How To Start and Grow Your Lawn Care Business

Saturday

Lawn Care Business Tip: Finally, Lawn Mowing Made Easy

Labels: grass, grass cutting, honda, john deere, lawn, lawn business, lawn care, lawn care business, lawn cutting, lawn maintenance, lawn mower

Tuesday

Lawn Care Business Video

Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

Labels: business, fertilizer, grass, landscaping, lawn, lawn business, lawn care, lawn care business, lawn cutting, lawn maintenance, lawn mower, lawncare, mower, mowing, small business

Saturday

Turbo Lawn Mower

Labels: aerator, business, entrepreneur, grass, landscaping, lawn, lawn business, lawn care, lawn care business, lawn cutting, lawn maintenance, lawn mower, lawn mowing, lawn service, lawncare, mower, mowing

Monday

Lawn Business Tip: Raising Money

I received an email asking about how to raise money for a lawn business.

Although I do go into greater detail about this in my lawn business course, here is a very basic list of ways to finance your business venture.

Tap into your savings
Ask for money from friends and family
Wisely use a credit card (do your due diligence)
Sell something
Apply for a loan at your local bank
Visit the small business administration
Have your customers pre-pay you

Speaking to the business owner who emailed me, you mentioned you already had the jobs but needed some advice about the money. Since you have the jobs, option 5, having your customers pre-pay you, looks like it may be one of the better choices for you to look into.

By asking for prepayment, you could smartly cover your costs as you grow your business. You might decide to ask for full or partial payment depending upon what you dare to do. That way you are jump starting your cash flow which sounds like it might just be the ticket you're looking for.

Of course, stopping into the SBA is also a very good idea.

Hope this helps.

Labels: business, entrepreneur, grass, grass cutting, landscaping, lawn, lawn business marketing, lawn care business, lawn cutting, lawn maintenance, lawn mower, lawn mowing, lawncare, mower, mowing

Friday

Lawn Care Business: DiCaprio Sues Landscapers

DiCaprio Sues Contractors Over Yard Work
Feb. 8, 2008, 12:14 AM EST
The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES -- It's hardly a titanic struggle, but a dispute between Leonardo DiCaprio and his neighbors isn't departing anytime soon.

DiCaprio and the cousin from whom he rents a house are suing dozens of building contractors in an ongoing legal fight over a basketball court that neighbors claim destabilized their Hollywood Hills property.

The cross-complaint filed Jan. 30 lists contractors hired by the neighbors and by DiCaprio and cousin Robert Hrtica themselves.

Neighbors Joan and Robert Linclau sued DiCaprio and Hrtica in May for at least $250,000 in damages. They claimed their property was illegally excavated and some plants removed in 2004. They also said the work undermined a slope behind their home and left their deck and pool in danger of collapse.

The latest complaint from DiCaprio says the Linclaus' lawsuit has no merit, but if damages are found then the contractors are to blame.

Phone messages left after business hours to attorneys for the two sides and to the central contractor named in the suit were not immediately returned.

Previous court papers filed by DiCaprio contend the Linclaus may have caused the problems by installing an "illegal railroad tie retaining wall."

DiCaprio, 33, was a best-actor Oscar nominee last year for "Blood Diamond." His films also include "The Departed" and the megablockbuster "Titanic."

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Labels: dicaprio, entrepreneur, grass, lawn, lawn business, lawn business marketing, lawn care, lawn care business, lawn care marketing, lawn cutting, lawn maintenance, lawn mower, mower, mowing

Saturday

Lawn Care Business Video Tip: You Need a Reason Why

If you want to be truly successful, and I know most do, then you have to stop blaming others and situations and start taking responsibility for your life and lawn business. Hurdles and pitfalls are sure to meet you face-to-face but this short video reveals an often overlooked "little" secret that can help you conquer anything that comes your way.

Labels: entrepreneur, grass, grass cutting, landscape, landscaping, lawn business, lawn care, lawn care business, lawn maintenance, lawn mower, lawn mowing, lawncare, lawnmower, mower, mowing, small business

Thursday

How To Disaster Proof Your Grass Cutting Business

By Daniel Pepper

If you're a grass cutting business owner, you need to know how to protect your business.

In reality, there's no fool-proof trick to avoid an accident. Bad weather, employees, etc. are all potential causes for damage to your business.

The good news is that there are strategies to help you keep your head above water. Knowing what to do in the event of a business disaster is vital for you because lawn care is providing a level of livelihood for you. No mowing = no money.

