Regrets?

[ringahding1]

What is it about your business you regret doing or not doing?

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08 F250 Ext Cab/05 F350/04 Chevy 3500
2 60 Toro Zmaster/Lesco 60, 54, 48
2 8'2" Boss V-Plows
20' Enclosed trailer/16' Open trailer
18' Skid Loader Trailer
S185 Bobcat 2-Speed



ringlawncare.com

[mark123]

Lawn care business tips

My biggest regret is not starting earlier. If I knew then what I know now, I would have started in 10th grade instead of making money for the guys I was working for.

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

[CHEESE2009]

I went into this business with zero business skills, other than good charisma and the ability to charm people.

However, I do regret letting my clients befriend me, as it has only caused me problems. Trust problems.

When you befriend someone, it's not easy to put your foot down anymore without causing conflict.

The client may get offended for two reasons if you say 'no';

1. You are making it difficult for the client to rip you off, which is their actual intention. Clients often try to deceive me by playing dumb or by playing the victim.

2. They are offended because they feel you are being unreasonable and 'out to get them', no matter if you are doing something for the best, they will just not have it even if you thoroughly explain your situation.

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Also, I wish I knew that I wanted to do this a long time ago... I would have saved every penny! LOL, probably not..

[Ducke]

I agree with Mark123
I wish I had done this 20 years ago

[mark123]

Originally Posted by Ducke

I agree with Mark123
I wish I had done this 20 years ago

It's true. Man, I'm happy now. I went through so many years being miserable and it could have all been avoided by going to work for myself. Sure I learned a little here and there from my previous jobs but nowhere near what I learned in the past 5 years of working for me and being happy. I could have got all this first few years of not making enough money back before I had a kid and house payment. I'd have been all set by now.

[TiedemanLLC]

My biggest regret was when I downsized about 8 years ago. It grew so big so fast I was scared, and downsized my crews and my client base.

[ringahding1]

Originally Posted by mark123

My biggest regret is not starting earlier. If I knew then what I know now, I would have started in 10th grade instead of making money for the guys I was working for.

I'm with you there brother ! From a financial stand point, I would most likely never have to check my bank account. Every year does get better as long as you are putting 110% effort into every aspect of your biz.

[Steve]

but nowhere near what I learned in the past 5 years of working for me and being happy.

Do you think part of it is that you didn't know you could work for yourself and be happy? I do often wonder if the reason more people don't work for themselves is because they forget they can be happy in their adult lives.

My biggest regret was when I downsized about 8 years ago. It grew so big so fast I was scared, and downsized my crews and my client base.

Troy, this seems to happen to forum members, more often than not. What is your advice now that you have been through it on the early warning signs of this and how should the lawn care business owners handle this situation in order to get past it and continue to grow?

[mark123]

Originally Posted by Steve

Do you think part of it is that you didn't know you could work for yourself and be happy? I do often wonder if the reason more people don't work for themselves is because they forget they can be happy in their adult lives. ...

I was always told "go to school, get a job, work at the place you hate all your life and let someone else take the risk". Had I known that I don't have to have that knot in my stomach every time I showed up at the office and that I can enjoy working I'd have done it 25 years ago.

[Ducke]

Originally Posted by mark123

I was always told "go to school, get a job, work at the place you hate all your life and let someone else take the risk". Had I known that I don't have to have that knot in my stomach every time I showed up at the office and that I can enjoy working I'd have done it 25 years ago.

Amen Mark
My thing was fear of failure. I was always told "to own your own business you end up working 24-7 and you never get any time to your self or your family.
As Mark said, Do as your Dad did and your Grand Dad did go to work each day cursing your boss and hating what you do in-order to support your wife and 2.5 children. YUK!!!