I love when people say shit like how can mowing lawns be stressful? What you miss a spot? This business is a grind and you gotta be dedicated. Changing blades, equipment maintenance, break downs, estimates, marketing etc it never ends cant get complacent. When I was young I used to think yea why doesn't everyone just start a lawn care business its an easy way to make more money then most jobs but in reality its really challenging. There are some moments where you feel like your on top of the world then some moments where you wish you had a 9-5. Most customers look at us as joe blows but in reality we probably work harder and have a better understanding of business then a majority of people.

Been at it 16 years part time, this year I am full time. My best advice I can give is stay away from a lot of debt. My business has 0 debt including vehicle. I am a solo operator so take that as is. When buying mowers just remember how much work has to be done for a $10k machine. Take pride in your work, your name is on it.

Great video, so very true. Especially when you're cutting grass in 105' degree weather 🌡️🌡️🌡️🥵🥵🥵🥵. Thanks

Appreciate your thoughts and honesty man. It helps guys like me to keep my staying power and keep going!!!!

Man I absolutely love your videos. They’re informative, educational, inspirational etc.. Keep it up

Good video but have we been able to catch the illusive "guy" who does yards for $10 and cheap labor yet? Think we need to start putting bear traps in grass to catch this mythical creature.

Watching this 3 years later and it’s still GOLD

Lol, me and my friends were talking about how our week went one day at church, and I have my own business and was like,”yeah work was pretty good this week”. And this one girl looked at me and said,” well I don’t know if I would call mowing a job or work”. I just kind of chuckled to myself. I definitely do not have as many yards as people like Jonathan here, but I was at my limit because of being in high school, and there were days where I had to do like 8-10 yards because of rain by myself, and those days definitely wore me out. Lawncare definitely ain’t easy, especially when it’s really humid, and there were some nights where I had to stay up late working on equipment and then after that was finished headed inside to start on homework. I’m currently finishing up my senior year in high school and plan on going full time next year once I finish an internship with another lawn and landscape company. I still have plenty of lawns that do bring in a good profit for someone my age, but I know that it’s a long road ahead of me. The Lord has blessed me with much and I am very thankful to have opportunities to pursue this business. Right now I’m really trying to focus on the financial side of running a business and Jonathan’s videos have been a great help and encouragement to me. Keep it up John!

Great video and so true. Been at since 2001 and can still be a struggle, especially finding help

Jonathan, you're spot on man! We are four years running and love this business but it's not all roses. But hey what is? Anything good you want out of life is hard and worth fighting for. I was once those guys who thought hey I''ll just buy a push mower and undercut everyone. I quickly realized 1. A push mower is not the way to go into this business and 2. Mowing yards is not easy work at all! Thank you for all of your videos!

I'm in my 7th year of business and I've done well for myself. I can relate to this video because of all the people who have started a business because of all I've accomplished and not because of the hard work, discipline, time, and strict money management that was put throughout the years. I enjoyed listening to this video.

Much respect for the transparency and information.

really good video. Half the people I run into or know are amazed by how hard the work we do is and the other half are like what you just mow. Makes me laugh because they have no clue what the equipment cost, the hours spent in the office at night and the amount of time effort spent on other things besides mowing and landscaping. This is a great business to be in but you better really want it to stay in it and last.

I totally enjoy and agree with you...thank you for sharing

Thanks Jonothan, you’re always so helpful and positive. A very slim percentage of Americans will be just fine not working for “the man”. Everybody else must suckle from the teet of corporate America. They simply do not possess the vision, integrity, confidence, and discipline to run their OWN business. I managed multi million dollar institutions for well over a decade, yet I was challenged to profitably run my own lawn care business. Took me over a year to get dialed in and I’m still learning. Luckily I had learned most of the business acumen and skills from my former career. It ain’t easy guys and not just anybody can do it. We are a niche group, a fraternal order. So have pride, we are a select group and the sky is the limit. There’s always room at the top.

I remember right before I got started, my girl said “are you sure you can do that?” I said “run a lawn mowing business? Not like it’s that hard” lol. Yup, that was my answer. The work isn’t hard to me because I been working hard my whole life. It’s everything else that comes with it.

