What does it take to succed and make it big?

[mrusk]

Since i found this site last week i been on here non stop almost!
I am 17 and have no idea what to do with my life. I am extremly hard working and been working 2 jobs for several years. I been framing houses since i was 13 and thats hard work. I am not making the money i want to be so i decided to get into mowing and landscaping. I am going to sell my 2 4 wheelers and work 7 days a week this summer framing so i can get a exmark laser 52 and a wb. If i am going to buy the equipment i mine as well buy the right stuff the 1st time. I also plan on buying an enclosed trailer. I am going to have a real business name witht he tax # and INSURANCE. I acctually think i will be the only kid around here with insurance.

I plan on getting as many lawns as i can. I would like to try to make a career out of this and keep on reinvesting my money in more equpiment and have several crews going one day. I am also really interested in getting involved in pavers, walls, and ponds becuase i hear that is where the money is at.

What tips would you give me to succed? I been hearing in alot of post veterans say 'if i only knew what i knew know 20 years ago'. Tell me what you know now, so i can advoid making advoidable mistakes. I plan on paying cash for my equipment so i do not being in debt. Is it an unrealistic dream to make over 150k a year mowing, landscaping and plowing?

Give me advice!! I am all ears!!

matt

[fblandscape]

You're 17 now, start looking into colleges with good agriculture programs. A college degree is pretty much a necessity now a days. In the green industry it will give you a good edge over your competition.

[the scaper]

set your goals, work toward your goals, say your prayers- every day. :)

[BaltLawns]

I agree, an education is more important than the equipment. Its not easy to find good programs for Horticulture. Learn the business tools first. Some knowledge of basic accounting should help you out. If you can't afford or don't feel like sitting in a classroom, go to the library and read. Learn your plants. Nothing impresses a client more than a knowledgable salesman. Hire help as soon as you can. Try to keep yourself out of the field asap. If you want to go big time, know this, when you get big, you cannot be at all the jobs all the time. Get used to letting other people do the work. As the owner your job is to grow the company, oversee the important numbers. If you work in it all your life, your customers will expect to always see you, which is great when you are smaller. Eventually, you will start to let people down, and you will realize it costs a lot more than its really worth. Personally, I would ditch the grass idea. Everybody who doesn't know anything starts out that way. We did! Most get the equipment and cut throat the competition to try and corner the market, until a season or two down the road and they realize why the prices were at the level they were. Grass is a tough gig. It looks easy. Look at large firms, no large firms focus strictly on cutting, some semi-large co's might cut, but thats all commercial, which you won't be able to touch right off the bat. My advice to you, READ BOOKS, learn techniques and practice in your parents yard. Try and find a job with a reputable landscape contractor. Make sure you stress that you want to do installs, not be the mulch *****. If you can't wait for the education, learn it in the field. You have the option to do whatever you want, if you think landscaping is your thing, try it out on someone elses time. Keep in mind, if you plan on cutting it will be hard to get away and start different projects. Yes, lawns can get you started in the bus. and you can make money. Just make sure you get a good feel for what you want to do. My brother and I started push mowing lawns at ages 12 and 11. We spent every summer, spring and fall foregoing vacations, sports and time with friends. Some might think we wasted our youth, I consider it an investment for the future. We are 24 & 23 now with three install crews, two maintenance crews and two cutting crews, a big step from the lawnboy pushmower 12 years ago. If you want it, go for it, just make sure you are ready for the headaches, heartbreak, profit and loss, customers that will never understand the industry. GOOD LUCK! P.S. - If you want a jump on the industry, get in touch with Phil Nillson of Nillson and Assoc. the labor time data book is very helpful.

[TotalCareSolutions]

Originally posted by mrusk


What tips would you give me to succed? Give me advice!! I am all ears!!

matt

Always spell succeed like I did.

