Mowing Grass Solo Makes Me Happy

Mowing grass solo can be one of the happiest times in your lawn care business. I certainly enjoy mowing lawns with our crew members, but I can tell you there really is an advantage to being solo if it fits your lifestyle. A lot of guys asked me if you can be happy, having a lawn care business and just being an owner operator without any team members, and it’s a valid question. I think you need to have a certain personality for that to work, but you can absolutely mow lawns solo and be very happy. In this video I’m going to discuss some of the things you should think about if you are considering being a solo operator.
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MY STORY:
In 2016 I had been in law enforcement for 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, control my own income, and I am proud of what I have built; a business that supports me, my family, and some employees.
If you are a lawn care business owner, this channel will be a valuable resource for you.
This really is a great industry to be in, and I hope that by documenting my journey it will help you.
-Jonathan C. Christian

[@diarrheasoupforthesoul]

The reality is a solo operator isn't truly a business owner, all you've done is just created yourself a job..if you get sick or injured where your down for 4-6 weeks (broken bone or whatever) your business goes bye bye

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I understand your point, I really do. I have a team/crew that works with me for many of the reasons you mentioned, but I have a question for us all to think about... Is the solo AC repairman not really a business owner? Because he doesn't send employees to your house to service the unit? Or what about an electrician, or a plumber? Are they not real businesses if they don't have employees? I agree there is a lot of added risk by running a business solo... But to say that a solo operated business is not really a business... that's a tough sell my man.

[@kevincreek745]

False! I had a stroke last September and my business survived. I had a buddy in the business take it over and divide it up between 4 companies to finish the year allowing me to recover over the winter months. I took back over in the spring, downsized and raised everyones prices. Now I'm making more money doing less work and have way less stress. Always network making friends in the business, you might need them oneday!

[@markhamilton8765]

I spent 30+ years as a solo business owner. Yes, it wasn’t without some illness and time away from my business. Did my business survive? Absolutely! How? Contingency planning - in detail. When I got sick and couldn’t serve my customers, the contingency plan kicked in - customers were contacted and they continued to be served by the team of helpers that were part of my plan. When an emergency pops up and there is a crisis in your business, that is the worst time to try and put stop-gap measures in place. With a contingency plan in place, each needed step is already mapped out - no stress. Finally; of course solo operators are real business owners. Whoever first suggested that solo people have just bought a job is out to lunch with that thinking.

[@techevar]

@@FloridaTurfPros Well said Johnathan!

[@diarrheasoupforthesoul]

@FloridaTurfPros I get the mindset of staying small and not taking the huge risk and all the headaches and sleepless nights it requires to grow a business big enough that you don't have to perform any day to day tasks but that's what a real business is, a solo operator is basically a side hustle type gig where you have just created yourself a job with all the risk of a business without the rewards of an actual business where you leverage other people's time instead of your own. And yes a solo plumber or electrician or whatever service industry you want to add in is just a person who created themselves a job. I don't say these things to diminish people's attempt to carve their own path, but any real business owner would agree with everything I've stated. You can't scale by yourself and you'll never get away from the middle class squeeze if you think and act small.

[@deVrieco]

Solo female with 40 lawns a week here. Was in logistics management for three big companies for the last 14 years. I quit my easiest and highest paying job to go full time mowing-seasonal too. I can’t even explain how much happier I am. I always spent those other years getting things I wanted and I’m totally comfortable with the decision I made. Thanks for sharing.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Nice work!

[@anthonywithkingdomlawncare865]

I also wanted to add God has blessed me greatly in this business. In year four full time balanced life work schedule made double the amount you mentioned just last year. I truly get emotional when I talk about this. I battle with this question daily. To grow, to hire guys to do the work. I’m very specific about the work being done correctly and people being professional l. I’ve had family and friends work or fill in and I paid them well for their time. Hasn’t been the right fit for this business. Right now my help is my 18 yr old son who just graduated so he’s working with me during the summer. Growing or mixing in employees you can just cant change the plan or schedule if needed like a solo person can. My youngest son had a school field trip but didn’t say he wanted me to go with him until the morning of. So I called an audible and went! If I had someone being dependent on me at that time. Then this couldn’t have happened. It’s an awesome dream to have to grow and have others help build your business but that comes at a cost. So what are we willing to sacrifice as individuals if he choose to be more than solo? I love this channel! Thank you again Johnathan for another eye opening video.

[@marlonalva]

Jonathan, Now you are a Lawn enforcement officer 😅🤣🤣 Love the videos as usual Keep the good work

[@shannonlambert8826]

I’m a solo guy and love it . I’ve been cutting grass all my life but really got started in 2010. 2019 I became an LLC . I have 30 big commercial accounts and looking to break $100,000 this yr . I only work 3 days a week , so I can spend 4 days with my family . Every few months I work 6 days a week spraying herbicide. But my wife also has a job paying over $100,000 a yr . So it’s working out good for me .

