several LCO's around me here, quite a few actually but that doesn't scare me. But I have had some apprehension of using my MTD lawn mower. I too am concerned about image. I could pull off buying a 42" John Deere ZTR from Lowes/Home Depot but I would have to put it on my card. That is a crazy 23% interest. I also don't have a trailer yet.

I have everything else. The truck, plow, push mower, trimmer, blower & tons of hand tools and such. Heck I even own an auger if someone needed a tree planted or a fence installed.

My brother has a LCO in Florida and rides a Husky, it's not the ZTR or hand controls but it is nicer than mine and a lot more expensive. But after reading this I think I feel a lot better about my MTD.

Thanks to all you guys that make this such an awesome site. I am definitely going to buy the DVD, books and software.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]But I have had some apprehension of using my MTD lawn mower. I too am concerned about image. I could pull off buying a 42" John Deere ZTR from Lowes/Home Depot but I would have to put it on my card.

When you talk about your apprehension, what do you feel is the issue? Will the customer not want your service because you have an MTD mower? Or is it an apprehension of what other lawn care operators in the area will say about you? Or is it something else?

[Big Lebowski]

I think the home owner is the issue really. But you know what? I think if I hired someone and they mowed my lawn with the old school manual push mower but it looked good, I wouldn't care.

My brother said 1/2 his residents have gated back yards and he has to mow by pushing anyway.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Big Lebowski @ July 18 2007,9:48)]I think the home owner is the issue really. But you know what? I think if I hired someone and they mowed my lawn with the old school manual push mower but it looked good, I wouldn't care.

My brother said 1/2 his residents have gated back yards and he has to mow by pushing anyway.

I see what you are saying. I think you are always better off getting started today with what you have and improving on it as you go.

You could also take the view point if your equipment doesn't look too expensive, then maybe you won't charge too much. Sometimes being frugal and conservative is attractive to customers.

[Little's]

I started with a Craftsman push mower I bought at the flea market, along with a $20 hand held blower from a local engine shop (or a CRAPSman as he called it). I had no trouble getting accounts with these and used them for the first year I was in business, until they CRAPPED out on me. Its not about selling your equipment, it's about selling your service and work ethic.

[Steve]

Thank you littles for posting. Can you tell me if you ever received any negative comments or reactions from your customers when you had that equipment?