It was all going so well... I had a slow leak in one of my tires. Been topping it up when I could (amazing how many gas station air pumps are broken, by the way). Anyway, time to fix it. I wasn’t going back to my usual place; they botched a job once, and I failed the inspection. So I tried a new spot: World of Tires. Looked good. Bay ready. Nice start. The guy asked if I wanted a new tire or just a repair. I asked, “Will it pass inspection?” I'm booked next week He said, “It’s worn, but yeah...
6 days ago • 1 min read
When someone’s going to build a house, the first thing they do is lay the foundations. If you’re going to build something, that seems essential, doesn’t it? So why should it be any different with a lawn care business? This is where I see a lot of guys get it wrong. They think mowing lawns is all they have to do. But it’s more than just mowing lawns, it’s about running a business. It’s about: • Marketing • Dealing with leads • Scheduling jobs • Tracking debits and credits • Getting paid on...
7 days ago • 1 min read
From time to time, I get people asking for my help to sell a lawn business. I’ve sold more than a few over the years. If I’m going to help, I want to know it’s actually a good business. So I ask a few questions. One of my first questions is:“Why are you selling the business?” Sometimes they say:“Just needed a change.” I’ve heard that before. So I start digging. A few pointed questions later, and the real story comes out: The customers were underpaying The seller was completely burnt out The...
8 days ago • 1 min read
My Plastic Best Friend I’m talking about me and my business EFTPOS card back when I first started mowing lawns. One of my biggest mistakes? I treated that card like it was mine. If I stopped for fuel and wanted a pie, no problem. The business card could pay for both. Some takeaways after a long day? The business card again At least I wasn't really paying, right? I was young and… let’s be honest, a bit stupid. Some of my money ideas back then were downright tragic. Like collecting overdue...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Don’t forget about Facebook. It’s still a huge opportunity for your lawn care business. I know — some people say: “I don’t need that.”“I’m using something else.” Maybe you’ve already got a Google Business Profile. Maybe you’ve got a website. Or both. (Smart move, by the way.) Great — keep them. But that’s no reason to skip Facebook. In fact, there are two really good reasons to claim your page right now: 1. It’s free.2. It works. That combo is rare. If you put even a little effort into your...
10 days ago • 1 min read
A while back, I got a call from someone asking if I could trim their hedges. I don’t do hedges. I could’ve said, “Sorry, I only do lawns.” Most people would. But that’s not what I said. Because a long time ago, I realized something: If I just say no, they hang up — and probably never call again. Not just for hedges. But for anything. So I said:“I don’t do hedge trimming myself — but I know a great guy who does. Want me to take your details and he’ll call you back in an hour or so?” They said...
11 days ago • 1 min read
He bought a lawn business after two weeks of looking.It looked like a win-win… until the wheels started coming off. Customers started cancelling.And profits…What profits? Turns out, the seller had been doing little odd jobs for clients for free. All just part of the service, I guess. The buyer had no idea this was going on. It wasn’t in the contract. Wasn’t even mentioned. But now he was expected to keep up the same friendly freebies…Or lose the work. He chose to lose the work. And this isn’t...
12 days ago • 1 min read
In our neck of the woods, we’re lucky enough to have a year-round mowing cycle. No snow, and the grass never really stops growing. But winter? Always a bit of a pain. Back in my early days, I’d roll up to a lawn in winter, take one look out the window, and think:“Eh… doesn’t need cutting.” So I’d drive off. What a complete waste of time and energy. What I didn’t do was ask the customer what they actually wanted. Maybe they thought it needed a cut. Maybe they just liked things looking tidy....
13 days ago • 1 min read
I got a call the other day from a guy I was helping start a lawn care business. He had a van and was keen to get the show on the road, out shopping for gear. We’d already talked about setting the van up right. He goes,“Stu, I know you said to get a mower that would fit in my van comfortably, but the one this guy at the mower shop’s showing me is way too big.” I asked what the shop guy had recommended. He told me, and it was a top-of-the-line commercial mower. I said,“You told him you're just...
14 days ago • 1 min read