Some Lagniappe in Louisiana

[Lagniappe]

First off, I would like to begin by saying thanks. Before I jumped into the business, less than a month ago, I spent much time pouring over this site. Again, thank you all. Long story short, we used to own a pecan farm, started a pecan candy business, sold the farm (literally), kept the Candy business, and have done well with Pecan Candy for the past seven years. Needless to say, that spring, summer and fall is alot less busy than lets say, mid November through December. Had pondered starting a lawn service for years, and mid June, finally decided to act. Bought a 2008 Toro 48" Z Master with a 21 hp Kawasaki with 109 hours on it for $5100 off of Craigslist. Mint condition. Did I do ok?? I feel like I got a great deal. Any thoughts? From there came the new trailer, stick edger, and blower. Already had the Toro Personal Pace, and an Echo Trimmer. A month later, went from zero to 13 accounts. Again, many thanks to all of the insight on from you all

Lawn care business tips

Welcome to the forum and the maintenenace business. You are in a great position, starting from scratch, to grow your company the right way. Be selective, take on properties that make sense and most important, exceed your customer's expectations. Most landscapers fail to realize how easy it is to grow in this business if you understand your costs, treat every one of your properties as if they were your own and maintain a clean, professional image. If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask. Good Luck!!

[arthur712]

Welcome to the forum!

Pecan Candy YYYUUUMMMM!!!

Send us your site on the candy.

Thanx!
Artie

[Steve]

Welcome to our forum!

That is a very interesting background! How did you get started in the pecan candy business? Do you sell most of them online or in other ways? Do you have a website for it that we can see?

Have you found your previous business experience helping you now in your new business?

Welcome to the forums.

[Lagniappe]

Thanks for the warm welcome. Seems as if I know you guys after all the pouring over this website.

The candy business cames from the pecan farm. We had our first child in August of 2001. My wife tied to the house with a new baby, experimented with pecan candy, and would bring over her candy to the store, where we just let people try it. Our first "order" was for 15k worth of pecan candy to business owner her in Alexandria. To make a long story short, we had a hurricane, I lost 100k farming, so we decided to sell the farm, and the rest is history.

From there we jumped in the corperate custom gifts, with our pecan candy. Car dealerships, real estate companies, banks, so on and so on. From there, we grew a large individual customer list. I don't have a website. We send out brochures every year, and tried off and on to get a website going. Too much money for not enough return. I could never get my website to bring new customers, and our old customers will continue to order, website or not. Our candy brings in new customers for us. I think we grew 17% last year.

Sure having pervious experience has helped. I love dealing with people. If I can sell a bank 62k in Christmas gifts, a $55 dollar yard is nothing. As with our candy and our new lawn service, I sell myself, sell quality, and dependability. Price just falls right in place.

What do you all think about the Toro I bought? I did ok huh?

Next year when my youngest goes to school, I plan that my wife and I are going to tag team. Put her on the ZTR, and me handle the rest. Back when we were farming, she had more hours on our 60" eXmark, than I did.

Again, thanks all for the knowledge you all share.