why I cut grass

[Ookie]

Why do I cut grass outside in the hot hot sun? Why do I sweat gallons a day?

Easy. It is the only way I can make $600 a week for less than 20 hours work.

I started out doing landscaping because my friends were all working for this guy. The guy ended up not paying us so we all quit. Then I tried my hand at being a file clerk. Loved the work, just hated the people and the paycheck. So I quit being a file clerk when the company I was temping for would not hire me out right to do a job I had been doing for 6 months. They gave the job to an illiterate moron. Then they told me to train him.

So I quit and went to work with this other guy the I knew from some friends.

When I started with him, he had only 1 mower and an old beat up van. Because of my hard work he began to expand and grow. Before I knew it I was boss of a crew of three. But this guy was the world's biggest cheapskate. He would not spend $10 to buy the proper tools to change blades on the scag. So he had me changing blades with a crescent wrench and a set of channel locks.

Wouldn't you know it, I severed a tendon in my finger when the wrench slipped. I was out of work for 3 months. Then when I came back to work the guy became a grade A asswipe.

I had been switched from hourly to salary so that winter would not suck so badly. After all, I was a supervisor. Then ole assmuch felt that I should be switched back to hourly on December 12th. I lost out on thousands in overtime so that I would be salary in the winter. It was more than I could take.

So I decided to beat him at his own game. I muggled through the winter and when spring came I took my workmen's comp settlement and bought a Murray rider, an Echo trimmer and used a Robin blower I had bought for $50. I took 15 of his accounts the first day out.

The Murray wore out in less than 6 months so I bought a Eaglestar walkbehind. It wore out in 2 years (piece of junk). I then bought a Bobcat and still use it.

Now I have 40 accounts, work 20 hours a week, have plenty of money (except for the winter months, they suck) and enjoy my job (except for the sweating).

I could very easily expand and hire mexicans and make more money, but then I would have to work more than 20 hours a week and then how could I be a good father/mother to my kids?

Besides, ANYONE who hires mexicans is a traitor. They support the invasion and occupation of our great nation and should be deported along with their employees.

One man, alone, cutting grass. Taking accounts from the "big guys" because the job they do is not as good as I do. Having people constantly walking up to me and asking for my services only to be told "My schedule is full". You can have your big trucks with 4 mowers on them and 5 mexicans in the cab. I will keep my little truck, 4x8 trailer and single mower. I can do a better job than anyone in town with half the equipment. Cheaper too.

[DUSTYCEDAR]

stay small stay happy

[Turf Tender]

Nice story Ookie !

[Tomari Landscaping]

If I were in a position to hire I would hire Mexicans not because of cheap labor but because they tend to be good workers. I would ask for a work permit of course and never hire one that is illegal.

[captaingreen]

Great story! I am a one man operation also. All the big guy's I talk with tell me to stay small. Take care

[Avery]

Whatever works for you man. I am a large company and plan to get bigger every year. I make money by duplicating my efforts through hired help. Yes, I employee foreigners. They are legal and obtained through a H2b program. I use them because there are no natives in my area that are willing to work. I have tried hiring them only to have them come in late or not show up. I too was once a solo operator. I admit I had far less stress then, but in this business you either grow or you die. I am to the point now that I do not have to sweat gallons every day for a pay check. I run the business, present proposals, and meet with clients. The day will come when because of your health or age you cannot do as much or work as fast. If you have not grown beyond the solo stage you will be out of business and all your hard work will be for nothing. Trust me. I have seen it happen to others. I am building the biggest, best company I can so when I am ready to retire I will have something to attract a buyer.

[askarvelis]

I live in Richmond, VA
One helper and possibly 4 more if needed
83 Ford Bronco
6.6' by 16' trailer(new)
2004 Exmark LazerHP 48" 20HP Kohler(?)
Twice divorced, 3 great kids

[terryzrx1200]

I'm glad the American Indians don't feel the way you feel about Mexicans. I also find that Mexicans are hard workers, and believe it or not some are US citisens. I guess you can call me a trater because I hire the best man for the job regardless of race, color, or religion. Good luck staying small. More for me. Terry

[laxplaya37]

well said terry well said

[J Haugner]

Ookie, that name says it all.

Your story started out fine, good for you.

Who would of thought you could write with your stupid statement, “Besides, ANYONE who hires mexicans is a traitor. They support the invasion and occupation of our great nation and should be deported along with their employees.”

Mexican people are some of the best most dedicated workers I have ever had. I have been in the biz for 15 years and I had hired people as soon as I could (first year). Well I don't like to sweat as much as you and it rains a lot up here (Seattle).

Some of the laziest workers are locals. We call them 'whities'. They work for partying, are often sick, think they are smarter than the boss and have an excuse for every mistake make. They try and beat the system too. False unemployment claims, unemployment checks, state funded health care, ect.

I have news for you the Mexican peoples’ land used to stretch quite far in S.W. North America, you know. Stretching from Florida to north California.

