Did you ever think of just giving up?

[Steve]

We all know how tough it is to get a business started and for many of you that post, you have pushed through quite a bit and overcome many obstacles. A lot of those who just read may not have your experiences. My question to you is this, have you ever gotten to a point where you just about quit? If so, what happened and how did you get through it? What do you feel was the lesson to be learned from it?

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[jklawncare]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by Steve We all know how tough it is to get a business started and for many of you that post, you have pushed through quite a bit and overcome many obstacles. A lot of those who just read may not have your experiences. My question to you is this, have you ever gotten to a point where you just about quit? If so, what happened and how did you get through it? What do you feel was the lesson to be learned from it? not only did i get to the point..i did quit..and i regret it with every bit of me.. im starting up first thing this spring to try and get back on top where i was before and hopefully even bigger better name better logo better work ethic you learn from your mistakes and this sure was a mistake when things get rough..deal with it..ahaha hopefully this year will be a good one

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Just Kut Lawn and Landscape
"Where Service is Always in Season"
Reach for the stars so if you fall you land on a cloud.

[Hedgemaster]

Irony.

As you were typing this question, I was downstairs "discussing" things with my wife. It's as close as I've come to quitting.

Winter is here - there are STILL things(paperwork) I need to get filed for tax purposes, and as I hadn't yet sent in my application for my municipality's home occupancy permit, I got a letter today reminding me that it's illegal to operate a business without doing so. (Apparently they get a notice when someone files a fictitious name application)

No work - winter came early. We don't have enough snow yet to use my two stage snowthrower (Ugh. should have bought a single stage), and I still have questions about how to handle snow removal contracts.

I don't think I'm going to be able to make this work this winter - I will need to find a part time job at a minimum. Things suck at the moment, but when my wife asked if I was saying I wanted to "give up" on the lawn care business idea, I said, "No".

I think I'll be OK if I can make it through the winter.

[MAKLawnCutter]

Originally Posted by Hedgemaster

Irony.

As you were typing this question, I was downstairs "discussing" things with my wife. It's as close as I've come to quitting.

Winter is here - there are STILL things(paperwork) I need to get filed for tax purposes, and as I hadn't yet sent in my application for my municipality's home occupancy permit, I got a letter today reminding me that it's illegal to operate a business without doing so. (Apparently they get a notice when someone files a fictitious name application)

No work - winter came early. We don't have enough snow yet to use my two stage snowthrower (Ugh. should have bought a single stage), and I still have questions about how to handle snow removal contracts.

I don't think I'm going to be able to make this work this winter - I will need to find a part time job at a minimum. Things suck at the moment, but when my wife asked if I was saying I wanted to "give up" on the lawn care business idea, I said, "No".

I think I'll be OK if I can make it through the winter.

I have posted about my trial and tribulations but, It seems a lot of people are getting hit with the society-****-hole that is happening right now. This winter has hit early, hard and heavy. Extreme droughts, insane amounts of snow and low snow amounts in others.

2010 has been my year of triumph.

I have done my "domination" here in Daytona Beach as i planned, i got 11calls so far since monday on advertising i put out two weeks ago, my commercial accounts go "active" in January and i just picked up 5 residential accounts less than 8 minutes from the new place.

All this business takes is a Strive to make it all happen. You can pull your *** out of a hard place if you put 100% into it. Cut certain expences out or decrease them as you see fit (cellphone, car insurance, lighter trailer, decrease your equipment count, ect.)

To own a business you must become business minded.

If anyone needs ANY assistance in any way possible, i am here to help in anyway i can (other than financial, i have a kid due in a month). I can give you pointers, advertising help, image assistance. I will donate my time for FREE in helping anyone in any way i can.

Matt

[CHEESE2009]

Times get tough, but the fact being my own boss and owning my own company is better than anything out there, I suppose.


There have come times where I've had discussions where I've admitted to hating my company, how it's a burden and takes the point of living away
- it's consuming in all aspects and becomes an addiction.

This business has been good, it's doing it's job, but it leaves no time for me. I miss the days where I had absolutely nothing going through my mind,
right now my mind is cluttered. I allow it, because it's productive and I have nothing better to due... fills a gap and keeps me out of trouble.