[@lighlotus117]

That's the ticket man. That's my goal. I want to make 80-100 and have as much time with my family as possible. The older I get the more I realize my time with them is priceless and I find myself working towards making more and more time for them.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Very well done!

[@shannonlambert8826]

@@lighlotus117 yes I’m fixing to be 48 and have a 2 yr old , 15 and 17 yr old . I wanna leave this to my 2 yr old baby boy . He cries every day I leave to go cut . He wants to come with me but he can’t . I really wanna grow for him so he’ll have a back up when he gets older but I just can’t hire these lazy kids these days . All they wanna do is lay n the bed on their phone .

[@royalknights4189]

Hey man I’m really glad your life turned out for the better! Keep going and strive brother!

[@shannonlambert8826]

@@royalknights4189 thanks . Since that post I picked up 4 more commercial accounts and looking for more . I’m trying to build this empire so I can leave it for my 2 1/2 year old son one day .

[@alexswartz5492]

To me, in Louisville Ky, my perfect balance is 45 yards a week, solo. Small yards, tight route, avg lawn is 45$, and takes 20-30 mins to get each done, at a pace where I’m not over exerting myself. That’s 3 8 hour days a week for me, bringing home about 50k a year after tax, on just the mowing work. I take some landscaping work here and there, but I don’t enjoy it as much so I don’t look for it. Leaf cleanups in the fall for whoever asks for them, and that keeps my work going until about Christmas. Then I take the January and February off. There is obviously some cons to that, like the risk of Injury, but the pros far out way the cons. Most people would want more money, but this is the sweet spot for me… any more and I get diminishing returns on my overall happiness.

[@jackiehall8630]

Thank you, Sir. I've watched your videos for so many years. This video made me ask so many questions to myself. #1 I'm 57 years old and solo. I need to embrace hiring some help. I'm turning down work every day. In our height of mowing. I'm probably doing this because I'm working too cheap. After 23 years in the factories, I just don't want to manage people any more But I need to continue for a few more years. April of 21, I left the factories. I went full-time lawncare. I don't regret not one bit. What's my next move Brother?.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

If you're full to the max, raise your prices immediately. If you lose some people great, it will put some margin into your schedule plus you'll be making more money doing less work from the price increase. Also, raising prices will allow you to have the extra income to hire someone. Raises prices is your next step if you're at capacity.

[@mattkleinstuber4294]

Spot on with all these points! Business debt aside, being consumer debt free on the personal side allows so much more freedom and flexibility on the business side. We need to know what income makes us happy, allows us to enjoy our families, and not fall victim to constant lifestyle creep!

[@FloridaTurfPros]

💯 If you can keep personal expenses to a minimum then we can get off the hamster wheel and actually have some margin from the income and we work SO HARD to generate from our businesses. Great point!

[@wizdom705]

Having to be able to turn off business and focus on family and relationships is key to happiness, keep killing it brother, love the Luke Combes best of me background music

[@RobertFitzsimmons-rh5lp]

Thanks for the encouraging words Jonathan, I've been mostly solo for 31 years in SW Florida, and still love it

[@FloridaTurfPros]

That is awesome!

[@bossup7331]

Do you guys do anything in off season?

[@EDH28]

Thanks for this💯😎

[@jamiechristian9710]

Love it!

[@joshcastle360]

Love being a solo operator, I’ve got one employee and he is also a solo operator on a seperate route. Planning on having a 3rd solo operator next year. We also do one-two days of landscape work at the end of the week together, after all mowing is complete.

[@TRYtoHELPyou]

Good words

[@davidmaco1]

this video is absolute GOLD !!! "You will never be satisfied if you devalue yourself" by selling jobs at less the such and such price per hour !! I just wrote this in my daily journal and highlighted it on top of the page !! I have had that nagging feeling on certain repeat customers jobs over the years ( I do pressure washing) and it has never been clearer to me as to why, after seeing this video, I praise my God for using you to open my eyes to this, lover your content so much as I am a solo guy and plan on staying that way. thanks for sharing and God bless you and your Family in Jesus name !!

[@user-mn4bn1cq9t]

Good stuff 👍🏽

[@MrCotaman98]

Spot on! Struggling with that for years now. Can’t find peace.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Everyone becomes restless at some point, friend. Just hang in there!

[@richwaligorski8688]

I really appreciate your videos they help me out a lot! I'm a solo guy I just jumped into lawn care because I was unhappy with my work life 3 years ago. Now I'm getting to the point where I might want to hire help. The content you provide definitely points me in the right direction thank you!

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Glad to help

[@CurtisJackReynolds]

I've watched several of your videos this is the one that got me to subscribe I have agreed with you on pretty much everything you've said on the other videos that I've watched.

