Just Do It!

catmunn · #1 (**permalink**) 02-28-2007, 12:28 AM

After 25 years as a landscape maintenance technician, I keep telling myself to jump out there at start my own business, but it makes makes me nervous. It is sometimes just easier to let others worry about grabbing the contracts.
I have to provide for my teenaged son and myself, so I would rather buy an already established business that focuses on organic methods. Can anyone share with me as to how they 'took the leap?'

Stonehenge · #2 (**permalink**) 02-28-2007, 09:13 AM

Full running start.

Seriously, I did all the things the "start-a-business" books tell you to do, including researching your market, putting together a business plan, get an accountant, get an attorney, all that stuff.

And then about 6 months in, it was apparent that a lot of my planning was done through the eyes of a guy who had never run a business before, and a lot of that biz plan got tossed out the window.

I think the best advice I can offer is for you to do a very good job right now of figuring out what all of your costs are going to be in running a business. Insurance, equipment maintenance, labor, marketing (biz cards, phone book ads...), etc. Then figure out what a reasonable productivity expectation is. Then figure out how much money you need to make.

Add those all together to figure out how much work you need to sell in a year to make those numbers happen. Estimate your typical project size to see how many projects you need to sell.

With that i nfo you can benchmark your progress through the season - have you sold the right amount of work? Are you as productive as you estimated you'd be? Are you making what you expected to make? This will allow you to adjust your approach as the season goes on, and you'll have a wealth of information to work from for season #2.

Good luck!

catmunn · #3 (**permalink**) 02-28-2007, 10:39 AM

Thanks,
Actually-I did go through a small business training program; I came out with a completed, though not perfect Business Plan. Since the training-it had been a few years. I'm still working for others, but in a supervisory manner-but the pay doesn't reflect my experience, though it's not too bad.
Bottom line is-I think that I am not much of a risk-taker. That may have do do with having a dependent to clothe and feed and no financial sourse other than myself.
I will take this business plan to our local small business development centre, update it-them go for a small loan for the start-up costs.
I know that I will do better, eventually, on my own.
I was laid-off last winter on Nov. 23rd and I still haven't been called back to work. It's Feb. 28th and it just snowed a bit last night-I've never been off this long. The weather has changed up here. We have drier and drier summers and colder and colder winters-What's up with that?

Malrex · #4 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 12:53 AM

Howdy,

I was in your shoes about a week ago. I've thought and thought about doing my own business and I've only had about 1.5 years of bonafide landscape experience (my other experience from other jobs included cost estimating and running erosion control/stream restoation projects). I spent a whole winter pouring over books and forums..trying to figure out an approach for my own business and learning plants, design, business...all that stuff. I still have ALOT to learn and perhaps not the best person to give advice...BUT...I was real unhappy with the way things were being run at my current job at a landscape business, I couldn't find any creek restoration/environmental jobs, and one day, (yes, sounds corny) I looked in the mirror and said to myself, this s%^t doesn't own me. I quit my job and jumped in with both feet.

I recommend reading "How to Start a Home-Based Landscaping Business" by Owen E. Dell. The author fired me up. Talk to an accountant (I'm lucky in that my wife's dad is an accountant). It sounds like you have the experience after 25 years....you just need to brush up on how to run a business. Learn, learn and learn as much as you can, read books, attend seminars. Have your son help you. Your first year will probably be low on profits, as you find clients...but if you decide to do it...plan on going for it and plan on giving it a few years. If you have the will, it will succeed!

EpicInterlock · #5 (**permalink**) 03-30-2007, 11:31 PM

I definitely back Malrex up, on everything, especially 'learn, learn and learn as much as you can'. Stonehenge hit the nail on the head I think. I signed up for a government program that catered to students still in university/college which paid $2000 towards their business and $2000 towards my tuition. Needless to say, competition was very fierce.

The most important aspect I realized was that all the business seminars, plans, etc are really suggested by people working 'indoors' or by people who never started their own business. I ended up creating my own business plan halfway through my first season based on my 2 month experience. My new plan was actually better than the plan the 'experienced' advisors 'helped' me with.

All in all, experience matters. If anything, I'd suggest working for another landscaper first and learn, learn and learn. It's the best way.

catmunn · #6 (**permalink**) 04-01-2007, 08:19 PM

Thank you for your insights. I will go on my own soon, but the problem is-I am certified in Garden Design now, and self-taught in garden maintenance, so not certified in the latter.

I tried to get work recently with the Vancouver City Parks Board, but they said that I lack training and that I have moved from company to company too frequently. I though that criticism harsh because that was the reason I wanted the City Parks job-more stability. All of those company leaping was due to single parenthood retraints(noe not a problem as my son is 16), or bad management, too low a wage or businesses selling to other owners-only one was a personality conflict.

I work with a silent maintenance, organic gardening co. right now, and the other day, the boss asked if I would measure up a yard and draw up a sketch for a new design. I told him that I would have to charge him a different wage scale now that I am certified in garden design. He understood, but should I charge him, as my boss, as much as I would, my own customer? I would like to charge $50 for the site visits, scale drawings and the final concept plan.

Fine Edge · #7 (**permalink**) 04-01-2007, 09:43 PM

Try the $50 first and see how your boss likes it. After all, you're working for him and theoretically if he told you to clean the dog poop off his boots, well, ....you get my drift.

But make sure he's OK with the $50 for the first time, see how many hours you spend on it and most importantly, see how well the customer likes it.
Future designs may be worth more and it may even allow your boss to let you design everything after awhile.
I know I used to do all the design and now I throw 50% to my brother because I just don't have the time.

Good Luck, keep us informed.

catmunn · #8 (**permalink**) 04-01-2007, 09:51 PM

Sorry,
I meant that I would charge $50 an hour-not just $50. There is a lot involved in properly researched site analysis and proper measurements taken

Fine Edge · #9 (**permalink**) 04-02-2007, 05:41 PM

That's more like it. I was wondering if you were just trying to be nice to your boss the first time. That's in the neighborhood of what we charge.

dobther · #10 (**permalink**) 04-06-2007, 03:15 AM

I'd like to just do it, but i'm having trouble trying to work out how to lay out my quote. if anyone can help me with a mock-up quote so i can see how it's done and what to avoid in the way of being liable for oversight, i'd be very thankful.

Inspired · #11 (**permalink**) 04-09-2007, 08:29 PM

If you've got it in your head, you'll probably try it eventually or wish you had. My only advice to you is don't borrow any money to start it. Save a little money up first and figure out how to spend less to start it up. Stay away fron debt especially your first couple of years.

Just my opinion. Good luck.