"Reincarnation"

[yardsmith]

hey guys-<br>Just reading all of the posts, & wheels turning prompted me to ask what & why did we all get into this profession, with so many to choose from? How did we get started?<br>I myself am in tool & die, with machinist background, & got sick of being inside all summer long. My buddy got started in mowing, & he was blowing me away with his hourly earnings- $15 an hour is alot in the factory (figure insur. & benefits too), but he can make $15 in 10 min. & have 50 min. left to do something else. I'd rather have 15 in 10 to work with & budget.:-D<br>So I started mowing lawns 6 yrs. ago part time, & this year with the help of the good Lord, we want to go full time. My full time job really gets in the way of the bus. LOL<br>But insurance for my family has always been the kicker. Anybody got good leads on affordable, quality health care for the self-employed? & what are your rates (just a quick fig.) I got tired of turning down work all the time; my yellow pages ad was working overtime for me, & I hate to not fully utilize that. But God has been good, & we've never gone hungry. So hopefully we'll be able to go full time this year. <br>Do any of you get a part time job in the winter, to level off plowing in-between time?<br>I'm figuring on keeping a 2nd shift job in the winter to supplement the irregular snow season. Just curious as to what all got us into this trade, & where we came from.<br>Smitty

[Jason]

Smitty,<p> I grew up on a farm in North Dakota, after college and trying a few other things out I went back to the farm and took over after my father became terminally ill. I ran the farm for two years before selling out due to the horrible commodity prices.<br> I just moved with my new wife to the Spokane, WA area in October. Currently employed at a salvage yard as a mechanic.<br> I'll be leaving my job in a couple of weeks to start full time in the lawn care business.<br> The reason's for me are many. First of all I really miss the independence of working for one's self. Also I don't see myself moving up the proverbial ladder at my current job. I like to think of lawn care as a micro sized farming operation. I used to farm 3000 acres. And even though the size of the ground is smaller and the machines are smaller it still is similar. Plus love to work outside.

[Eric ELM]

Jason, I grew up on a farm in South Dakota and moved to Illinois to do my mini farming as I call my Lawn Business. When you grow up outside, it's hard to go inside to work. I tryed that for a while and ended up being a Carpenter for 20 years. After breaking my back the second time, I decided I better keep my feet closer to the ground and started mowing. Any way, good luck in your lawn business. I'm sure you will enjoy it.<br><p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.townserver.com/elm/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>

[accuratelawn]

My &quot;past&quot; life was in the restaurant field. After 15 years of running several million dollar per year units for the company, I decided to run my own business. Working inside all the time and following procedures written by somebody who had little or no hands on experience drove me nuts!<br>Started mowing part-time three years ago. Been full time two years and really enjoy it. <br>Insurance is a problem. I pay over $400 per month for health and dental for my family.<br>There are always trade-offs.

[Jason]

Eric,<p> I am looking forward to this season, a bit nervous hanging everything out on the line, but as you know that's like farming too. :)<br>Thanks for the words of encouragement, One of my goals is to try and achieve the level of quality that is so evident in the pictures of the lawns that you mow. Hopefully I'll be able to achieve that someday. But much to your disappointment and Lazer's delight I'll be doing it on an exmark. I'd love to try a chopper but no dealers in my area. And I got a screaming good deal on a demo lazer.

[HOMER]

The stork picked me up out of a factory I had been at for 15+ years and dropped me on a lawnmower (full time) in May of '98. When I quit I had around 30 total customers and very few were year round! I knew I had to go when my mind was on what was going on outside more than inside. I was the Q.C. Manager at a flatbed trailer Co. I needed to be more focused on my job and couldn't. When you have a 10,000 lb. trailer hauling 50,000+ lbs. at 75mph, things need to be 100%. I did not want to run the risk of getting someone killed because my mind was on me and my side business. When it's time to go I think you will know. Put it in God's capable hands, close your eyes, and jump! I could still be there in my a/c'd office talking on the phone all day answering questions as to why this broke or why that didn't get put on. 15 years is a long time, I could have been on my second million by now!!!<p>As for Insurance, we are paying $290.00 per month for Blue Cross Blue Shield. The coverage is not as good as I had but it will keep us out of the poor house should anything go wrong. Our deductible is 500 per person or 1500 per family. It is 80/20 also vs. the $15-$20.00 co-pays we had. If anyone has a better plan let me know. I checked around and this is the best I could find.<p>Homer<p>

[jrblawncare]

