This overgrown shrub trimming job ended up humbling me in more ways than one. Watch the story unfold, and take away some keys lessons for your own lawn care business.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Backstory
2:30 My Perspective Changed
3:30 Never Go Into a Property Blind
5:12 Give Grace
6:09 Practical Tips
8:35 Before and After
10:00 Postcard Resource
RESOURCES:
A postcard that works: www.turfprosacademy.com/post-...
Rate increase letter: www.turfprosacademy.com/rate-...
Full lawn business course: www.turfprosacademy.com.
My 3 Favorite Lawn Care Tools:
For Pruning: Dewalt Hand Saw amzn.to/3hCWYPJ
My Multi Tool: Leatherman Skeletool amzn.to/34n8YlV
My Boots: Merrell Foresbtound amzn.to/3sXaCoo
My Story:
In 2016 I had been in law enforcement for almost 7 years.
I was not in control of my schedule, I was hardly making any money, and I was away from my family working nights and holidays. I was capable of more,, and I was silently suffering. I knew I was selling myself and my family short.
I started Florida Turf Pros as a side hustle in 2016 before going full time in 2017.
My lawn business changed my life. I control my own schedule, my own income, and I am proud of what I have built.
On this channel you will learn the steps I have taken (and am still taking) to have a lawn care business that serves ME and my family’s needs.
We are a small owner operated company (2 full time mowing trucks/crews, and now a sod installation division).
About this video:
This lady was not actually a lawn business client of mine, and I typically do not do one time lawn services.
But she called the day earlier and was needing work done the very next day.
I was actually free and my son was out of school on Christmas break, and he wanted to earn some extra money, so I asked her if she could send me a photo of the shrubs, so I could make sure we were on the same page regarding the price. I just didn’t want to waste either of our time if we weren’t on the same page about price, because it was quite a drive for me to get to her.
So she says, “Well, it’s about to be dark and I can’t get out there to take a picture for you right now.” I’m thinking in my head, “there’s like an hr of daylight left mam, why won’t you send me a picture???” THIS ALL COMES INTO PERSPECTIVE LATER.
So I pull up the next day, and I was supposed to have a 9 o’clock appointment with her to discuss the job.
When I pulled up you couldn’t even see some portions of the house because of how overgrown the shrubs were. At this point, I was really glad I brought my dump trailer, handheld saws, and the works, because this was not going to be a job for basic hedge trimmers and trash bags.
So I knocked on the door, and no one answered. There were cars in the yard, so I kept knocking, but no one would come to the door.
Now, I had waited about 5 minutes, then just went and sat in my truck and decided to call her.
She didn’t answer, so I left a voicemail saying I was here for our 9’oclock appointment.
NOW AT THIS TIME I’M HONESTLY PRETTY FRUSTRATED.
I DIDN’T RECEIVE A PICTURE OF THE YARD INITIALLY TO KNOW WHAT I WAS GETTING INTO, IT’S HONESTLY A MESS, IT’S A FAR DRIVE FOR ME TO GET TO THIS PROPERTY, NO ONE WILL ANSWER THE DOOR, NO ONE WILL ANSWER THE PHONE. I WAS CERTAIN I WAS GETTING GHOSTED.
So, I was just about to pull off, then MY PHONE RINGS.
It’s her and she apologizes saying she was trying her best to get to her phone when I had called earlier, but she didn’t make it in time.
She says, please don’t use the front door… Will you just come to the side door.
So I walk up the side door like she requested, and I’m honestly thinking to myself… this whole thing is just so strange.
But I knocked on the door, it slowly opens, and honestly… MY HEART JUST KINDA SANK.
Follow along to see how this played out.