So lets look at what you can do right now to disaster proof you grass cutting business. Start with this checklist to help build your disaster plan:

1. You Need a Plan

Yet again, few grass cutting business owners have given thought as to what they might do in the event of some sort of disaster that can effect their business. So do what the successful owners do, get a plan. Your plan should take into account as many variables as you can imagine and the solutions.

2. Set Aside Emergency Cash

This is a financial tip even outside of business - keep at least 3 to 6 months of living expenses that you can use in case you run into trouble. That way, should something happen you'll have money available to pay your bills and for the most part, keep things flowing. This is especially important if you have employees.

3. Back Up Your Computer

Although it seldom happens today, there are still situations that arise that leave grass cutting business owners in trouble because they lose valuable data to a crash computer. Back up your files on a regular basis. Create a routine. Some go to great lengths as to take store their backups in another location - such as at their home and if they have one, their office away from home. Make certain that should something happen to your business, your backup files are safely stored.

4. Don't Forget About Physical Documents

Keep your papers and records safely stored as well. Never overlook the protection of tangible lawn care business records. You never know...you may need them.

5. Insurance Is a Must

Keep your grass cutting business insured. The bigger your lawn business grows, the harder it
will fall. Talk with your insurance agent on a regular basis to make certain that your coverage is up to date. That's particularly true with a home-based business. Also, make sure your equipment at home is covered as well. Keep in mind that the extra money for guaranteed replacement coverage may not be all that bad. After all, if anything happens, you can leave your own money in your pocket.

6. Luck Favors the Prepared

Most don't believe in luck but I figured this last tip is a good one. Be prepared. If you're caught off guard, disaster can be terrible. Even the slightest awareness that something can happen and being ready for it can greatly limit damage to your lawn business in the event of a disaster. Let everyone that needs to know, what your disaster-proof plan is. Make certain your employees know what to do when disaster strikes (ie they get into a car accident). When lawn care business customers know you're ready for anything, that will build trust for your business.

Here's to your lawn mowing business success!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lawn care business expert, Daniel Pepper brings his own unique way of teaching others about the lucrative realm of starting and running a lawn business. He believes anyone can do it with the right advice.

Learn the secrets to how to start your grass cutting business right now!

Copyright SLC. All rights reserved.

Labels: grass cutting, landscape, landscaping, lawn business, lawn care, lawn care business, lawn cutting, lawn maintenance, lawn mower, lawncare, lawnmower, mower, mowing

Wednesday

Drunk Guy On Lawn Mower Pulled Over By Police

Labels: grass, grass cutting, landscape, landscaping, lawn business, lawn care, lawn care business, lawn cutting, lawn maintenance, lawn mower, lawn mowing, lawncare, lawnmower

Saturday

3 Reasons Why Lying About Your Lawn Mowing Business Isn't Worth It

There is a whole lot of advertising noise and commotion buzzing around and lawn mowing businesses have a tough time getting attention.

Think about it. With tons of advertising messages shooting across the path of your potential customers, how can they distinguish your marketing message from others? Can you really compete against the big dogs in your area with vaults of marketing money at their disposal?

The answer: Yes but it's not going to be easy.

The fact is advertising is harder than ever to compete in. Smaller lawn businesses have less to lose than some of the bigger lawn companies out there so to get attention, some owners exaggerate their claims, making promises they can't deliver on.

Since hype seems to be the only way to get your prospects looking at your lawn mowing business, you probably figure you need to follow in the footsteps of those who have walked outside the lines of truth.

Is this the right thing to do?

As I have talked about before, it bears repeating here again...you'll probably get away with it in the short term but not in the long term.

Let me explain...

Here are 3 reasons why avoiding false promises and staying truthful is the way to go.

1. You Have To Be Able To Prove It

The first reason is obvious. You must be able to back up any lawn mowing business advertising claims you make with actual and factual proof. It's legally termed making a "substantiated" claim, and the FTC gets particularly picky when it comes to claims that come close to challenging this rule.

Let's say you run an ad saying, "One out of 10 people in Anywhere County, USA use No Name Mowing." You'd better be able to show a reputable survey that clearly reveals those results. If you carried out the survey yourself, you have to prove it was organized and executed in good faith, conducted by an impartial third party, and that it genuinely represents the views and opinions of the group of people you are talking about.

