View Full Version : Life in the Lawn Biz
Gabe's
12-18-2000, 11:45 PM
Hello all,
Commerical/Residential Lawn Care
What makes you run, (the good lord only knows what we go through getting a lawn care service started the headaches, the attitudes, the sleepless nites),. What makes you excel to dore more in lawn care.( Let's set aside the money issue, we all want to make a killing and we can never make enough money) But, what is it for some of us.
Thought I would just ask. Maybe I'm losing my focas, need to hear from others why we do it as a whole.
Thanks, Gabe
Vibe Ray
12-18-2000, 11:56 PM
Probably the two biggest reasons aside from the money would be ....1)Self-Employment 2)Nothing's like working outdoors on a beautiful day!!! I pity those indoor worker types. Some other reasons would be the opprotunity to meet and talk with a variety of people, getting to work with engines(which I love), and the great sense of pride you get when you look at a lawn just after you've done something to it and see how great it looks! Did I forget anything???
[Edited by Vibe Ray on 12-19-2000 at 05:00 AM]
1MajorTom
12-19-2000, 12:15 AM
Definitely working outdoors is a major plus. The fresh air and moving around from job to job makes the work
seem new, not boring. (sitting behind a desk all day
would put me to sleep.)
And I think with a regular 9 to 5 job, there is only
so much you can do to get ahead.
But being your own boss, you have the reins.
The opportunity is there. You just have to be strong
enough and smart enough to succeed. That's what
makes owning our own business so appealing. There
is nothing more satisfying than knowing that we
control our own destiny.
We are able to make all our own decisions. There is no
employer breathing down our necks telling us what to do.
We wouldn't be able to go back to working for anyone. We
are way too spoiled now.
Jodi
Runner
12-19-2000, 12:27 AM
Two posts that are hard to follow! I don't mean "understand"-follow, I mean I couldn't have said it better myself!:)
Gabe's
12-19-2000, 12:33 AM
Hello all,
Yes I must say, those are 2 very good respones.
Thanks Gabe
Randy Scott
12-19-2000, 12:37 AM
Gabe, don't bring me down man. I am getting into the business as we speak.I just spent over $25,000 to get my business going. $5000 in office furniture and new computer, $5000 on a new trailer, and $16,000 on mowers and the fixens. And all the other little stuff that doesn't even come to mind. I say, keep your chin up and keep moving forward. Even though I haven't even cut a lawn yet,( some of you may think I'm an idiot)the reason I think is quite evident,we wan't to be our own boss and control our own destiny. That is clear to me everyday I go to my job and let someone else control my destiny, watching their actions versus what I think should be done. I await the day I can walk into work and tell them I will be going on my own, hopefully sooner than later. I do realize it takes time and am willing to give it my all to make it happen for me and I hope you can look at it posatively from here on out and have better days. I know that I need to try it on my own and see what happens. I would like to thank everyone for all the information I have gotten from this site, and to enjoy your holidays. Sincerely, Randy Scott
Cutter1
12-19-2000, 02:16 PM
Vibe Ray said it best!!!
GrassGoddess
12-19-2000, 02:37 PM
The money is GREAT, and the sense of accomplishment is just as good.
Cutter1
12-19-2000, 02:40 PM
grassgoddess....your first post!!! Congrats!!
Eric ELM
12-19-2000, 03:27 PM
Welcome to LawnSite GrassGoddess
Cool Screen Name too. :)
Getmow
12-19-2000, 03:33 PM
Easy now Eric.
Gabe's
12-19-2000, 04:00 PM
Hello all,
Thanks for the replies,
This is such a good Link and many great minds in here. Its always nice to hear the up side of the biz from the ones who have accomplished so much through dedication and hard work.
