[adcoleman]

I am looking at starting my own lanscaping business. I would like to stay away from doing only maintenance but I know that I will need to do it at least in the beginning to keep the cash flow coming in. Eventually I would like to focus more on design and overall landscaping (install, stonework, etc.) Anyway, I am currently in the USMC and have 2 years left on my contract but I wanted to get some input on what I can be doing the next 2 years to prepare? I will be getting my bachelors degree in finance in the next year. I have always had an interest in landscaping and have learned a lot from DIY stuff that I have done on both my house and helping friends and family. Thanks for your help.

[Bill Schwab]

Semper Fi AD Coleman.

First determine where you are going to live. San Doiego for example, home of first Marine Division has a program called "Hiremarines@cox.net

Marine grunts will basically work for you on a temporary basis, 6 hours day, do kick ass work, and earn extra money to support their families. If you were stationed outof San Diego (Pendelton) you could take advantage of the program, organise the work and get rocking before your contract ended. If you are going to work in California though, you will need to be licensed if you do any work over $500.00 in total job cost. You can also get that through the mail and by commuting as |I did before I moved here. There is a great market here, and the hiremarines program is a wonderful way to add temp help and not worry about illegal aliens and the issues they create.

Good luck, and best wishes.

[adcoleman]

Bill,
I am currently stationed at NAS Whidbey Island, Wa. But I was stationed at Miramar for a year and a half. We got transferred up her in April after I got back from Iraq. When we were down there we lived in El Cajon, not the best place but it was where we could afford to buy a house. I plan on staying in the pacific northwest when I get out. I am from Tacoma, Wa originally and my wife is from Port Orchard, Wa. Thanks for the help though I appreciate it. Semper Fi.

[Bill Schwab]

Sounds like you got a plan then....I would check and see if they have an organization similar to the one I passed long to you in your neck of the woods...I'm betting they do. I would proceed just as I mentioned so you have something to jump into after your tour is done. Isn't Whidbey where the USS Abraham Linclons home is? Good luck, and if you ever get down this neck of the woods, dinner is on me...It's the least I can do for anyone who sacrificed so much so that myself and so many others can keep doing what we do every day. Don't be a stranger to this board, in no time you will end up knowing more than you imagined.

[adcoleman]

Thanks Bill, the Lincoln is based at Everett, up here we have
EA-6B Prowlers and P-3's. Thank you for your support, it is good to know that there are people that are behind us and what we are doing. It is hard to watch the news when all they talk about are the bad things that are going on over there and they way that they just make it seem like men dying over there is no big deal. Especially now since 3 of the Marines killed on the Syrian border a couple weeks ago were guys that I knew. Anyway, thanks for the help. I am sure that I will have more questions.

[Inman]

Bill,

I started my landscape company after I got out of the Air Force. I was lucky in that there was a commnity college that offered a 2 year degree in landscape. If you are near a community college that offers such a program take advantage of the courses offered. You will learn a great deal in the basics of residential landscape design, plant ID and chemical applications.

Good Luck