Did you ever think of just giving up?

[mark123]

Originally Posted by 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... 2009 was my first year on my own, I made $6k. In 2010, my second year, I think I made $12k. Personally, I'm a bit proud of that. It's so much better than sitting around and waiting for a handout or complaining that you won't take a job for less than your last job paid you.

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Boughter's Lawn Care Services Mowing and Fertilizing in New Castle, PA

[prescott]

Lawn care business tips

Thanks to all of you that replyed to my post. I don't mind criticism, & always willing listen. I don't take handouts from anyone, not even the gov. I suppose part of my frustration stems from the fact that I feel I have done the right things to promote my bussiness. Passed out fliers, nice custom business cards, answer another customers questions in a Home Depot, etc. I present a neat, clean image, 4yro trk, new trailer, co. lettering on the trk. The job isn't finished until the client is satisfied(within reason). With a new or prospective client I explain how I will do the job & why I will use certain procedures. If I give you my word, you can take it to the bank. Not trying to pat myself on the back, but that's just the way I was raised back in the day. Having said all that... I'm sure I lack in certain business savoy. I realize I will not always make the same amount of money on all my jobs. Kind of have to go with the flow so to speak. I tend to base the price of jobs as they come, as opposed to having a set schedule on how I bid a job. That & i believe I let the clients low-ball me.When I try not to let that happen with a new client, they tell me they can't afford it. I try to bid my jobs on a $20 p/hr rate. Some of the people I buy material & equipment from have told me, straight out that I should'nt let people low-ball me. One area that i have a REAL problem with is growing my business. For some reason that part of running a business remains a mystery to me? I've benn at this for 4 yrs. now & I had hoped to be a little further along, than I am. Don't want to be rich(never expectd to be), just have a comfortable life, with a little left over for the little extras in life. These winters are just a bit much!!! Once again, thanks to all that replyed & all the best to everyone in the coming year. pilgrim

[Steve]

I'm sure I lack in certain business savoy. I realize I will not always make the same amount of money on all my jobs. Kind of have to go with the flow so to speak.

This is a very interesting point I feel we all have issues with and we all need to constantly watch. I think you can have a great understanding of 90% of the business but that last 10% can sink you.

I tend to base the price of jobs as they come, as opposed to having a set schedule on how I bid a job. That & i believe I let the clients low-ball me.When I try not to let that happen with a new client, they tell me they can't afford it. I try to bid my jobs on a $20 p/hr rate. Some of the people I buy material & equipment from have told me, straight out that I should'nt let people low-ball me.

What is your view on where you feel you should be bidding your jobs per hour?

One area that i have a REAL problem with is growing my business. For some reason that part of running a business remains a mystery to me? I've benn at this for 4 yrs. now & I had hoped to be a little further along, than I am. Don't want to be rich(never expectd to be), just have a comfortable life, with a little left over for the little extras in life.

What is your view on this? When you say growing, do you mean making more money, having more customers? Or what? And give us a little bit of your insight as why you feel you are having a difficult time at it. If you are unsure, feel free to think of possibly reasons why.

Bringing them to light may help resolve these issues a lot faster.

[thomas206]

Going into business IS tough. Not for everyone, and you can't really "make it" overnight or anything. Sometimes it takes years or even decades to really feel like you "made it." But it takes a LOT of time, effort, money, sweat and tears. If your heart is FULL ON into it...than within time, you can be successful. It's true...the person who works the hardest and puts their all into it, usually come out on top. And even though they feel like quitting...they don't.

For me....money and fear of failure played a big part. I knew I was supposed to be doing my business...but just the fear of it not fully taking off, or not making enough money or just breaking even and fearing of my competitors really affected my motivation to keep pursuing it. If you let these get in the way of WHY you're doing what you're doing...you might just set yourself up for failure.

These articles are kind of interesting as it tells you why businesses actually fail and how to not fall into those traps:
1. http://www.businessknowhow.com/start...ss-failure.htm - the first one is SO good "1. You start your business for the wrong reasons." READ ON!
2. http://www.onlinebusinessdegree.org/ - in order to run a business, you need to think like a business person and having a degree might be helpful
3. http://upandrunning.bplans.com/2010/...ness-failures/ - what really causes the failures

Just make sure you don't quit! Worst thing you can do!!! If you know you're doing it for the RIGHT reasons and you're GOOD at it....you will be successful. Make sure your heart is fully in because once you're in...there's almost no going back! Unless you quit...

[Steve]

For me....money and fear of failure played a big part. I knew I was supposed to be doing my business...but just the fear of it not fully taking off, or not making enough money or just breaking even and fearing of my competitors really affected my motivation to keep pursuing it. If you let these get in the way of WHY you're doing what you're doing...you might just set yourself up for failure.

That is a very interesting insight!

How do you feel it actually effected you? What kinds of things did you do differently because of this fear?

How do you feel you ultimately overcame that or is this still an ongoing battle?

[thomas206]

Originally Posted by Steve

That is a very interesting insight!

How do you feel it actually effected you? What kinds of things did you do differently because of this fear?

How do you feel you ultimately overcame that or is this still an ongoing battle?

Hmmmm, I just know that it's what I'm supposed to do, so I try not to think of those things that would make me doubt myself and make me 2nd guess myself. It's pretty much a mindset...if you're going to think like, then you're going to set yourself up for failure, but if you don't and continue focusing on what you're supposed be doing...then you'll succeed I'm hanging in there.

[devuono311]

I've thought A LOT lately, I mean A LOT. Not just "eh, I think I might get out of this line of work before I'm too deep. " But, things like, " Should I get out now before I'm really invested, " or " Maybe I need to get into some factory work, something with benefits" Now before you all think I'm a wus, know this: I'm 26 and My family, you know the closest people who are suppose to encourage you to succeed as something you really want, have been on my A$$ over the winter with " Do you REALLY think this is a good avenue to take?" My response to them " Yes, I LOVE yard work, being my own boss, the idea of building my own EMPIRE so to speak and something I can pass on to my sons" then they go on and on about how right now its too unpredictable, and you dont have health coverage for yourself, and blah-blah-blah. I mean dont get me wrong, they have some certain valid points but, honestly WHAT IS stable right now? Everyone thought they were comfortable at the big auto plants and thousands of poor saps got laid-off, and the few lucky ones got a early retirement buy-out what about the rest? I figure you cant live life on what-ifs but YOU can look back and think" Damn, I'm glad I pushed through and look what I've done...."

So, that being said, Turf Team Lawn Maintenance is entering its second season as a Quality Lawn Care at a Comfortable Price Company.

I wish the rest of you luck as well, though I have many competitors we all do, and there should be more than enough work for all of us ( Legitimate Companies) Sorry, I feel little sympathy for the guys who do no homework and slap a mower in the back of their pick-up driving around town portraying themselves as a Full-Service Lawn Company.

Again, GOOD LUCK to the REST!

[950thomas]

If it was easy building a business everyone would do it no risk no reward

[wandfsmall]

I was told by a good friend that was well off and successful in his business to get rid of all guns in the house when you start a business as a lot of people get really depressed just before they make it. Every business owner regrets starting his business more then once as it is easier to just work for someone else. But I find most of us are either morons or find some sort of benefit in the challenge as we seem to keep at it.