Thanks Gabe
Runner
12-19-2000, 04:06 PM
Grass Goddess? Could it be the Zena of ZTR's?:)
moonarrow
12-19-2000, 05:52 PM
Welcome to the forum Grassgoddess, and Rhandy don't get discorage hold head high things will take off faster than you will ever believe I did like you didn't start off piecing my equip. together I went out on a limb and and did like you and spent 25 thou right off thebat and don't regret it a bit and hasn't been a prob. Good luck
ronslawncare
12-19-2000, 06:24 PM
to me its a hobby also i have fun working outside ,having no boss when i need a vacation i just take it.i enjoy working on my mowers and my trailer.keeps me busy and i got to admit theres alot of toys to play with.but gabe said it best a feeling of pride when you get done and look at the lawn and say dam i did that .
ronslawncare
12-19-2000, 06:27 PM
i meant vibe ray sorry
Greenkeepers
12-19-2000, 08:30 PM
When I'm at my 7:30-5 job (only get paid for 8 hrs) I get a tax return done or some financial statements. When I cut I'm outside enjoying the weather and I see the stripes and a job well done. Much more satisfying :)
HOMER
12-19-2000, 09:08 PM
Cause I ain't gotta turn in a vacation request, get talked down to by somebody that needs talking down to themselve. I get to ride around in a brand new truck which I never would have had working for "da man". Playing with my toys on a daily basis and I guess the biggest reason is instant gratification for a job well done.
And one last point: OPTIONS..........something you have very few of when you work for someone else.
Homer
P.S. And I never would have met all of my cyber friends and some that have become non-cyber!
[Edited by HOMER on 12-20-2000 at 02:10 AM]
I like the challenges. The satisfaction of knowing I created this from the ground up by myself(and alittle help in here). The green lawns, the beauty of Gods creations, knowing I'm helping this world become more beautiful, great customers, the smell of wet grass in the morning, the extra time during the slow days, creating knew ways of doing things just to name a few. Sure thiers days when I don't want to do this either, during the 100 degree month's, rude calls, same sites seen over and over. At the end though I way out the good from the bad and the good always over powers the bad. I love the buis talking about it, working in the field, and even sometimes the accounting. Theres alot of different buis. I could go in that would probally make me a more rich man but I'm happy just were I'm at.
miquel
12-20-2000, 03:03 AM
Apart from the money, I take a great pride in what I do.
I just love to stand back and look at a lawn that has just been cut by me. I also look at it again after I am in my truck before leaving.
bobbygedd
12-20-2000, 12:23 PM
miguel, im glad to know im not the only one who looks at the lawn when im in the truck, driving away, and while loading the equipment. i thought i was weird!unlike some of the others, i (because of finances) started with the junkiest equipment ,and worked my way up. not a pleasent way to work, but i made it happen!now doin great, no regrets!
Gabe's
12-20-2000, 06:42 PM
Hello all,
This is a great biz to do and the rewards are plentyful. Miquel I just wanted to reply to your post. I too find a great thrill to look back at a yard and to see the bueaty. I have also seen a spot I had misssed on new lawns on occassian and I will stop the truck right in its tracks and and touch up on the spot. I have seen some people just look and leave and I wonder.... Lets just keep it at that.
Great responses, Gabe
This thread reminds me of a conversation with my wife last week after preparing for another missed call by the weatherguessers. (Actually she has this conversation with me quite often) She had gone to dinner at a friends house who's husband is also a landscaper. He came in after prepping all of his snow equipment and complained that it probably won't snow now that he went through all of the hassle. The ladies started asking why do you do this work if all you do is complain. Its too cold, too hot, my body aches, too wet, too dry, too windy, not enough snow, I'm tired, too dusty, too humid, etc. etc. I told my wife that every once in a while, maybe 3 or 4 times per year, there are these days that are so absolutely beautiful & perfect that it would be a sin to not be out side working, no matter what the job, and all of those other days in between are worth the wait. The other things mentioned in this thread apply too, but that response sure floored her & got her off my back for a bit.
HOMER
12-21-2000, 09:21 AM
Dang BRL, I almost got a little touched by that last reply! I do have to agree with you though because there are days when that old air conditioned office starts looking good. But then I make my way to a shade tree and pop open a cold drink and say..............nah!!!!! I never could hear the birds chirping in that factory, never had the time to sit and listen, well now I do-and I do! There have been days that are just right, not too hot, not too cold, not too humid etc. It would absolutely be a crime to be confined to the indoors. It doesn't take too much thought when my mind starts asking why this and why that. Just press on cause that one good week out of the year is right around the corner.