Everything good I do, the company takes the credit - not from my customers, but from myself. Do you understand? I never give myself applause. Should I? Probably!

Sometimes I feel as if I do not own this company, and I'm the worker who the boss hates and never sees the light of day. "Scott, fix this problem you got yourself into"




It's a lot of pressure for someone like me. I don't know how I am supposed to be;

I have spent all my life training to tell people what they want to hear sometimes for my personal gain or interest, to make this "great impression" with people and to mask my own feelings - I'm pro. I have a hard time understanding emotions and rarely do I express my own - when I do I end up hurting feelings - recent family situation had me tell my own mother
"You know... for some reason I could never see anyone in this family again and I wouldn't feel anything" I then had to explain several reasons;;;

Mother asked about my brother, I said "I find him childish, older than me but always my littler brother to me with no brain of his own to use - he's pathetic and a waste of my time.

My mother responded, "but he says you guys like hanging out"

I said, "Yes, that's his opinion - personally it's dreadful for me"


My mother asked about my sister, I said,
"She may be in education, but she's still an idiot/bimbo to me. She's getting married and is pregnant to a guy she just met out of desperation. She could never meet a decent guy in a club, yet that's all she's been aiming for her entire life. I have no idea who she is, but she's just labeled as "sister" and nothing more - It's not like we've bonded, ever.

Then she asked about my stepfather... a lot of truth came out and I said;

"He's not a father to me, I could live with a stepfather - he's just nothing like a father at all. He's been with us from the time I was born, but I still have no idea who he is. All I know is his name, place of work, and that he has a chip on his shoulder. I don't miss having a dad, never experienced it.. might have been nice but I don't mind at all. I don't know why you guys are together, probably a financial reason - your secret is safe with me and understood. I also said I'm a little messed up in the head (it's the rumor) most likely from him. "Scott, friends will only bring you down - you don't need them" engraved into my brain, thinking of him as a role model when I was just a kid.
Or even, "Don't bother with relationships, it's a waste."

^ It's not something said as a joke or small talk, he actually sat me down and made me understand him on occasion... Like lessons. I am older, and know better - I just can't change myself.

She then asked about herself, I said;
You are my best friend, but I actually don't like you. You did a good thing being with my stepfather, as it would have been tough on you with 3 kids with a crappy job. Smart. Unfortunately you are scared of him (stepfather), to the point you can't live your own life... Everything you do has to be careful, to make sure he doesn't leave you - you'd have nothing and it would be too hard to adapt to anything less than what he provides. You make me sick, when the only time you mention his name is with fear. (she always used to say things like, "Your stepfather is coming home, fix this, go to your room, bla bla) as if he's going to kill us or something.... Something even I know he wouldn't do, he's not that bad, not physically (he was), he does a lot of damage mentally instead. Parents sleep in separate rooms, mother waits around for him all day, she gets treated like crap... Stepfather works ALL day, which isn't necessary.

My stepfather tried to make me feel less of people who aren't like him, or him in general. It backfired and only made me want him to disappear. Some things are engraved in me, like "being busy" is a must, if I'm not busy I am worthless.

Sorry I'm full of writing tonight, had a few to drink!

Unfortunately, I don't have experience being real with people and solely looking out for what I want - especially when it comes to letting people down. I can pull off an emotion, I can just hardly feel it.

I hung out with my new 'friends' from the depanure(gas station) I wrote about meeting recently. It was awkward, truth be told they enjoyed my company but thought it was weird for me to have no one else as friends. I told them I'm a good friend, but for a very short time.

EXAMPLE: I have one friend I see every few months, he is a nice guy I suppose and he is 'there'. The only time I see him is accidentally. He then asks if I want to hangout.. I promised 4 times recently, 4 days in a row and ignored his calls afterwards - breaking my promise. He has not given up on me, knows I'm a little "off", which is cool... He's a big loser personally, so it's my advantage knowing he wont be going anywhere.

My 'friends' from the depanure(gas station) saw my phone ring several times and asked what's up.

Scott: Oh that's my friend.

Dep guy: Aren't you going to answer?

Scott: He's my best friend and understands.

Dep guy: What's to understand?

Scott: I'm an awful friend, he knows.

