Winning The Lottery Revisited [Archive] - LawnSite.com™ - Lawn Care & Landscaping Business Forum

Sean Adams

04-25-2008, 10:17 AM

Several years ago here on LawnSite I posed the question....

If you won the lottery last night - I'm talking millions - and let's just assume you want to stay in the lawn and landscape industry...and are willing to spend $1,000,000 on your business....

What would you do? What would you buy?

This was really interesting and fun the last time I asked this questions so let's see what you can come up with....

payup

larryinalabama

04-25-2008, 10:30 AM

Might take a million to fill the old truck up. Since Im solo and plan to stay solo I really dont need that much more equiptment

Supper Grassy

04-25-2008, 11:30 AM

This is hard

PROCUT1

04-25-2008, 11:43 AM

Thats a hard question because who in hell would stay in such a cut throat low margin business if they had the option to do anything with that money.

larryinalabama

04-25-2008, 11:47 AM

Mabey I could buy my customers homes and use them for rentals, then still matain them. At least I would be away from the wife.

Sean Adams

04-25-2008, 12:10 PM

OK, maybe I should re-word this since everyone is taking this so literally...

Make a wish list - if money were no object and you could buy anything you wanted for your business, what would it be?

Lawn-Sharks

04-25-2008, 12:14 PM

Sure i could dump a quick million into the biz and buy some big trucks and some bad a$$ toys, mowers, trailers & gold chains, fake grillz and wife beater t-shirts for all the employeez "BLING BLING" but with that said i would really strive to involve my business more with the community so that we could use my wealth and slave labor i mean employeez to make a positive impact.
and then im gonna have Exmark build me a ZTR out of platium and put some spinner rims on it with air bag suspention and put solid gold controls on it with one of the crown air fresheners hanging from the armrest with some extra cup holers with a cold monster energy drink in everyone of them...and...a little fridge to keep my moon pies cold YEAH thats the Ticket!
these are just some of my dreams and although they seem a little dull this is what i would spend my loot on...:confused:

A-Land

04-25-2008, 03:09 PM

I would put a lot of it away to start with, and if I was going to stay in this industry (I don't plan to) I would put some of it toward school.... I don't think I would spend very much until I was out. Then, I would put a good margin toward marketing a new company and would use the rest to hire the best people I can find. I think a very small portion would be spent on equipment and such, even though every piece is expensive.

Maybe if I had 2 million I could do that, and then fill up my truck.

I think doing the above would be interesting in looking at whether using a million and investing it, could I make another million back.....

bill8379

04-25-2008, 05:20 PM

I would start building houses. Energy efficient houses, solar panels everything.

Charles

04-25-2008, 05:45 PM

I always dreamed of having a 12' no scalp mower. So I could be done with each yard (mow/weedeat, blow and go) in 5 minutes:laugh::usflag:

KGR landscapeing

04-25-2008, 06:03 PM

put it in the bank and make sure nobody knows you won people come out of the woodwork. ya know what i could use a couple more hydro 48in walkbehinds and a truck load of stihl backpacks. a large tank of gas that wont go bad and will last me for life.

Sydenstricker Landscaping

04-25-2008, 06:35 PM

Let me see.......Fix up and pay off my current truck. Buy some property and build a decent house and shop for my business. I would much rather have a barn/shop on my property than pay some fool a bunch of money each month to tell me what I can and cant park or do in a shop. The rest would go to upgrading some equipment, and then savings. I am a solo op, would like to stay that way for a while, so I have no intent of buying 10 trucks and a bunch of crap like that. Just enough so me and my family can be happy and the business run smoothly

grasswhacker

04-25-2008, 06:38 PM

Don't play, so my odds are less than 0 of winning.

topsites

04-25-2008, 08:43 PM

All right but first you have to hand me the money so that I can tell you what I did with it.
Now I'm not really too sure what will happen, other than once it changes hands it's gone lol

IMAGE

04-25-2008, 09:20 PM

Buying land, and building a shop, would be first on the list. It would be a large shop, with about 5 acres. Then I would get the equipment and expand into heavy dirt work. Really a million would not go very far when you start talking large construction equipment.

I would keep the mowing/plowing thing going too. But it would switch to only large properties, like malls and campuses.

bill8379

04-26-2008, 06:43 AM

One thing about winning the Lottery in the States is that you get it all piece meal and spread over 20 years. Plus you are taxed on it.

