[Malrex]

Wasn't sure where to post this...

I got my first job the other day. I dressed up with my new shirt with my logo on them, met the client, went over the project, and actually completed the job today. It was a very small project, some clean-up, a very small design, planting, and mulch job....under $500. I actually didn't want to do the project because I felt it was still too early (snow was still on the ground, except where the project was). But the lady wanted a spruce up of her yard immediatly as she is putting her house for sale on April 1st.

I estimated the job as 12 hours of work, but it actually took me 10, which made me happy as I felt I somewhat had a handle on the estimating process (I charged for only 10 as it was my first customer and I was just stoked that this whole business idea was actually working, don't regret it all--besides, she is moving to a new home and may need some future work). The lady wanted something simple, some more boxwoods, but I talked her out of it as her existing boxwoods and new boxwoods wouldn't match in size (looked everywhere) and I talked her into a design that I created. She loved it and the price was right for her.

Not really a big deal for some of you, as your projects are probably in the thousands, but for me, as my first project, it's a big deal. I thoroughly enjoyed the work, everything went perfectly and it ended up looking really nice! This first project really gave me some confidence! It was a really good feeling to put my yard sign in her yard and even just looking at my car magnets on my truck just fills me with pride. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has given me tips and advice and even the emails, to fire me up and jump with both feet in. It sounds corny, but I don't think I'll ever forget this day...I'm really stoked about the future. Thanks again everyone. I'm really thankful for this forum and this community.

[Stonehenge]

Congrats Malrex! No matter where everyone is in business, they all had humble beginnings.

Good luck in the 2007 season!

[GLAN]

Well done.......I think?

10 hours labor.......design, new plants, mulch and all for $500?

Appears that you left out the plants and mulch.

[Malrex]

Hehe, GLAN!

Like I said, it was a really small project.

[jamesn162]

Congrats and yes i have to agree with Stonehenge "humble beginnings" is saying it nicely! So good job buddy.

[TreeMarine]

Sounds like good work to me. Keep it up and good luck to everything in the future.

[EpicInterlock]

That actually reminds me of my first job. I 'jumped in with both feet' so to speak, just like you did. In my first job, it was for a friend of the family, I got lucky, it was a $5000 + job, but I estimated it wrong, lol. I actually broke almost exactly even, but that's ok, because just like Malrex, I gained a lot of confidence knowing my estimates were almost bang on.
The best part was putting my signs on my customer's lawn and getting three jobs on the same street, leading to even more jobs.

So Malrex, congratulations on getting your business off the ground, if there's any advice I could give you, it's this: KEEP your enthusiasim going, even if you've been doing this for 30 years, it's very infectious.

Good luck