Why this business?

[Bassman]

I'm curious why people decided to get into the lawn service business. The grass is always greener,( excuse the pun), doing something else. Some people are never happy in their present situation. Were you tired of working for someone else? Did you enjoy working outdoors? Did you feel you could make more money than what you were making previously? Was the prospect of the independence of running your own show important? Do you regret the decision to earn a living in this industry? Keeping in mind, short of winning the lottery somewhere, there is no free lunch. Every job/business has a downside. Be it long hours, physically demanding work, mentally or emotionally stressful work,rude and/or demanding customers etc. Comments appreciated.

[cjcland]

hmmm i just had a thought, that would be a great slogan <p>&quot; the grass is always greener &quot;<br>think i will put that on my flyers<p>----------<br>CJC Landscape Management<br>Winter Haven, Florida

[steveair]

I went to college to study engineering.....<p>One semester I got a .10 OUCH.<p>Couldn't speak chinese and the smell of all the indians distracted me. (well, that and the smell of cheap beer and young freshmen ladies)<p>So I took up landscape contracting, and well, here I am..........<p>steveair

[bdemir]

Why sit behind a computer and soak up radiation when you can soak up the sun shine before it will burn us all with the ozone wearing away. The outdoors are gods way. Gods way is not to sit inside you will just get old and not get as much out of likfe in my opinion.

[cantoo]

It's the closest to farming that I can get and the returns are much better. I still have goats, chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, cattle, and sheep but only enough to keep the kids busy.

[LoneStarLawn]

21 inche commercial mower.....$900<br>Gas trimmer...................$350<br>Landscaping trailer...........$1100<br>Working outside and being your own boss<br>..............................PRICELESS<br>

[geogunn]

wht got me interested? I'm an equipment junkie...I suppose. for years before I cut my first lawn (commercially) my big decision was to decide which lake to fish after work. I was always seeing those guys running that great equipment all over those lawns having great fun while I was in my &quot;which lake to fish decision agony&quot;. it was a real bummer.<p>then I got laid off. PRESTO! problem solved! now...no time to fish and I get to run some of that great equipment. WHO SAYS THIS LIFE AINT GREAT? NOT ME!!

[Jason]

Had to get out of farming, due to the horrible farm economy. Worked the past winter as a mechanic, really hated working for someone else. So what could be closer to farming than mowing. :) And the freedom to be my own boss again, and be outside. That was all it took for me.

[HOMER]

18 YEARS OF BEING INSIDE A FACTORY WAS LONG ENOUGH FOR ME! I BREATHED THE &quot;FACTORY AIR&quot; ALL I COULD AND WAS GETTING NOWHERE FAST SO AFTER WORKING THE BUSINESS PART TIME FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS I SAID LETS GO FOR IT! WE WENT, WE'RE THERE, W-A-OPEN EVERY DAY!<p>HOMER

[Ssouth]

After 5 years of college and 11 hours short of a degree in chemistry and industrial hygiene. Decided I really like to work outside. My first year of income is going to be close to working for a plant or consulting firm as an industrial hygienist, but I will only have to work eight months instead of twelve. Can't believe I did not go into this field full time earlier and wish I would have. I love the look of all my lawns when freshly cut, Instant gratification!!! I love my work now..<p>Ssouth<br>TLC, The Landscape Co.

[yardsmith]

this is same as my post back in Jan. on &quot;reincarnation&quot; about what we all did in our past lives. <br>I worked full time as machinist & part time lawn care for past 6 years. This year we are done (hopefully) with babies & want to go full time, so 2000 is the big sendoff for us into full time lawn/landscaping.<br>Been doing warehouse work & machinist/ tool& die stuff since high school; always mowed the yard at home growing up with our old jacobsen tractor, then dad moved up to a wheel horse, then a JD for our 3 acres of grass. Now he can't believe how fast MY mowers will mow his old homestead. Progress, I guess.<p>----------<br>Smitty ô¿ô<br>

[Toroguy]

I was a baggage handler for NWA, low on the seniority pole. The people I worked with were great and I miss them. But people would talk about what they want to do, and never do it. Like Lone star writes, it is a cheap start-up. Maintaining the equipment and moving up on the lawn service food chain are more rewarding than getting that straggling piece of luggage to the Memphis flight.<p>Its probably a control thing.

[ADMServices]

Hey Toroguy,<p>Where are you located? We're in Michigan, about 15 min from Detroit Metro.<p>Andy<br>www.admservices.com

[Dingo]

Hey toroguy that straggling piece of luggage didnt make it to Memphis. It never does. I live there i would know.<br>Dingo

[sue]

I got into the lawn care business 6 years ago. i really like being outdoors, and working in the yard. so this seemed like the business to get into. it's a good feeling when you can help others out, and see the nice work you do. plus i like being my own boss. i would like to take a master gardeners class and learn more. any suggestions? have a nice day!

[Toroguy]

Andy,<br>Mpls airport, we completely ignored the Detroit bags...just kidding.