“People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; give the world the best you’ve got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God; it was never between you and them anyway.” - Mother Teresa

We live in an age where social media exposes everyone's lives, but often only the parts they want you to see. The constant exposure to everyone's highlight reels can create a false...

Are you ready for it? My #1 tip to win on social media is...

Consistency!

Now, I understand that it may be easier said than done, but trust me, it's crucial. The reality is, you have to proactively seek out customers; they won't simply come knocking on your door. While traditional marketing strategies like postcards, yard signs, and flyers are effective, it's essential not to overlook the power of online marketing. Social media platforms offer incredible opportunities, and the best part is, most of it is free! Sure, you might invest a bit in editing tools or presets for your photos, but it's not an exorbitant expense.

I know there can be fear associated with putting yourself out there on social media, and that's completely understandable. As an introvert myself, I initially felt terrified of sharing on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. However, over time, my mindset shifted, and I gained confidence. I learned to stop caring about what others thought of me. Of course,...

Before we delve into it, I want you to consider one thing: How much would your life change if 99% of your monthly revenue was in your account within a week of sending invoices?

When I reflect on how I used to collect payments before requiring a charge card on file, it was a chaotic period. I felt like a debt collector, constantly chasing people down for money, not because they couldn't afford it, but simply because they forgot. Sometimes people would leave a check tucked in the door, or cash by the grill. We all know how that goes, but it's neither efficient nor effective. You waste valuable time running around trying to collect the money owed to you. All of this can be avoided with a charge card on file. If you're hesitant or need more reasons why you should have a charge card on file, let me dispel 10 myths about why it's not a good idea:

People Won't Do It/You Will Lose Customers
When I switched to charge cards on file, I had 120 customers. Out of those, only 2 didn't switch...

You don’t need to be a business owner for this skill to be important, It’s something we all need for every day life and interactions. Have you guessed it? People skills.

People skills are something that so many of us are lacking. In this day and age of texting and being behind a screen, it’s no wonder people don’t talk about improving their people skills. There are remote jobs, remote learning, so much of our day to day we no longer interact with people in person anymore. That is why it is important to put effort into improving and maintaining our people skills.

As a business owner, you are interacting with people every day. Whether it be customers, employees, mechanics, suppliers, you name it, you are bound to interact with someone throughout your day. You also need to have people skills to interact appropriately with others in your life whether it be you wife, other family members, or people you meet while running errands.

I am not a people skills master,...

We often see the glamorous side of entrepreneurship—the success stories, the victories, and the accolades. But the truth is, entrepreneurship is far from being just a highlight reel. As lawn care business owners, you know firsthand that the road to success is paved with challenges, sacrifices, and moments of self-doubt. Let’s take a look at the unfiltered realities of entrepreneurship. It's time to have an honest conversation about the hard stuff many people don't talk about.

The Rollercoaster of Emotions:
Entrepreneurship is an emotional rollercoaster. It's not uncommon to experience moments of euphoria when things go well, followed by periods of doubt and frustration when faced with setbacks. Building and managing a lawn care business requires resilience, as you navigate uncertainties, financial pressures, and the weight of responsibilities. You will also face outside emotions that can burden you throughout your day. I don’t know about you, but mowing lawns gives...

In the world of lawn care business, success isn't simply a matter of luck. It's the result of a perfect alignment between opportunity and preparedness. When these two elements converge, incredible achievements are within reach. Keep in mind this has nothing to do with luck, this is about when receiving a blessing, you can be a blessing for somebody else. In this blog post, we'll delve into the importance of recognizing opportunities and blessings that are put in front of us and being prepared to seize them in order to pave the way for success for you and others in the green industry.

Recognizing Opportunities:
Opportunities often present themselves in unexpected ways. As a lawn care business owner, it's crucial to develop a keen sense of awareness to identify potential openings for growth and advancement. Stay connected with your industry by networking with other professionals, attending trade shows, and staying up to date with the latest trends. By keeping your finger on the pulse...

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Get ready to step out of your comfort zone, because today we're going to talk about the power of being intentionally uncomfortable and how it can fuel the growth of your lawn care business. Trust me, I've been in your shoes, and I know firsthand that the path to success often lies just beyond the boundaries of our comfort zones.

Embrace Change:
One of the first steps to intentionally getting uncomfortable is embracing change. It's easy to stick with what we know and feel comfortable doing, but growth requires adaptation. Assess your current practices and identify areas that need improvement or innovation. Explore new techniques, technologies, or equipment that can enhance the quality of your services or streamline your operations. Embracing change might feel uncomfortable at first, but it opens doors to new opportunities and allows your business to evolve.
In the early years of Brian’s Lawn Maintenance we didn’t have...

In today's world, an increasing number of people are drawn towards entrepreneurship. Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to be self-employed, but let's explore eight common motivations behind individuals leaving their 9-to-5 jobs to start their own businesses.

1.) Seeking Greater Control of Financial Future:
Even if you climb the corporate ladder and reach the top in a traditional job, there will still be limitations on your earning potential. Consider the years and effort you would have to invest in building someone else's dream in order to ascend. What if your current position lacks growth potential? You could find yourself feeling trapped. Regardless of how skilled you are, your pay may not reflect the effort and dedication you pour into your job.

2.) Desiring More Reward for Hard Work:
Many employees invest significant amounts of effort, sacrificing family events, time with their children, and leisure time. But what do they ultimately gain from all that extra effort and...

Have you ever pondered the ideal business model for the lawn care industry? Well, here's the truth: there's no definitive answer to that question. What may be considered "best" for one person and their company may not hold true for someone else. Our own business model has evolved over the years, and just because you initially settled on one approach doesn't mean you can't adapt and evolve. As priorities shift, it may be necessary to adjust your business model accordingly. When it comes to the lawn care industry, I've observed four paths that people choose to pursue:

Maintenance:
Some companies opt to exclusively offer mowing services, and this isn't a bad choice because it provides a steady stream of recurring income. You never have to second-guess your weekly earnings since your routes remain consistent. To increase your income within this model, you simply need to establish a daily income goal and consider raising your prices or taking on additional properties if your current...

Today, I want to talk about a topic that can make a significant impact on your success and profitability: route density. As someone who has been in the trenches of this industry, I know firsthand the value of optimizing your routes and how it can take your business to the next level. So let's dive into the world of route density and why it matters.

Efficiency is the Name of the Game:
In our line of work, time is money. The more efficiently we can complete our jobs, the more clients we can serve and the higher our profits. Route density plays a crucial role in achieving this efficiency. By carefully planning and organizing your routes, you can minimize travel time and maximize the number of properties you can service in a given day.

Reduced Fuel and Vehicle Maintenance Costs:
One of the biggest expenses for any lawn care business is fuel and vehicle maintenance. Driving long distances between properties not only eats up precious time but also increases your fuel consumption and wear...