Well after about 20 years of cutting grass I agree with you. Good points sir. Have a good day!!!! Keep your lines straight!!!! Vic

Thank you very much fornthus Video, I am starting in this and I see why not everybody can do this. I am commited to make it happen for me and my family. Very encouraging... Thank you again and God bless you.

The best advice I can give, is do not focus on "Maintenance". Set a max limit on the amount of maintenance accounts you are willing to accept. Focus on targeting the higher-end clients who want then entire package. Mowing, Trimming, Fertilizing, etc.. This will open up the doors for installs. Don't be afraid to turn down jobs from people who are trying to low-ball you b/c they know you are newer company and most likely looking for work. I promise the work will come, focus on where you want to be Year 3, Year 5 and manifest!

Respect man !!! Great vid.

I really enjoyed that video. Opened my eyes to some cons. I'm starting to put some things together to do a lawn care business full time but definitely in a different situation than you. I am the sole income and my wife does the stay at home mom thing. We are in the middle of a franchise project though but that probably wont bring a whole lot of income right away. Just trying to figure out how to transition without too much financial headache. I do have some reserves and a cushion in the bank to float me for a little while but I have to have buy in from my wife. Finding the best strategy is the hardest part currently.

Good stuff. I appreciate the video. The non-billable hours is something that the average non-business owner does not understand.

Enjoying your content. I too am self-employed. Over twenty years in the pest control industry and now cutting a few existing customer lawns going on four years. Pounding the pavement knocking doors, asking for referrals, cross selling and clover leafing was the way I hoofed it and The Lord gave his blessing with increase. I received encouragement from you today...Thanks

good video , first year solo owner /operator.....retired teacher.....thanks to you and lots, and i mean lots of other guys like you on here giving great information so guys like me have a chance to succeed....first year, not killing it, but im about where i thought id be...25 regular customers....hoping to get to 40 next year, and thats my cut off.....im wore out most days, but loving it....

Happens alllll the time to me man. Couldn’t agree more.

I want to personally Thank you for all your help and motivation. I look forward to each video bro. You’re always spot on and have helped me tremendously in starting my business. The question I have, when do you start to switch customers from every 2 weeks to weekly cuts. I’m having trouble with this with my customers. Thanks and l look forward to your input.

Market, Market,Market is the key too staying power. Referrals come later. Keep your contact list and guard it with your life.

Jonathan, for every one of us (full time serious lawn/landscaper) there are 10 people who go out there with a push mower in the back of their trunk every May. They last until June, maybe July before they quit down here in South Florida.

I understand all u are saying yes I am new to it have been doing little lawn care work now I’m going full in to it in 2019 I am equipped to start me as new I have riding lawn more weed walker trimmer and stuff u need to start small as solo and I have got couple Clients and been watching ur video to help me business way and I’m very determined and ready for this thks for all the vedios and the comments I have read thks

Well said my friend!!!

Preach Bro!!!

great video!!!!!

Great video

Good talking point..

I also have a degree in finance and after college part of me was always embarrassed to tell people that i own a landscaping business. Now....I could care less, I'm a college grad that stayed in a trade and its been the best decision I've ever made. Its also been the hardest, back in the starting days it was 80 hours a week between 2 jobs and a hell of a sore body but the harder you work to start the faster you progress!

Thank you!

Been a subscriber since the start of your channel almost and really like your channel and I am searching for a video about actually hiring employees in kind of the tax implications it come with it and I’m wondering if you have one and if not if you could do one now that you have

So true!

Thank you. :)

Didn't discourage me at all brother, if anything, it made me feel more like i fit in this line of work with the type of character you need for it as a business owner

Factsss ! Some lady didnt like my quote she got mad at me and said "so expensive !! Ill just have my 12 yr old neighbor do it he can do wat you do for way cheaper" i just walked away i felt angry man

Great video! I am Owner / operator but still managed to become a social media influencer in the landscaping community while supporting family and working M-F. It take a lot of discipline to do what we do in our industry.

