Penny wise, pound foolish

[Dougster]

You might have to pick up a job part time or something with flexible hours (if it exisits) that can hold you over for the slow periods and help you get going. Upstart business typically dont do well the first few years (if ever at all), so you have to be in it for the long haul. Rejection and getting discouraged is the name of the game - you have to pick yourself up and keep going in order for it to work. Get close with some of the other specialists - the guys who do tree work, usually dont clean up well or re-seed or regrade etc...you find a job that involves trees, you get them involved. They have a job that requires grading, mowing, re-seeding they call you. I cant tell you how busy I keep my sprinkler guy, tree guy, my paver & driveway guy - its one big love fest. Everybody has more than they can chew -only deal with the best as well. The other part is have them do the work, and you are the sub contractor making a profit on the work they did, but you are the contact point for the customer. You know how that works - do it right it works very well for everybody. You need to network everyday, and work on finding commerical accounts in the business districts - you cold call or stop in these places, or you call the people who can help you get in -

best of luck, and dont quit and keep the chin up and out and let the shots come in, because they will roll off and it will turn around. It can turn around in one phone call - and suddenly you cant handle it all
Duc

Good advice... thank you! I have formed a "strategic alliance" with an excellent tree guy already... but doing the same with small landscapers and lawn care guys has not gone so well. First, there are too many of them to even count... and secondly, the very best ones all have their own TLBs or, more commonly, skid steers. The ones I initially targeted to form an alliance with simply do not need my services.

Lord knows I have made enough mistakes already to fill a stadium... and effective networking (the key to small business) has been painful for me. It does not come natural for me. It was never really necessary (in the sense we are talking here) in my old career. Oddly, my old career took me all over country and the world... but I don't even know the people right here in my own town. On the other hand, I am learning. The posts here by you, LC, Junk and others have been quite helpful... even if aimed more at large scale mowing services and less at everyday loader, backhoe, misc 3-pt and what I call "residential landscape assistance."

There is a lot more to what I am trying to achieve... complicated & big picture stuff... but I hesitate to get into it for fear of being accused of trying to make this thread about me. Best to keep the discussion focused and on topic!

Dougster

 

[ducati996]

Good advice... thank you! I have formed a "strategic alliance" with an excellent tree guy already... but doing the same with small landscapers and lawn care guys has not gone so well. First, there are too many of them to even count... and secondly, the very best ones all have their own TLBs or, more commonly, skid steers. The ones I initially targeted to form an alliance with simply do not need my services.

Lord knows I have made enough mistakes already to fill a stadium... and effective networking (the key to small business) has been painful for me. It does not come natural for me. It was never really necessary (in the sense we are talking here) in my old career. Oddly, my old career took me all over country and the world... but I don't even know the people right here in my own town. On the other hand, I am learning. The posts here by you, LC, Junk and others have been quite helpful... even if aimed more at large scale mowing services and less at everyday loader, backhoe, misc 3-pt and what I call "residential landscape assistance."

There is a lot more to what I am trying to achieve... complicated & big picture stuff... but I hesitate to get into it for fear of being accused of trying to make this thread about me. Best to keep the discussion focused and on topic!

Dougster

I dont think anybody would be upset if you spoke about yourself or asked for help in this thread (or if you started another) - I think its safe to say those posting here are willing to help answer your questions, and maybe help you succeed. Makes the thread totally worth while IMO : )
The two things I noticed in your post - I would focus more on getting friendly with the company that dosent do your type of work - its easier that way so no natural competiveness comes into play. The other is dont be shy and dont hesitate on opportunites, ideas, or making friends. Easier said than done, I know. Also do you have a truck (dump truck -most ideal) ? I find that to be a door opener for rubbish removal and soil delivery, helps lead into other things. Also find yourself the best wholesaler you can find for soil, trees, and dumping materials. The more you do with them the better the discount and or terms. Get to know them and the owners - this can really add to your bottom line and competitiveness -huge importance IMHO
Also think about getting your applicator license for pesticides ( lawn and shrub treatment, etc..) It makes you more of the expert compared to those who dont have these licenses (it dosent cost much, just time) plus you can always feel safe and compliant when doing applications. The guys thank dont have it have to look over there shoulder and worry

 

[Dougster]

I dont think anybody would be upset if you spoke about yourself or asked for help in this thread (or if you started another) - I think its safe to say those posting here are willing to help answer your questions, and maybe help you succeed. Makes the thread totally worth while IMO

Believe me, if I bring my peripheral business interests, goals and issues into this thread... I'll kill the thread or put everyone to sleep. Actually, I am probably doing that already!

The two things I noticed in your post - I would focus more on getting friendly with the company that doesnt do your type of work - its easier that way so no natural competiveness comes into play.

Absolutely correct. I can see the fear in the eyes of anyone who perceives me as their possible competition trying (no matter what I might say to the contrary) to steal their customers. It has been MUCH easier to approach companies where it is clear that I cannot possibly threaten their business.

The other is dont be shy and dont hesitate on opportunites, ideas, or making friends. Easier said than done, I know. Also do you have a truck (dump truck -most ideal) ? I find that to be a door opener for rubbish removal and soil delivery, helps lead into other things.

I used to rent... and now own... a dump trailer. Helps a lot, mainly with stumps and materials removal. Not so much with materials delivery (too small and truck materials delivery is really quite cheap). Town won't let me buy a dump truck and store it at my home.

Also find yourself the best wholesaler you can find for soil, trees, and dumping materials. The more you do with them the better the discount and or terms. Get to know them and the owners - this can really add to your bottom line and competitiveness -huge importance IMHO

I am hooked up with the biggest and the best known guys in my area... but clearly not the cheapest. To my customers, saving $2.00 a yard on loam is a really big deal. They'll go halfway across the state to do that. Makes my connection with these local guys somewhat less worthwhile or appealing.

Also think about getting your applicator license for pesticides (lawn and shrub treatment, etc..) It makes you more of the expert compared to those who dont have these licenses (it doesnt cost much, just time) plus you can always feel safe and compliant when doing applications. The guys thank dont have it have to look over there shoulder and worry

I am forbidden by my insurance on this one... and it's probably for the best. Already the insurance bill and hassles are out of control. This would only make it worse. The next step (insurance-wise) for me is to get more deeply into septic system work (No jokes please!). The super-profitable final step is buried heating oil tank removals... but I need to become far better established first before thinking seriously about this. The insurance cost is absolutely mind-boggling.

Dougster