^hahaha

I realized the reason I'm still doing this business, I love being alone.
I love the heck out of it. They thought of it as weird, but honestly I'm all I need, no problems!


When I have a question, I'll ask others just to be sociable - I'm sure most of us do. It just hit me, and after awhile of being to myself I got used to it and didn't have any drama or irregular problems - just me! My stepfathers words came true to me.


Imagine what it's like for a girl to be with me, hahaha. They love the hell out of me because I say what they want to hear and know what to do, but I drive them crazy (seriously) they will attack me eventually trying to figure me out. I'm lucky I'm not hideous or uneducated.


Sorry for the post, as I said I had a few drinks and love to spill every now and then. I had a good night.



For the record, when I'm lonely.. It just means I'm boring myself. lol

[mark123]

The only time I wanted to give up and quit was when I was working for someone else. Now that I work for myself I feel freedom. I no longer have to meet unrealistic deadlines, I can choose to turn down a rotten customer, making just enough for the day is finally good enough. I don't put superhuman expectations on myself and I'm happy. Sure, it's rough sometimes but I have faith and Jesus is proven good.

[MAKLawnCutter]

Originally Posted by CHEESE2009

Times get tough, but the fact being my own boss and owning my own company is better than anything out there, I suppose.


There have come times where I've had discussions where I've admitted to hating my company, how it's a burden and takes the point of living away
- it's consuming in all aspects and becomes an addiction.

This business has been good, it's doing it's job, but it leaves no time for me. I miss the days where I had absolutely nothing going through my mind,
right now my mind is cluttered. I allow it, because it's productive and I have nothing better to due... fills a gap and keeps me out of trouble.

Everything good I do, the company takes the credit - not from my customers, but from myself. Do you understand? I never give myself applause. Should I? Probably!

Sometimes I feel as if I do not own this company, and I'm the worker who the boss hates and never sees the light of day. "Scott, fix this problem you got yourself into"




It's a lot of pressure for someone like me. I don't know how I am supposed to be;

I have spent all my life training to tell people what they want to hear sometimes for my personal gain or interest, to make this "great impression" with people and to mask my own feelings - I'm pro. I have a hard time understanding emotions and rarely do I express my own - when I do I end up hurting feelings - recent family situation had me tell my own mother
"You know... for some reason I could never see anyone in this family again and I wouldn't feel anything" I then had to explain several reasons;;;

Mother asked about my brother, I said "I find him childish, older than me but always my littler brother to me with no brain of his own to use - he's pathetic and a waste of my time.

My mother responded, "but he says you guys like hanging out"

I said, "Yes, that's his opinion - personally it's dreadful for me"


My mother asked about my sister, I said,
"She may be in education, but she's still an idiot/bimbo to me. She's getting married and is pregnant to a guy she just met out of desperation. She could never meet a decent guy in a club, yet that's all she's been aiming for her entire life. I have no idea who she is, but she's just labeled as "sister" and nothing more - It's not like we've bonded, ever.

Then she asked about my stepfather... a lot of truth came out and I said;

"He's not a father to me, I could live with a stepfather - he's just nothing like a father at all. He's been with us from the time I was born, but I still have no idea who he is. All I know is his name, place of work, and that he has a chip on his shoulder. I don't miss having a dad, never experienced it.. might have been nice but I don't mind at all. I don't know why you guys are together, probably a financial reason - your secret is safe with me and understood. I also said I'm a little messed up in the head (it's the rumor) most likely from him. "Scott, friends will only bring you down - you don't need them" engraved into my brain, thinking of him as a role model when I was just a kid.
Or even, "Don't bother with relationships, it's a waste."

^ It's not something said as a joke or small talk, he actually sat me down and made me understand him on occasion... Like lessons. I am older, and know better - I just can't change myself.

She then asked about herself, I said;
You are my best friend, but I actually don't like you. You did a good thing being with my stepfather, as it would have been tough on you with 3 kids with a crappy job. Smart. Unfortunately you are scared of him (stepfather), to the point you can't live your own life... Everything you do has to be careful, to make sure he doesn't leave you - you'd have nothing and it would be too hard to adapt to anything less than what he provides. You make me sick, when the only time you mention his name is with fear. (she always used to say things like, "Your stepfather is coming home, fix this, go to your room, bla bla) as if he's going to kill us or something.... Something even I know he wouldn't do, he's not that bad, not physically (he was), he does a lot of damage mentally instead. Parents sleep in separate rooms, mother waits around for him all day, she gets treated like crap... Stepfather works ALL day, which isn't necessary.

