Hello from SC

Hey Guys, I'm new to the site from SC. I have thought about trying to pick up some yards this spring. My full time job of 15 years in a family owned Radio Shack got cut to 3 days a week with more "Economy Days Off". I'm 29 and Love being in my yard or working on my house. Every One says to do what you love and the money will follow. I might not post a whole bunch, I like to search for past threads. So Hello from SC .

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Welcome to our forum! That is a very interesting story! How do you like working with the Radio Shack? How did your family ever get started with that and do you think the experience has taught you a lot about business?

__________________
- Subscribe to my Lawn Care Marketing Blog Feed and get daily tips sent to you. Free!
Download your Free trial of Gopher Lawn Care Software.

Hey Steve, RS has been awesome and a great learning experience. My father got started with RS back in 81 and bought this store in 85. I have been there since I was "a knee high to a grass hopper or so they say". But like everything electronics you can buy just about anything anywhere else. The Politics of the company has changed tremendous. I could get started but I will leave it there.

I was about to join the forum last year but didnt, My problem is going out and over coming my pride to ask for work. I know I can do it, I just sometimes dont believe I can do it. Does that make sense? Anyways. I have all kinds of questions on pricing lawns, getting started undercutting others, I just want a piece of the pie. But I will do some searches.

Ryan.

[Steve]

Hi Ryan,

You are hitting on some very good points here.

My problem is going out and over coming my pride to ask for work. I know I can do it, I just sometimes dont believe I can do it.

Can you tell us a little more about how you feel your pride is involved with asking for work?

Well, I have been helping the public for 15years. Its nothing to start up a conversation with a stranger for the first time in any place. I guess its just the fact that I'm having to do something that I feel like I loose confidence in myself when doing so because money is on the line. Its hard to explain... This was the main obstacle last year when I didnt get any lawns, Last year I picked up "non running lawn equipment" off craigslist before the public threw it away and I would fix and sell. But, with that being said I was taking it, fixing it and selling it compared to doing a service for some one. Maybe I just need to overcome the first service out there.

[Steve]

If you are feeling this, I am sure other readers are too.

So in your view, selling a service is tougher than selling a product?

I'm having to do something that I feel like I loose confidence in myself when doing so because money is on the line.

Why do you feel this is the case?

I'd really like to hear your view on why. I think if you explained this and got over it, you could become a powerhouse!

So in your view, selling a service is tougher than selling a product?

I guess it factors in Will my service be worth the price to the customer, Will I be able to build a good trust worthy bond between the owner and myself. Heres another good one, Will he rep me to his buddies or talk about what he dont like?

I'm not sure how to answer this question Steve. I just know last night before bed I was thinking of how stoked I am that Day light savings time is this weekend and I need to jump on a high horse and start meeting and greeting people. One thing that I need to change is, I need to stop thinking so much and start doing. Sometimes I can think myself out of doing something so silly. Being in a family owned business has got me thinking do I want to work for the man or not? The answer is...Not. That is my last resort, I want to try ME first.

Ryan.

[Steve]

Ryan,

These are all great points you are making.

Here is my reflection on it.

Anyone can be an entrepreneur but a lot of times what I see is that entrepreneurs are created out of situations. Cause and effect type situations.

for ex: You grow up poor and swear you will ever be poor again so you start your own business.

You hate authority figures and people telling you what to do, so you start your own business.

You seek life long adventure, so you start your own business.

Being that you are the second generation within a family business, you might have not had to deal with such issues because you might have a strong willed father possibly that pulled this business all together and made it happen.

This may not necessarily apply to you, but this happens. You grow up in a business and you don't develop the skill or confidence to go off on your own, because you didn't have too.

Because the skill set hasn't been developed yet, a low self esteem may exist that makes you question whether anything you do is valuable to anyone.

When you reflect on this statement:

I guess it factors in Will my service be worth the price to the customer, Will I be able to build a good trust worthy bond between the owner and myself. Heres another good one, Will he rep me to his buddies or talk about what he dont like?

Do you find this to be the case? Or do you feel it is because of another reason?

Knowing there is an issue, figuring out what it is and why it is can help you move forwards and overcome it.

I know that many forum readers are in situations where they question their value and what they can offer and it keeps them from doing what they really want.

The beautiful thing about all of this to remember is, it can all be overcome. I know you are going to do a great job and you will kick ***. It's just getting over this mental hump and moving forwards.

You are correct and I see that in a lot of people. I understand all the scenarios. Actually i'm 3rd generation. My grand father started buying and fixing corvettes and trucks from his generation, then he started a car dealership. My old man worked for the man first and started his business. Now it is in the process of either being sold or liquidated. One of your points struck it for me and that was working for the man, Problem with authority should you say. Maybe your last replay was the one I needed. I think i'm gonna make it happen one way or another. See I'm not a follower, I'm a leader. My friends used to tell me Ryan, You can sell ice to an eskymoe, Well Maybe I need to start selling myself to others more often again.

I just want to be known for something different other than having the lowest truck in town, Installing home/12v audio and a few other things. Every one knows I'm a Do-er. I guess its time to straddle up and get the job done. Thanks Steve, That last email was good. I dont know what it was but.........

[JP Landscaping]

You're not alone on this one, I can say I (along with many of us on this site) have felt that way or similar to you. It's a bit nerve racking when you are used to having people come to you and now you have to go to them. But don't be afraid of getting told ''NO'' when doing bids.

Have you heard the saying 1/10 will say yes so the sooner you get to the 9th no, the closer you will be to the "yes". Just think about it that way, and know this business is a numbers business. Meaning if you get a yes for every 9 no's, then you should plan for a lot of no's if you want to have a lot of clients.

Don't take them personally, it's business. consider it a job to go out there and get clients and be told no many times. I think this can help you as it helped me. the hardest step is the first one.

Good luck and I hope this is a successful season for you