New To the Site...Kinda

[MTMoose]

Howdy Y'all, I am new here. Actually I joined a couple weeks back but haven't actually taken the time to introduce myself. I have been "legally" in the lawn business for 3 years. I'm located in Montana. I started mowing my grandparents friends lawns when I was 12 and continued all the way through highschool, joined the service and was stationed in New Mexico. From there I went and played in the sandbox, and now am a full-time student double majoring in business and accounting. I needed a summer job and didn't really enjoy the idea of working for $6-$7 an hour so I decided to start up a lawn care service. Moose's Lawn Care. The first couple of years the learning curve was steep. I had a tendency to underprice myself, especially when it came to edging. Last year I bought an existing business and got another quick lesson in under pricing. Most of the existing customers were priced in the $16-$20 range. I currently am trying to ween the remaining customers up into a more profitable area. Didn't quite make enough last year to cover the expenses. Any suggestions? They already know I promote quality and not price. This year my hopes are to pick up another 50 weekly customers. Might be tough, we'll see. I am also going to try just running the company this summer and let my workers...well...work!!! If anybody has any tips on creating checklists or a QC program please let me know. Also if you have accounting questions I am more than willing to help you out as much as I can, and if I don't know the answer I'll find out. This site looks like a great place to be a member of, many years of vast experiences to learn from. My mower fleet consists of 8 ,21 inch John Deere's a John Deere Z Trac, and 2, 48 inch John Deere walk behinds. *Anyways, I am a little too long winded sometimes so I will catch y'all on the flip side. (Oh if you want to talk hunting or fishing I am up for that to!!!)

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Hi MTMoose, Welcome to the site! Do you have any pictures of your hunting or fishing trips? I'd love to see what your area looks like! How do you feel your education helped your business so far? Have you learned any interesting tax tips for lawn care professionals? Here is a Quality Assurance Inspection Form. What type of marketing are you doing this year?

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[MTMoose]

Thanks for the welcome! Here are a few pics from hunting season last year,...not sure how to post them though

http://www.illinoiswaters.net/photos/large/17499
http://www.illinoiswaters.net/photos/large/17591
http://www.illinoiswaters.net/photos/large/17792
http://www.illinoiswaters.net/photos/large/17498

As far as tax tips go, hire an accountant to help get you on the right track. Also learn to keep good records of your business, it'll make everything a lot easier come tax time. I really don't have any specifics right now, but when I learn them I will pass them on.

[Steve]

Great Pictures! Fantastic!

I love your business name too. Do you have a logo now? I can envision a Moose head as the background to your logo.

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Most of the existing customers were priced in the $16-$20 range.

What is the going rate for these size lawns in your area?

The quality control for employees is somethng that is trial and error. Just make sure that you have a written policy in place of what is expected of not only their work, but also their attitude. Spell out everything from uniforms, vacations, discipline, dealing with customers, etc.

[Steve]

Here is a logo idea for you.

[MTMoose]

Most residential lawns here go for $25 to $35. I give a break to senior's and vet's. As far as marketing goes I have been concentrating on making myself known at places where these two groups frequent. VFW's, Senior Citizen Center, The Eagle's Clubs, American Legions, as well as leaving my cards at the State Veterans Center. Being former military has it's perks in that we all tend to take care of each other.

I will try and attach what I have for a logo. Never mind it's a pdf file and I have no idea how to work with it. I like what you posted, thats closer to what I am looking for.

[Steve]

You should be able to post a pdf file or at least attach it. If you click on the add reply button then you will see a browse button below where you type in your message text.

[Steve]

I was thinking of some promotional ideas for you. What if you set up some type of promotion where you helped once in a while do a yard clean up for a veteran in your area? Maybe you could help with bringing the equipment and maybe some other members of your VFW would like to take part in helping the clean up as well.

I bet you could get some news coverage by doing that. It could also build up goodwill towards your company.

Do you have any thoughts on that? Or other promotions you have been considering?

[Steve]

Here are some banners for you too. Right click on them to save them to your computer.