[@scotth9828]

Lots of good insight. Thanks!

[@FloridaTurfPros]

My pleasure!

[@25-8]

I love working but not everyone around you does, I get stressed by the work others leave because it's not the same standard as mines 😕 so sadly I prefer working alone..

[@travismorrison904]

Your video has given me a lot to think on and has permanently installed some much needed thoughts in my head . Thank you!!

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I'm so glad!

[@ericmckelvey1264]

Thanks for sharing that quote & your perspective man!

[@FloridaTurfPros]

You got it!

[@ArtWithTye]

I love ths ❤

[@ryancotton9873]

Playing this windows down on A1A in Mayport

[@Scott-cu8nf]

Good follow-up video on when is it enough. All great points in your video. One thing I want to point out that people need to know their limitations. I can not do now what I did 5 years ago. I do lawncare now instead of tree work. The body just can't do the climbing now. I just recently was told of another person that has gone from tree work to lawncare also. Great topic, you did a great job !!

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Thanks so much I appreciate the feedback. You made a good point about knowing your limitations.

[@dandylawnandmaintenance4407]

Remember me Solo guy. When I was mowing today I thought how blessed I am doing it. Hardest part is getting in the truck for the first mow of the day but once driving I just follow the schedule. I lasted as a insurance agent also about 4 months. I look at this business as instead of me paying for a Gym Membership everyone is paying me to work out. Its truly how you look at things sometimes. I literally just see green.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

It's all about perspective. Enjoy your weekend, bud.

[@mpd1adam2]

I know exactly where that house is in Floridatown!!! Beautiful scenery to work in...

[@milkshake3365]

I really enjoy your videos and you always have such a calm and a chill demeanor. Also idk if anyone has ever said this to you, but your voice sounds just like the Rascal Flatts singer when you talk.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Many times 😊

[@milkshake3365]

@@FloridaTurfProslol

[@Lawnboy85]

You've posted a few videos that have come out at just the right time in my life and I sincerely thank you for that! I'm heavily contemplating flying solo for next year. I currently have 3 employees but my schedule fully depends on them. I also would love a 4-day work week with Fridays being a makeup day, but mainly an extra day with family. You mentioned about "not being rich" but also mentioned how being "rich" can be defined in different ways. If I can make enough money to provide for my family, save, and get extra time with them that I'd be otherwise missing, I'd have more wealth that way than working more and depending on others to get work done. Please keep videos like these coming!

[@FloridaTurfPros]

That's awesome man. "Rich" has many meanings... but I don't think there's anyone who gets to the end of their life and wishes they had worked longer and harder... they probably wish to have made more memories with loved ones.

[@coleheigle]

My employee quit this past Monday so now I’m back to solo! Honestly I’ve always like solo but it is rough on a body! Great video!

[@FloridaTurfPros]

It's tough! May be a good opportunity to thin out the lawns that you either 1) don't like doing or 2) maybe are a little bit of a drive for you.

[@coleheigle]

@@FloridaTurfPros luckily I work in a 10 mile radius and very strict about not going outside of it! But will probably get rid of the ones that I don’t like for sure!

[@BobbyBowker]

I'm solo, and I'm not at that crossroad yet. Tomorrow I'm celebrating my first $10,000 a month. Now I know how obtainable it is and it only makes me want to stay at that level or beyond. Hundred of it before but this time I passed it by several hundred. Working four days a week my friends, waking up when I want etc. This is my third year full time

[@kyleshaw184]

Degree in Electronics Engineering, worked 10 years doing IT for JCPenney Telemarketing in their climate controlled computer room with no windows. Started my first solo (outdoors) business in 2001 and moved to Solo Lawn Care in 2005. It's been the best thing I've ever done. I'm ADD and OCD, can't remember anything and wonderfully ambitious. I have my struggles but Lawn care is absolutely perfect. Been watching FTPros since you started posting and truly appreciate all the wonderful content. Thanks, JC!

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Thanks for letting me know! Enjoy your weekend.

[@brandonelliott5345]

I’m a solo guy and work 30 hours a week 8 months a year in Missouri and have everything I need.

[@christopherteer3462]

Man former deputy sheriff here always had a passion for lawn care and went full time in 2020. Will never look back. Solo with help from some others here and there on sod jobs but happy working 15 to 20 hrs a week making 60k and all equip and truck paid for!!!!

[@FloridaTurfPros]

That's what's up... lots of money to be SAVED when everything is paid for.

