[M.M.A. Mowing]

Hey all, I just started my business this year, I invested I think way more than I should have, $11K, but luckily I have another job to pay for the investment. I've landed a whopping 2 clients so far, almost 3 but I had to turn down a 69 lot new subdivision due to too much re bar and concrete around, but i have been throwing business cards and fliers out like a mad man. I'm wondering if I may be in trouble if I need to pay half of that investment off by the end of the year. My goal for this season is to land 15 or more clients, is that unrealistic for a starting lawn care business? Am I in trouble? What could I do differently to get more clients? This forum has a lot of good info on it and have found it very helpful, and I'm sure there are some pros out there that could help me out. Thanks in advance.
Mike

 

[impulse2010]

If you can pay off those bills with your other job then i wouldnt sweat it as much, just keep up with what you have paid with other ob and pay yourself back off thru bussiness profit.

 

[unkownfl]

Looks like you will work a good portion of the year for just your equipment.

 

[M.M.A. Mowing]

Looks like you will work a good portion of the year for just your equipment.

Well, that was the intentional plan, pay for the equipment the first year and maybe some of the second, then mostly profit the second or third. But the outcome is, hopefully I would be set for the next few years with no big expenses.

 

[unkownfl]

The problem is after the 3rd year you would be buying all new equipment again LOL.

 

[bls47303]

you will always want something bigger and better

 

[M.M.A. Mowing]

All new? Hopefully not. But some I'm sure. But isn't that the business?

 

[M.M.A. Mowing]

Only when bigger and better clientele.

 

[unkownfl]

No it's not the business I own. I don't work for my equipment it works for me. If I have to use older equipment in order to bring home money so be it. I don't need brand new there is plenty of idoits that finance new stuff that don't make it through the slow season and I can buy just about new equipment for half price from them.

 

[M.M.A. Mowing]

All I'm saying is that I'm mechanically inclined enough to make my equipment last long enough to make me enough $$$. I just wanted to start with mostly new. Back at question at hand... My goal for this season is to land 15 or more clients, is that unrealistic for a starting lawn care business? Am I in trouble? What could I do differently to get more clients?

 

[unkownfl]

Quit your job and go into business, or sell your equipment and work for the man. How are you going to call your self a professional but only work part time. When customers call for estimates and you tell them uh I'm at work can I call you back or you just don't answer the phone? Do you want to succeed or do you want to play around. You can't be afraid to fail hell how many times did Henry Ford file bankruptcy?

 

[FourTrees]

All I'm saying is that I'm mechanically inclined enough to make my equipment last long enough to make me enough $$$. I just wanted to start with mostly new. Back at question at hand... My goal for this season is to land 15 or more clients, is that unrealistic for a starting lawn care business? Am I in trouble? What could I do differently to get more clients?

It all depends on you. You can get as many clients as you want. BUT you have to work for them.

Honestly, coming and asking if you made a mistake on purchasing to much; shows you may have made a mistake. Shows your plan is missing if after spending that much money you are wondering if you can get enough clients to even pay for just half your equipment this year.

You my friend may have just purchased yourself an expensive hobby.

Can you succeed, yes. BUT with $11000 dollars worth of equipment you need to get more than 17 clients. You could have spent $5000 dollars and got enough equipment to do 30 lawns.

Good luck. I have spoken truthfully and harshly, but I wish you the best.

 

[BD Bone]

I say it is possible. I also think you can do it part time. We began part-time... just like you. My DH began part-time while working full-time doing his mainstream profession. Here we are... and now working our business full-time and I am working for him doing the business side of things. It can be done. You must be able to market yourself, promote yourself, work your butt off and be smart about your money, budget and equipment. It takes saavy, a good sense of what is realistic for you to accomplish and be able to maintain a happy clientelle on a part-time business. I agree, it is tough to have clients who think you are available when you are truly at work. But, we are living proof of the ability to make it work. I think you are in an ideal scenario. You have a full-time job to support you thru the growing pains... until you leap to the next level. Good luck!

 

[M.M.A. Mowing]

Thanks bd bone, that was my goal was to be part time the first year and have the majority of my debt paid off and go full time with 3X the clients the following year. That's what everyone I know in the biz says to keep your full time job and start part time and go full time when your ready. Thanks for the insight guys, I really appreciate it. And if it makes any difference I have a very good job to where I can leave at any time to give an estimate. Just not a good enough job to want to come back to every year. Thanks again.
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[ProcsLC]

Spending 11k on equipment before having the clientele to justify it is the number one reason why so many people fail in this business... You simply put the cart in front of the horse and will spend the next few years trying to catch it....

Why not sell off the equipment you currently have now and buy good used equipment? You said your mechanically inclined, so you should be able to fix or at least maintain good used equipment until you have the clients to justify spending that kind of scratch....

As far as if "your in trouble" if you need to ask that, then the answer is yes! How much time and money do you have left to focus on advertising and picking up new clients? How much time have you put into writing a business plan for yourself and setting goals and mile markers for expanding and growing your business?

The people that say there is no money in this industry are the same ones who never started it the right way... Full time or part time makes NO difference, its how you start and maintain your business that counts.

Spending 11k on equipment doesnt show your dedicated. Educating yourself on opening and growing a business properly shows your committed to its success.

 

[tiggazee]

You are doing fine! This is only my third year in the business. Last year I didn't start handing out flyers until April 15th and got 30 new accounts in less than a month and a half. I would highly suggest passing out "at least" 5,000 flyers.

 

[Darryl G]

All I'm saying is that I'm mechanically inclined enough to make my equipment last long enough to make me enough $$$. I just wanted to start with mostly new. Back at question at hand... My goal for this season is to land 15 or more clients, is that unrealistic for a starting lawn care business? Am I in trouble? What could I do differently to get more clients?

15 is pretty doable...don't sweat it but don't get too picky either. You may have to take on some crappy lawns or ones a little further away than you'd like...now is not the time to cherry pick..get what you can.

 

[M.M.A. Mowing]

Revising this nearly year old thread, I landed 25 accounts last season paying off most everything I owned as well as buying some new stuff. Learned a lot of the business, made a few mistakes, succeeded for the most part. Still don't see how you guys get on this forum during the on season, I never had time.
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[zturncutter]

"Still don't see how you guys get on this forum during the on season, I never had time."

The answer is simple, you are already more successful than some on this forum that are always ready to give advice. Sounds like you have made a great start, keep it up.:waving:

 

[twcw5804]

Gives me hope for my season. I started a thread on how im dropping full time job to part time and mowing full time. If I can land another 25 I would drop full time job completly. Right now all my equipment is paid for and trying to fight the itch for a new exmark. Think I get through two months with what I got and pay cash. Thanks for the update good to see you had a good year.

Can you tell us how you got the 25 new accounts? I plan on referal networking hardcore and door to door flyers on neighborhoods im already in
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