Tips to be successful in this business?

[travis_c]

I am not new to this business. I currently mow as a supplemental income to my full time job. As of now I mow 11 weekly properties on the weekends. I have had thoughts off and on about mowing full time since I make more per hour mowing than I do at my other job. I am not one for risks and would like to know some information on what it takes to become a true success in this business. I figured this was a great place to ask since you all seem very knowledgable and experienced.

[dg0123]

I would recommend using the search feature on this site and reading every waking moment. You will pick up several answers to your questions but then you will generate several more questions. Good Luck!

[travis_c]

If you could list 5 tips you thought where the most important to be successful in this business what would you list?

Thanks dg0123, I will search within this forum further to learn from.

[GrassMaster]

I've learned these the Hard Way!

1. Buy a Measuring Wheel - Stop Watch... So I can accurately bid my jobs & know how long it's going to take to do the job.
(((I hope my Carpet man never comes to my house & guesses at how much carpet & padding I need. I hope my Soon needed Brain or Eye Surgeon knows where to cut, how much to cut & what materials they need in advance?)))

2. Find out what my cost of doing business per hour is going to be, So I can bid my jobs to make a profit.
(((If I don't find out what my cost of doing business is, how in the world will I ever be able to make bids & know that I will make a profit from them. I can't stay in business guessing?)))

3. As soon as possible hire my first employee & train them to do the job so they can be my first crew leader.
(((How am I ever going to be able to do anything if I'm doing everything on the job. If I break my leg or hurt my back how will I ever get the job done?)))

4. Learn, go to school & read all I can about the business so I can offer my customers a broad range of services & know what I'm talking about & doing.
(((How can I be good at anything if I don't know what I'm doing?)))

5. Convince myself that I must Run the business to be successful, that if the business runs me that in time it will run me straight in to the ground.
(((How far would Bill Gates, Donald Trump & Martha Stewart would have gotten if they tried to do all the work themselves?)))

Things to tell yourself...

Look like a Pro, Act Like a Pro, Work Like a Pro, then You will be Treated & Paid Like a Pro.

The customer is hardly ever right about anything but I must make them happy if I want them to give me money so I can stay in business.

In order to Save Money & Make Money, I must spend Money to get there & If I have any doubts I must go ask a Successful Business Owner Preferably a Self Made Millionaire!

I understand that things can always get worse because if I'm alive they aren't that bad yet.

No matter what there will always be somebody better & faster than me, he's trying to get my work now!

Whenever I find myself making excuses, I know I'm not doing my job right.

The more hours I work over 40 hours a week the farther I'm getting away from success & the less chance I have of keeping my existing family or finding a family!

[Team Gopher]

Hi travis_c,

GrassMaster really gave a lot of great info there. The only thing I could think of adding would be to get licenses and certifications where available. Do things that will set you apart from the upstarts. Offer services the upstarts can't offer. This will help you make a better profit and improve your businesses survivability.