Let's be honest with ourselves, We all need money. It doesn't bring us happiness, nor does it enlighten us spiritually, but it sure does enable us to pay the bills. Why should we expend so much of our energy bartering our skills to line the pockets of someone else. In a perfect world we would all be self employed, and were it an easy task, most people would do it, however it is not always simple. So lets focus on one career choice that could propell you financially into a true enrtepreneur.
Mowing and Caring for Lawns
One must spend money in order to make money. Landscaping equipment can be quite expensive at times, i.e., mowers, blowers, weed eaters, and a trailer. If you already own lawn care equipment, regardless of quality, use it until you profit enough to upgrade. If not, take out a small loan, or borrow equipment from a friend in exchange for free lawn care service. Become licensed and insured. Everything you do, do it the legitimate way.
Anyone with trees in their yard knows that those trees will anually shed their leaves. Reach out to those peoples in your neighborhood and make it known that you will clean up the leaves for them, for a very reasonable price. Buy some grass seed, and a spreader, and after you do a leaf cleanup on a clients yard, offer to spread some seed for them to make the grass nice and full for summertime. Also purchase a weed killer, and sprayer, and spray on the unwanted growth throughout the yard. Do this at no cost as to build up repore and business with your clients.
Business cards are a prime example of self-promotion. Look to the Internet for 500 business cards, and hand them out to everyone. Also, place them in strategic locations, like hardware stores or businesses that sell or repair lawn care equipment. Fliers are a necessity. Start with 200, and take a couple of evenings during the week to drive around and place them in mailboxes of neighborhoods where you want your business to flourish. Check out your competitors' prices, and give potential customers a price they cannot resist.
Internet/ Website
Look to the Internet for specifics on proper lawn maintenance. It will take quite a bit of practice, so I suggest practicing on your own yard, or the yard of a friend, to polish your own techniques. Youtube is full of wonderful videos that will instruct you on the specifics of lawncare. For example, edging with a weedeater, or trimming bushes to make them aesthetically pleasing. Even how to cut straight lines with a mower. You will be working outside year- round, so dress accordingly, and make sure you wear sunscreen year round. I also suggest long pants year round, because debris flying off of some of the equipment, like the weedeater, can sting a bit on uncovered legs.
Put yourself out there as an honest, and hardworking entrepreneur, and enjoy the profits of the self-employed.
Happy mowing.
Percial Cecil - Along with music, and writing, I have a tremendous love for sports, and outdoor adventure.
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