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  • Help, Teenage Owner

    Hey Guys, as most of you know there are many teenager that own their own lawn care or landscape company. Well, I am one of them and my problem is that I have not got one yard that i have bidded this spring. I am being turned away from lawns because of one thing I AM A TEENAGER. At first i thought it wa because i am overbidding lawns well i was wrong. My bids are getting put in the trash before i even give it to them good which really sucks. I have 5 yards right know that i have been cutting sense i was 10-12 and people wont pay me the same as a adult. There is a LCO here that has some yard and he charges $35 just to mow and that doesn't include trimming and edging. When i went to those yards and i bidded both yards at $35 mow, trim, and edge and they havent said a word back to me. This really sucks when you are trying to do something good and people kick you around like a ball. If I dont get some yards i am gonna get introuble financially and i already had to apply for a job as a part-time landscaper with the city, hopefully i will get it. What should i do to get yards, i am advertising in the newspaper and on the community bulletin board.
    Justin Anderson
    Anderson Lawn Care
    Professional Lawn Care & Landscaping

  • #2
    Grow a mustache and a goatiiiieeee!!! You'll look older! Then when talking to the clients, make sure you say things like "These damn kids of today, things weren't this bad when I was a teenager!!!"


    Nah Dawg, just kidding, I have no idea what to tell you. Maybe your sales pitch sounds a bit 'young'? Tough call.

    Lucky for me, I always looked much older than I was.
    a.k.a.---> Erich

    www.avalawnlandscaping.com


    Build a man a fire, he'll be warm for a day.
    Set a man on fire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

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    • #3
      Lucky for me, I always looked much older than I was.

      Just out of curiosity... How old were you when your started your business?

      Comment


      • #4
        That's a tough position to be in and I have no words of wisdom. Imagine that, I'm speechless!!

        You are being lumped in with the unresponsible teenagers, but maybe that could be your selling point. I had a lawn mowing biz when I was a teen, but then again, I was dirt cheap. There in lies the problem; people equate teenage labor with dirt cheap. Back in the dark ages, a neighbor paid me $1.65/hr which was the federal minimum wage. It was the lowest paying job per hour I had, and at that time I usually got $5/hr. Dad made me work for that low rate because our neighbor was elderly and it was more of a favor to her.

        Dad always told me not to be afraid to charge a fair price and at times thought I didn't charge enough. But I also can agree that people don't want to pay teenagers as much money if you still live at home. The reason is that you don't have to support yourself in a way that most of us do in supporting a wife, family, and our dog and cat. Maybe that sucks, but I'm sure that would be the reasoning.

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        • #5
          I am 16. I do a better job than most of my competitors, because i take pride in my services. I use 21 in lawnboys on all of my residentials, most of my competitors use 36 in or higher push or riding mowers. I also have to work against all of the scrubs in the area. There is so much competition, that i am gonna have to work a second job this summer if i dont get more than 15 yards to mow. I am already looking at a second business to start probaly moving or another service business.
          Justin Anderson
          Anderson Lawn Care
          Professional Lawn Care & Landscaping

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by tulsa lawn guy
            Just out of curiosity... How old were you when your started your business?

            I've been doing this since I was 14. I have never done anything else. But I never really considered it a "business" until I got out of college. I had about 40 customers when I was in highschool. But until I got some business classes under my belt and realized that this was what I really wanted to do, I never classified it as an actual biz.

            I know that many could consider it a business even with only 2 customers, but that doesn't really seem 'right'. I thought of it just a job until I had a couple employees and things of that nature. Not sure if I put that right, but you know what I am trying to say.
            a.k.a.---> Erich

            www.avalawnlandscaping.com


            Build a man a fire, he'll be warm for a day.
            Set a man on fire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

            Comment


            • #7
              I consider it a business but i need more accounts than 5 $15 EOW and I have been in marketing classes for 2 years, i know what i am doing i just need more accounts than 5. 5 accounts do not pay for gas.
              Justin Anderson
              Anderson Lawn Care
              Professional Lawn Care & Landscaping

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by anderson_lawns
                I am 16. I do a better job than most of my competitors, because i take pride in my services. I use 21 in lawnboys on all of my residentials, most of my competitors use 36 in or higher push or riding mowers. I also have to work against all of the scrubs in the area. There is so much competition, that i am gonna have to work a second job this summer if i dont get more than 15 yards to mow. I am already looking at a second business to start probaly moving or another service business.
                I have 5 yards right know that i have been cutting sense i was 10-12 and people wont pay me the same as a adult. There is a LCO here that has some yard and he charges $35 just to mow and that doesn't include trimming and edging. When i went to those yards and i bidded both yards at $35 mow, trim, and edge and they havent said a word back to me. (quote)

                What do you consider a scrub??? You are also trying to lowball other LCO's. Seems to me you may be a scrub yourself.
                Not trying to be mean, but first of all you need to prove yourself. Go look for work on your own and continually beat the bushes not someone else's bushes.
                And then maybe you will be cosidered for some new accounts.