[@jean-lucroyer9203]

Hello. I would love wirking with you. I live in the caribbean on a french island.. its like the same climate here in certains seasons.. I would in the same field as à supervisor in the same trade of lawn care and tree cutting with over 30 employee.. Your style of working is impressive

[@Allan_A]

Great video. We do junk removal and trying to find the jump off from my corporate job (studied economics, staring at spreadsheets since 2007). I enjoy being a small business, but there are challenges to overcome. How to grow, how much and how fast chief among them. All that, married with four kids 😂

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I get it... Life and business are absolutely wild... Hang in there, you got it! 😂

[@rbljackson]

THanks for this. Not only did I pick up some much needed motivation, I picked up a trick too. I NEED to mount a sprayer to my stander. Why do I keep trimming weeds in sidewalks, driveways, and other obstacles every week when I can just spray them and be done with it?

[@scotth9828]

Make sure your clients are ok with that. Glyphospate is a carcinogen and it stays in the soil. You can make people real mad. Also supposedly guys spraying it have gotten cancer too.

[@anthonywithkingdomlawncare865]

I love solo mowing. I have one guy who works for me and he’s great but I enjoy being alone.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I understand.

[@jessiecole659]

I appreciate your videos they are so much help I thank you for them . May our Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless you and your family

[@FloridaTurfPros]

You are so welcome

[@CurtisJackReynolds]

Most accounts I've ever had was 74 I did those every 10 days rotating I'm down to 44 right now I'm thinking of going down to 30 next year been doing this for 14 years now

[@FloridaTurfPros]

14 years is a long time. How you holding up?

[@CurtisJackReynolds]

@@FloridaTurfPros I'm doing better than good... BUT! I wish I knew then what I know now! Wish you the best....

[@jpritchett3879]

I have a full time job but I started a small lawncare business. Well I just started putting yard signs out a couple weeks ago around town and I’ve put out around 300 flyers and I’ve made Facebook post . I have not received one phone call. I’m in Georgia

[@hometurfco]

Honestly I like solo but do not love it. I get lonely working alone. I need someone to share my days with! Just my personality. Great video!

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I definitely understand. I do enjoy working with my team, and it does help the days go by quicker/better. Maybe look into bringing someone on at least a couple days a week.

[@perys4588]

💙

[@user-tg3vw4pd7j]

Solo. Every guy I know who has help complains about there employees. Then they build a route rely on these employees and it goes good for a little bit than eventually fails and there looking for new help. 60 solo nets the same as 100 with help.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

This is a good point... You must have the workload to sustain employees.

[@kodypilger]

I greatly appreciate your videos on solo mowing. What’s your thoughts on small 4 wheel drive tractor with all wheel steering. It seems like this could be an all around machine for most jobs. Thinking about purchasing a Honda rt 5518

[@jonathanhaney5673]

not for cutting residential grass. Depends 100% on what jobs you’re looking to take on and if the equipment is actually the right one for the job.

[@jonathanhaney5673]

I mow commercial at work on a 72inch Exmark Vertex& 60in vertex. for myself (not at work) I own a gravely pro stance 36. I love these videos

[@FloridaTurfPros]

You would be using it for landscaping type work? I think a small tractor is a great thing for landscaping work... they're versatile, relatively inexpensive to acquire as compared to a track loader, and they will save you tons of manual labor on cleanup-type jobs. If you are doing cleanup work or need a material handler, a small tractor is hard to beat due to the low price and workload they can handle.

[@kodypilger]

@@FloridaTurfPros thanks I agree. I want to use it for snow removal in the winter and lawn maintenance in summer. Only problem is it won’t fit through all of the back residential gates. I think a front and rear pto would be great.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Are you staying solo or have aspirations to grow a larger company?

[@jessiecole659]

I'm solo

[@perys4588]

I've been in business for 10 years and it was good in the beginning but when I stepped out the truck and sent the guy's on their own I started stressing more my business started going down. I'm solo now I've decided to downsize and rethink about what I'm doing but things are starting to get better 😎

[@drewstrongitharm9680]

Solo for the most part. I think I have priced lawns for so long as solo that when I have a helper with me I feel like I’m loosing money.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I understand... but remember, a helper will allow you to do about 150-175% of what you do as a solo guy. This extra boost in productivity allows you to focus on higher margin hedge trimming and flowerbed work at the end of the week. Good luck.

[@gregpendleton4957]

I am solo and would never hire someone. Happy where I am at.

[@jackiehall8630]

Oh, by the way I'm a Gravely guy as well.

[@ryancotton9873]

Playing this on A1A windows down rolling through Mayport waiting for that Jetty Party

[@arthurtreyenterprises843]

The hardest part about being solo is you got 60 lawns and a job

[@michaelknowsstocks5170]

how many yards do you have solo? im at 65 yards (solo)

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I'm not solo, I have a crew/team that mows lawns. I do go out and mow solo to help them when the route is too big. I usually mow 5 to 7 lawns if I'm out working.

[@markcornish6393]

$100k for you or for the business?

[@DillestTheIllest]

Life's too short to chase being filthy rich.