starting a new lawn care business

[Cruisnblue]

I am new on this Lawn Service Forum... actually just joined as a member yesterday. And I am impressed with all the information available to folks in my situation. Let me explain...

I am 47 years old and have worked in the manufacturing industry as a design drafter and production coordinator for the past 24 years. Two months ago, the company that I have worked for during 18 of those years, made the decision to close the doors and go out of business. To make a long story short, I am now in a permanent layoff situation and it has been quite frustrating searching for another manufacturing job... which leads me to how I got here. I did a search on "starting a lawn care business" and lucked out on finding this fantastic web site. Soooo, now at this stage in my life, I am considering a "career" change.

My question is this... In considering the start up of a new lawn care business, is it a good or bad idea to start up in a partnership with another person? Or would it be in both of our best interests to do our own thing as lone proprietors? I have a close younger brother who already has a small lawn mowing business with six clients. We have discussed, but have not yet committed to going into business together and expanding his business to provide a more variety of lawn care services other than just mowing lawns. Has anyone had any good or bad experiences working as a partnership in the lawn care business?

[Really Well Cut]

Cruisnblue going into business yourself with out your brother may cause unnecasary conflict between you two and there is enough stuff that is going to be hard on you starting a first year lawn biz. This can lead to a ruff start, I'm sure many ppl will agree that they prefer to go into biz for themselves.

[Rustic Goat]

Partnership, not a very good idea. Been there, done that in the past, actually two different times years apart. Not going to do it a third time.
One of the main reasons to get into a small business is to be truly independent, that's very hard to do when there's a partner involved, each second guessing the other, each thinking their idea/opinion is the best.

[Phil Nilsson]

As the others have said ... most partnerships do not work out ... however, sometimes these work in close family situations where you get along well and there is no question of loyalty. If so, suggest that you DIVIDE your efforts in two directions ... one of you does (nothing) ( let each man run his own department ) but advertising, marketing and selling 100% of the time night and day! ... while the other does (nothing) but production of the work itself and all that it entails. This way, responsibilities are clearly divided with no second guessing. In the beginning it's likely that you'll both work as needed until each "department" is a full time thing in itself.

If you have a good market, and if one focuses on sales ... if you're good at it imagine what levels can be reached? Also forget a partnership agreement ... incorporate at some point, 50% ... 50% shares.

To satisfy the income requirements of (two) my guess is you'll need to do $500,000 in sales as a 5 year goal. Imagine the possibilities if you had nothing to do all day (every day) but go out and "sell" everyday? ... if the market is there, why not?

Here's another "ballparker" stab at stuff ... if I myself had nothing to do but sell landscape & maintenance while at the same time had a "decent market" available ... I myself would expect to sell one million in sales annually ... some of it repeat work, some new work.

Phil

[mikeslawnservice]

Phil,

My brother wants to partner with me. I really don't want to do it, but he is a pretty good salesman. I am good at getting people motivated and moving their butts.
He is very frugal with money. He also has more money than me right now that we could use for good new equiptment.

The problem is this: I am worried that since he will be putting up pretty much all the money, he would feel that he has more control. I am fairly knowledgeable about the lawn care business and he is not.

I don't have to worry about him spending any money since he is extremely, lets just say "cheap".

I am really going back and forth on this one.

We are very close. We are pretty good friends and only 13 months apart.

Any advice on this one?

[Phil Nilsson]

Given a choice I'd rather just buy the help that I need and have no strings attached. I've seen a few excellent partnerships but just a few. When they work, you've always got a "backup" so to speak but then again this is possible with employees too. Maybe what you really need for a partner is (money) ... to invest to grow a biz and hire qualified people to help you run it.

Phil

[Cruisnblue]

Thanks for the advice. Sounds like it would be in my best interest to go at it on my own and let him do his thing. That certainly would not be a problem with either of us. As I mentioned at the top of this thread, my brother and I are close, so it's no use getting into something that could possibly jeopardize our relationship. At least my brother and I would always be there for each other if either of us needed help.

[maple city]

I have an excellent relationship with my sister, and would partner with her in a second. I have seen her work ethic, and it's excellent. Whe work really well together, so I know it would work out. I worked at the same factory with my sister and saw how she worked.

I know of a business in our area that is owned by brothers, it's a very successful business, so this proves it can be done.

Only YOU know the personality of your brothers, if your brother has a very bossy personality, it might be a bad idea, or if your brother lacks a good work ethic and ambtion, maybe stay away from partnering.

My partner in this business is my husband. We have good days and bad days. Never problems with work ethic or doing an excellent job, just problems with who is the boss, or how we're going to do certain jobs. We manage to work it out.

[Phil Nilsson]

This whole thread goes to the issue of "divide and conquer" ... organized businesses divide areas of responsibility ... unlike small business where one person wears many hats. When you can focus on fewer areas of concern such as production or sales for example ... you can gain ground and do a better job, perhaps make more headway faster when you departmentalize.

Some of the most successful green biz companies I have seen all had one thing in common ... "specialization" ... not so much for what services were sold but for the "division of labor" within the company itself.

Like I was saying if I myself were to focus only on just selling green biz services how much could I sell? No stone would be left unturned because I'd have 100% time to devote to just selling ... or just production of the work ... or ... or ...

Phil

[avelli2000]

Many of the lawncare businesses in my area are owned by brothers. They have been in business for years and most are the larger, seemingly more successful companies. I guess it depends on your relationship. Maybe you could reinvest more of your earnings until you have reached the point that a fifty-fifty investment has been made from each of you. I personally know of one company where one brother handles more of the labor while the other handles more of the sales and day to day running of the business. After 15 years their company is more than thriving and they are both millionares. Good luck in whatever you decide.