[the scaper]

suxseed.......hows that? :D

[the scaper]

Originally posted by BaltLawns
I agree, an education is more important than the equipment. Its not easy to find good programs for Horticulture. Learn the business tools first. Some knowledge of basic accounting should help you out. If you can't afford or don't feel like sitting in a classroom, go to the library and read. Learn your plants. Nothing impresses a client more than a knowledgable salesman. Hire help as soon as you can. Try to keep yourself out of the field asap. If you want to go big time, know this, when you get big, you cannot be at all the jobs all the time. Get used to letting other people do the work. As the owner your job is to grow the company, oversee the important numbers. If you work in it all your life, your customers will expect to always see you, which is great when you are smaller. Eventually, you will start to let people down, and you will realize it costs a lot more than its really worth. Personally, I would ditch the grass idea. Everybody who doesn't know anything starts out that way. We did! Most get the equipment and cut throat the competition to try and corner the market, until a season or two down the road and they realize why the prices were at the level they were. Grass is a tough gig. It looks easy. Look at large firms, no large firms focus strictly on cutting, some semi-large co's might cut, but thats all commercial, which you won't be able to touch right off the bat. My advice to you, READ BOOKS, learn techniques and practice in your parents yard. Try and find a job with a reputable landscape contractor. Make sure you stress that you want to do installs, not be the mulch *****. If you can't wait for the education, learn it in the field. You have the option to do whatever you want, if you think landscaping is your thing, try it out on someone elses time. Keep in mind, if you plan on cutting it will be hard to get away and start different projects. Yes, lawns can get you started in the bus. and you can make money. Just make sure you get a good feel for what you want to do. My brother and I started push mowing lawns at ages 12 and 11. We spent every summer, spring and fall foregoing vacations, sports and time with friends. Some might think we wasted our youth, I consider it an investment for the future. We are 24 & 23 now with three install crews, two maintenance crews and two cutting crews, a big step from the lawnboy pushmower 12 years ago. If you want it, go for it, just make sure you are ready for the headaches, heartbreak, profit and loss, customers that will never understand the industry. GOOD LUCK! P.S. - If you want a jump on the industry, get in touch with Phil Nillson of Nillson and Assoc. the labor time data book is very helpful. :sleeping:

[Let it Grow]

Basic accounting skills are good to have.
Learn all you can about the business.
Spend as many hours as possible on this site.
Write a business plan.
Talk to proffesionals.
Have a backup plan in case it is a flop.
Learn good people skills.
Realize that it takes time to grow a business.
Have fun!!!

[Turf Technologies]

Might be a good idea to work for someone who is in this bussines first. You will need some training. Theres no way you can read here how to Edge or trim right, that take years of effort.

[Andrew S]

For inspiration look up Marty Grunders website I think it is www.MartyGrunder.com

In a nutshell he started out as a teenager and turned his business into a multi million dollar company

Watch how other contractors go about their work in your area, if you are really keen ask for some work experience from some of the better lcos you observe.

the skills you learn from these people can be important to your development

all the best

Andrew

[SunSwept]

I am amazed at the question ... that a 17-year old would bother to ask. When my son was 17, he knew everything!

I am also a bit amazed at the 'get a college education' answer. While I agree that education is something that can never be taken away from you, I am not to sure that a) college is for every one; b) that you can recommend it to someone without knowing much about them; c) that the time invested in college would be time well spent.

I agree with the advice of working with or for someone. Up until recently, apprenticeships where THE education to have when learning one's trade. Personal opinon: go for an apprenticeship even if it isn't called that. Besides, I have never heard of a carpenter having an edge over anyone just because he had a degree in forestry or land management. This ain't rocket science. :)

Buying that big equipment? Hmmmm, do you really want to start out with something that big? I have several small places that, by the minute, pay quite well. I can't get anything but 21-inch mowers through the gates or pathways. Those mowers I got at yard sales for next to nothing so the return-on-investment (ROI) is quite high.

Most of the advice is sound and should be taken. Experience is the best teacher. :D

[John Allin]

"Is it an unrealistic dream to make over 150k a year mowing, landscaping and plowing?"

If you're asking if you can make (for yourself) this amount per year..... my answer is "no - it is not unrealistic"...... it is doable.

If you think you can, or you think you can't..... you're right.

[Green in Idaho]

Originally posted by mrusk
I am 17 and have no idea what to do with my life.
Give me advice!! I am all ears!!
matt

Go down to your local recruiting office and talk to them fine people. Start with the Marines and work your way down...

Spend a couple years participating in the defense of this fine nation that offers you the freedom to do whatever you want to.

In the meantime the service pays a good part of any education you desire, allows you to see some real work, and if you go in with a plan you can save ample money to start a business when you finish your service. Who knows, you might like it for a career.