In Canada you get the full cheque tax free.

AI Inc

04-26-2008, 06:47 AM

Don't play, so my odds are less than 0 of winning.

You dont opt to pay the stupidity tax?

John Gamba

04-26-2008, 08:38 AM

SilkKnitter

04-26-2008, 09:30 AM

OK, maybe I should re-word this since everyone is taking this so literally...

Make a wish list - if money were no object and you could buy anything you wanted for your business, what would it be?

About 5-12 achers of land
Build a house and a barn
Build a small greenhouse
Solar panels for the house and barn (one less bill)
The stuff needed to make my own bio diesel for the trucks
2 more trucks 1 with a Boss V
1 enclosed trailer with all the equipment needed
Office equipment / software
Stocks/Bonds

lawnspecialties

04-26-2008, 12:16 PM

OK, I'll play.

First, a 60'X60' shop with two 14' doors and a walk-in door in front and three 14' doors in back. Of course, it will have heat and air. There will be an area for two trucks and trailers, an area for my tractor and equipment like my bed edger, aerator, etc.. There will also be an area for fertilizer and seed pallets plus all my herbicides. There will be an I-beam running across the top with a 2-ton chain lift for working on my mowers and such. If I have enough room, I will also have a pit for working underneath my trucks, tractor, etc. (changing oil, etc.).

Outside, there will be lean-to's on both sides of the building with concrete padding. On one side, my tractor implements will be stored and on the other side will be a hot water pressure washer for cleaning my equipment.

There will be an additional truck added (probably a 20' bed cab-over) with full equipment. I will have one 66" ztr, two 60" ztr's, two 54" ztr's, and two 48" ztr's. I will purchase a 14' dump trailer setup mostly for leaf cleanup.

Last but not least. Since I'm spending this money on my business, this will count. I will pay off my house. If my new house we're building were paid off and I had a little money in the bank plus all the equipment I've listed here, I could quit the fire department. I run a 6-figure business alongside the fire department schedule. How many times I've imagined how big my business could grow if I didn't work 10 days/month somewhere else. :)

Lawn Enforcer

04-26-2008, 12:20 PM

10 acres with a house and a 4,000 sq. ft. shop
New Ram 3500 quad cab 4x4, line-x, Hiniker plow
16 ft. enclosed trailer
Everride: (1) Warrior (2) 34" Scorpions (1) 52" Scorpion
All new Stihl handhelds
S70 and T190 Bobcats
360 SPRINT CAR!
Put some $$$ away for later

Maybe a HOT secretary!

TJLANDS

05-01-2008, 09:53 PM

OK, maybe I should re-word this since everyone is taking this so literally...

Make a wish list - if money were no object and you could buy anything you wanted for your business, what would it be?

A bigger shop, bigger office, my own landscape supply yard.
I would buy out the local exmark dealer, service center and make it part
of my business.
I would hire a full time marketing and sales person and start a major advertising campaign.
I would hire someone who's sole purpose was to hire people,and find people, good people.

Maybe open a gas station?

JohnnyRoyale

05-03-2008, 10:15 AM

Put a building on some land (20-30 acres) big enough to lease to a number of landscape and snow companies with their own fenced off yards and units, and set up a landscape supply yard, salt depot, equipment dealer, truck and equipment repair and rental centre, employee temp agency, & gas station all on the same property. That of course is if I decide to stay in THIS type of business. But reality is I'd bail on this business if I was lucky enough to catch a lottery.

DiyDave

05-03-2008, 08:03 PM

I'd probably buy me one of those 40,000 Spyder slope mowers, and put a seat on it! Nah, really, I'd probably just put it in the bank, and farm it away, but I' d damsureashell have some fun with it!:usflag:

AJ Lawnscapes

05-10-2008, 04:56 PM

I'd buy other peoples established businesses, add them as crews to mine, update my trucks and equipment, and do one hell of an advertising scheme to get more customera, take on larger contracts, and while they are all out working for me I'll be on the golf course.

Az Gardener

05-10-2008, 05:16 PM

OK, maybe I should re-word this since everyone is taking this so literally...

Yeah while the quantity of participants has gone up the quality has gone downhill over the years :laugh:

I would get all the little loose ends tied up and bring the franchise model to market.

