Q.1 Before you got your business started

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by wat5150 Ill have to hook my webcam up. I could do it on my phone I suppose but then I would have to hold it. Ill mess around with it in the coming week. Busy weekend for me(getting married and all that jazz). Congrats guys!

[Rdelahunr]

Lawn care business tips

I have the same issue. Although I have yet to start my business (starting next spring), people who hear about my business and ideas come out and say it's stupid and I won't make it. Now what the hell kind of idea do any of these people have regarding lawn care? I have already put countless hours into studying, researching, planning, etc. I have things going for me (such as a well known family name, free advertising, etc.) that only make my startup easier, yet they still think it's stupid. They try to tell me how no one around here uses lawn care, they just do it themselves, which also isn't true. I live in one of the four poorest counties in MN of 4,500, yet in the summer the population hits as many as 80,000 in the surrounding area do to our lakes, a prime attraction for tourism. 50% of the homes in our area are lake cabins owned by middle to upper middle class people, almost all of which pay to have their lawns cut because when they come here, they want to relax and play. There are a ton of other high school kids who have done the same as me and succeeded, and I'd like to think that I have an even higher chance of succeeding, but then again, I may just be getting ahead of myself. Thank God my parents are supportive.

[Big Al]

Honestly, my parents thought I was an assclown for even considering starting a lawn care business. My dad thinks I'm a complete idiot when it comes to doing anything...

I'll never forget the night before I had to go do my VERY first job, my dad called me outside and he had the lawn equipment lined up for me... He said, "ok, let me show you how to start the lawn mower... let me show you how to start the trimmer.... let me show you how to use the trimmer....etc...!" I almost **** a brick when he started telling me this. I told him, "dad, I appreciate you trying to help me, but I know what I'm doing. I'm a licensed electrician, certified process operator, and an engineering student for ****S SAKE!!!!

But anyways, my parents thought it was a dumb idea, both my brothers thought it was stupid, half my friends thought it was a waste of time and the other half thought it was a great idea.

Now that I busted my *** to build this business and its going good all of a sudden everyone wants to be a part of it... Even my dad wants to be "partners".... :NO:

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by Big Al

Honestly, my parents thought I was an assclown for even considering starting a lawn care business. My dad thinks I'm a complete idiot when it comes to doing anything...

I'll never forget the night before I had to go do my VERY first job, my dad called me outside and he had the lawn equipment lined up for me... He said, "ok, let me show you how to start the lawn mower... let me show you how to start the trimmer.... let me show you how to use the trimmer....etc...!" I almost **** a brick when he started telling me this. I told him, "dad, I appreciate you trying to help me, but I know what I'm doing. I'm a licensed electrician, certified process operator, and an engineering student for ****S SAKE!!!!

But anyways, my parents thought it was a dumb idea, both my brothers thought it was stupid, half my friends thought it was a waste of time and the other half thought it was a great idea.

Now that I busted my *** to build this business and its going good all of a sudden everyone wants to be a part of it... Even my dad wants to be "partners".... :NO:

I feel you man.

Dads/step-dads can be the most irritating bastards. Mine for instance always likes to feel important, which is fine, but he has to make everyone around him feel stupid - which honestly doesn't work considering he does a horrible job with just about any project he starts.

Some people have fathers who are proud, others have fathers who are dependent with being the center of attention - they want to steal your spotlight.

[JLM]

I guess my only regret is not involving family/friends in my decision to begin my company. I feel that if I had reached out to them I may have had a better start. I chose to start my company on my own without any imput or advise from anyone, I know this industry like the back of my hand... so I may have been a little ****y and thought I knew it all... Well.......I was wrong... I found out that I sucked at the business end of the company and had alott to learn....Thanks to the help of family and friends I was able to float, maintain, and profit in this industry. It took me over a year to ask for help...Shoulda done it sooner!

[Localboyslawn]

Not here. I had lots of support. Even the ex-wife didn't complain so I knew I was onto something