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                • #9
                  get some letters of recommendation from present customers with phone numbers. I have had the same problem till I hit forty

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                  • #10
                    For Your Infrormation Dennis I am not low balling anyone. They asked how much do i charge and that is the price i gave them. How am I low balling by charging the same price they do to mow but adding edging and trimming. When you ask me to come give a estimate of what it would cost than what do you want me to say 10 and make nothing. I work my but off to do what I do.
                    Justin Anderson
                    Anderson Lawn Care
                    Professional Lawn Care & Landscaping

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Thanks for the information Scaper...

                      I have nearly 25 customers at this moment, and trying to add to that number every day. Not to be pessimistic, but I was a little disappointed that all my marketing/advertising efforts didn't yield anymore customers. I've already gotten several referrals though. I guess it's just going to take a bit longer than I had expected to build my client base up.

                      My goal is to have 60-70 customers by this time next year. I'm still not sure whether to think that's attainable or not...

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by anderson_lawns
                        For Your Infrormation Dennis I am not low balling anyone. They asked how much do i charge and that is the price i gave them. How am I low balling by charging the same price they do to mow but adding edging and trimming. When you ask me to come give a estimate of what it would cost than what do you want me to say 10 and make nothing. I work my but off to do what I do.
                        No need to get angry I was just showing you what it was like for someone to call another a scrub, when they are doing the same kind of work. You started with no customers just like everyone else did. And as for lowballing you were lower than the other person once you added more services. And no I didn't say I wanted you to say 10.00, I would never want anyone to lower their price period. That is what make this business non-profitable. Whenever you add more services charge, charge for it.
                        And the other LCO probably works his butt off for his customers too. Remember that next time you bid on someone elses jobs.
                        Sorry if this makes you angry. It would make you angry if someone went to your job and bid against you too. Unless the customer called you, and if so I stand corrected.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          The LCO clients called me, Because they dont like the wheel lines he puts in their yards with his 42'' John Deere Riding Mower (client quote). For Your Information I have had 5 clients since I was 12. Where I live there are so many people that will cut a yard for $20 it is redicoulas, that is what i meant by scrub people that have no real job that run around with lawn mowers on the back, no business license, no county merchents licecse, no license.
                          Justin Anderson
                          Anderson Lawn Care
                          Professional Lawn Care & Landscaping

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            I stand corrected. I understand how you feel about scrubs now. I see the same thing every day. I have been in this business almost 13 years and I have people that ask every thing about the business just to try and steal other peoples clients. That is why I am a little touchy about some things; sorry to have stepped on your toes. No hard feelings intended.
                            Good luck with your business.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              anderson_lawns,

                              Hey man, DON'T GIVE UP!! I know it's frustrating!! I started out last year as a high school senior desperate for work. Couldn't find a job, so I took up mowing. Didn't know what to charge, was afraid to charge $30-35 for a simple res. yard, and charged $23-25. Yes I was equated with any scrub out there, but I wanted to succeed. With the grace of God, I found this forum too, which has been helpful beyond my dreams. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO'S OFFERED ME ADVICE!!

                              I was fortunate enough to have a few very honest & helpful customers, who raised me to $30, and I was puzzled, but very thankful... esp. now!! After working with an older college student for the fall of last year, I know exactly what I'm doing now.

                              Just advertized like a son of a gun, and man, you will get calls (referrals are still your life blood though!!) So far my two solid days of advertizing has landed me a few extra solid accounts. I even took the liberty of bidding on two commercials; won one, lost one. -That's the game.

                              Looking back I must acknowledge my growth: I began wearing everyday clothes, and tennis shoes, and running my enitre show from the trunk of my '86 Caprice Classic (that grandma cruiser holds a lot! LOL!!). Now I have a uniform for working, polo's for advertizing, biz. cards, vinyl mag. signs, 12' trailer, a used Walker, Toro Proline 21", commercial edger, trimmer, blower......and 5 grand of debt to my parents (for Walker) who helped me out, but will pay that off easily this year.

                              I've grown from a few accounts to 13 steady last year, to nearly 20 this year. I've been at rock bottom, thinking it wasn't worth it, but persevearance is the key to success!! NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR VISION!!

                              Take this advice and the ocean of knowledge & wisdom form this forum and make a success for yourself at a younger age than me!!

                              Good luck! PM me any time.

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