For 13 years I ran my business solo, kept my accounts within a manageble range etc...I would sometimes hire someone to help out during peak times, but they just did not "care" about the equipment as I do, nor did they care about time management, I guess that is because they were being paid by the hour....and I would pay 10.00 and hour....very fair....well, about 2 years ago I had a snow skiing accident and could not mow for a month...I had a very responsible guy that works for me at the Fire Dept ask if I could use some help during my surgery and recovery, and I said yes and he began taking care of my business....He was so competent and meticulous that my customers wrote notes to me about how well this individual was working in my abscence....needless to say I kept him on, and its been two years now and I pay him a profit percentage rather than by the hour, I know this could be unwise, but I have had the most profitable year this year that I have had in 15 yrs in this business.....I am convinced it depends on the quality of the employee...this guy was a godsend and keeps me motivated as well.....Good luck Eric