Happy Homer
Gabe's
12-21-2000, 10:02 AM
Hello all,
BRL I must also sya that your thread touched me also. It was a very sincere and down to earth comment.
Thanks, Gabe
Gabe's
12-21-2000, 10:03 PM
Hello all,
Opps, sya = say
Thanks, Gabe
bdemir
12-22-2000, 07:54 AM
Brl,
I agree on that also. Thats is the beauty of this job.
bdemir
jammin
12-22-2000, 09:46 AM
Hey Gabe i like many others have worked for the man. in 1986 i had spent a full year opening and setting up a retail lawn & Garden store. It was for a big shot car dealer with too much money on hand and no brains. It was abig success sold lots of eguipment greatrepairs,he made big bucks. I did everything from sales to repairs opening to closing. On my one year review he had me sit across from him at his 12 foot mega buck desk and offered me a whopping huge sum of, get this TEN CENTS AN HOUR RAISE>>>>>>>>> well needless to say i got out a dime threw it across the large desk into his over-sized ego lap,and said iwill start my own bueiness. HE LAUGHED AT Me!!!!!and said you wont last a year!!! Well now its 15 years later here i am.He lost a car dealership and two lawn centers with in one year and was selling pizzas out of a caddillac with a big sign on top. DONT EVEEEEEEEER give up. Jammin
cantoo
12-22-2000, 07:21 PM
Only three months for me to go and no more babysitting grown men and women. No more I wanna go home I'm sick, I won't be in my car quit, I didn't know it should have been done that way, I have a dr's appt, I can't stand working with him, he stinks,I thought it would be okay, he's an idiot, it's not my job, I don't get paid for that, I can't work OT, I'm allergic to that, it's too dusty, it's too hot and all the rest of the whining bs that goes with being a supervisor. I'm tired of listening to people's life stories and all the stupid mistakes they have made... It's time to get out. April 2nd can't come soon enough.
Okay I came back to add,, there has been good days too just I hate the week before Christmas whining.
[Edited by cantoo on 12-23-2000 at 12:33 AM]
Gabe's
12-22-2000, 11:02 PM
Hello all,
Any how, the reason why i started this thread is to ask "why". Myself I have given up alot of things. The day i asked this question my wife left me. She said i spent to much time on taking care of other things. This might be true. We sometimes get carried away with the things that we do exspecially when it comes too our biz, thats the reason why i entitled this"Life In The Biz". No one would have evered that the reason for this was this. All I have to say is be true to what you do.
Thanks, Gabe
Bluegrass Lawn Service
12-23-2000, 08:02 PM
At the age of 18 in 1966 I went to work in a factory and remained there until 1996. I hated almost every day. When Monday started I couldn't wait for the weekend and it seemed to take forever. At the end of 30 years I walked. No retirement just walked. Started a lawn business with a new Dixie chopper, a Ferris 36inch walk behind and all the other tools. I had 8 lawns all residental. Now I have well over a hundred and 4 to 5 employees and truly enjoy what I'm doing and where I'm going. It took me thirty years to find out that there's a whole world out there that you never see in a factory job and probably any other regular job. I love it because as the others said, It's being outside, working for yourself, doing great work on a poor lawn and making it look better than ever before, having employes that depend on you for their liveing. Big responsibility, one that I wouldn't trade for anything. I LOVE MOWING GRASS !!!!!
Bluegrass Lawn Service
12-23-2000, 08:05 PM
I don't know of anyother business that a person can get into with the best equipment for $25,000.00 or less and in a few years be grossing over $100.000.00 per year. It's a great business to get into.
jeffyr
12-24-2000, 07:16 AM
My computer goes down for a week,, and when I come back, I don't recognize half the people on some threads !
Welcome to all and Merry Christmas/Kwanza.
For me it is seeing the finished product that I created and can be proud of.....in most cases.
jeffyr
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