Anyone in southeastern SC?

[greenguy04]

Working out of Beaufort, SC, serving the greater Beaufort area. Anyone out there?

[icatcher]

Nope-
Columbia here..

[meangreenmarine]

I'm not from Beaufort, but I use to be stationed there. How is business there. Hilton Head area should be great.

[greenguy04]

mean... business is slow as this is my first season trying this business out. I am seeking all advice anyone can offer. I am also a Marine stationed at the Air Station. I just got back from the big sand-box so I got my start late this year. I am trying to pick up on any accounts left in the area. As for Hilton Head, I am way too small to compete with the big boys over there. Nice to talk to you.

[kipper]

Charleston, here.

Good luck down there, some ideas are to offfer discounts for women who's men are deployed. This would win you good points all around and help you to manage a large number of accounts. If you are getting serious about this you should have experience managing many accounts. The second is maybe some of the old houses aroun there. Good luck with it.

[greenguy04]

Hey Kipper. Thanks for the advice. I am looking at offering discounts to those whose spouses are deployed as well as the ones who are Drill Instructors here at Parris Island. Things are going pretty slow, though. I had three people who said they were intersted but when I returned their calls, I could not reach them. Oh well. Good luck in Charleston.

[kipper]

Yeah I know how no answers can be!!! I am heading down to Fripp Island tomorrow for a week of vacation. Have you had any luck in Hilton Head? What kind of hours do you work for georgie? You might want to see if any of the thousand or so golf courses down there are looking for extra help, like part time. There is a wealth of info on growing and managing the green down there. Just out of curiousity why give the D.I's a discount?

[greenguy04]

Kipper haven't tried Hilton Head. There are alot of big boys down there. I want to try my hand at getting this business down before trying to compete with the larger companies. I have not thought of trying the golf courses. I wouldn't be able to work with them, I don't think, because I work at 0730. I know golf courses usually do the main part of their servicing early in the morning, you know before the golfers get there. I am giving the DI's a discount because that job is just like being deployed. I have a buddy who is one for second battalion and he is never home. Just trying to help out my Marine brothers.

[kipper]

AAHH I see, I was not aware that job took so much time. Yes there are some pretty big lco's down there. The golf courses do get going early, in the winter time when you have some spare time from not cutting you should find a superintendent to pick his brain. Most of those guy's down there really know their stuff!!!

[greenguy04]

Thanks for the suggestion Kipper. How long in this business? I am having a real rough time trying to get customers. My truck signs should be done this week and that might bring about more business. We'll see. What do you do for winter business in Charleston?

[kipper]

Well 7 years part time and about 3 months full time. In the winer time I do some metal fabrication and repairs and/or get a driving job, I have a class B CDL. I don't use truck signs because I don't want to deal with the cheapies chasing me around. The best thing I have noticed is to talk to people and give them a card, that way if I get a call I know it is from someone I have talked to. Or one of my customers have recommended. Word of mouth is truly the best advertisement.

[greenguy04]

Kipper: How hard was the jump to full time? I am doing this part time now as I am in the Marine Corps. But, once I retire (in 10 years) I will do it all the way. I am very excited, and can't wait until I can do this all the time. I am also wanting to get into the landscape design side too. Do you do any of that type work? I love to mow, trim, etc. But I really love to design and implement my designs on people's yards. I have done a few small jobs mostly for family and friends. It is so rewarding to see what a difference you can make to a piece of property. What do you know about licensing for landscaping? Just curious.

[meangreenmarine]

greenguy04: I apologize for not responding before now. Been busy. Sounds like you have a good bit of competition. Flyers in newspaper boxes may help. I was stationed right where you are. I was in MWSG 27 detachment B (The Motor Pool). I am starting up just as you are. I found this site and I will have to say... The users are outstanding. Overly helpful. What equipment are you using?

[greenguy04]

Well Mean so far I only have the basics. I have three small boys at home and don't want to dump a lot of money in something that might not work. I have two 22" push mowers, a gas trimmer, some small hand tools. That is about it for now. I have not found a job that I cannot do yet with the equip. I have. I am buying another trimmer, edger, blower, and hedge clippers (gas) this week. I REALLY want one of those zero turn mowers, but they are so expensive. How is business out your way? I can't seem to land any customers. I have one for $50 a month. Just doing trimming and edging twice a month. Nothing else now. Later.

[kipper]

It was not hard to got to full time, I was working for a medical disposal company hauling waste and one day the guy from penske calls and says to bring the truck by for a recall. I say ok and swing by for him to tell me to get my personell things out of it. It was being reposessed. So I said well i guess it's off to cut grass. I do the landscape when I have to because of time involved, for me I would rather service simple mowing accounts than get in to a headache of what kind of plant to put here and there. As far as I know about licensing for landscaping you should tal to a landscape architect. Which might be something for you to look into with being able to go to college for cheap. Oh well gotta go the fish ain't bittin to good today soo I 'm gonna sleep. Latr.

[greenguy04]

Kipper- You are right about needing some school. I would love to go to school. However, there aren't any schools in my area that offer any type of "green industry" degrees. I am taking a course form PCDI for landscaping. It won't look like much on a resume, but it does teach me some valuable lessons. That will have to do, for now. Hope business is going well for you in Charleston. Later.

[guydo1]

Hey, greenguy...

Ive got a post going already looking for new business pricing in that area. My grandmother is down there and has a great setup for me, but I want to know if Im going to be able to find the business. I wanted to know about how many customers you've been able to get, or what you charge (per acre, minute, hour - however you do it) in that area. Ive been down there many times and have heard of lots of places looking for help. I plan to move there next summer and work my business full time. What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

[greenguy04]

guydo1, business here is good. This is my first year and I only do it parttime as I am an active duty Marine. Yards go for around $45-$50 a mow. You would be better off to head more towards Hilton Head and Savannah as there are more people with the economic resources to afford our services. It is a beautiful area here with alot of opportunities for hard working people. There are alot of LCO's right in my vicinity which can make it difficult. I have seen alot of there work, and frankly it is pretty shotty. So bring your A-game and you will do well. Good luck!!