Too much work?

[SouthallMowing]

Okay, lets clear this outta the way. I'm 17. In High School. And I have a lawn care business. Now, I have 10 properties that I mow. 4 Wednesday, 5 Thursday. I am keeping Monday and Tuesday free, that way I can still be a teen. However, for summer I already have another 5 people on my waiting list. This will be another 2.5 hours (about) added to my schedule. However, in the summer, I have all day to go at it. It takes about 8 hours to complete the 10 I have now, without rushing. Should I take some more lawns, or what? I don't wanna get behind then get my name turned into mud with everyone.

[Hedgemaster]

Lawn care business tips

You could. Or you could leave some work for those of us who are trying to make house payments and put food on the table. Do what works for you. If I didn't need to do this to survive, I wouldn't bust my a$$ just to make a couple more people happy - especially if it will have a negative impact on your current clients.

[CHEESE2009]

This is a very interesting scenario. I don't think we've addressed this yet?

How does a person run a successful company while being successful in school?

You can't drop out, and I wouldn't advise it. Though, if your business is getting a lot of calls - you have to sacrifice your education or the growth of the business.

The only way to avoid losing anything at all, would be for you to take advantage of this summer to really build your business, so that you can hire someone to manage it while you are at school the following year.
The truth is, it's easier said than done!

As a teenager, this is the only time I would recommend a partnership - you and a friend will both have the drive to grow the business (hopefully).
You can then schedule who works during different weeks, etc.



Partnership Terms
We found a solution, but we now face a different question, "TRUST".

"How can you make sure that this person doesn't run off with your customers?"

The answer is simple;

Your tasks: Office, collection of payments, minor lawn work. 40% Income

Your friends tasks: Lawn work. 60% Income


*Payments are to only be collected by you, make sure your customers are aware of this.

[SouthallMowing]

Originally Posted by CHEESE2009

This is a very interesting scenario. I don't think we've addressed this yet?

How does a person run a successful company while being successful in school?

You can't drop out, and I wouldn't advise it. Though, if your business is getting a lot of calls - you have to sacrifice your education or the growth of the business.

The only way to avoid losing anything at all, would be for you to take advantage of this summer to really build your business, so that you can hire someone to manage it while you are at school the following year.
The truth is, it's easier said than done!

As a teenager, this is the only time I would recommend a partnership - you and a friend will both have the drive to grow the business (hopefully).
You can then schedule who works during different weeks, etc.



Partnership Terms
We found a solution, but we now face a different question, "TRUST".

"How can you make sure that this person doesn't run off with your customers?"

The answer is simple;

Your tasks: Office, collection of payments, minor lawn work. 40% Income

Your friends tasks: Lawn work. 60% Income


*Payments are to only be collected by you, make sure your customers are aware of this.

You are the man. One of my friends has his own little lawn care business, but he does it as "the neighborhood boy." and I'm going to be gone two weeks out of June and I've "contracted" him out for them. $200 a week. He just about died when he heard that, cause he's used to making about $30 a week. However, he's been wanting to help me out for some extra cash, but I can take care of all calls, desk work, etc. It's the mowing and stuff I need help with. One of my teachers who has a really good lawn care business in Circleville is giving me a trimmer rack. that way I can go get a second trimmer. But I have a 5x10 trailer, so a second zero-turn is out of the question. But I'm probably going to buy another push mower if my friend can help me this summer. I have no business experience. but, what percentage of the income should go where?
Maintenance (Repairs, Gas etc.)
John (Me)
Brock (My friend)

What percentage of the income should go where?

Muchas Gracias.
-John

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by SouthallMowing

Maintenance (Repairs, Gas etc.)
John (Me)
Brock (My friend)

What percentage of the income should go where?

Muchas Gracias.
-John

Well, we need to cover several things;

The Business
Your business is your bank, it holds all the money for repairs, materials, products - and it pays it's staff.

Your business is first priority over anything. When you receive a payment, it goes directly towards your business.


Your Staff
Your staff is your second priority, but should also be thought of as your first priority. You always want to make sure that your staff is paid for their work.

The Owner
As the owner, it's your plan to have staff to manage your business while you take care of other tasks or until you don't have to work at all!


There are a few scenarios you should look into;

1. Example;
In this scenario, it may become difficult to pay your staff
The Business: 50%
Your Staff: 25%
The Owner: 25%

2. Example;
In this scenario, you have a risk of not being able to afford repairs, buy materials/products.
The business: 25%
Your Staff: 50%
The Owner: 25%

3. Example;
In this scenario, the owner doesn't receive a lot - though the business and it's staff are covered! The more your business grows, the more money you'll eventually be able to make - and you still don't have to work as hard!
The business: 40%
Your Staff: 50%
The Owner: 10%



As a small business, I would try Example # 2 - your expenses aren't very high and your business should be able to cover repairs, materials/products etc.