I am all for legal foreign workers long as they are trying to be an asset to our great country. Look at your former boss probably a ‘Whitey’ and how he screwed you.
They proudly do jobs that many Americans consider below them. They appreciate the opportunity just like the person in your family that came to this country at one time or another.

Ookie, you keep working alone because I doubt you would be able to get the respect of many workers for long and go do your “better work for cheaper”.

Work for cheaper Oookie!

J. Haugner

MJW Services, Inc

[mowinmoney]

Avery hits the nail on the head. Unless you are printing it as a solo and saving it all retirement will never come. A solo's most valuable asset is there body/health, and it depreciates every year and there is no tradin in. Just make sure your long term goals are acheivable on your own. By the way, our locals wont work either.

[crashman]

I agree with Avery. I am a newbe and I can't say much about the technical aspects. But I do know that when I started with my plans to get into this business this past Thanksgining, I set goals. And some might think they are to big. But I am going to grow also. The bigger, the sooner, the BETTER! I have already had to retire from a career I loved in law enforcement because of work related disability. What you have can be taken from you at anytime and you may not have any choice in the matter. You don't seem to have very big goals. Nothing personal, just a observation. Be happy with your "being small" and $600 a wk. Me and I'm sure plenty of others will take up the slack.

Terryzrx1200 made a good point also. What do you think us "whities" were thought of by the indians. "Invaders" and "Occupiers" maybe. We weren't here first, read your history.

[jlcare]

Ookie,
When you understand how to run a business, then and only then are you allowed to tell us other fine folks how to run a business. The best move I ever made was hiring help (yes some of those hard working Mexicans). When you are old and gray, come back and tell us how great it is to sweat your tail off (if you're even still in the business).

[UNISCAPER]

All of our crews are Guatamalan. Only one speaks English, but they all understand it pretty well. And, as we hold our weekly company meetings, we try to further cultivate them and teach that learning English is worth more money to us, and to them.

Yet with all the training, and all the promises, I have yet to understand why ANYONE who comes into this country would not have incentive to leran English as it is our language, simply for the sake of learning to communicate where you are.

Now, given the two, white boys, or hispanics, I'll take hispanics any day of the week and work on the language barrier as we go. Here, we have a cukture who when they turn 16, daddy buys them a new BMW because they needed a car to get around. What we do is looked upon as a degrading job...And, when the surf is up, they will be out screwing around in the Pacific rather than earning a living.

Saying what was said is not accurate at all...I do not do the politically correct thing and never will, that is who I am...However, until you can get people who were born here in the USA to work as hard with out the headaches associated with employment, I guess I'll just be viewed by a small few as a traitor...

[Bond's Lawn Keepers]

ookie
I see you do not want to grow in lawn care work. I am glad there are people like you that wants to stay one man crew. We have them down here in Mississippi, but we don't go around bad mouthing them and they don't mad mouth us that have a big business. Maybe you are little jealous of bigger company like us. Because guys like you can not stay up with us big guys.
I have not hire any mexicans yet but if it comes down to hire one i proably would. One of my closest friend that has a lwan care business is a mexican. I don't see him as a mexican i see him as a gentlemen that works just as hard as we do as american.
So, if i was you i would stick to solo mowing and leave the big jobs to us because we can handle all of your work and ours too.

[bobdawg]

If I'm ever in the position to hire employees, I'll hire someone who can do the job well. Period. I don't care where they are from, or what their nationality is. If they're honest, hard-working, American citizens that can perform up to my expectations, then they're hired. There is no truth to the fact that one nationality works harder than another. It all depends on the individual work habits of the employee. But, I DO like Taco Bell.........

[Rather Be Fishing]

Originally posted by bobdawg
If I'm ever in the position to hire employees, I'll hire someone who can do the job well. Period. I don't care where they are from, or what their nationality is. If they're honest, hard-working, American citizens that can perform up to my expectations, then they're hired. There is no truth to the fact that one nationality works harder than another. It all depends on the individual work habits of the employee. But, I DO like Taco Bell.........

Haven't been to this site in months. When I got to "the quote"... I somehow knew intelligence would prevail one way or another.

[jeremiahbabb]

This nation is a nation of nations, period. Unless you can trace your roots all the way back to pure native american indian, you would be considered an invader as well, by your own definition.

I have friends that are mexicans, and I have friends that are here illegally, but let me tell you something about them. Where they come from is not the same as what we are used to here. Just because they are born in a different country does not mean that they are not guarunteed certain rights by birth, and some of those rights are trampled upon in their native lands. They are seeking a better life, and believe me, there are great risks of being here illegally, and I can not say that I support them being here illegally, but if I were in their shoes, I can say that I might take the risks in exchange for the chance of having a life here in this great country.

If you want to talk about traitors, talk about companies who send thier jobs to OTHER COUNTRIES... No need in bashing businesses who are keeping the jobs here...

Just my opinion, which I believe everyone is entitled...

Jeremiah