This is my rookie year PT fully licensed and insured with 12-16 lawns weekly with a 30” push mower is not easy I have so much respect for this industry and I do love mowing. So true about staying power in this industry I’m praying that I can upgrade to a 48” walk behind so I can be more efficient and be home earlier than 9 pm.which 48” walk behind would you recommend?

I’m 16 yrs old starting to mow lawns do I need to have an LLC or something in order to keep going?

Is it a good idea to start an LLC for my new lawn care business in Florida and is it easy to do on my own

This spring I'll be launching my own lawn care business. I'm starting to choose the neighborhoods in my area to advertise in. I'm scared to death I won't find enough customers to support myself. I'm not scared of the work, I'm scared there won't be any to perform. Hopefully in a year I'll be complaining about being too busy to get the work done!

Yup, make sure the wife has a great job with insurance. And remember, it's a family job. The wife needs to be invested and understanding also. If she isnt, it will add stress to your marriage, that will work against you.

Hear it all the time.

AMEN

Having not started, or even decided to pursue a business, I am very apprehensive about what it would require of me to be successful. I hope I am not in the 90%.

Its a Grind baby you know it! I think back when I was tired after just mowing my own yard. I kinda laugh about that now. 7 years running. First year two hernias and operations to go with it end of year. Really was wondering myself it I could do it. I am pretty fit now at 58. You have to love doing it. Anyone can cut grass right and everyone normally gets really tired of it thankfully.

well said. i have had a coupke buddies come out, & try to hang with me. Their legs got sore, & they weren't prepared for the weather, deslite being warned about the weather.

Anybody can do ANYTHING if dey put dey mind 2 it

As an employee/foreman of a lawn care i know the stuff my boss goes through daily and monthly paying amd watching people drop us not due to shotty work but due to them not sble to pay or they found somebody cheaper its a cut throat industry

Great video! Cutting your lawn is super easy...cutting 30 is less easy...cutting 50 is a lot less easy haha. Also, lawn care in general is straightforward, making a profit doing it is not. Marketing is not. Closing a sell is not. Accounting is not. I am 3 seasons in living with family (thankful for them) and I am just now starting to see a (comfortably)livable profit...a few years down the road. Its definitely something you have to figure out and the thing that is making a huge difference for me is low quantity and high quality. For example, someone with 8 customers that pay $3k per year is much better than stretching that same amount across 30-50 clients. Another way to look at it...if you want to make $50k next season do 50 jobs that get you a 1k profit(meaning after expenses) or 25 jobs that get you $2k profit. Bigger jobs, but less running around the city loading and unloading dozens of times. I am finding it hard to believe that there is a mowing route dense enough to beat making profit by staying in one spot and having supplies like mulch delivered.

Florida has way to many unlicensed workers I wanted to start a a service just to catch all those that are unlicensed and help the state.

Sorry to burst your bubble but it's not brain surgery and anyone with drive and money management can do it. LOL You'd be surprised what someone can do when they have to.

Would you agree one of the top factors to being a success is how much Hustle and Grind you have I think to own a business and be successful you got to have some grittyness roughness some balls some Gladiator mindset?....Don't know if you have read Art of War great book...The Successful walk a little faster,They stay a little longer,They work at it a little harder,They just teter between falling off the cliff and sanity

Nice video, but that massive tattoo on your left arm was a bad idea.

Yes anybody can cut grass and take care of a lawn IF THEY REALLY WANT TOO. That man came to you because he needed a job to take care of his family just like you when he started out. Please dont be selfish Think about it . No body needs to hear low blows while there already down and if he dont know how to do the lawn care buisness whats wrong with helping him out.

Please, majority of people watching this, realize this guy is blatantly obviously attempting to dissuade merely on the premise of competition. Like anything else, all it takes it effort and focus. Seriously, it's mowing. Not rocket science.

it's honestly not that hard. I've quickly picked up a few dozen clients at $5 a yard

sorry bro. lawn business is one of the easiest to start and get into.

90% of people can't cut grass? GTFO lol