[ffemt1271]

become a fireman-great pay and benefits and an awesome retirement--use your days off and in between shifts to do yards--i did and starting out i bought a 48" exmark w/b , 16foot trailer, and all shindaiwa equipment and paid cash for it. iwill have to pay myself back but WITHOUT paying interest on it. just a thought:cool:

[walker-talker]

1) Plan on attending the GIE (Green Industry Expo) at St. Louis in November. Many seminars and many people that are where you want to go in business.

2) Use mowing as an income while you learn about the industry.

3) Get licensed to spray chemicals (wish I would of done this a long time ago).

4) Spend on this site.

These are all things you can do this year to prep yourself. Like others suggested, learn as much as you can on business in general. Learn as much as you can about marketing, this will be an ongoing practice.

Good luck
MATT

[bobbygedd]

oh boy, im gonna get it, but here goes. first of all, what is "hitting it big", in your eyes? i know guys who make 40 grand a year, they think if they made 80, it would be hitting it big. a few things in planning your life. #1, what kind of lifestyle do u want? make a decision, set a realistic goal, and let nothing stand in your way. #2, the marines? not for me, maybe for you though. i know 3 ex marines, they are all older than me, two of them work as my assistants at my other job, for about half the pay im making, and one of them was in the marines for 9 yrs. and #3, planning your life, also unfortunately includes knowing that its not gonna last forever. i know men who have worked hard all thier lives, never missed a day of work, etc, etc. now, at 65, 66, 67 yrs old, they have miserable lives. health problems, spouses dead or unhealthy, or just plain never took the time to develop hobbies or other interests that would make them happy now. #4 an education is not by any means a guarentee of success. in fact, most of the guys i went to high school with, that did go on to college, make less than i do and are miserable in their jobs. i admire your concern for your future at such a young age, myself, when i was 17 my biggest concern was: which one of the triplets can i date tonight, without the other two finding out, wheres the keg party, and where are the dead playing next. best of luck to you, and btw, where in nj are you?

[Turf Dancer]

While I admire your interest in doing things the right way I have my own ideas on this subject. 1st off I would check into some type of program relating to the industry at your local colleges. We have two programs at a college 48 miles from me, the first is an associates in Irrigation Technology and the second is in Turf Management. Find a way to get experience before jumping in with both feet ! Just my opinion ! That way you can figure out just what you want to specialize in or what you do and don't want to do.
As for mowing looking at the market and the number of people just out mowing I would stay away from it as a primary way to make a living. It is getting too cut throat in most areas. TOO MANY BARGAIN HUNTERS/PRICE SHOPPERS! But if you are a good landscaper with the ability to be creative you can stay really busy and make great money! Anyone can learn to mow lawns properly overtime, Hell I can teach a monkey in 15 minutes how to edge and trim properly! But I probably could not teach a monkey how to install irrigation systems or how to be an artistic landscaper in even a month ! I would stay away from mowing at first ! Sounds like you are looking at spending 15 to 20 K really quick ! For that amount of money you could buy the main tools and machines for Landscaping! Make your money through installs and once you get built up you can add on maintenance services!

Good Luck !

[GraZZmaZter]

one word - PERSEVERANCE

[Lawn Tek]

Another one word DETERMINATION

[mrusk]

WOW thanks for all the advice.
I looked into the local community college in the next county over and it turns out they have several classes on landscaping, turf mangement, plants, and even landscape business ownership. Its all wrapped into 1 big proagram. I am going to look into it. Maybe i'll take night classes and work with a landscaper who does strickly installs during the day. I figure some college can't hurt and the community college is way cheap.

In the mean time instead of spending 20k on all that lawn stuff i figure i will just buy a hydro walk behind. I work at a trailer job after school and i can build my self a 6x10 trailer for proably 300 bucks. I just want to make some extra money on the side now. I make good money framing houses, 10 bucks an hour, but i can use all the money i can make.

Thanks for all your advice! And i look foward to hearing more.

matt

[mrusk]

Funny reading my post from 5 years ago.

[billslawn89]

Funny reading my post from 5 years ago.

OK lets hear it, what happened in the last 5 years. Are you still landscaping?

[Billie Bob's LLC]

yea i'd really like to see how the past 5 years went for you. I've been in business for two years... mainly mowing, minor landscaping and construction jobs, but this is interesting to see how you've progressed or how your plan has played out.

[mag360]

Click on his name and select "see all posts by mrusk". He made it pretty big in comparison to the opening posts on this thread.