Morganic

05-22-2008, 08:20 PM

I would sink that million ..or more.. into getting the best teamS that I could. First of all by evaluating them and making sure I hired only industrious people who truly loved building things, using their hands, plants, gardening, ..the good earth.. and the great outdoors. I would educate them (vids..fieldtrips, etc. ..whatever it took..), pay them very, very decent wages, and offer fair insurance coverage. They would love working for me. ..LOL.. I'd have people create for me a kick-butt website to include links to providers and become sort of a Wally-World of the business. Customers could link to provider sites to get ideas in mind for what they want ..types of sod ..plants ..hardscapes; etc. They could get a clue as to costs so they could lose that shell-shocked look they get when I give them an estimate. ..LOL.. ..Then I would turn the whole shebang over to someone I trusted ..sit back..put my feet up ..sip on a Red Stripe ..and gaze at nothing but the perfect vista of my own lovely backyard for a long, long time.

JoeKidd

05-26-2008, 09:58 PM

If I won millions I'd landscape for free. I'd do it for good people who are either too old, handicapped, or just can't afford it.

SCAG POWER

05-26-2008, 10:16 PM

Well i always thought that I would put money into my business. How ever after getting back into music, i would not waste one dime on this arena. The low balling , high prices of fuel and people , who just do not pay on time . I would slip a way.... Here is where you would find me . The Berklee school of music in Boston finishing up my music work. Man i would write some country songs about the cut throat operations that go on in this business. My new C/D would be titled " no more yards to cut"some songs like let the fireman cut it for less, your a pita what more can i say.

Then go out on tour for about 8 months and play it up all over the country. Yep that's it just back to school and finish another degree, and just have fun.

SO I WOULD HAVE SOME THING TO DO THAT " I ":sleeping: ACTUALLY LIKE.

Roger

05-27-2008, 08:28 AM

Don't play, so my odds are less than 0 of winning.

Ditto. Once in awhile some folks who really don't know me give me a lottery ticket, or other instrument of the lottery as a gift. Why? Because they haven't taken time to get to know me. Those tickets, stubs, or whatever they are called, are just put in the trash.

If I did get a $1M from some source as a gift, I sure wouldn't put it into the lawn service business. There are far too many other places to invest the money with a higher profit, and better longevity than the dead-end lawn service industry.

Mike Blevins

05-27-2008, 04:00 PM

I would buy alot of Scags!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:usflag:

Allens LawnCare

07-21-2008, 01:40 PM

I'd buy into a larger business and be the guy on the boat counting the money!!!

Trenchblade

07-21-2008, 01:58 PM

I would move to Hollywood and go green. Leed certified building, diesel trucks that run on veg oil, propane and veg oil mowers, organic hemp uniforms, all organic chemical operation, and charge a premium price for our green landscape services. Id call it Green Ups inc. "green from the ground up". I am suprised i have not already seen that. everything is going green, why not the industry that is supposed to be about the earth already. I am sure someone will do that, just a matter of time. Id have to hire a a hot chick to run it cause id be traveling the world with my family and friends for a year or two right off the rip with the lottery money

SCAG POWER

07-21-2008, 02:00 PM

First I can " not me". I would have a trust agreement created, then with in it pay off all debt, every thing. The little business I would pass on to a buddy of mine , along with my equipment. Then i would make a stop at the BMW dealer and pick up my new X5 SUV , White with a Chocolate interior. Then over to guitar center and pick up 2 custom Gibsons Guitars and some other toys. The over to Sam Ash to pick up all the rest of the equipment that i want, for my new band. Fund my nephews college education at Berklee College of Music. Then call 3 other people and tell them i am ready for lessons. I would do about 20 hrs a week in private lessons and any kind of a rock week or fantasy camp that came a long I would go too also.Now at this time I would be going too berklee music on line for some of their programs. So you see that when i winn the lawns became a ting of the past , as a matter of fact my first C/D out would be titled " no more lawns" title cut no more lawns to mow, your check bounced, no i don'nt hand weed, bushes your crazy.Pay up or else.

capelawncare.com

07-21-2008, 02:17 PM

I would give my business to the first struggling LCO I saw, then I would buy about 200 acres somewhere in the mountains, facing a national forest, so the view never changes, build a nice little cabin, and spend half the yr there, and the other half here.

I would make sizable deposits to my 2 kids trust funds too.

