Teen Agers

[komalley73]

I was wondering if any LCO's have problems hiring any teenagers b/c lately i have been bitten by the bug and have been mowing some of my neighbors lawns for a fee. Next summer I would like to try and get a job with a lawn company, do people have a problem hiring teen agers?

[FrankenScagMachines]

I'm 15 and have a small mowing operation (hope to expand next year because I'll have a license and I'm fixing up a larger mower over this winter). I have been around Lawnsite for almost 2 years and the general consensus seems to be that it will vary upon the particular company and that company's insurance. Some won't have much faith in someone that isn't at least 18 or whatever and some will be like go ahead and they give you full control (ok not many like that but there's a couple). It might help if you already knew/know one. Also you will have to prove that you can handle the machines in an effecient and safe manner and leave the turf looking it's best (overlap correctly so as not to streak between passes and also overlap correctly so as to leave a nice stripe, which are basically lighter and darker stripes caused by mowing back and forth which bends the blades of grass over to reflect light off of them making them look lighter and darker). You need to be reliable and responsible. Have to get along with your co workers and boss especially. Have good work ethic (care about what you're doing not doing it cause you have to, but you said you have the bug so you probably already have good ethic) I guess you probably already know all this but just reminding you that it's not like going to Walmart and asking to push carts for them. If you're not atleast 16/don't have a driver license, then you might have a hard time finding someone to hire you. On the other hand some areas I know of will hire about anyone as long as they don't run the mower into a tree or house.
Good luck finding a job,
Eric

[Scraper]

Holy Carp Batman! A Teenager that wants to work? Too bad you live in Bridgeport. All the teenagers around here would rather sit on their keysters playing Playstation II all summer than get out and earn some money.

[EHesseyLawns]

im 19, been in the business a while. i worked with people off and on since i was bout 13 or 14 and then when i turned 17 i went into partnership with sum kid and that dint work out so i went solo....it's tuff being that young and on top of the fact that im female, clients can be taking risk but sum teen agers will do anything for money. im expanding my business next year and getting a ztr and a bigger trailer...i have about 35-40 yards and there's nothing better...if you work for a huge company it can be tuff...invest into your own business, thats my opinion, and it can maximize your dollar...good luck

[Scraper]

Originally posted by EHesseyLawns
im 19, been in the business a while. i worked with people off and on since i was bout 13 or 14 and then when i turned 17 i went into partnership with sum kid and that dint work out so i went solo....it's tuff being that young and on top of the fact that im female, clients can be taking risk but sum teen agers will do anything for money. im expanding my business next year and getting a ztr and a bigger trailer...i have about 35-40 yards and there's nothing better...if you work for a huge company it can be tuff...invest into your own business, thats my opinion, and it can maximize your dollar...good luck

After reading this response...KOMalley...stay in school, work for someone and learn the tricks of the trade. That way, when the time comes, you can be professional and present yourself on a level equal to, if not greater than, your customer's.

[ceaman]

DITTO to scraper

Sta n sckool!
Lern ur readin ritin and rithmatik

:D :blob2:

You need to be as professional as you can be. Learn all you can about lawns, grass, and all plants. Then go out on your own and show the quality of your service.

[roscioli]

Commute up to Sturbridge, I will be hiring again this fall and next spring. It would be a haul, and probably not worth the money, but worth the experience at least :)

[EHesseyLawns]

im still in school. im an exercise science major at tennessee...i dont commute that much, just on a few weekends...i have a very close friend who covers for me...all i was saying, if he wants to make more money, go solo with about 5-10 yards...

[yardboyltd]

what's so tough about school...

[scottt]

yardboyltd,
It's obvious you haven't gone to college yet. If you do, you'll see it's not as easy as high school. Going to college and having a business at the same time is hard.

[SLS]

For some strange reason I am reminded of a poster that used to hang on the wall in a place where I used to work.

The poster featured a guy (who looked sorta like Jethro Clampett) standing there with a blank look on his face, counting on his fingers. The caption read:

"Befour i went to U.T. i cudunt even spel "studint''...Now i are one! Go Vowls!!



There must have been some Vanderbilt fans in the building. :laugh:

[65hoss]

Originally posted by SLS

"Befour i went to U.T. i cudunt even spel "studint''...Now i are one! Go Vowls!!

There must have been some Vanderbilt fans in the building. :laugh:

hahahaha. Hey wait, that's not funny. :dizzy:


I guess it depends on what you are like. Do you have enough drive to be the "boss"? Or, do you work better for others? Do you want to see how other guys run their operations? Or, figure it out on your own?

Plus, age is a factor. Teenager doesn't really say much. You could be only 13, and then I doubt anyone will hire your right now.

[mklawnman]

IM 19 right now and going to a community college right now so i can still operate my lawn care biz. Though i plan on majoring in Landscape Horticulture at a Four year school, i figure get the first two years done with near my home so i can get my business established and well so far its worked great. Been doing this for 5yrs now with my brother and things have grown and have gotten better equipment and more accounts. When your a teenager you have to watch yourself that you dont get too much into the business YET. I could have taken on a few more lawn mowing accounts and well those would be nice, but when school starts im gonna already be crammed with work so its better to take on as much as your school schedule can take. School does come first, but its always nice to have your own job on the side to make the money and create your own hours. I never worked for a landscaping company just worked at a local golf course for two years and that actually helped some too, so id say get some experiance from a pro. before going in it yourself.
Good Luck, and happy mowin
Matt