My stepfather tried to make me feel less of people who aren't like him, or him in general. It backfired and only made me want him to disappear. Some things are engraved in me, like "being busy" is a must, if I'm not busy I am worthless.

Sorry I'm full of writing tonight, had a few to drink!

Unfortunately, I don't have experience being real with people and solely looking out for what I want - especially when it comes to letting people down. I can pull off an emotion, I can just hardly feel it.

I hung out with my new 'friends' from the depanure(gas station) I wrote about meeting recently. It was awkward, truth be told they enjoyed my company but thought it was weird for me to have no one else as friends. I told them I'm a good friend, but for a very short time.

EXAMPLE: I have one friend I see every few months, he is a nice guy I suppose and he is 'there'. The only time I see him is accidentally. He then asks if I want to hangout.. I promised 4 times recently, 4 days in a row and ignored his calls afterwards - breaking my promise. He has not given up on me, knows I'm a little "off", which is cool... He's a big loser personally, so it's my advantage knowing he wont be going anywhere.

My 'friends' from the depanure(gas station) saw my phone ring several times and asked what's up.

Scott: Oh that's my friend.

Dep guy: Aren't you going to answer?

Scott: He's my best friend and understands.

Dep guy: What's to understand?

Scott: I'm an awful friend, he knows.

^hahaha

I realized the reason I'm still doing this business, I love being alone.
I love the heck out of it. They thought of it as weird, but honestly I'm all I need, no problems!


When I have a question, I'll ask others just to be sociable - I'm sure most of us do. It just hit me, and after awhile of being to myself I got used to it and didn't have any drama or irregular problems - just me! My stepfathers words came true to me.


Imagine what it's like for a girl to be with me, hahaha. They love the hell out of me because I say what they want to hear and know what to do, but I drive them crazy (seriously) they will attack me eventually trying to figure me out. I'm lucky I'm not hideous or uneducated.


Sorry for the post, as I said I had a few drinks and love to spill every now and then. I had a good night.



For the record, when I'm lonely.. It just means I'm boring myself. lol

"A few drinks"

Scott, how many is a "few" lol, and answering yourself in conversation is fine, it always makes me feel like i have friends too lol.

Matt

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by MAKLawnCutter

"A few drinks"

Scott, how many is a "few" lol,t

One drink , trust me I have a lot more to say and I'm happy of what I wrote.
I have a lot of new things to take care of now that I think of it.

I love winter.

[JLH Pro Lawn Care]

Hey I'm in Daytona also and I can't say that it's been easy here but I know the spring is coming, learned alot in the last few months and have thought of quitting but I'll be on the grass again soon.. Sucks that it's as slow here as it is.

saw your craigslist adds they look good:-)

hello from a fellow Daytona lawn guy workin to make it happen.

Originally Posted by MAKLawnCutter

I have posted about my trial and tribulations but, It seems a lot of people are getting hit with the society-****-hole that is happening right now. This winter has hit early, hard and heavy. Extreme droughts, insane amounts of snow and low snow amounts in others.

2010 has been my year of triumph.

I have done my "domination" here in Daytona Beach as i planned, i got 11calls so far since monday on advertising i put out two weeks ago, my commercial accounts go "active" in January and i just picked up 5 residential accounts less than 8 minutes from the new place.

All this business takes is a Strive to make it all happen. You can pull your *** out of a hard place if you put 100% into it. Cut certain expences out or decrease them as you see fit (cellphone, car insurance, lighter trailer, decrease your equipment count, ect.)

To own a business you must become business minded.

If anyone needs ANY assistance in any way possible, i am here to help in anyway i can (other than financial, i have a kid due in a month). I can give you pointers, advertising help, image assistance. I will donate my time for FREE in helping anyone in any way i can.

Matt

[jasonw]

Every day brother. Not a day goes by where the thought dose not cross my mind. I F-ed up big time this year and we never fully recovered. Now I am unemployed and working for myself full time with $130 in my business account.