Did you ever think of just giving up?

[TheGoat]

Never. I was in the Navy for 8 years, and I'm done working for the government. I worked for Intel and Micron for 2 years and I'm done working a corporate job. I started working for myself this year and I have never been happier. My lawn service is something that I look forward to working on every day.

__________________
Hungry Goat Lawn Service, Deltona, FL

[jasonw]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by TheGoat Never. I was in the Navy for 8 years, and I'm done working for the government. I worked for Intel and Micron for 2 years and I'm done working a corporate job. I started working for myself this year and I have never been happier. My lawn service is something that I look forward to working on every day. Did you have to deal with a pay cut moving from those seemingly high profile jobs into lawn care? If so how did you deal with that?

__________________
White Company

[TheGoat]

Originally Posted by jasonw

Did you have to deal with a pay cut moving from those seemingly high profile jobs into lawn care? If so how did you deal with that?

Yes, but the quality of life I enjoy now is much higher. In the Navy, you deploy. You miss the birth of children, holidays, birthdays, and huge chunks of time in their lives besides that.

The place I lived while working in the semiconductor industry had an extremely high cost of living and I was not happy there besides. I had more time off than when I was in the navy though.

I am much happier now, I actually make more hourly now than when I was fixing semicon production equipment, and I get to choose exactly how much I work on my lawn service.

[hawthornelawncare]

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?

Well i can say i have thought about quiting. Had my hand held equipment stolen and been hard starting from scratch. Being im out of work as it is. I finally got some equipment replaced and got marketing material already to go. Just feel that things wont go like i want them to. I dont expect to become rich or anything. (even though would be nice). Just want to make enough to be living and have a little extra. I learned that you cant give up to quick. there will be down falls and set backs. But stick in there and things will come out right

[Onegirl]

I have only been in business for 6 months. I have already experienced nonpayments, the job not good enough, other lawn services coming behind me trying to take my clients, all types of mechanical failures, and under bidding a job. All these obstacles and I am still here. I have thought many, many times is this really worth it? Why am I even doing this? Where is the light at the end of this dark tunnel?
I took on a job that I thought I could handle. Boy was I wrong. The first day it seemed like none of my equipment wasn't working, it was hot, the grass was thick, the ditches were deep and the fence line went on forever. I talked to the owner of the company explained to him that this was a bit more than expected and if he could work with me on time. He did and he appreciated my honesty. I faced the headache and went to work instead of either walking away or doing a careless job. I am still taking care of their property, he has now offered me a new landscaping project and the maintenance of his home.
Everything that has happened to me I turn it into a learning experience. Look at the opportunity I was given all because I did not give up. Might as well experience the trials now why I am still growing so that way I know how to handle them in the future. Yes I said future. I am not giving up. I will overcome. This is worth it. I love my job. I love my business. I love everything that I do and yes I even like most of my clients. That is one of the important factors to doing this kind of business. You need to like what you are doing. The only way you can make your clients happy is if you are happy. I believe this whole heartily.

All things in live are what you make of them. Love life, learn from your mistakes, and grow with every opportunity given to you. It is all worth it in the long haul.

[Growing Green]

Originally Posted by Onegirl

I have only been in business for 6 months. I have already experienced nonpayments, the job not good enough, other lawn services coming behind me trying to take my clients, all types of mechanical failures, and under bidding a job. All these obstacles and I am still here. I have thought many, many times is this really worth it? Why am I even doing this? Where is the light at the end of this dark tunnel?
I took on a job that I thought I could handle. Boy was I wrong. The first day it seemed like none of my equipment wasn't working, it was hot, the grass was thick, the ditches were deep and the fence line went on forever. I talked to the owner of the company explained to him that this was a bit more than expected and if he could work with me on time. He did and he appreciated my honesty. I faced the headache and went to work instead of either walking away or doing a careless job. I am still taking care of their property, he has now offered me a new landscaping project and the maintenance of his home.
Everything that has happened to me I turn it into a learning experience. Look at the opportunity I was given all because I did not give up. Might as well experience the trials now why I am still growing so that way I know how to handle them in the future. Yes I said future. I am not giving up. I will overcome. This is worth it. I love my job. I love my business. I love everything that I do and yes I even like most of my clients. That is one of the important factors to doing this kind of business. You need to like what you are doing. The only way you can make your clients happy is if you are happy. I believe this whole heartily.

All things in live are what you make of them. Love life, learn from your mistakes, and grow with every opportunity given to you. It is all worth it in the long haul.

Good stuff! Thanks for sharing, very encouraging!

[fairgreen]

I just read all of your post. You sound alot like me just a little over a year ago. You should try to find yourself a nice non denominational church to attend. I was never a real big "church person" but once you find the right place to find HIM it makes all the difference in the world brother. You will start to actually feel again. It does take time and it does take some letting go...but brother it's worth it.

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

[prescott]

pretty much made the decision. Winter is usually slow, but we've had a lot of snow this winter. That along with the economy, people here in N. AZ just will not pay for quality service. Just did my paperwork for 2010; what a joke.Gross was 26k, after expenses of 9k, that is the joke. I'm just not going to suffer another winter or work for nothing. I have a good work ethic & do a quality job (according to my clients). Maybe I'm just a terrible business man. Anyway, thanks for letting me vent...

pilgrim
Complete Landscape Services

[RSE]

Hey now.....
There have been times in this "career" I have seriously thought of throwing in the towel and calling it quits. Sometimes we just have one of those days (or weeks) when nothing goes right, customers are angry, money is scarce and moral is down. I can even relate to the best of you when the bottom falls out. Its all relevant.
One day not too long ago I was approached by my competition (actually, he is a good friend of mine) and he asked me if maybe I was willing to merge. You see, his company is 9 times the size of mine. I sat and thought long and hard about this. I could utilize my talents to service many more customers, not worry so much about costly downtime, unload customer bulls#it onto his shoulders and have a steady 40+hr paycheck that wifey would like to see.
On the other hand, I would be turning my back on the relationships and personnal service I currently offer. I have a small airport transport business I would have to give up. I would have to learn what its like to take orders from someone else on the properties I already call the shots on. I would not make those cash deal jobs, I would be changing alot.....
So, I sat down with him and politley refused. I explained much of the above and that I can't risk our friendship if all went wrong. He told me good, he liked the way I thought and shared the contents of his beer fridge with me.
This is about as close as I've gotten to quitting. I could easily see how you others get discouraged, ripped off, told no and all the other factors that would qualify for abandoning the ship.
Just remember and old Chinese prophet once said, "its better to be pissed off than to be pissed on"

Good Luck to all out there!!!!!

[Steve]

Just did my paperwork for 2010; what a joke.Gross was 26k, after expenses of 9k, that is the joke. I'm just not going to suffer another winter or work for nothing. I have a good work ethic & do a quality job (according to my clients). Maybe I'm just a terrible business man.

What is your view on where you would have liked it to be and what do you attribute to the differences?