I am Starting a Lawn Mowing Business!!!

[Ragin_Asian]

Finally I am starting my own business. Who doesn't want to work for themselves, out in awesome sunny outdoors and fresh air? Why not earn $50 for a medium size lawn because people here in Queensland, Australia get lazy or can't stand the sun so they get someone else to mow. Those bloody lazy b'astards!!!!!

However I have no business experience nor extensive experience in lawn mowing or landscaping industry. This is something I would like to do for myself, I like mowing my own lawn, the feeling of acheivement after a hard days work and sweating my a'ss off. I even mowed my friends lawn for free and absolutely love the sight and smell of a freshly cut lawn.

So....I've made my decision, saved a fair bit of cash for the initial outlay, got fit n 'slightly' buff...

NOW WHERE DO I START???

I have got these business decisions yet to make as I am still trying to get my head around starting.

* Go Independent or Franchise?
* Buy Used equipment or buy new e.g. zero turn mowers
* Idea for a business name??? LawnSharks, LawnDogs
* Programs for maximising profits
* Ideas and experiences
* Marketing and spreading the word
* Pitfalls, Pros n Cons

 

[STR8UP]

This was my first business venture too, believe it or not. Lasted all of about two months....

* Go Independent or Franchise?

If franchises aren't too expensive it might be worth looking into if you have never been in business before, otherwise it is s very easy business to do on your own.

* Buy Used equipment or buy new e.g. zero turn mowers

Large equipment you might want to consider buying used if it is in good shape, i would buy the weedeaters, blowers, hedge trimmers, etc. new.

* Idea for a business name??? LawnSharks, LawnDogs

Spend some time and come up with something really unique. Do a cool logo as well. You have to stand out from the hundreds of other people wh do the same thing.

* Programs for maximising profits

?

* Ideas and experiences

Don't agree to pick up dog poop.

* Marketing and spreading the word

Get a nice, eye catching full color sign for your trailer, consider doing a vehicle wrap on your truck. A lot of my business came from people driving by while i was cutting a neighbor's grass. Also, pass out some nice flyers.

* Pitfalls, Pros n Cons

Working out in the heat is a B!TCH.

 

[Desdinova]

You'll also need a reputable person to repair your equipment when it breaks down, unless you know how to do it yourself.

 

[Da Realist]

As far as buying used or new equipment, that really doesn't matter. Get something that will last and is easy to repair.

 

[Ragin_Asian]

Who agrees LawnSharks...or LawnDogs? I really need cool ideas for a name.

For the initial start up I would canvass the who neighbourhood either an 10-15% discount introductory price or a much lower price while doorknocking.

Another idea is to also canvass the neighbourhood with forms for "FREE MOWING" which they could either submit through my website, text message or mailed. All they have to do is put their details, address and REASON why they would want free mowing to be done. VOILA!!! Instant customer base and also weed out the lazy ones to be prospected for contracts. This I plan to give for the initial 2-3 weeks doing one free lawn everyday. THEN I will also erect a lawn sign for a week which says "THIS LAWN WAS MOWED FOR FREE BY LAWNSHARKS" and put my details. I will focus on giving free mowing to nice houses on corner blocks which has great exposure to high traffic.

For contracts and big jobs...I will glue a piece of a shark tooth on a bit of red wax on the corner of the contract invoice. You can buy a 2kg pack off ebay for $20. What do you think?

 

[Ragin_Asian]

If I were to go with "LawnSharks"...I would install a large shark (or cut one in half so I can go both sides) on the side of the tralier that really catches peoples attention. I want one that sticks out at least 6 inches and over a metre long.

If I were to go with "LawnDogs"...I would do the same thing but with a blue heeler cattle dog...which is famous for being the Aussie hardworking cattledog. But I would only put the face of the dog which would have to stick out.

For the lettering I would get large fonts then cut it out of synthetic turf/grass to give awesome effect. Then my details in highly visible fonts, colour and size

 

[Bible_Belt]

I would offer to mow anyone's lawn for free. Then you can know for sure how long the job takes. It is also a very easy sales pitch and marketing tactic. Knock on doors to tell people that you would like to mow their yard for free, and no one will be unhappy to see you. Then come back in a week or so. You will already know them, and they have to talk to you to be polite, because last week you mowed their yard for free. Plus you will always be accurate with your price quotes, because you know exactly how long the job takes.

 

[Ken785]

If I were to go with "LawnSharks"...I would install a large shark (or cut one in half so I can go both sides) on the side of the tralier that really catches peoples attention. I want one that sticks out at least 6 inches and over a metre long.

If I were to go with "LawnDogs"...I would do the same thing but with a blue heeler cattle dog...which is famous for being the Aussie hardworking cattledog. But I would only put the face of the dog which would have to stick out.

For the lettering I would get large fonts then cut it out of synthetic turf/grass to give awesome effect. Then my details in highly visible fonts, colour and size

LawnSharks ehh?? YoUOnKK!! Thanks for the free business name b!tch!


...j/k cool name bro. very catchy.

 

[WaterTiger]

LawnSharks ehh?? YoUOnKK!! Thanks for the free business name b!tch!


...j/k cool name bro. very catchy.

Look at this! You haven't even STARTED your business and you already have an international franchise!

P.S. Remember to charge Ken785 several thousand dollars in franchise fees!

 

[Ragin_Asian]

Yea someone in the US already has that name.....BUT they said I could use their name however not their domain name etc...

But I've asked my friends and other work colleagues and some say its cool but some say its goofy....Well have a look at McDonalds, Starbucks, KFC....they don't really have names that make sense.

I was going to go by the name VJ's Mowing because half this town knows me, so that makes sense.

 

[Gaucho]

I know of a guy who did this in Sydney, he earns good money, is his own boss as you say and enjoys it.

Lawnsharks sounds a bit dodgy, too close to loansharks, old people will probably get scared.

 

[search1ng]

that's why it's good! you want people to associate it with something to keep it in mind.

 

[Ragin_Asian]

My gf suggested the lawnwhisperer

 

[Ragin_Asian]

Ive got work hooked up with a couple of mowing contractor to get some mowing and business experience. So that I get some experience under the sun and some toughening up.

 

[Ragin_Asian]

I am already getting some keen customers....unfortunately I dont have the complete gear yet!

One customer is keen on paying 230 for her property which is quarter acre!! I think she expects me to mow with no shirt on and wearing my straw cowboy hat on and a bottle of coconut oil.

 

[Credos]

Name it: "Crocodile Mowers"

Like crocodile dundee, everybody knows that movie, they'll think about that and they'll think of you. Get the cowboy hat etc aswell, it will be your trademark . Also easy to make a sticker about it, and considering your in Australia it's just perfect!

 

[Ragin_Asian]

Dude...I'm asian.....Im goin to look like bu-fu

Not a good look.

Besides another guy I work for looks like him......even points to his mower and says, "Let's start this poofter up?"

Thats aussie for ya!!!

 

[Ragin_Asian]

For a business name....I was going to go with VJ's Mowing....EVERYONE knows me by that name

But the 2 problems I face is
1. Basically the last person on the directory page.
2. If I want to branch off to another line of business say...handyman etc. Im stuck with the name

 

[j0n024]

I say use Precison cuts...

"We take the hassle out of having a beautiful lawn."

Thats what I thought..anyways.

but 230 for a quater acre!!! Damn!!!! I wonder how much you would get if you cut my parents yard....7.5 acres.

 

[Ragin_Asian]

Anyone have any suggestions for durable, reliable equipment?