In 1980 I started working for the largest photo co.in the world [yellow box]in upstate NY and did well.In '87 I stared a part time lawncare service,really enjoyed the work and found I was good at it.In '90 after 10 years I had fested rights with that co. and almost left to run the business full-time.I should have done just that,doing both as some of you know is hard,burning the candle at both ends.I stayed with that co. because I had the best of both worlds...a steady pay check,benefits,insur.paid vac....Well in Feb. of last year I was downsized after 19 years a real kick in the a--.We sold the home and moved south,should have went farther down the ground is still white here!!My wife is from KY...The southern Bell got this Yankee.I have been looking for work but finding it hard to go back to a factroy.I think I owe it to myself to try the business here and the season is a little longer too..I should have taken that jump as Homer put it years ago.You can't 2nd.guess your past and just go for it.

[lbmd1]

Hey JRB,<br> Just want to know one thing about Rochester. Do you miss Nick Tahoes garbage plate?

[Eric ELM]

Jason, I'm also sorry you don't have a Chopper dealer close by. Lazer and I have a friendly little sqabble going here and we are having fun with it. He likes his Axe Marks and I like my Dikie Choppers, but it is a friendly thing. We even email each other and have our laughs. I have even heard from some that say they have to read all the posts, just to see what we have said for the day. <br>BTW, I realize this is off topic, but today is 02/02/2000 and it is the first day with all even numbers since the day of 08/28/888, so it's been a while.<br>As I said before Jason, the best of luck to you in your new city farming adventure. The way I look at it, you have a good idea how much you will make in this business even if you have a hail storm, unlike with farming after a hail storm. :)<p>Eric @ ELM<p>

[DavidATL]

Well you guys are an inspiration to me. My only regrets is that I did not see doing this sooner. Actually I have had Lawn Care on my mind for years and have decided to jump into it feet first this coming Spring. I had the cush job at the Bank that paid me well having worked up through the ranks to a VP slot. Life was great, until it became fashionable for bank mergers, acquisitions and buyouts. After 18 years I was told I was no longer needed. After scrambling I went to work for another local bank, and guess what..after 2 years, out again. Then after landing a super opportunity with a start up company two years ago, well, you guessed it...going south and I am out March 31st. So this is it! I just cannot fathom having to go back to work for someone else! Today's corporate dream is just not there anymore when one day everything is fine and tomorrow profits dictate another downsizing to save the top executive jobs. I have lived this too long and want to try my hand at being self employed. While I know a great deal about lawn care I fear the start up and building of a customer base. I may work a part time job of sorts while I forge ahead with my new venture. Did any of you guys see taking the ultimate risk of starting this business with the motivating desire that you never wanted to work for someone else that could decide your future and fate on a whim? Tell me I am not alone and this is going to be OK. Just needed some moral support on this. Thanks for listening!

[dylan]

Eric<br>Thanks for the interesting info about the even numbers. <br>I worked on a friend's dad's farm when I was 12. Another guy named Rob boarded there and worked with me. When he left for university that fall he gave his 2 lawns to me. I enjoyed the outside work, flexible hours, dealing with all the people, equipment ... the list goes on. Another reason is that in my village jobs are limited. You either worked at the general store, the resturant or doing odd jobs for people. Mowing was the most enjoyable.<p>

[jjb51]

DavidATL<p>With 18 years of experience in the banking industry, it would seem evident that you have been rubbing elbows with the type of people you would want to do business with. Don't forget any of these contacts you have made along the way. You also need to contact the upper management types you have worked for along the way, as they, already know your work ethic and should be an easy sell.<p>The down side of this is, instead of one boss, you may end up having forty or more. That area (ATL,GA?) is one of the fastest growing parts of the country. Don't fear the unknown, lots of hard work will make it fly!

[HOMER]

DavidATL, <br>My motivation was similar to yours, but unlike you, I had gone as far with the company as I could. There was no room in the inn for ol' Homey. I would have had to stay another 20 years to have progressed to a higher point and more money. I had started my business as an afterwork kind of thing, I found I liked it a little more than what I was doing and enjoyed being outside. I also enjoyed looking back over my work and experiencing a sense of satisfaction, something I was struggling with previously. <p>Atlanta is a large area to cover. I have a friend that lives in the area and he has told me on several occasions that I need to pack it up and go up there. You should'nt have any problem building your business there! I'm sure there is a lot of competition just like anywhere you go, but there is always room for one more. With your banking background you will probably have an edge on a lot of folks. Start now picking and choosing the sites you would like to take on and send them a brochure, include something about your background, let them know that you are a professional guy and will perform professional work. Bids usually are going out around this time, call and ask who, what, when, and where.<p>You can make it if you have the drive. If you made it to the top of your banking game you can do it with your business. Just don't move south!<p>Homer

