S&S Landscape

hamlin76 · #1 03-22-2009, 10:49 PM

Hello everyone this is Becky and Joel from S&S Landscape. We are starting a new company due to being laid off from work and now having time to pursue a dream. I hope to gain as much knowledge and information I can from this forum and website. I have found a ton of great stuff so far and yearn for more. We are new to starting a business but not new to landscaping I have worked in this industry for 5yrs starting at 18 and getting out of the business at age 23. I pursued a career in motorcycle mechanics and found myself working in the semiconductor manufacturing industry up until now. I'm looking for ideas and help to get the start up process moving easier. We currently have two trucks and two 25ft trailers with equipment. I'm currently working on our flyer to start generating business to the cash flow going.

Steve and other members, is thier any advice you can give a startup company on ways to generate business We also do Foreclosure Trash outs as a way to create income in our down economy. Thank you for looking at my post hope to talk to new people and pick your brain for great ideas on how to successful.

Joel Shurtleff

Last edited by hamlin76; 03-22-2009 at 11:04 PM.

Steve · #2 03-22-2009, 11:05 PM

Lawn care business tips

Hi Joel,

Welcome to our forum! You look like you are well on your way! Did you recently purchase all that or have you been doing this for a bit? Also how did you get involved with the foreclosure cleaning services? I think you are doing great!

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hamlin76 · #3 03-22-2009, 11:15 PM

Steve, we intended to start doing only trashouts but found that business will be going away in a couple of years and we would then need to grow something else. This has lead up to start a Landscape buiness as well so we can grow further as we mature as a company. My partner in crime has a uncle that doesn't use his equipment on a fulltime basis. He has generously given us full axis to any thing we need. So that is why I need to learn how to generate customers so we can invest in our own equipment. I have one other question do you recommend an LLC or sole proprietor. We are leaning towards LLC because of the tax benefits.

hamlin76 · #4 03-22-2009, 11:19 PM

I'm looking for a logo is thier anybody using a graphics designer who does not charge an arm and leg. We are new company with limited funds and still trying to get the cash flow generated. Hope someone can help thank you for looking. If thier is a spot in the forum for Ideas please point me in that direction.

Thank you

Joel

Steve · #5 03-23-2009, 08:06 AM

Hi Joel,

Quote:

So that is why I need to learn how to generate customers so we can invest in our own equipment.

What have you been doing up to this point to market your business? Have you created business cards yet? Have you made any flyers yet? What % of your friends and family know you are in business? What % of your neighbors?

Quote:

I have one other question do you recommend an LLC or sole proprietor. We are leaning towards LLC because of the tax benefits.

You are going to be doing this with a partner? 50-50? What tax benefits are you thinking of with the LLC?

hamlin76 · #6 03-24-2009, 03:58 PM

Steve, we are currently working on business cards and a website. We are making flyers as well with an email flyer. Our main concern is Trashout right now and then working in mantaining lawns and landscape. In the LLC there are three partners, we started in a sole proprietorship until we start making income. Our banker is really a big help with leads and how to do doing business.

Steve · #7 03-24-2009, 04:04 PM

Very fascinating!

How do you break up the responsibilities of each partner?

I think a lot of readers would be fascinated to know how to make this work.

hamlin76 · #8 03-24-2009, 07:44 PM

We all have our own duties customer service, Estimator, and cleaner. The one person can not due any manual labor and takes care of all the business needs taking appts setting up jobs and doing the banking. I handle the estimates and work with the cleaner on finishing jobs. The reason we have this many people because the trashout business is going to be really busy. This also give us an advantage when coming up with new ideas on ways to get more customers. I'm not sure how people can do it on there own. We are getting clients with 4plexes that need clean and landscaped so that type of job takes alot of work.

Steve · #9 03-24-2009, 07:46 PM

As you need to add more people, how will you do it? Will you offer them partnerships or take them in as employees?

hamlin76 · #10 03-24-2009, 08:10 PM

We have enough people as partners so adding more people they would then be employees. I can't afford anymore people getting in to the cut. I hoping to make enough money to sustain all three of us. I'm sure I can because there are more forclosures in arizona then anywhere in the country besides vegas. Right now we are finilzing the website and getting the email flyer ready for the real estate agents.

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