New to this site.

Well I just wanted to check in and say hi to everyone. Here is a little about me: Well I live in Leesburg, FL and work at Caskey's Mower Shop and I have a part time lawn service that I do after work and on the weekend. I got back into the lawn service business because my wife owns a restaurant and we needed the extra money. If it goes well then I may just retire from the Mechanic Trade for good. Not that will happen because I grew up in a mower shop that my dad owned so it is in my blood. I enjoy mowing grass and talking to the customers. Well thanks for reading. Frankie

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Hi Frankie, Welcome to our forum! You certainly have a lot going on! With your father once owning a mower business, what was your view on starting your own? Also, what's been your view of your wife starting a restaurant? How do you like that business?

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Well I have learned alot about the do's and donts of running a business. If things go like I want them to go hopefully within 6 months this could my primary job. I mean don't get me wrong I love turning wrenches but I have done it since I was a kid. I really just like to be outdoors and in charge of things. If someone isn't happy with something then I can try to find a resolution to the problem.

I do have a lot on my plate with my job and the restaurant but my wife really wants me to get the lawn business in gear. I am looking into doing some target mass mailing to the local retirement communities here in the next week or two. I will keep you guys posted on how it works out.

Frankie

[Steve]

Can you do things to cross promote the companies? Can you put flyers in the restaurant or make place settings? Can you hand out flyers with an ad for your lawn service on one side and an ad for the restaurant on the other side?

My name is Randy I started my business about 5 years ago, but ive been mowing, and landscaping for about 20 years on and off for a local company in my area.
I work full time and mow on the side, im looking to get more commercial lawns in my area but its really hard, it seems like most of the companys have had the same mowing service for years and they dont want to change.
So Im not sure what to do, Im getting tired of the residential lawns, I need to be mowing about 100 yards to make it worth my while it seems.
So as you can tell im a little bumbed out.
If anyone has any input I would love to hear it.

Thanks, Randy

[Steve]

Hi Randy,

Welcome to our forum.

What we have seen that seems to work the best is to work your social networks. Do you know anyone that works at a commercial facility that can help direct you to the person in charge of property maintenance?

Also another concept that works is to go into local businesses that need property maintenance and give them a bid for lawn care service.

Introduce yourself to managers and give them your card. After you give a bid, do a follow up and see what they think of your bid.

There are a bunch of articles on this topic in my http://www.lawnchat.com blog too. Do a search on there for commercial accounts.