I love pullin up to a job in my beat truck an trailer, backin the lazer off and just makin the decked out compitition look like crap.

Why spend the big bucks if ya can do the same with the small change?

 

I can't blame rich kids for getting what they get I remember the ones in school driving the brand new Beemers and Mercedes while I drove less of a vehicle. And then I looked at like this, "at least I have a vehicle." There were some who did not. When I got out of school there were rich kids that drove new Vettes. Meanwhile I had the 5 Liter Mustang. Maybe not a Corvette, but not all that bad either.

If they get all the new stuff, sure I am envious, but they still have to learn the ropes. I started off in the trunk of the car (ultimate scrub) mowing up to 50 lawns a week. I could not get anything decent. I did not understand the value of what I did could make more money and did not have the credit to get anything better. When I finally figured it out, I figured out how to get out of the rut. I try to figure out how to get out of ruts every day.

I don't blame them for what they get, nor do I want to change anything I had to do to get where I am at today.

 

Pinnacle,
It's nice to know that brats & daddy's money syndrome doesn't pay any attention to national borders. Be sure you keep an eye in your local paper for 'almost new' equipment being sold off at the end of the season. Once the children realize how much real work is involved, they want out.
If the kiddies haven't crapped it out, could pick up a bargain.

Can only hope that Mom & Dad have had enough, kicked them out, of course they had to buy them an opportunity to land on.

 

Once the children realize how much real work is involved, they want out.

Rustic goat :So true mate. so true

 

I feel exactly the same. I've worked my --- off at some many jobs to get to where i am. I could go on and on about rich kids

 

I know if I were a offspring of rich parents and they offered to help me out starting a new business venture I would be the first to tell them:

"NO THANKS, folks...I would rather work for (waste) several years of my life at a pitifully-paying job and then grovel at the feet of a banker for a high interest small business loan..instead of getting started RIGHT NOW".

NOT!

 

SLS
#1 I was getting paid $25 an hour at my nursery job buddy.
and I was on an apprenticeship so I was attending technical college one day of the week and working around plants for the other 4 and now I have a certificate in Hort so I would say its been the exact opposite of a "waste of time" mate. I value those years.

#2 Hows 8.5% over 5 years with a zero residual value sound for a first loan Mate.

 

We have a guy here who is a multi-multi millionaire. Owns a bunch of properties and industrial sites in the area. He has a couple of his kids who had nothing to so he let them start a lawn care and landscaping business. Every 2 years he trades out his -8- Toro Z's for new ones. They have new bobcats, dumps, trailers and a brand new building with office, shop and a full service landscape center.
The boys and their friends cut all of the properties that daddy has and of course they have other properties that they do too.

I guess that if someone bankrolled a new business for me when I was 18 I wouldn't say no. But no one did and truthfully,you and I know what hard work is like and it builds character. I have more admiration for the guy that starts with nothing and gets his own than a guy that doesn't need a hand out and gets it.

Don't let it get to you since you can out work those guys any day.

 

I don't blame the kids for taking advantage of an opportunity. After all, if we had the ability to get something for nothing, how many of us would ultimately turn down the offer?

For generations, kids will see how far they can push their parents, what they can get away with, and what the punishment is if they go too far. Parents are spineless wimps these days!

My parents had money. Sure, they gave me my first car, too! I had an awesome '81 Plymouth K car and a mid 80's Toro 21" to start out with. Boy, I would have been a babe magnet in that car if it was still 1981. Too bad I started driving in '92! They gave them to me, yes, but they also gave me something more. Work ethic, dedication, desire, respect, ambition, responsibility, and a good swift kick in the rear-end when needed.

I believe a parent can instill these same qualities in their kids and still get them on their feet fast by helping them out. It's a challenge, but it can be done. If a parent can pull it off, who can blame them? Isn't it the American Dream to do better than the generation before you and to have the generation after you do even better? I know it is for me.....

Don't worry, the ones who don't deserve it won't succeed and you'll see the 'for sale' adds in the paper

 

pinnacle:

#1) I was not refering to YOU.

I was thinking about kids who have the option to work at the fast food joint or the grocery store. You know, minimum wage type jobs. That's what I meant about "waste of time". Basically, I was thinking about kids who can't land a $25 per hour job...but may have someone in their family who is willing and able to help them get started.

