Making it Full Time

[CanadayLandscaping]

Alright, I'm in a slight debate with my wife. I told her that my ultimate goal is to do this career full time, and slowly add to my company, and expand services and size. She kinda giggled, and stated that mowing lawns is for extra money and teenagers, you can't do it full time. How many of you guys (and gals) are doing this full time, and how long did it take for you to make that transitions. I'm about ready to snap off my boss' head, and looking for a little hope. Also, for those of you that are doing it full time, is it everything you'd thought it would be? Better or Worse? If you were starting over, would you still choose this path? Thanks Everyone, looking forward to reading the replies!

[MountainViewGreenskeeper]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by CanadayLandscaping Alright, I'm in a slight debate with my wife. I told her that my ultimate goal is to do this career full time, and slowly add to my company, and expand services and size. She kinda giggled, and stated that mowing lawns is for extra money and teenagers, you can't do it full time. How many of you guys (and gals) are doing this full time, and how long did it take for you to make that transitions. I'm about ready to snap off my boss' head, and looking for a little hope. Also, for those of you that are doing it full time, is it everything you'd thought it would be? Better or Worse? If you were starting over, would you still choose this path? Thanks Everyone, looking forward to reading the replies! well I wasnt lucky enough to have a day job and start that way but also at the same time I think its been easier to take on more work and do estimate cause your more available..... kinda. Ive been doing this since march still havent payed myself, so with any business venture be ready for that for the first while. But there are a lot of companies out there that both make a lot of money and make a lot of peoples wages. The diference between the side work and teenage boy should be quality(even just a little more) and quantity. I would say this. There isnt all that much money to make doing just lawn care. Its the other things that you make money on. the lawn care side is just the foot in the door. So ya I would say do it but just make sure you are ready.

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Colton
Mountain View Greenskeeper proudly offering yard care in the East Valley of Arizona.

[justin_time]

Originally Posted by CanadayLandscaping

Alright, I'm in a slight debate with my wife. I told her that my ultimate goal is to do this career full time, and slowly add to my company, and expand services and size. She kinda giggled, and stated that mowing lawns is for extra money and teenagers, you can't do it full time.

How many of you guys (and gals) are doing this full time, and how long did it take for you to make that transitions. I'm about ready to snap off my boss' head, and looking for a little hope.

Also, for those of you that are doing it full time, is it everything you'd thought it would be? Better or Worse? If you were starting over, would you still choose this path?

Thanks Everyone, looking forward to reading the replies!

I am currently at that stage right now where I can expand to full time which means running all year long.

The following is stopping me to do this :

• Need a bigger truck
• Need a plow
• Higher insurance, so I have to wait until I'm 25 which is in 1 month from now
• Higher liability insurance

[CanadayLandscaping]

Originally Posted by justin_time

I am currently at that stage right now where I can expand to full time which means running all year long.

How long did it take you to get that point? Like i've said in previous post, I've just started, just starting to give estimates for this year. Am I dreaming that I could generate enough work to be able to go full time next year?

[justin_time]

Originally Posted by CanadayLandscaping

How long did it take you to get that point? Like i've said in previous post, I've just started, just starting to give estimates for this year. Am I dreaming that I could generate enough work to be able to go full time next year?

It took me 4 summers to get where I'm at.

I didn't have to buy a truck

I had to buy a trailer, bought a 5x10, currently now have a 6x12 and when I get a chance i will have an upgrade when I get the chance.

In 2009 I got myself a Zero Turn Mower which should be payed off by early next summer.

I now have 5 schools that I take care of. I am putting my bid again this year since my 2 yr contract is up.

If you have any questions, don't be shy to pm or e-mail me info@jitys.ca

[Steve]

I would think the vast majority of the members here are running their business full time.

Ultimately we only have so many hours we can work on anything.

Whenever anyone works a full time job and are trying to get a business up and running at the same time, they are going to find it a tough situation. It becomes a classic case of burning the candles at both ends.

Can you do it? Yes. Can it be successful? Yes. I think the key to it is to save up a few months worth of money and at a business point in your business, make the jump and quit the full time job.

A problem a lot of new entrepreneurs run into is support or lack of it. If you don't have people around you that run their own businesses, people tend to poo-poo the idea of starting a business.

If you work at a job, no one wants you to quit it. No one wants you to change what you are doing. People fear change. If you are the bread winner, no one wants to be worried that they won't have a meal to eat the next day cause business is slow.

So all of this has to be broken through and it can be very problematic to do that.

Probably the best way to get through it all is to start slow and slowly make money. As you begin to profit and learn the business, you will find more confidence and people around you won't be able to argue with you when you are making money and doing what you want.

I'm about ready to snap off my boss' head, and looking for a little hope.

Or you can always go with plan B. Say F*** it and quit your job and jump into full time entrepreneur and take any job you can get your hands on until you are more comfortable knowing what you want to do.