[DavidATL]

jjb - Thanks for those words of encouragement. This area (Atlanta) is certainly growing by leaps and bounds. Every other truck on the road is a landscaping and lawn care company. The competition has to be fierce. When I stop and ask someone in the business about competition, they all reply, we are turning away business..can't get to it all! I believe my demeanor and ability to get along with people will help me gain customers, even through word of mouth. And I've never been allergic to hard work. My mamma was raised on a farm in South Georgia and she always said, Hard work aint never killed nobody! But I firmly believe that in today's corporate workworld, mental anguish and stress can.

[jrblawncare]

lbmdl,How about you knowing of the Garbage Plate and Nicks...Sure do miss'em..Always good after a few Beers!!

[sunrise]

miltary lawyer<br>too many regrets to think about<br>sunrise

[thelawnguy]

When I was in high school I worked at a dental lab making dentures and crowns, when I got sick of that I worked for a power equipment dealer for a few years servicing equipment, got bored with that and went to work for a new car dealer as, in order, a lot boy, car salesman(ka-ching!) used car sales manager, body shop manager, left to work at another dealer, got sick of the car business and the long hours, spent two days during the blizzard of 93 cleaning snow from cars and having no customers in the showroom (remember, commission sales) and decided if Im going to clean snow Im going to be paid for it, quit then and there and started a handyman business, by the summer I realized most of the requests were for yard work so thats when I started with this business and still going.<p>It helps that my spouse works and gets employer-subsidized health ins thru her but I still pay a lot for life and disability for myself.<p>Join your local farm bureau, they have insurance at group rates for individuals in your/our situation.<p>Bill

[Jay Raley]

I was a Firefighter/Paramedic for 8 years. It's funny what looks good to you at the age of 18 all of a sudden doesn't look so hot when you reach your late 20's. I saw a few guys get killed on the job and got tired of picking people up in the bandaid buggy. I have absolutely no regrets about the career change. Granted, there is nothing like crawling down a hallway at 4 in the morning with ceiling temps well over 2000 degrees but the flip side is there is some idiot who is in charge of the whole mess and one wrong call and it is your a--, not his. Is 40K a year worth your life? Not in my mind. I had kicked around the idea of starting my own landscaping and lawn company and got an opportunity to by out a guy I went to school with. He gave me his whole business for $3,500. Accounts, equipment, everything except the truck. Best move I have ever made. As Cosmo Kramer would say &quot;I am master of my own domain!!&quot;. In November I bought a well established carry-out for a song and a dance from a family friend. Now I have more capital to work with and something to do besides plow snow in the winter. <p>----------<br>Jay Raley<br>The Good Earth Grounds Management

[GrassMaster]

Hello:<p> I was a Circus Geek & a Party Animal most of my life until I got older, then I grew up & matured a little but not much!<p> I was born of normal parents in the big city of Ashburn, Ga. POP2K. Most people married outside of their family if they could, some didn't want too! <p>We then moved when the 35 cent picture show burned down & Garrett Latham (rich man)bulldozed it down. Then he built a Pontiac dealership,sometimes he would have 15 or 20 new cars at one time.LOL Once a year!<p> Then we moved to the big city of Albany, Ga. we were ate up with it then. We had a concrete drive & you could see the mail box from the front window. <p>My father was scared that we were so close to the street that somebody would run into our house. He finally got over that, thank God.<p>I was the only kid in the 5th grade with hair 1/2&quot; long & slicked it up so it would stand straight up. It didn't take long to grow it out & understand that the Beatles were a music group not some crop eating bug. <p>They didn't send very much music or more than 1 tv channel to Ashburn. We were to busy perfecting the words &quot;South Ga. Redneck&quot; & we had it down to a fine art, believe me I know what I'm talking about. <p>By the time I was 16 & figured out what girls was, I could fix anything on a car. So I worked on cars, transmission builder early 20's. <p>Then by 23 or 24 I passed the Master Millwrights Journeymans test & worked shut downs. Plenty of money in the late 70's I could work 6 or 7 months & make 25K to 30K & still be a fool.<p> Then I decided I would get a job for life at Firestone Tire & Rubber plant in maintenance. Well 1 child, 1 new car, 1 new truck & new house in less than a year. 3 years later they decided to close the plant.<p> Then I decided I would cut grass & make my fortune. I did untill I had a heat stroke so then I decided I would sell my house, 8 paid for duplexes & take my life savings move out of town. Then buy me a Outdoor Power Equipment Dealership & sit back letting the money roll in.<p> Well that didn't work but for a few years then it got harder & harder to do business. People are harder to work with now than 10 years ago. Everybody that owns a business is percieved as being rich.<p> Well the business has been for sale for over 4 years now. I hope to sell it one year soon! If I don't become a Internet Millionaire like everybody else on the net does (LOL). I will get back in the Lawn Service business & make another Killing. I will keep it for about 5 years then I will sell it. If I don't I will keep it & work smarter not harder because that doesn't work. I've learned the hard way.<p> I will run the business & not let it run me. I will whoop the competition because when I go in the business I will be the COMPETITION.<p> I will kick butt & take names. I will be charging top dollar as I did years ago. I will get accounts & I will charge more than the previous.<p> You know why, I will make them want me I yam what I yam. I'm the GrassMaster!<p><p>----------<br>GrassMaster - Have a nice day!!!!!<br>http://www.lawnservicing.com

