From day job to mowing biz

[dblawncare]

This is my first time starting a thread, so if I've done it wrong, I appologize! I would like to get into the lawn care business, and I have been doing research to develop a long term plan. At some point, if my business grows, I will reach a point where I am too busy to keep my day job (74k/yr), but probably not making enough money mowing to quit my day job. It looks like great sacrifice is in order, but the question is: how much, and when? I know there is no solid answer to this, but I would like to hear from someone who has been through this, weather you were successful or not.

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

There have been a lot of discussions on this topic over the years here. It is a fascinating topic to talk about. From all that we have talked about in the past, it seems it is difficult to keep a fulltime job and build up a lawn care business part time. The more liabilities you have now, the more things you will have holding you back from making that jump. Some of the key points to do this successfully we have found have been to save up your money so you will have a cushion in the bank of cash that can help you make the transition. How soon you make that transition has a lot to do with how much you push your lawn care business and how much you hate your fulltime job. Can you potentially work part time at your job at some point? Could you take the skills you have from that job and apply it to another part time job somewhere else if you needed too? You can make this happen, it will take some time and some determination. What is your view on why now? What made you finally decide to think about this and want to go this route?

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[dblawncare]

I am a lot smarter than I used to be with money. I always wanted to start a business, but didn't realize how important it is to be financially responsible, and that it doesn't happen overnight. As I have gotten older, this has changed. Now I focus on saving money and avoiding debt. My mind is now open to starting a business, so it might as well be something I already do for fun. Since I currently have a job, I will make sure to have plenty of money in the bank before I launch a business. I think I have a sound plan, but it still helps to hear from someone who has been through this before.

[Steve]

I am a lot smarter than I used to be with money. I always wanted to start a business, but didn't realize how important it is to be financially responsible, and that it doesn't happen overnight. As I have gotten older, this has changed.

What advice do you have for younger guys just getting started when it comes to being smarter about money? Where do you feel most young people go wrong with money management?

Let me also point out some articles from this forum and my lawn care business blog that you might find helpful.

The struggle to go full time with my lawn care business.
When did you go full time?
Jumping from full time job to being an entrepreneur.
Full time job to full time lawn care. Making the jump.
I thought because I was a great landscaper people would call. I thought wrong.

[dblawncare]

Time will tell if I have a "head for business", but when I was young, I definitely had it all wrong. I had a good paying job with no family to support, and I spent all the money. If I start mowing properties while I am working full time, ALL the money I make will stay in the mowing bank account. If I can't build up 25-30 grand in savings, then I'm not ready to make the jump and go into business. I know there is more to business than saving money, but If you can't exercise self-control when it comes to spending, forget it.

My advice to young people: Patience and money in the bank is far more powerful than a good paying job and a lot of shiny toys. Now, a good paying job AND money in the bank, EVEN BETTER! If your young and making money, make financial freedom (rather than image) your priority.

[Steve]

If your young and making money, make financial freedom (rather than image) your priority.

Isn't that the part that seems to just sink so many of us? When you are young, that is the time when you want to show off the most and yet that is the thing that will hurt you financial the most.

Why is it that there is so few good financial training made available to young people and why is it that so many young people probably wouldn't care to listen?

If it is a cultural issue, it makes you wonder if there is any hope in turning the economy around.

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

I wouldnt quit a 74k job. You will have to make around $150k to earn that just for the business and not you personally. The chances of a newcomer getting $3000k a week are slim.

I did quit my job but it was paying around 15k.

If a lawn care business grows by 20% a year there doing good. The majority of our first year was breaking even or barely making money. A lot depends on your community too. The competition, what people are willing to pay, etc.

As far as time youll have that. Cant argue there but most of that is trying to find work, repairing and replacing equipment.

[mark123]

Originally Posted by SECTLANDSCAPING

I wouldnt quit a 74k job. You will have to make around $150k to earn that just for the business and not you personally. The chances of a newcomer getting $3000k a week are slim. ...

Yeah, I agree.

[Steve]

I wouldnt quit a 74k job. You will have to make around $150k to earn that just for the business and not you personally. The chances of a newcomer getting $3000k a week are slim.

What advice would you have to go from fulltime job to fulltime lawn care in this type of situation?

[mark123]

Originally Posted by Steve

What advice would you have to go from fulltime job to fulltime lawn care in this type of situation?

My advice would be not to bother with the lawn care at all.