Late Start in Fla.

[bravel1]

It's getting close to decision making time. As I mentioned before, I lost my job I've had for almost 19 years. I believe I can handle a LS business, I have faith in myself and know the mistakes are part of learning and growing.

But I'm still stuck on this late start up situation. I need to be able to bring in 2000 to 2500 dollars a month almost immediately. If it was Feb. or March, I wouldn't feel so nervous about the startup.

With the bi-monthly cuttings and share of lawns that will dormant at this time or next few weeks, it seems like I couldn't have picked a worse time to start. But of course, I didn't plan it this way either.

Right now I'm asking for advise, once again especially from the Orlando to Tampa areas of Florida.

Is it really too late to start?

[PNA]

I'm in SW Florida just.....

south of you in the Ft. Myers area. I can tell you that I am still picking up new customers but only about 1 every couple of weeks or so. If you hit a couple of solid commercial accounts you "might" meet your goal but it will be very tough, at best. Now that the grass growth is slowing and the temperatures cooler, people are not signing up for lawn service as much.
It's just my 2 cents...

[Phil Nilsson]

bravel1,
Someone else had about the same problem ... what to do while waiting for another season ... in Florida I think you can make money on line marking parking lots all winter ... till you get to next season .... here are some links to lengthly earlier posts on the subject ... quite a few entries so scroll down to cover

http://www.lawnserviceforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3569&highlight=line+marking

also do a search key words( line marking) because there is even more info same subject.

Phil

[Phil Nilsson]

bravel1,

Some additional thoughts ...

You can get into line marking for under $1,000.00

All you need is a simple biz card (no other promotional stuff at all)
When you give a quote write it on the back of the biz card. Line marking is a very INFORMAL type biz. Make the biz card on your computer/printer.

Call your company ABC Line Marking Co. (if there isn't one already ) this will put you toward top of Yellow Page in column listings for later on when you advertise there.

On completed jobs you'll have to carry accounts receivable for 30 to 45 days so you have an investment of materials to carry ... put that on a charge card at Home Depot. Buy the paint for individual jobs after getting the jobs, don't need an inventory ... let Home Depot carry that!

Phil

P.S. My guess is that if you were to spend one day looking for lots, and offering the work via direct canvassing to stand alone type buildings/lots (manager that makes buying decision is on the scene and can give the okay) this will bring in 2-3 jobs each day you do this. My guess is that you'll make from $500 to $1,000 a week (net) for yourself after expenses if you work at it.

[bravel1]

Thanks PNA and Phil. That's pretty much the answer I was looking for. Guess I needed a couple of professionals to confirrm my feelings.

Phil I especially want to thank you for the new direction, line marking. I will try to do the search you mentioned. Haven't ever had to much success with the search feature. But I'll give it go anyway.

Looking forward to the next six months. Should prove to be extremely interesting....

bravel1