[moonarrow]

HI yawl, I spent 17 yrs in the construction business(pipefiter and plumber) then thought I would get a real job and went to work for Ball Glass Container good pay and benefits. ouch could'nt handle it traped in one place day after day inside, no windows, got clastrafobic, so went to Dallas and went to work for son=in-law after 2 yrs. decided shoot why do this for a weekly salary just do it for myself and make the real money. So here I am started last april and doing good. Just got home and made $375 today not to bad for winter time almost a weeks salary for others. so don't be nervous about doing it Don't take a side job use your energy to concitrate on your business. start husseling jobs now and every thing will work out (jot three new properties this week and 4 landscape jobs going to have to hire someone to help so I can keep up) good luck. Ps. the outdoors is great.<p>----------<br>Dale moonarrow@hotmail.com<br>Southern lawn and Landscape

[WorkForce Intl]

I was a college teacher. I spent years studying and talking about immigrant labor. College kids didn't care. So I took semester off, and decided to start a business legalizing the workers, and helping businesses that needed their hard work. I don't regret my decision.<p><br>WorkForce International<p><br>

[AandB]

DavidATL<p>I also was a banker for about 10 years--worked my way up to President but the economy took its toll in the early 80's and I found myself in the street.<p>After several years of dead-end jobs, mainly in sales, I worked for a roofing company as a salesman and then decided to start my own roofing company (which is still my main source of income)about 8 years ago. Then, a couple of years ago, I started lawn maintenance as a side-line. This year I hope to get my lawn maintenance as profitable as my roofing.<br> <br>My suggestion is to burn your bridges and jump in head-first. If you have a safety net, like a &quot;real job&quot;, you will not work as hard as when your life depends on what your produce. <p><p>----------<br>A and B Lawn Services<br>

[jsteveharris]

I am currently a Optician / Office manager. I have been doing this for 9 years,ever since I was a senior in high school. The drawback is that I work for my uncle who owns the bus. So I get to do all the dirty work but do not get paid. I have been doing lawn care part time for about 2 years and am now looking to get into it full time, but it is such a big step to just give up salary and full paid insurance benefits. As all of you probably know, I am about to go crazy trying to decide what to do. I can do just about anything that I put my mind to, so lawncare and landscaping fulltime looks better to me every day.<p>----------<br>Steve Harris<br>From The Ground Up Landscaping

[AandB]

Steve Harris<p>Read your own post--9 years working for somebody else, not making any money, and doing the dirty work. If you wait another 9 years you will be telling us: 18 years working for somebody else, not making any money, and still doing the dirty work.<p>Tell your uncle you quit and start your new life.<p><p>----------<br>A and B Lawn Services<br>

[bdemir]

I used to be a jeweler and now i cut grass and am a partner in a drywall contracting company. I hate the drywall thing but jewelry was ok. Its going to be my first year as a full time lawn guy and I cant wait. I funded myself through the drywall thing and after this year i will have all the equipment i need.I live with my parents and My favorite part of lawncare is the snowplowing. I would go down south but i love cold weather so I gotta have snow (Its my thang). One day I want to retire early and surf waves all day everyday and have a nice girl that surfes too. Anyways this year i have a lot hannging out on the line and im going to have faith. (Jesus is #1) <br>

[DavidATL]

HOMER and A & B -<br>Thanks for your insight and advise! Use to be that working for the Goverment or a Bank was pretty secure as long as they didn't catch your hand in the till. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a secure job anymore, especially if you are working for someone else. Us babyboomers have learned the hard way. Coca Cola, headquartered here, just cut over 20% of it's work force. I've read that more and more people are going in business for themselves rather than having to face such a traumatic experience a second time. I guess that is where I am at too, besides what could be better than being outdoors and having control of your destiny?

