There are millions of acres of lawns in just the USA, and all of them have to be mowed! Starting a lawn care business sounds like a no-brainer doesn’t it? Or does it?

Consider the downside to starting a lawn care business:

• 90% of all new businesses fail within the first year… that’s 9 out of 10 businesses!
• It’s seasonal
• You’re outside during the hottest time of the year
• It’s dirty, physically hard work
• Oh yeah… you sweat a lot! 

Now, consider the upside to starting a lawn care business:

• 10% of all new businesses succeed within the first year… that’s 1 out of 10 businesses!
• It’s seasonal
• You’re outside during the hottest time of the year
• It’s dirty, physically hard work
• Oh yeah… you sweat a lot!

No… that is NOT a misprint. You see, you are going to take on all those “downsides” for the homeowner.  His win is also your win!

Let’s take each of these “downside-is-your-upside” points in depth…

10% of all new businesses succeed…

The remaining 90% fail because of poor business practices and lack of common sense. It’s as simple as that.

Now, don’t worry if you don’t have business experience. There are people who do, and who are affordable. Consider retired accountants and attorneys. They have plenty of time to give your business personal attention, and that personal attention has years of experience behind it.

They will help you with all the necessary permits and licenses and taxes and legal mumbo-jumbo. Remember, the mark of a good business person is to know when to ask for help.

The lawn care business is seasonal… And aren’t you glad!

Create a niche market… offer your services year round.

Lawns require special seasonal needs that most homeowners either aren’t aware of, or simply don’t have the time for. (By the way, that’s a good advertisement.) Make a list of lawn care and maintenance chores for each season, and work out a schedule. Contact suppliers for pricing and availability, and work up a proposal for old and new customers.

There’s tremendous possibilities with this idea…

You’re outside during the hottest time of the year… it’s dirty, physically hard work… you sweat a lot…

Thank goodness… not many people want to work under those conditions. Especially your customers! So you come to their rescue…

Do you see where this is going? Customer discomfort is your opportunity!

Just schedule the more physically demanding labor for early mornings and late afternoons. (Always keeping in mind any medical instructions from your doctor.) And, don’t start too early. Neighbors will complain… that’s not the kind of reputation you want.

So… have you discovered yet that the down-sides to the lawn care service industry are actually the up-sides to your lawn care business?

It’s a classic example of supply and demand. Your lawn care business meets every demand in your market… now that’s very hard to beat!

Susan Nelson Hopkins is a reformed gardener and lawn lover. She is resigned to the inescapable fact that we all must conserve water and do our part to protect the environment. But she has learned that this doesn’t preclude lovely, healthy gardens… and lawns. Her tip… less is more! Check out the rest of Susan’s Lawn Gardens. She is also webmaster of Susan’s Bird Gardens and several more gardening sites and blogs.

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