starting in 2004

[trimdoctor]

I'm starting my business in spring 04. I am doing this solely as a side business and would like to contract 30 to 40 yards (mowing and trimming only). Do any of you think that this is an unrealistic goal for my first year?

[John Gamba]

Does your area have a spring and fall clean up? If it does just cutting and trimming might be hard keeping custumers. Custumers like to have even the minimum in there lawn people. Give it a try!
Good luck
John

[promower]

Like John said try to include more then just mowing and trimming. Also I think you set a very realistic goal, when I started, by the end of the summer I had 34 regular accounts.

[BigEd]

I landed a little over 60 accounts my first year, but alot of them came before the mowing season for clean ups or mulch.I then worked on getting them to switch over to my full service LCO,from the mow and blow guy they had at the current time. I dont want know one else on my properties just cause I know this is how you lose accounts. I have lost a few because I CANT do pesticide apps yet,so guess what Im working on now ? Just some food for thought.:drinkup:

[kootoomootoo]

How many dollars do you plan to invest in Marketing?

[Team Gopher]

Hi Trimdoctor,

You can achieve any goal you set your mind to!

[twins_lawn_care]

Hey Trimdoctor,

do you plan to do this full time or part time?
I would say if you are going to do this full time, and you get real organized over the winter, you should have no problem attaining your goals. I would just offer this peace of mind though, that you may only start with 10-20, but when people start to recognize you and your work, your clientel will grow to as much as you'd like.
Good luck with the business.
Rob

[kootoomootoo]

"You can achieve any goal you set your mind to!"

Just ask the cubs and the red sox!
All those bankrupt companies with mission statements.

[precisioncut]

No, it is not unrealistic. That is if you put forth the time and effort. Advertising of any form helps but word of mouth is the best form there is. Sell your customers on the quality of work not just on the price.
Best of luck to ya in the future
Joe

[Frosty_03]

Trimdoctor what kind of time are you going to spend at each account and I would say your moving more towards full time with that many accounts. Word of mouth is the best advertising. Keep your accounts happy and they will spread the word. I think you can do it so go for it. You can pick-up a quick 25k for one season, but remember you have to put in the time and effort to meet that goal. Are you not going to edge????Good Luck and GOD SPEED

[impactlandscaping]

I agree with BigEd.Try to be the sole service provider to your clients. Turn a $ 900.00 mowing account into a $ 3K a yerar account with add on servicing. If you can't do some services, find a reputable sub contractor to provide them to your client for you. It's all about how far you want to go in this biz..The sky's the limit.;)

[alpine692003]

How would you guys recommend for a new guy like myself to advertise? Go door to door to hand out flyers at the first?

[Lbilawncare]

That is a lot of yards to get at once, but I don't think it is impossible. It all depends on your market, if there are a lot of other companies around it may be more difficult. Don't get caught up in having to get a certain # of yards, concentrate on getting your accounts at the price you need. You could do ten $20 yards or charge what you need and only have to do eight. When you say side business, how many hours are you going to put into your business a week? Good Luck

[alpine692003]

Well, for me. I will be hanging my door hangers like 3 - 4x's a week starting in feb'04.

My general mgr who is a friend, brother and myself!

spend about 3 - 5hrs handing out door hangers?

[pcnservices]

Originally posted by trimdoctor
I'm starting my business in spring 04. I am doing this solely as a side business and would like to contract 30 to 40 yards (mowing and trimming only). Do any of you think that this is an unrealistic goal for my first year?

Goals should be realistic and achievable.
No I don't think 30-40 lawns is unrealistic BUT mowing as a "side business" (part time?), I personally think (realistically) you are going to have a hard time keeping up with your schedule even if you're just mowing and trimming.
My next point here is: to start off a season from scratch with 30-40 lawns - how big is the capitol investment you're gonna have to make to get your cashflow going, marketing and advertising and to get equipment to do those jobs?
You'll need at least a Z52" and a w/b 36" or 48" for various applications (fenced yards and wider open bigger sized lawns). Commercial grade trimmers and blowers. A trailer to haul you equipment. These are pricy items in any outfit.
Will 30-40 lawns really bring in a good return on your investment and still pay your bills, insurances workmans comp. etc., etc.? And your wage and the wage of hired help if you're going to employ any?
I will suggest you start with fewer lawns, set the standards and let the business be self funding, grow at it's own pace and accumulate the so much needed cashflow until such time within the next 2-4 seasons where you are ready to take the business to a next/higher level.
I am not a believer of investing big amounts of money to start something small and, 2nd'ly to start off big and grow fast without a capitol investment or proper cashflow is planning for financial problems.
Anyhow Trimdoctor this is just my humble opinion. I am maybe too conservative for some of the guys in the industry but I wont regret it for doing it the way I did it. I'm learning as I'm growing.
Good Luck and good fortunes to you and your new venture.
PC