Lawn Mowing

Income $ 60,000       $100,000

The range of income for the first year should be around $60,000. The key to achieving the higher income range is to develop a resource of clients who are located in upscale neighborhoods and to hire others to work for you. You will need to be prepared for the seasonal fluctuation in income.

Description

Mowing lawns is a great business in that it allows you to spend a great deal of your time outdoors. Typically new homeowners don’t have the time to take care of their lawns. Depending upon the area in which you are located in, you might want to specialize in marketing to new homeowners since that is where you’ll find the most homes with people who will be able to hire you.

Clients

Your clients will be current and new homeowners, apartment managers, and commercial property managers as well as business owners who own their own buildings. This is especially the case if they require heavy foot traffic to in order to support their business.

Marketing Plan

Most jobs can probably be acquired by placing an ad in the paper, and by leaving your cards at local gardening stores, at plant nurseries and especially with Realtors.  Door knockers are an excellent way to canvas a neighborhood. Create an ad special with a time-based offer. For example, “First month 50% off, if you act by April 1st.” Most people respond to cost savings and time constraints.

Power Partners

Your Power Partners will consist of residential Realtors, handymen, general contractors, and landscapers as well as anyone working in the home improvement business.

The conversations with these Power Partners should indicate your willingness to include them as you become aware of clients who need their services.

Requirements

You will need the proper yard tools as well as a truck or trailer to haul yard clippings. It would help greatly if you worked for another company for a short time to get to know the particulars.

Resources:

Here are a number of resources I have come across:

http://www.rb59.com/lawn-mowing/

http://www.entrepreneur.com/tsu/article/0,5788,316167,00.html

http://www.sowpub.com/cgi-bin/forum/webbbs_config.pl/read/4568

Personality Type: Expressive, Amiable

Total Start Up Costs:            Less than $2,500

(includes business cards, tools, phone, truck/trailer)