The safest scenario would be Example #3. Though I would only go this route if your staff is serious and capable to manage the work properly on his own. If you find yourself doing most of the work, this example can backfire.



As an owner, the plan is to also find a "foreman".
"noun: a person who exercises control over workers"
You are the president, your foreman is the general who controls the army of the company.
You want someone who can control enough of your business, without giving them the power to steal it from you. Payments should be given directly to you, and checks should be written to your name only.

This does not stop your friend from starting his own business and stealing your customers. Usually you'd make a contract where if he/she attempts to start a business of their own, they will not be able to advertise anywhere near your customers for a certain amount of time (or something like that). Getting them to sign the contract upon hiring them is a smart move.

Even if you aren't registered, make this contract and have your friend sign it. He wont know the difference.




I hope that I have been helpful! I also hope that your friend does good work and doesn't bother you for help all the time. He's your "foreman in training" and he makes a lot of money out of your business - he has to work for it!

[jklawncare]

Im 17 and in Highschool too
i mow 3 days out of the week
and take care of 22 houses right now
adding on until i hit 25
then when summer comes i may bump up to 30

it all depends on how much you want to be making and how much of your time you are willing to dedicate to your clients

[SouthallMowing]

Originally Posted by CHEESE2009

Well, we need to cover several things;

The Business
Your business is your bank, it holds all the money for repairs, materials, products - and it pays it's staff.

Your business is first priority over anything. When you receive a payment, it goes directly towards your business.


Your Staff
Your staff is your second priority, but should also be thought of as your first priority. You always want to make sure that your staff is paid for their work.

The Owner
As the owner, it's your plan to have staff to manage your business while you take care of other tasks or until you don't have to work at all!


There are a few scenarios you should look into;

1. Example;
In this scenario, it may become difficult to pay your staff
The Business: 50%
Your Staff: 25%
The Owner: 25%

2. Example;
In this scenario, you have a risk of not being able to afford repairs, buy materials/products.
The business: 25%
Your Staff: 50%
The Owner: 25%

3. Example;
In this scenario, the owner doesn't receive a lot - though the business and it's staff are covered! The more your business grows, the more money you'll eventually be able to make - and you still don't have to work as hard!
The business: 40%
Your Staff: 50%
The Owner: 10%



As a small business, I would try Example # 2 - your expenses aren't very high and your business should be able to cover repairs, materials/products etc.

The safest scenario would be Example #3. Though I would only go this route if your staff is serious and capable to manage the work properly on his own. If you find yourself doing most of the work, this example can backfire.



As an owner, the plan is to also find a "foreman".
"noun: a person who exercises control over workers"
You are the president, your foreman is the general who controls the army of the company.
You want someone who can control enough of your business, without giving them the power to steal it from you. Payments should be given directly to you, and checks should be written to your name only.

This does not stop your friend from starting his own business and stealing your customers. Usually you'd make a contract where if he/she attempts to start a business of their own, they will not be able to advertise anywhere near your customers for a certain amount of time (or something like that). Getting them to sign the contract upon hiring them is a smart move.

Even if you aren't registered, make this contract and have your friend sign it. He wont know the difference.




I hope that I have been helpful! I also hope that your friend does good work and doesn't bother you for help all the time. He's your "foreman in training" and he makes a lot of money out of your business - he has to work for it!

I'll take a look at those. See which would fit the best. However, I wanna be out doing the work. Not sitting doing nothing. So, the owner thing would go into the business part. But those helped.

[SouthallMowing]

Originally Posted by jklawncare

Im 17 and in Highschool too
i mow 3 days out of the week
and take care of 22 houses right now
adding on until i hit 25
then when summer comes i may bump up to 30

it all depends on how much you want to be making and how much of your time you are willing to dedicate to your clients

I dedicate any time needed to do the job right. Here's my dilemma, I can only have the truck and trailer on thursdays, so I have to get business in my neighborhood. Which isn't too hard, I'd just have to make a lower bid on houses than I'd want to.

[jklawncare]

Originally Posted by SouthallMowing

I dedicate any time needed to do the job right. Here's my dilemma, I can only have the truck and trailer on thursdays, so I have to get business in my neighborhood. Which isn't too hard, I'd just have to make a lower bid on houses than I'd want to.

Why are you cutting your bids short?

[brian'slawncare]

I'm 13
In Middle School
Take care of 10 lawns
Mow 3-4 days a week after school.

The way I do it:

I underbid all the professionals
but heck I have waaaay less expenses.
No transportation costs
No taxes / fees
I only mow in MY neighborhood. I simply ride to each lawn with my trimmer and blower on the deck of my mower and me on the sulky. (I get a lot of looks going down the street on a lawn mower, trust me!) (yesterday 3 cops saw me riding around on it and didn't look very happy because there is nothing they can do to me)

I take on a lot more lawns in the summer because there is more time.

I have CONSIDERED hiring a neighbor to help trim and stuff but backed away when I saw how much my profit would go down

I agree with scott. Example 3 sounds best for you