Need a vacation

[Mike Paulsen]

How do you one man operations take a week vacation in the middle of summer if you are on weekly accounts?

[LoneStarLawn]

Not many people who are running a business who own it have a very hard time taking any vacation time at all. Our vacation time ended in the middle of Jan. We take our vacations during winter when it is slow. Really can't have a vacation during peak time. (It would be like Tiger Woods taking a vacation the weekend of the Masters)

[Edited by LoneStarLawn on 02-02-2001 at 10:51 PM]

[Eric ELM]

We take a week between snowplowing and mowing in March and again in the late fall after leaves and before snowplowing. It is about impossible to take more than a long weekend in the Summer.

[HOMER]

Doesn't happen here! I take advantage of the winter months, but the summer takes advantage of me.

[lawndog]

I take a month or so off from Christmas on. Way to busy to take time off during mid-summer.Just started back to it for spring cleanup a couple of weeks ago.Mow on, Lawndog.

[Ssouth]

Took two mini-vacations last summer. Both times I was sure to be caught up and at least two days ahead of schedule. This worked out fine for me. Went to the beach once and to Biloxi once to see a show.

[dmk395]

Still waiting to take one LOL

[1st impressions]

Last year I got 2 long weekends in. One at the end of August and the other in late September. All I do is tell my clients about it and mow a day early. We leave late afternoon Thursday and come home Monday.
The only snafu I worry about is the weather. It's great being able to get away even if it's only for a few days.

[geogunn]

I have a couple of guys that can pick up the slack for me for a week.

when they go on vacation they come to me for the same.

GEO

[Island Lawn]

I live in a perfect island culture.
I sometimes have to take a break from the babes and waves to go cut some grass.
But I ALWAYS take a six-pack and a special island cigarette for the ride!

LOL!!!

[DMC300]

We don't get vacations,more like "long weekends"here.Also a few days over the Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday.Maybe someday....

[greenlawncare]

One thing I did when I was a one man show was hook up with another landscaper who I was friends with. He was also a small operation. In summmer during a "slower period" I took off for a week and he handled all my route, my calls, everything. Then we would wait a week or so after I got back for things to settle down and he would handle it for me.

Considerations:
(1) Make sure you trust this person. You can never trust people 100% but its really up to how much you value holidays.
(2) Discuss money before hand. If one of you has a bigger route, be prepared to share the difference.
(3) <b>Vacations Are Vital</b> Being a small business owner we are often caught in thinking "if I take a week off it is costing me $X.XX in sales, and it's not worth it to me". What I think is key is that we all have time to not only reflect on our businesses and evaluate them, but to also continue to make decisions based on rational business motives rather than emotions. The more days we string together working like dogs the more adjitated we become and more our decisions become clouded. I could use another vacation right now!!!

[1stclasslawns]

VACATION?? What is that? I need a definition please.