Is your mood tied to your profits?

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by Steve Fantastic reflection! Do you think this is something that scares most people away from starting a business? In all honesty it's what scared me enough to stop going to school & put on the work boots. I grew up always thinking the hour glass was against me, so I wouldn't waste any time. I always felt like I'd be alone, stuck without help growing up unless I put my foot down & got creative. I could either stay in school, always thinking ; "what if the people who support me just vanished, what will I have? How can I survive without them" these thoughts haunted me growing up, so I had to do what I could, & stop wasting my time in school failing in everything. It's a horrible thing to believe, that school keeps you back, there are so many ways to make it work for you I've been told, but I just deep down inside don't believe in taking that chance. I need stability, right this second <- What my mind tells me 24/7

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

I think you are really keying in on the psychology behind the decision making process which is really powerful. The more you know and understand yourself the better chance you have of giving yourself what you need. I applaud you!

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[fieroboi]

Originally Posted by swstout

1. Trest all customers as friends.
2. Realize you won't make every sale. I average 1 out of 40-50 or more contacts, 1 out of 4 presentations.
3. Do a little extra, prime them for upsells. I recently did a one time mow for a vacationer, trimmed some overhanging branches and ended up with a season contract.
4. Solve problems for them. Ask them how else you can help.
5. Keep positive, remenber and relate how other customers stay satusfied.
6. Look and act professional. Dress neatly, talk respectfully, and always look like your keeping busy.
7. Groom yourself appropriately. Many people like long hair, but most adults and professional people expect a businesslike cut. Look as professional as a banker.
8. Remember you are a businessman 24 hours a day, not just while on the job. You never know who will see you acting badly!

Steve

I could not agree more with this philosophy.

I've found that if I can talk with a potential client about what I offer and how they benefit from my service, I can usually make the sale about 75% of the time. Every one will have a different success rate on this, it can take some time to develop a good sales pitch.

As far as the glass being half full or getting down when things don't go as planned, I have found it helpful for me to look at the bigger picture in my life. For example, am I achieving what I have set out to do in the long term? Another thing to remember is that being a business owner has its advantages and its disadvantages, sometimes we need to see the lower times in life to appreciate the finer things that show up later!

Lloyd

[Steve]

Another thing to remember is that being a business owner has its advantages and its disadvantages

A lot of readers might not have actually taken the jump into being a business owner. What would you tell someone who hasn't made the jump yet are some of the advantages or disadvantages that you have found?

[swstout]

Originally Posted by Steve

A lot of readers might not have actually taken the jump into being a business owner. What would you tell someone who hasn't made the jump yet are some of the advantages or disadvantages that you have found?

Advantages:

1. Tax advantages
2. Medical Insurance and expense advantages. 100% deductable
3. You work much harder for yourself than for another. Get more exercize and sleep better
4. Many people state that you are your own boss. I don't go along with this. Being my own boss doesn't float my boat. I have more bosses - my customers. What I do get is a feeling of accomplishment.
5. You have more drive! You constantly are researching - better methods, better tools, better marketing. The reason you are here on this forum right now!

Disadvantages:

1. When you work for someone else, you are a businessman only 40 hour per week. As a business owner, your are a businessman 24/7.
2. You have more responsabilities. Your customers, your employees, record keeping. All in addition to your family responsibilities.

Steve

[fieroboi]

Originally Posted by Steve

A lot of readers might not have actually taken the jump into being a business owner. What would you tell someone who hasn't made the jump yet are some of the advantages or disadvantages that you have found?

Everyone has their own reasons for being a business owner. I think Steve makes some very good points, some I will repeat. For me the advantages are;

- greater income potential.
- more flexibility.
- sense of pride and accomplishment.
- better control of my future.
- plus of course the tax advantages ( I'm in Canada so they are somewhat different than the US)

Disadvantages for me are;

- work longer hours.
- more headaches.
- sometimes more stressful.
- more responsibilities, such as employees, books, community involvement etc.

Lloyd