How long to get to $150K?

[Bobby D]

OK, I am curious as to how long it took for some of you whales to generate $150K a year in revenue. I have found it not hard at all to go from $15K to $30K part time. I wonder how many clients I would I have to have for just lawns. I have found that roughly 75% of lawn mowings turn into landscaping work as well. By that I mean cleaning beds, trimming, mulching, planting, etc. That is not really design work, I let someone else do that. The larger you get, the harder it is to grow. How long was it to $500K, ANYONE? And at that point, are you mostly commercial or a mix. [?]
I basically want to know what to aim for to get to that level, and way beyond. The skys the limit as far as I'm concerned. []

[cole1980]

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Bobby, I am right where you are. I am very part time this season. My first season. I have a 21" toro and old Craftsman Lawn Tractor. I am looking to run the L/T till it stops running. I am pondering the purchase of a Z or Nice W/B and a trailer. The key to awesome growth as far as I have learned from these guys is advertising. Try to get your customers to refer extra customers. Ask them where they work maybe open doors to commercial accounts that way. When getting into commercial have to get big insurance policy. 500,000 to 1,000,000 it's not very expensive. If you dont have already. As you know mowing season is about over unless you are in florida or california. Commercial is the key big time. Phil Nilson and Admin both say get good commercial accounts. I am getting insured next season and going head first into the commercial world. If you have no commercial, start with local gas stations or fast food places. If you arent scared to step up to the big dogs look into banks, credit unions, apartment/townhomes, for more land and more profits
Just my thoughts and gathering of knowledge from all these guys.


Good luck,
E.Cole

[Scaper-S2k]

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That question is too hard to answer. It will vary depending on the operator. I fiddled around in the biz while in college and kinda 'vegetated' until I got out (purposely). Then BOOM, like nothin' you can be there. See, you can sit right there at $30k or $40k if you really want to. For some great, others? Just won't do. It's ALL up to you.

If you REALLY wanted to, you could do it in one year.

[Bobby D]

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Thanks Cole1980 and Scaper. You guys are helpful with this type of thing. I agree with you Scaper, I could get there in one year. I just want to gain enough commercial business because that sets the safety net. I may lose 5 residentials a year, but the commercial work brings stability to my business. I am really going to hit it hard over the winter and see just how much business I can drum up. Thanks fellas.