Need some encouragement guys!

[riley1374]

I currently work in the crazy corporate world and have put a lot of thought into it, and want to leave. THinking about giving my notice this friday. I have all my equipment paid for, including a new enclosed 6 X 12, and just kind of need some encouragement to tell me I am not crazy. I have been advertising, and currently have about 7 jobs which is killin me doing these after working 7 to 5 at my current job. So i think now is the time to jump ship and go full bore in the lawn business. What do you guys think. Now when i say i am working in the corporate world, i am buy no means making a boat load. If i figure out the hours i put in, i am probably only making about $16 per hour. My wife is currently a physical therapist and makes a very nice paycheck with benefits and she is behind me 100%, but I am having a hard time letting go of that steady paycheck. So if you could, let me know what you guys think! Thanks alot, i really appreciate any responses, either positive or negative.

[nepatsfan]

If you are confident your wife can support you during slow times then go for it. Keep in mind you have all winter with little to no income if it doesnt snow. I started off moonlighting and it worked ok for me. I would say if you are at an office job with 7 accounts after work and saturday and this is killing you already. You might be in the wrong business.

[daveintoledo]

i would get more then 7 customers before i went full time..... try and get some referrals and build up the business to a full time level.

Let you know if it works, that is what im doing, now are these very big lawns..... shouldnt be killing yourself with 7 lawns i have a few more then that so far, but since the spring clean ups are done, things are much easier..

or are they really big lawns???/

[pagefault]

Get the hell out of that place! That's where I was a few months ago. It's just my opinion, but I think that job is killing you, not the 7 accounts.

I would look for an easy part-time job and I would leave that place. It sounds like you are making about $40k at that job. Between you and your wife, you probably earn a little more than you need to survive. You are already making some money from the 7 accounts. Figure out your budget and figure out how much you are coming up short (if at all) with your wife's salary and the 7 accounts. Then, go get a part time job at Best Buy, or some other place where you get a good employee discount on cool stuff.

You'll have a lot more energy to put into the lawn care business and when business gets going good you can reward yourself with a plasma TV before you quit. If you are spending 10 hours a day at a job you hate, it will suck the life out of you and you won't have the energy to do anything else, no matter how badly you want to.

If your budget is too tight to get by on that plan, start spending less now and start putting more in savings. Start living like you don't have that full time job and when the time comes to leave, you will be comfortable living on less money and you will have more in the bank to cover you while yo build the business.

[riley1374]

As far as the 7 jobs killing me, its not the actual work that is killing me, it is not seeing the family at all. I leave at 6 oclock in the morning, come home at 5, pick up the trailer, and dont return home till 9 at night. Not overly sized lawns, but about an acre. I feel if i was able to be out there promoting the business a little more, i could pick up a lot more work. The wife can definetely support me for as long as I need, and i have stashed enough away for this venture to keep me afloat, but i guess i just need some balls to just do it.

[riley1374]

Get the hell out of that place! That's where I was a few months ago. It's just my opinion, but I think that job is killing you, not the 7 accounts.

I would look for an easy part-time job and I would leave that place. It sounds like you are making about $40k at that job. Figure out your budget and figure out how much you are coming up short (if at all) with your wife's salary and the 7 accounts. Then, go get a part time job at Best Buy, or some other place where you get a good employee discount on cool stuff.

You'll have a lot more energy to put into the lawn care business and when business gets going good you can reward yourself with a plasma TV before you quit. If you are spending 10 hours a day at a job you hate, it will suck the life out of you and you won't have the energy to do anything else, no matter how badly you want to.


Thanks Pagefault, i needed to hear something like that!

[daveintoledo]

i like that, sounds like a win win situation, maybe something i will look into also.....but i dont think where im at now will be open very long... printing business is really bad...

if you can afford it id make the move then, my case i can not afford it yet.... but a bad day working for myself is still better then a good day working for someone else....

[Cut-Rite2]

You have all the equipment you need, and can live on your wife's income until your self-sufficient, go for it!!...time's-a-wastin', and summer's almost here.

[Reliable Lawn Care]

When a person gets to the point when the alarm clock goes off, and you have to use that stupid snooze button, or just dread getting up and heading off to your job or even thinks about "jumping ship" then I say it's time to go. You already answered your own question in my opinion. The main ingredient being that your wife is 100% in support of this both emotionaly and financially. I say jump and don't look back, let your good work and word of mouth advertising work for you and not " Management".
***But thats just me...........Good Luck, you will do great!

[SnoMan97]

Man, I wish I was in that boat. I would love to go full time. My wife stays home with the kids so I am the sole income provider. My biggest problem with going full time would be health care. My current employer pays a good chunk of that cost. For good family coverage it is pretty expensive. I am sure there are plenty of other obstacles, but I think for me, health insurance would be the biggest. If you've already got that though your Wifes job, then go for it.

[riley1374]

Man, I wish I was in that boat. I would love to go full time. My wife stays home with the kids so I am the sole income provider. My biggest problem with going full time would be health care. My current employer pays a good chunk of that cost. For good family coverage it is pretty expensive. I am sure there are plenty of other obstacles, but I think for me, health insurance would be the biggest. If you've already got that though your Wifes job, then go for it.

Thank you everyone for the good words.
Hey, snoman i noticed you were from Ocean County as well. I am in Toms River, where are you located?

[Toy2]

Just Do It!!!! What is the worst thing that can happen? You fall? Pick yourself up and go! If you put enough energy into your own as you do for the "man" you will succeed!!!!

[shaunnshelly]

I am in the same boat you are in I work crazy hours at my "real job" and end up making less an hour than if I cut grass... But unlike you my wife will not let me quit because of that "guarantee pay check". If my wife was behind me I would be out like a fat kid in dodge ball... Good luck in you decision...