Lawnworks

08-20-2008, 07:23 PM

The sad thing is... a million dollars would destroy most people. Most people cannot even handle there own finances... much less a million dollars. The lottery is a voluntary tax for losers.

Cart-Away

09-15-2008, 02:57 PM

Hey, with all your new found wealth why not throw some the way of the Lawnsite sponsors....? We would be greatful!

shepoutside

09-15-2008, 06:13 PM

Ummmmmmm..................... I'd buy LawnSite.com, and live the good life !!:rolleyes:

Well, that may require more then the million, so I guess if I won a million ( which would be a million as this is tax free in Canada:canadaflag:) I'd build a large shop, c/w indoor parking for 10-20 mow 'n go trucks, with a separate mechanics area, nice offices, and a printing area, as I'd need to start printing many more flyer's & Coupons, so may as well do it in house. Hire staff to increase sales, and build it into a great business, that I can sell for 10 million in a few years. Then after that, I'd buy a truckload of that fluid film stuff, and give it to the Canada lawn guys, as they won't send it to us. I'd even buy a new shovel for that french/jersy BG dude :laugh:
Did I mention my private, blond, playmate secretary,? :rolleyes:

SCAG POWER

09-15-2008, 11:03 PM

Well first off , when i do win I will not be wasting any more time being some eases yard dog,,,, nope not at all. Back in school out in Hollywood Ca. Finishing up my music interest. Then a nice house in a real gated community , with a guard also,,,and my own lawn dog to beat on Fridays,,,,,,,,,oooooooyea beating the dog on Fridays one of the many cuts of my newest C/D Titled no more lawns to cut.Now for my rides well lest see a black Z06 Corvette loaded,,,,,,,,,,, a nice ski boat tied rite up at the dock just off my house , yep that's rite unhooked and back at it " my house" and then just my pets too have around nothing steady as far as the opposite sex goes , na no time too waste, to much music too turn out. living the real life party like a rock star. behind the iron gate with no guest list at all, well nothing perament.

cborden

09-16-2008, 07:55 PM

I would buy a couple liquor stores and become a recluse. :drinkup:

Scagguy

10-01-2008, 12:21 AM

I would take the million for the biz and do this......use up to 5K to advertize and sell the biz. The rest of the 995K, I'd walk into Binions Horseshoe and put it all on one spin of the wheel. Black I think would be the color I'd bet on. After all, Id still have millions left. Correct? That money would be invested wisely. But for one night....I'm gonna live like a rock star or a fool depending on the outcome.

saylorsdad

10-03-2008, 10:05 AM

I agree with the others, pay off land, build big heated/ac in shop, multiple mowers, etc.

I would also contact bad boy "and several other mower companys" and have custom mower built with 120" cut, super air ride seat, ac, radio, weed eater attachments that swing out so I can trim in the a/c. I would limit my business to highway right of way's, state parks, schools, ball fields, etc with large open spots that I can enjoy the new found comfort of not owing a dime and riding in style. I could bid the big jobs competitive since I would be mowing debt free.

cut level

08-23-2010, 11:32 AM

I would take care of the family first in-laws and all. Buy a house in everystate of the Mississippi Flyway including a place in Canada. Hunt the ducks from the beginning of the migration til the end.

I would also buy my wife whatever she wanted.

I would keep working though so I wouldnt turn into a lazy bum. With that much money I am sure I would have enough of my own work to do around the house.

DLONGLANDSCAPING

01-19-2011, 11:31 PM

With 2 million dollars. hmmmm . You would actually recieve around 1,400,000 after taxes. So i would put 1 million in a 5.6% CD with a monthly rollover and spend 40k on a new exmark 60" 34hp kawi zero turn, 2 new 48" turf tracers, redmax handhelds, stihl saws, then i would get two bobcat. t300 or s300 with the following attachments: Landscape rake, auger with 6"8"10"24" and 36" bits, trencher, stump grinder, tiller, forks, toothed bucket, grapple, concrete mixer, kage snowpusher.

I would buy a 24' goosenck 24k trailer and a new f550 with a 10' masons dump-80k
I would buy a piece of property for cheap(10 acres) and wait for my business to make the money to then invest in a shop when the times right.

Then when i am 40 and have 10 trucks and the million dollars i put in the bank when i was 18, is now close to 50 million i would retire.