[jsteveharris]

A and B,<br>The only problem I have now is convincing my wife. She likes the steady paycheck so I am going to have to Show her it can be done. My plans this year is to make as much or more in 3 days a week as I make in salarie working 55 hrs. 3 days is all I have to do my lawn care right now. So once I convince her then it is goodbye eyeglasses and hello lawncare.<p>ps. anyone needing a good deal on sunglasses can e-mail me. There still are some advantages to working for relatives, you get very good prices on things.<p>----------<br>Steve Harris<br>From The Ground Up Landscaping

[lbmd1]

It's always hard leaving security for an unknown. I use to manage a Sams Wholesale club. After moving around every 8 months for 3 years and spending so much time working and not with my family, I lost my marriage and finally gave it up too late. I started mowing lawns for a friend for $9 an hour. (I used to make $50,000 yr for Sams) I loved it so much, I started my own part time. The next year I made the happiest $14,000 I ever made. Even though along the way people rode me and told me it was nice that I was happy, I'd better go back to working a real job making more money! Thank god I didn't listen. After only 3 years, I was up to over 120 lawn a week, making almost $80k a year with NO STRESS!! I had an earlier haert attack at 28 and the biggest stress in my life now is keeping my mowing lines straight. I now have time off when I need it to spend with my kids without having to ask anyone's permission. Point is, it will be a struggle, but it all depends on your drive and goals.

[lawrence stone]

If a 100% of your business is mowing and<br>you have 120 accounts that gross is $80k and your average account generates $666.66 yearly.<p>So if you mow only 28 times a year your average mowing job is $23.81 per mowing<br>1/2 to 1 acre one million dollar seacoast homesites with a $6000 Toro ZTR.<p>I really don't mean to critical but...<br>your numbers just don't add up.

[bobbylawn]

This message is for the mouth!Lawrence Stone. Did your mama ever tell you if you don't have nothing nice to say then this shut the h--- up.This is A site were people in the lawn care biz. try to help one another with possitive info. To help them with the decisions they are trying to make.In this industry. You are A very negitive person that never has any good or possitive thing to say to anybody on this nice forum.No one ever answers your guestions ! and don't care about your comments .So take the hint! your mama must not have told you.

[bdemir]

Lawrence what are you trying to say he is or is not making that much. Maybe he does side work too or maybe his lawns cost more to do. Or maybe he has a great life because he lives by the coast. I would be willing to trade with him any day of the week. <p>You go lbm !! <p>You the mannn!!!

[JJ Lawn]

bobbylawn,<p>Ya just got to ignore him. Most of us do. He'll get banned before too long. (again) He did say this morning that he was tired of the interference from the administrators and he was not going to post any more to this forum. Guess he forgot, or got lonesome with the e-mail thing.<p>You can go to www.delphi.com/lawn if you want to be rid of him. He is not allowed to post there.

[paul]

I might have read the post wrong but he said that he was making 80K a year not gross sales. I don't think that doing bad!!<br>just re-checked making 80 grand per year<br>Mr. Stone that profits after expenses not bad for 120 lawns.<p>----------<br>paul<p>

[lbmd1]

Once again Mr. Stone, you are wrong in your analytical skills. Did I say my business made $80k, or did I say me? I said ME! That is my personal take from my business. I usually don't have time to post my profit and loss statement for everyone to read or for you to mathematically figure it out. Go back to your private pesticide forum and calculate the number of guys who will be gone after they've spent a week in your forum. Also, not that I'm being critical, I realize how good you are at math but your spelling needs some working on. <br>

[Dennis]

Hi all, I am currently still at my dreaded main job, with not enough guts to quit.<br>live in Macon Ga. have been with the same co. for almost 19 years.<br>started lawn care 8 years ago(after divorce,child support is a killer)really like cutting grass, though still real small,only 20 customers and no ZTR as yet.<br>my wife also works for same co. as I do so if I quit I will still have good insurance(wheew!!)<br>but because of divorce settlement I must keep insurance on my other child(another 3 years)<br>well thats about it, just called ext agent for applicator license info,hope I can find time for the school.<br>thanks for all the help.<br>Dennis