[pagefault]

That's another thing. My wife's boss is always wanting to know my status: did I incorporate or go LLC, how am I going to market my services, when will I start mowing, etc, etc.

I finally asked my wife what the hell this was all about and she told me that he was jealous because he wanted to start a business and his wife wouldn't let him. I meet with a particular friend every week and he tells me the same thing, "I'd like to ....., but my wife wouldn't go for it."

Don't take advantage of her for supporting your endeavors, but don't ignore that support either. Not everyone gets that.

[Laurentian]

No brainer!

[sheshovel]

All you can do is open both eyes and jump in with both feet,don't burn your bridges before you jump.Lifes too short to feel like your just another sheep in the flock,cog in the wheel,like you can't make a difference in the world.I make small differences but they are good ones.Every time I plant a tree I know will live after I am long gone,every time I make a client smile and become interested their outdoor space again or for the 1st time ,I am making a difference.I olnly answer to myself for my mistakes and learning every day is so great.Making human contact and contact with the way the world turns.Can't do that in an office.GO for it and don't look back ,your wife is willing to back you because she's willing to pay for a happy husband rather than a miserable one,show her you will be the one doing the paying and get out there!!

[HOOLIE]

riley- I would just give it a shot. The thing with doing this part-time is, you'll never have the time to make it full-time. By the time you put in your day at your other job, then cut grass til dark, then come home and collapse, you won't have the energy to focus on your business. If you quit your day job, you'll have the entire day, every day, to focus on growing your business.

Best of luck to you.

[riley1374]

Thank you so much guys! I am going to do it. I sat down with the wife again last night and we both decided its time for me to do it. I appreciate all the encouragement from you guys, now let get cutting! :cool2:

[SnoMan97]

Thank you everyone for the good words.
Hey, snoman i noticed you were from Ocean County as well. I am in Toms River, where are you located?

I am in Beachwood, just to the south. If I can help with anything, shoot me an email: somerslawn@isp.com

[riley1374]

I am in Beachwood, just to the south. If I can help with anything, shoot me an email: somerslawn@isp.com

Same here Snoman, if you need anything shoot me an email at briley13@aol.com

[AboveTheCut]

Many times people do not find their full potential because they are afraid of leaving the "comfort zone". It will probably be the best move you ever made. Good Luck.

[MowerMoney]

I was in the corporate world for 20 years. Drove 40 to 60 minutes one way every day. Answered to the rich boss who got the company from his father. Hated every day of it but thought I would be there till I quit. Stressed out, always miserable and taking it out on my family. One day I get called into the big office. My position is now redundant. Don't need me anymore. Quite a shock. Gave me a 30K severence but that wouldn't last long. So I started to cut a few lawns, found I liked it, got a few more customers, advertised, bought a trailer, more equipment and so on. Did $40K first year full time. Now in my second year LCO with 55 plus accounts (aiming for $80K this year).
Only one regret! WISH I STARTED THIS 20 YEARS AGO. Losing that job was the best thing.

[drsogr]

All you can do is open both eyes and jump in with both feet,don't burn your bridges before you jump.Lifes too short to feel like your just another sheep in the flock,cog in the wheel,like you can't make a difference in the world.I make small differences but they are good ones.Every time I plant a tree I know will live after I am long gone,every time I make a client smile and become interested their outdoor space again or for the 1st time ,I am making a difference.I olnly answer to myself for my mistakes and learning every day is so great.Making human contact and contact with the way the world turns.Can't do that in an office.GO for it and don't look back ,your wife is willing to back you because she's willing to pay for a happy husband rather than a miserable one,show her you will be the one doing the paying and get out there!!

Wow I never looked at it that way!

[jim dailey]

All you can do is open both eyes and jump in with both feet,don't burn your bridges before you jump.Lifes too short to feel like your just another sheep in the flock,cog in the wheel,like you can't make a difference in the world.I make small differences but they are good ones.Every time I plant a tree I know will live after I am long gone,every time I make a client smile and become interested their outdoor space again or for the 1st time ,I am making a difference.I olnly answer to myself for my mistakes and learning every day is so great.Making human contact and contact with the way the world turns.Can't do that in an office.GO for it and don't look back ,your wife is willing to back you because she's willing to pay for a happy husband rather than a miserable one,show her you will be the one doing the paying and get out there!!

WOW, wished that someone had said that to me when I first started.

[out4now]

If you want to give it a trial run this year, how much vacation do you have banked? This will keep the checks coming in durring establishment. Does your employer offer a leave of abscence program? It would secure the job if you had to return to it, although you won't. The roughest part may be how hard your seasons change. Can you bank enough to last the winter? What will the winter income be? You may have to dedicate some adjustments to lifestyle. Examine carefully what assets you currently have. Also examine more closely your liabilities. Costs are everything and "cash is king". You said you have equipment and some accounts already, see if you can't land some more accounts first. You can make it, just make sure you are fully on board and then dive in with eyes open. Research this site alot! You will find soooo much info here. Good luck ! :waving:

[sheshovel]

Gee wiz glad you liked it !I ment every word of it.We do make a difference!!

[riley1374]

Guys, glad to report that i just gave notice and my employer, although disappointed, said that I am always welcome to come back if it doesnt work out. Thanks guys :cool2:

[drsogr]

Guys, glad to report that i just gave notice and my employer, although disappointed, said that I am always welcome to come back if it doesnt work out. Thanks guys :cool2:

Well thats cool....its great not to burn your bridges. Hope things work out for ya.

[wilrac51]

I wouldn't even think twice if I was in your situation. We are just starting up this year. My brother is going to be full time while I still have my full time job. I am hoping that we can build enough business this year to get some momentum so next year I can go full time. It sounds like you are in a great position to give it a try. I would definetly go for it and I wish you the best of luck.