Update
on this book: My intent was to have this available in early January, but I
wanted to add some more information and change the format to 'tie' things
together better. It is ready as a downloadable file and is available at a discount as part of a package with the Office Cleaning Book and Bonus House Cleaning Guide, or available for purchase by itself.
I am so excited! I have had a
number of subscribers ask me if we had ever provided business services other
than office cleaning or residential house cleaning. The good news is that we
have developed a number of side businesses: including providing lawn care
service to both residential and commercial customers.
Providing lawn care service is
a great way to enter the world of self-employment and to provide financial
security. If you own a push lawnmower and a weed eater, plus a way to
haul them around; I can show you how to start your own lawn care business.
Start small, purchase additional equipment as you need it, and develop your own
part-time or full-time lawn care business.
Why introduce a lawn care
business guide now? Yes, it is Winter as I do this, but I'm bringing it up
now for two reasons:
1. Lawn Care is more than
mowing. Winter seasons don't bring a total end in cash flow for lawn
care businesses. In fact, Winter opens the door for soil preparation. In
snow country, in fact, you can seed a lawn by spreading seed on top of the
snow.
2. You need time to develop the
business properly. When does your mowing season start? It
will vary, depending on where you live and also upon what the customer wants
done. Does your customer want Spring lawn cleanup? That's when their mowing
season begins. Each customer is different, but if you're going to advertise do
so a month or two before the official lawn care season starts.
Here are some of the reasons to
consider a lawn care business:
Tax
Write Offs:
When you work a normal job,
your employer pays you your salary on your paycheck. When tax time comes, you
may have a few deductions you can make but there is not much leeway. However,
when you are self-employed, you can avoid paying many taxes. There are many
‘write-offs’ so you can reduce what you pay in taxes.
Efficiency:
If you are at ‘work’, you are
at work. You may sit fooling around on the computer because you are stuck there
for 8 hours per ‘shift’. Your boss may ask you to do tasks that are a complete
waste of time, but you have to do them anyway which can definitely be
frustrating.
When you are self-employed, one
of the benefits is that your time spent is your time spent. You don’t have to
work 8 hours, you just have to get your tasks done. You get straight to it and
don’t mess around. Therefore your time is spent much more efficiently. Also,
you can combine your personal errands with your work errands.
Make
Your Own Hours:
As I said above, you don't have
to come in at a certain time to start your job or leave at a certain time. You
can set your own business hours. With a part-time business it is possible to
schedule your lawn care business around another job.
Vacation:
You don't have to wait for your
boss to approve your vacation, you schedule it as business allows. Plan ahead,
pace yourself, and schedule the vacation that you desire.
Be
Your Own Boss:
You don't have to answer to
anyone but yourself (and your scheduled customers). If a customer is difficult
to work with, discontinue your service. You choose your clients.
You
Have Control of Your Income:
The more effort you put into
building your business, the more you'll get out of it. This is the best
business growth motivator I know of! At a regular job, you will most likely get
paid your salary or hourly wage regardless of how hard you work. Oh, there may
be raises and promotions, but there are limits as to how big these will be. And
the reality is you have to wait for someone to offer these to you.
When you work for yourself, the opportunities are limitless. Is a
lawn care business your 'ticket' to the extra income or economic freedom you
need?
NEW Book Now: Window Cleaning Business Guide
You'll be able to get both books here.