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Lawn Care Business Start Up Tips |
Lawn Care Business Start Up Tips...So, you want to start a lawn care business? Then there are the business parks, malls, apartment complexes, and hospitals that also use these services. Should you be discouraged? No, not at all! A huge number of these services just do a quick mowing, blow the debris into the street, and take off. And they get paid for it! Set your lawn care business apart from the crowd...Just imagine how successful you’d be if your lawn care service specialized in offering careful mowing, quiet blowing, edging, and sweeping the debris into waste bins that you take away! The extra care and time you spend on customers will set your lawn care business apart from the crowd.Count the costs of starting a lawn care business...It really doesn’t take much to start up a lawn care business. In fact, if you already take care of your own lawn, you probably have 95% of what you need. You can easily start out with the basic pieces… lawn mower, edger, blower, brooms, garbage cans. This is assuming you also have a pick-up… or at least a station wagon or van.Think twice… no, think five times before considering going into debt... until you earn enough to pay for the debt PLUS put aside a minimum of 10% into a capital reserve fund. If you don’t use common sense and financial patience, you will end up like 90% of new businesses. You will go under! Create a niche lawn care business...Establish your own lawn care market. Consider offering an all-season lawn service… complete lawn care and maintenance throughout the year.Southern and Southwestern states can easily support this. Actually, all the Northern states can too… lawns and sprinklers have to be winterized in the fall and monitored in the winter. All lawns everywhere in the spring need a good shot of “grow-pup” (fertilizer). You can see the endless possibilities here… Advertising your lawn care service...It is absolutely true that it only takes one extremely satisfied customer to spread the word about your new business, and you’re on your way.We’re assuming that you have a yard that all the gardening magazines are looking for (but don’t wait for them… take your own pictures). Your neighbors must be mighty impressed. It wouldn’t hurt to ask them for a recommendation, and if they know someone who needs your services. Actually, ask anyone in your “circle of influence”. These are people that you, your spouse, your kids, your parents come in contact with everyday... like teachers, coaches, postman, delivery drivers, doctors, dentists, insurance agents. You know a huge number of people… ask them! Place classified newspaper ads, or nickel-saver ads (local freebie classified publications), put up customized bulletin board poster ads in dentists and doctors waiting rooms. Don’t forget attorney and accountant waiting rooms. Do you see the pattern? Anywhere that people have to wait… they pass the time reading. So, get their attention with a nice poster. By the way, you might even have a “get-acquainted” fee for the first month. Maybe make it 10% to 20% less than your normal fee… as long as your bottom line can handle it. Just make sure that subsequent fees include funding for your 10% venture capital account. Should you hire additional help in your new lawn care business?If all you need is extra cash, or you just want a small business without the tax complications, then the answer is no. You’ll make a comfortable living… as long as you stay healthy and strong.If you want to make some serious money with your lawn care service, then don’t be afraid to expand. Find an accountant and attorney who will work within your budget. Wait… stop laughing! They’re out there. Consider retired accountants and attorneys… they have all that experience and the time to give your business some good personal attention. They’ll guide you through the legal and tax nuances of hiring people. One more thing... common sense and courtesy mean success or failure in any business. This is especially true for the lawn care business you plan to start up... your reputation is a stake!
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