Ever spend 20 minutes quoting a lawn just to find out they were never gonna be a regular customer anyway? Yeah, same. Worse when it’s a 15-minute drive. This used to happen to me all the time. I’d show up, walk the lawn, quote it, and then find out they “just wanted a one-off.” Or “weren’t prepared to pay a one-off charge.” Or “had extra jobs they wanted that we didn't offer.” I know we all need to quote — but every time I heard that, I could feel the precious hours bleeding out of my week....
2 days ago • 2 min read
I used to think working flat out was the secret sauce. Start early. Knock off late. Pack your day with jobs But that mindset nearly buried my business. What if you could make more money by doing less? Crazy, right? It wasn’t until I sat down and actually timed every single lawn I mowed... that I realised some of my “good jobs” were absolute dogs. I was going off my gut feelings, no real logic. One lawn I liked? Took me 45 minutes. Paid $35. I thought I was killing it. However, another one at...
3 days ago • 1 min read
I automatically like people. Doesn’t matter who it is. As soon as I say hi, I’m already on their side. Weird, I know. But it’s been one of my biggest assets in business. Makes quoting easy. I don’t treat it like a job interview. I treat it like a chat. When someone rings for a quote, I don’t rush to get off the phone. I keep them talking. Not in a creepy “why won’t he hang up” kind of way — just long enough that calling someone else becomes a chore. By the time they hang up, I’ve already...
4 days ago • 1 min read
I used GPTchat the other day to help me find a cord to connect my PC to a second monitor. Gave it the make and model of both. It told me exactly what I needed and where to get it. I was feeling pretty smug… especially since my wife was about to order a different one and I told her she was wrong. Turns out, she wasn’t. I got home. Plugged it in. Didn’t fit. AI had given me the wrong information, and my wife had been right all along. The thing is, it was a good reminder: AI and local search...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Starting from scratch? Trying to build up lawns from zero while juggling a day job? Feels like pushing a rock uphill. You’re ready to go and nothing’s happening yet. That early grind? Totally normal. Especially if you’re counting on organic growth like Google My Business. That stuff takes time. Months, even. And that’s where a lot of people tap out. But slow doesn’t mean broken. It just means you’ve got to balance the long game with some quick wins. That’s why I always tell new operators to...
6 days ago • 1 min read
I spoke to a lawn guy a while ago who was struggling with cash flow. Not because he wasn’t working. He had plenty of lawns. He just wasn’t getting paid. One guy owed him for 3 months' worth of mows, and he didn't even realise until we went through his books. Another swore he’d left the money out, and someone must have nicked it.Not his problem, the customer said — he did his bit. He tried to bill people monthly, but sometimes he forgot. He had the working part down pat. Turned up on time. Did...
7 days ago • 1 min read
I used to think you needed a big setup to run a real business. Ride-on. Trailers. The works. But I’ve made more money with less stress using a van and a push mower. No trailer. No parking hassles. No tools out in the open asking to be stolen. Everything I need fits in the back of my van. I can park anywhere. And when I’m done, I lock it up and head to the next job. If you’re working in high-density areas, this setup is perfect for doing small lawns and lots of them. You don’t waste time...
8 days ago • 1 min read
In my early days, I thought my work would speak for itself.Tidy lawns, nice edges, job done. That’s what being “professional” meant to me. But here’s the truth: Nobody brags about a guy who just mows the lawn. They remember the one who communicates. Who smiles. Who remembers their dog’s name. That wasn’t me. Not at first. I kept things short. In and out. No small talk.Never wanted to “bother” anyone. And I paid for it. Jobs dropped off for no real reason. Customers didn't really know me I was...
9 days ago • 1 min read
I was working with someone the other day — let’s call him Dave. Now, Dave’s not real. But he might as well be. Because I’ve met him a dozen times. He’s been running his own lawn biz for a few years. Started off excited. Wanted freedom. Wanted to make good money and live the life. Instead? He’s working 50 hours a week. Chasing late payments. Mowing for clients who always want “just one more thing.” Weekends off? Not likely Time with the kids? Not unless he finishes edging that jungle on Willow...
17 days ago • 1 min read