But following this rule doesn't start and stop with just you. All claims also apply to anyone who works for you - employees, Web designers, subcontractors, etc. If your representatives inaccurately describe your lawn mowing business, you're in trouble.

Don't worry there is a "Get Out Of Jail Free" card. It's called "puffery" and you may want to do some due diligence about it and how you can use it in your lawn mowing business marketing.
For example, No Name Mowing claims its home-made organic lawn care fertilizer is "made from the best stuff on earth." Nobody will actually believe that claim because it's "puffery".
However, if No Name Mowing said its fertilizers were "made with fresh organic ingredients" that becomes a claim that must be proven. No Name Mowing would need to substantiate it. When any "reasonable" person would assume that your lawn mowing business ad's promise is so over the top that it is mere "puffery," you're no longer required to have to prove it.

2. It's Against The Law To Lie

As I eluded to in the first reason above, federal law blatantly states that you must tell the truth in ads you create for your lawn mowing business services. Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (passed in 1914 and amended in 1996) says it's illegal to deceive or mislead your customers and prospects. You cannot make fraudulent claims or insincere offers about your lawn care services. The FTC also specifically highlights claims that mislead by omission so you're not out of the woods yet. If you leave out relevant lawn care information or facts, or if your marketing claim hints at results that you can not deliver, you'll be on the hook.

Perhaps you're wondering...what happens if the law comes down on your lawn mowing business?

Well, if your inaccurate claims influence a customer's decisions, behavior, or compel them to buy, you could be in violation of FTC guidelines. The range of penalties go from massive fines to "cease and desist" orders to corrective advertising to even some jail time.

Of course, like most legal matters, what is constituted as "false" and/or "misleading" is always open to interpretation. A lawn mowing business advertising a claim that walks the fine line is a risk you may decide to take. Legally, that risk rides on who defines "misleading." Do your due diligence and get advice from a lawyer to help you make the right decision.

Remember that customers are not dummies. Most people can quickly pick up when a lawn mowing business is advertising a false claim.

3. Your Competitors Can Bite Back

The battle for market share is fierce so many lawn mowing businesses have turned to comparing competitors in their marketing. Lawn care services are launched with little preparation and training and don't necessarily meet meaningful customer needs just so company B can compete with company A. As a result, lawn care ads often dwell on some minutely different edge that offers a little bit better advantage than the competition but doing so creates the opportunity for your competition to bite back. Your competitors may decide your lawn care claim is untrue or inaccurate and force you to prove it. Let's face it, having a lawn care competitor register a complaint with the FTC and possibly take you to court doesn't exactly help your bank account.

Remember, if you claim your lawn mowing business is better than another, you must be prepared to support that with undeniable proof.

Today, customers have little tolerance for lawn mowing business marketers that promise and do not deliver. To develop advertising that attracts customers, use these 4 ingredients to stay on the side of marketing legally:

1. Don't Talk About Yourself

Turn to legitimate descriptive testimonials from current customers to talk about why you're the lawn mowing business of choice.

2. Be Real

Most people are down-to-earth and don't expect incredible results that lawn care services can't deliver. Promise what you can deliver.

3. Stick With The Benefits

Market how customers benefit if they go with your lawn care services. Always answer the question, "What's in it for them?".

4. Lower Risk

Offer money back guarantees if a customer is not satisfied. When you lower the risk, your prospect is more receptive to your marketing.

Here's to your lawn mowing business success!

Learn about starting your own lawn mowing business today.

Copyright SLC. All rights reserved.

Labels: grass, grass cutting, landscape, landscaping, lawn business, lawn care, lawn care business, lawn cutting, lawn maintenance, lawn mower, lawn mowing, lawncare, lawnmower

Starting a Lawn Care Business Interview

StartingABiz.com interviewed me about running a lawn business. Listen to the interview about starting a lawn business.

Enjoy!

Labels: grass, grass cutting, landscape, landscaping, lawn business, lawn care, lawn care business, lawn cutting, lawn maintenance, lawn mower, lawn mowing, lawncare, lawnmower

Lawn Business Books: Books You Need In Your Lawn Care Business Library

Labels: aerator, fertilizer, grass, grass cutting, landscape, landscaping, lawn business, lawn care, lawn care business, lawn cutting, lawn maintenance, lawn mower, lawn mowing, lawncare

Sunday

Lawnmower Accident: How a lawn mower sent a nail into a man's heart

Just when you think it won't happen to you, it does. Find out how a nail shot from this man's lawn mower and ended up piercing his heart. Miraculously he survived.