#2) 8.5% sounds good...if you can get it. Not everyone can.

Still 'Interest Free' sounds better to me.

I agree with what battags is saying...and is what I was trying to say too. It is not so much a 'rich or poor' thing...as much as it is a 'character' thing. Blame the parents, not the kids, if the brats are spoiled and can't function in the real world.

Beside, rich parents are always looking for a way to 'spend down' before tax time...and what better way than helping their own children stay busy and maybe even build a successful business in the process??? I think it is far wiser than just buying the kid a new Lambo, handing them the Gold Card, and saying "Call me when you get to Cancun".

 

Do you guys think that the reason that your all complaining is that maybe they look more professional than you when they come to a job and perhaps make the job look the best it can. I am 19yrs old and drive a 2000 Chevy with a 18' open trailer. Witch holds a PM 260Z and a F525. Granite my dad HELPED me buy the trailer and mowers. But i am working on paying the loan off for the truck. I am the most expensive in my area and one of the youngest. But i still have more jobs than any of the older people that are running around. The reason is my work is much better than any of these older people out there Because they think that they can do an OK job and still have it tomorrow. Myself on the other had does a great job hoping that i will get more jobs. I cant say how many people come up to me when I'm doing my work and say how great of a job that i do. I also think that you guys are getting all mad because there is getting more competition out there and it doesn't matter if its a 15 year old kid or a 40 year old there all competition and you shouldn't single out the 15 year old just for his age. All you people need to do is do the best job you can do and you don't have to worry about the 15 year old taking your jobs.

 

I am not a pro, but I read this forum looking for pertinant information.

I just wanted to tell you all how much I enjoy reading a thread that makes fun of some kid (read:scrub) because he has a crappy mower and a beat-up car. Then I come into this thread and see how tou make fun of a kid that has several nice mowers and a new truck!


Maybe a list of items people should buy to not be an outcast. You know, a used mower with a minimum amount of hours, perhaps scratched or faded paint. A beat-up truck, with some rust on the front fender and a dented bumper. Then maybe they would be appreciated!

Also know I am writing this in good humor and not trying to offend anyone. I hope it was taken as such.

 

I only have time to worry about myself.

 

If mommy and daddy can give thier kids trucks,mowers all equip. great! Thats the problem people (in genera) have today they worry about everyone else. If you have a good biz be proud of it, if the rich kid was given everything great. Just remember everything you have you worked for! This builds character in a person, makes you who you are and what people respect about you. If the rich kid comes and takes one of my accounts, then i wasn't doing my job. Business is business weather its lawn care or health care, there is competition in everything we do.

 

LOL...I started out with a push lawn mower in the trunk of my car. Ahhh...those were the times.

 

Sorry Pinnacle but I didn't read your book on how to start and run a successful Lawn business before I went out and set up a business for my two younger sons to run.

I figured the $50K I invested in them was money better spent than putting them through college. And yes they get calls from people solely based on the professional look of their equipment but they know they can only keep the new client by providing the service the client expects. This is their 5th year in business and they are learning right now how to go to the next level in the business world as we speak.

 

rich kids? damn, when i was growing up, "rich kids" were the ones that had shoes to wear. i was talkin to a neighbor. he said, "yea, we were so poor, we were lucky to have shoes to put on our feet." my reply:" feet? you had feet?"

 

Hey when I was growing up we were so poor if I hadn't been born a boy I wouldn't of had anything to play with.

 

park, i understand. but, isnt it time you stopped playing with it?

 

I have to admit that today's comments are the funniest that I have heard in a long time

 

Originally posted by bobbygedd
park, i understand. but, isnt it time you stopped playing with it?

You are right bobby, I have my associates now who do all the manual work for me.

 

Originally posted by parkwest
You are right bobby, I have my associates now who do all the manual work for me.

LOL...my spleen just burst

 

you mean u have people who tend to"petty stuff", that u cant be bothered with?

 

Yeah but some of those young guys have spent many hours of sweat to have those big fancy new rigs. Don't judge them just because they are young.

 

In answer to your question bobby,

For any enterprise, no matter how big or small, to be successful, the business must utilize their workers to their full potential by placing them in positions where they will shine the brightest.

No matter what the service is that is being provided, this rule always works.