Expanding business

myrlin · #1 10-30-2006, 08:34 AM

At the present time I have 60 customers which I mow weekly by myself without having to hire anyone. I am trying to decide whether to expand by adding more customers which means I would have to hire help. Is it worth expanding or just continue doing it by myself? Any thoughts on pros or cons on expanding?

Thank you
Barry

Steve · #2 10-30-2006, 01:00 PM

Lawn care business tips

Hi Barry,

That is a very good question. We have many friends on the forum who have handled this in different ways. Some have hired employees, some have stayed small and some have hired employees only to scale back down after having problems with them.

A good thing about having employees is that you can expand and do more work however you now have to manage them.

What are some of your future business goals? Do you see yourself in the field or more in a managerial role? What would you prefer?

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myrlin · #3 10-30-2006, 01:16 PM

I like to do both

Steve · #4 10-30-2006, 01:36 PM

Well then go for it.

If a business owner has an aversion to managing employees I would say stay clear, but if that is the direction you want I think you should explore it.

Wasn't your son-in-law going to get into the industry? Could you hire him? That might make it easier to get into.

myrlin · #5 10-30-2006, 06:03 PM

Yes, my daughter & future son-in-law started in the weeding business not too long ago and are getting swamped with calls, which is good for them, so I don't think he could help me too much.
We are starting our slow season now, so I have all winter to think about expanding. I was just wondering about some thoughts on the idea and how to approach it. All thoughts are appreciated.

Steve · #6 11-03-2006, 09:32 PM

How big are your local competitors? As far as # of employees in your area?

myrlin · #7 11-04-2006, 07:09 AM

i have no idea

myrlin · #8 11-04-2006, 07:16 AM

what i need is some body to analyze my business for me. and tell me what direction to go.

John/Logo-Mechanix · #9 11-06-2006, 11:52 AM

Although I am not really in the lawn care business I had a similar situation a few years back. When I first started my own business of graphic design and advertising specialties one of the services I offered was logo clean-up, I didn't expect it would be a large part of the business. Well I began getting swamped with orders for this service and being a one man show could not handle it all in a timely manner. How I solved the problem was jobbing this aspect of the business out whenever I got too bogged down, allowing me to concentrate on more of the design aspect of my business. I could not justify hiring someone because there are times when business is slow. I don't know if that helps but it did allow me to keep the business and I have gotten other business from the customers who just started out sending me this type of work.

Steve · #10 11-06-2006, 11:34 PM

John, very good insight. I am happy to see you were able to hire artists to work with you when you had too many jobs, instead of turning them away.

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]what i need is some body to analyze my business for me. and tell me what direction to go.

The thing I wonder is which direction do you want to go? Has it been a dream of yours to have employees? Or does the idea of having employees scare you?

I don't think anyone can tell you which direction to take. I think this is a step which is taken based on your comfort level.

Once you make such a choice you can then get advice on how to make things run better based on specific situations.

Does anyone else have a view point on this?

Expanding business

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