Willofalltrades
02-22-2007, 04:54 PM
Ok last night I wrote a book about a current problem I have. It got deleted because I said something mean... understood the moderator's actions. Heres what I had written:
In business for two years but desprate to grow
I have been in business for a total of 2 years. The first season I had 7 accounts. The second, last year, I had 8 residential and 1 commercial. That is with barely any advertising. This year I have a goal to get 35 weekly service customers. Getting them has proved to be tricky though. I do not have anything in the bank and no credit. What I do have is equipment though. I got a deal on a Walker last year. I basically got a new Walker for $7000 (MTGHS 26hp EFI, 48" GHS deck, 42" mulch deck, dethatcher, low pro tires, 9.5 Bu catcher, HD gearboxes). Some would say it was stupid for me to buy this machine at such a young stage in my business and that fine. The fact is that the machine brought in the commercial account and three residentials just by how good of a job it does. Also, the only way to grow is up with this thing. If I was to get 35 accounts I will purchase a 52" deck and be done. So now have 4 times the amount of clients with almost the same mower payment. point: this season, if my business grows, would turn that "stupid $7000 mower" into the smartest investment I would have made.
Now to the problem, remember the part about no money? This is where it kicks my butt. I want to do a insert in the local Paper to 50,000 people or some similar kind of advertising media so that I am guaranteed I get my 35 customers. Now I can't just do one so I figure I would do two. That brings the total to around $3800 for both runs. I will be able to afford that $3800 over a 12 month payment plan If I reach my goal. Do you think I should sell the Walker mower in order to be able to afford the advertising?
I can start with a John Deere WB I own thats paid for when I do get customers in the spring. I really don't think my deere can handle the abuse of 35 lawns a week by its self. It has 1000 hours and a failing right hydro. I think I would be able to finance a Stander or something like that after some time but not right away. By selling the Waker I would loose the commercial account which is a big chunk of $$. If I keep it I am guaranteed they will re-up with me for this comming season.
If you say keep the Walker, where to get the advertising loan. A bank will not look at me (no credit), Parents don't have the funds around currently (unexpected bills from my grandma dieing), Uncle is cheap, family friends... don't want to loose their friendship over money, My hands are tied. I do have a solid business plan, can I find a person willing to invest in a landscape company?
I do have a back-up plan after back-up plan as far as re-paying the money. if the ads flop and I don't get 1 customer, I just got hired selling cars by a local Ford Dealership as well as I am starting a concrete cleaning company with my cousin.
.................................................................................................... ....
Some saw it some didn't (the thread). I found out I have four weeks to repay the advertising bill from the paper. I think I can make $3-$4000 between now and late April at my new job (selling Fords so If you need a truck or car in northeast Ohio... PM me and I'll help ya lol) If not...I know for a fact I will have it by the end of May (so I get on the dead-beat list for a month... oh well). If all else fails... sell the Walker then.
Another feature the Paper person talked about is lets say I want to do 2 inserts to 50,000 people. They will print 100,000 flyers and then insert them whenever I want to what ever zip code I want. So If I wanted to pound a certain area with flyers and then throw a few twards a different market... for a few larger yards or smaller ones... I can. Tell me what ya think and this one won't be deleted. Thanks,
In business for two years but desprate to grow
I have been in business for a total of 2 years. The first season I had 7 accounts. The second, last year, I had 8 residential and 1 commercial. That is with barely any advertising. This year I have a goal to get 35 weekly service customers. Getting them has proved to be tricky though. I do not have anything in the bank and no credit. What I do have is equipment though. I got a deal on a Walker last year. I basically got a new Walker for $7000 (MTGHS 26hp EFI, 48" GHS deck, 42" mulch deck, dethatcher, low pro tires, 9.5 Bu catcher, HD gearboxes). Some would say it was stupid for me to buy this machine at such a young stage in my business and that fine. The fact is that the machine brought in the commercial account and three residentials just by how good of a job it does. Also, the only way to grow is up with this thing. If I was to get 35 accounts I will purchase a 52" deck and be done. So now have 4 times the amount of clients with almost the same mower payment. point: this season, if my business grows, would turn that "stupid $7000 mower" into the smartest investment I would have made.
Now to the problem, remember the part about no money? This is where it kicks my butt. I want to do a insert in the local Paper to 50,000 people or some similar kind of advertising media so that I am guaranteed I get my 35 customers. Now I can't just do one so I figure I would do two. That brings the total to around $3800 for both runs. I will be able to afford that $3800 over a 12 month payment plan If I reach my goal. Do you think I should sell the Walker mower in order to be able to afford the advertising?
I can start with a John Deere WB I own thats paid for when I do get customers in the spring. I really don't think my deere can handle the abuse of 35 lawns a week by its self. It has 1000 hours and a failing right hydro. I think I would be able to finance a Stander or something like that after some time but not right away. By selling the Waker I would loose the commercial account which is a big chunk of $$. If I keep it I am guaranteed they will re-up with me for this comming season.
If you say keep the Walker, where to get the advertising loan. A bank will not look at me (no credit), Parents don't have the funds around currently (unexpected bills from my grandma dieing), Uncle is cheap, family friends... don't want to loose their friendship over money, My hands are tied. I do have a solid business plan, can I find a person willing to invest in a landscape company?
I do have a back-up plan after back-up plan as far as re-paying the money. if the ads flop and I don't get 1 customer, I just got hired selling cars by a local Ford Dealership as well as I am starting a concrete cleaning company with my cousin.
.................................................................................................... ....
Some saw it some didn't (the thread). I found out I have four weeks to repay the advertising bill from the paper. I think I can make $3-$4000 between now and late April at my new job (selling Fords so If you need a truck or car in northeast Ohio... PM me and I'll help ya lol) If not...I know for a fact I will have it by the end of May (so I get on the dead-beat list for a month... oh well). If all else fails... sell the Walker then.
Another feature the Paper person talked about is lets say I want to do 2 inserts to 50,000 people. They will print 100,000 flyers and then insert them whenever I want to what ever zip code I want. So If I wanted to pound a certain area with flyers and then throw a few twards a different market... for a few larger yards or smaller ones... I can. Tell me what ya think and this one won't be deleted. Thanks,