Curious

[1MajorTom]

Something we've been curious about. I know in the past posts have been made about working status like fulltime or parttime.


But we're wondering how many members out there only use the lawn business as their ONLY income. That means that your wife doesn't have an outside job, and you don't have a part time job on the side.


And we're not talking about high school kids or single guys that live at home with their parents.


Who out there actually supports a family, has a mortage, car payments, life insurance, retirement plan, the whole nine yards on just the lawn care business????

We do, BUT we do not have the best equipment. It is only now that we are going to be able to upgrade, and to us, it is a very important decision what to buy.

We see people on here that have tons of equipment that have a lot less accounts than we have, and we're wondering how they do it, and if they are totally supported just by lawn care.


Jodi

[KirbysLawn]

Jodi,
I don't but a friend, the guy who helped me get started does. He has 5 kids, all in christian school at our church, drives a Lexus SUV, has a $250,000 + home on 2 acres, and his wife stays at home. He is high $$ and does a superior job.

He bills monthly for basic mowing, edging, trimming, and blowing. EVERYTHING else is extra $$, has all of his customers in a 7-8 mile area in the best part of town. He has 2 employees.

I want to grow up to be like him one day! I have learned a lot from him and he has been willing to share with me.

Ray

[Barkleymut]

Sounds like me, no not the $250,000 home part but the first post. My wife daughter and I are supported by my business. No part time jobs. I was lucky because the first year my wife had a good job and we could afford for me to buy some good equipment. It isn't easy but I certainly am making more than I ever would working for the man.

[CCLC]

We are totally supported by the business. I have a wife and two kids (potential employees) that my business supports. Every year we make a little more. It is something that takes time to build. It would be nice if my wife worked so we could build the business faster but it is great to have her home raising the kids instead of a babysitter.

[Indiana]

My business supports my wife, 2 kids and myself. We have no other income. We have been in business for nine years and I have been married for a little over five years.

I had the opportunity to buy good equipment before my mortgage, truck payments, etc...

It is really tough to make enough to live, vacation, and pay bills. BUT, God has really blessed with good customers and always provided money for the lean times.

[Twotoros]

100% supported by my biz.

[jay]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Indiana
[
/QUOTE]I'm a fulltimer started off part-time employed and part-time in business.Worked my way up to supporting myself after six months in the buis. You just have to bid your jobs corectly, be patient, pray alot, and let God guide you.
I also have been blessed.

[HOMER]

Ditto the last 2 posts. The business totally supports my wife, 3 kids, 3 dogs, 4 cats. We aren't rich by any stretch, at least not monetarily, but we get by. I have around 70 accounts which drops to around 50 through the winter. The first winter was pretty tough but after that we have managed.

What kind of equipment are you running?
How many acounts do you have?

Thank you Jesus!

Homer

[cbuck]

I'm proud to say my biz supports 3 kids a wonderful wife and myself. we just had our third baby in oct. I won't lie this summer was really stressful.I'm a one man show and worked my butt off so my kids can have what they need.but hard work is rewarded with a little money left to buy a new Exmark. oh by the all 3 boys so can't what till i can put them behind a mower.

[Greenkeepers]

Good Job Ladies and Gents... I applaud you all and hope I can be in your shoes one day, but I'm still working for the Man!! :)

Keep up the good work

[TGCummings]

My wife currently works, but the business has been our sole support in times past. I have a mortgage, truck payment, high debt, etc. and we've always made enough to get by.

However, at this point in time I'm taking advantage of the wife's extra income to restructure the business, release low $$$ accounts, etc. This winter will be rough in my year-around business, but a couple of good Spring seasons and we can "retire" the wife again to phone duties and we can start a family w/o my having to put in 80 hour weeks to accomplish that goal...

-TGC

[crew]

Only two years into this journey so my wife is still working.As a teacher she gets the nice benefits so its hard to imagine her quitting.
The dream has her running a color division and doing the books. For now, the debt I have in equipment makes any moves scary.
I too cant wait to get the two kids involved in the buisness.2nd grade and kindergarten so its going to be a while.But the numbers are there to allow me to keep us alive once the big bills go away.

[tpirobert]

99.9% income from business alone. Supports wife, kid, two dogs and Uncle Sam.

[Bassman]

Just started in the biz July 10, 2000. 100% supported by my lawn/landscape business. Am single parent raising 14 year old son. This first winter is definatley going to be tough. I may make it till April without getting part time work from the man, thats when things will start to get crazy again, not sure at this time. Next season I will continue to build my customer base and especially yearly accts. My equip. and truck are paid for otherwise I would be in trouble. I am not getting rich but I love this business and the freedom of such a flexible schedule it provides.
Bassman

[double e]

I'm 23 with 3 vehicles, tractor payment, two lot payments, and have no problem. Going to build a house next winter- by then 1 lot will be paid for and selling the other. This is my first year in business, and money hasn't been a problem. Also have ins. and retirement plan.