[kountryscape]

hey jason,<p>i started out in farming working for everybody and their brother then i went to college for it . but didn't want to work on a teera gator or sell feed and didnt have the money or family farm to start on my own. i like the micro farming idea! after college i worked for a landscaper/nursery, garden center and john deere dealer preping lawn mowers. then one day got a offer to be a laborer for a construction company making 4.00 more an hour i took it and wound up in a apprenticeship in the union as a carpenter man i hated those four years of jumping hoops . the whole while during those four years i was raising mums for fall sales making $$$ doin my own thing. man does it suck going to work when you love what your side job is. so during my third year i built a 30x96 greenhouse and started raising bedding plants, vegetable transplants and about 3000 mums. i quite pounding nails know i m using my carpentery skill with a twist i make arbors trellis and outdoor structures for peoples garden all out of cedar wood bingo im diversefied greenhouse landscaping outdoor structure maybe a deck or fence here and there. you know i have way to much fun in the great out doors to go back. for jason and all the others reading this conceder starting a greenhouse business its a good business for the wife and kids to run after all the seeds need to be started in feb. and sell in may not to long a market and its not like corn beans or wheat the goverment doesnt have a market for flowers if any of you need advice on getting started in a greenhouse business e-mail me at cscape@netexpress.net thanks from the micro farm in iowa by the way im a one man show and my opperation is on 3 acres my mom owns &quot;you have to keep moving know one ever stubbles on any thing sitting down!&quot; jarrett

[dfor]

Before cutting lawns I used to work on the water shellfishing for little necks and quahogs (the things chowder is made of.) I did that for about 10 years after high school and realized that there is no money to be made on the water. $100 a day just wasn't cutting it. So I started cutting lawns about 8 years ago. Best move I ever made.

[calgold]

I have been in construction for 25 years and tired of it. Iam starting in the spring full time and Iam scared but Iam doing it.

[nelski]

I worked in a pork prossing plant in iowa as a QC inspector for 12 years. And had a small greenhouse and truck garden I worked in my spare time. Got tired of working indoors so I quit the packing house job. And took a job with a large lawn and landscape company as a landscape supervisor that lasted for 2 year.The boss was a control freak and lost a<br>lot of good help. So I went out on my own and try not to look back. I think the hardest<br>part is the first few years just getting your foot in the door.<p><p><p><p><p><p><br>----------<br>royce nelson<p>

[slagerlawncare]

hmm..some very interesting backgrounds. i've been mowing lawns for 2 years now, 1 as part time(about 7 accounts)and last year full time..about 40 accounts. i was a state employee working as a guard at a mental institute for 7 years.talk about stress,i never knew what day somebody was going to body slam me or whack me over the head from behind. need less to say i kept my back to the wall for the most part.so one day after careful consideration and backing from my better half i was sliding my keys over (i quit!) and decided to fulfill a dream of mine.so this lawn maintence thing is like , well a stres free job. or sure you got to worry about mrs jones and her complaint or if it rains for 2 days..but shucks man this is FUN!!<br>this year i'm looking to expanding into fertilization programs and buying some new equipment and well i should i say ..i'm gong for it!!!i like this profession and i plan on making it!!and if i don't at last i tried and can't say down the road..Man,i wish i would have tried that or made that a go..<br>so all of you guys that are throwing it around..give it some thought ..make sure your wife is behind you...and GO FER IT!<p>thanks for all the info you guys that have been around the block give..it's priceless for us guys(and gals) that are up and coming<br>.<p><br><p>----------<br>rick<br>slager

[Lazer]

Been in lawn care over 70% of my life.<p>Time to quit?<p>

[slagerlawncare]

so lazer how old does that make you? old enough to know better?

[pogo]

Smitty<br>I say go full on into the lawn care business. It was the best move Ive ever made. I have been doing it full time for about 5 years. I started out real slow, but I got married and had a kid, so I started treating it like a REAL business. Thats when things really stared rolling. Its all about being focused.<br>I have 130 residential and commercial accts.<br>I started with a credit card and went out and bought a mower w/ no self propelled, a one string weedeater and a broom.(i thought a blower was too expensive) Passed flyers door to door. now things are pretty good. I have a warehouse and employees. My point is, just go for it, you ONLY live once. Oh yeah Punk Rock was a big influence<br>OUT<br>Rob<br>