Secrets to Running a Successful Lawn Care Business WITHOUT EMPLOYEES! (Solo Operator)

[@geauxcuts4496]

1. Reduce Service Area / Raise Prices 2. Intent to Buy Ads / No branding 3. Get Answering Service (This changed my life in 2021) 4. SEO Optimized Website 5. Get Support Great Advice!

[@RayWilliamJohansen]

How much do they charge for answering calls ?

[@geauxcuts4496]

@@RayWilliamJohansen Jills Office starts out about $200 a month for me, and in the peak of the season (about 100 calls per month) they have been up to $550.

[@geauxcuts4496]

@@RayWilliamJohansen It's worth it to me. Consider ho0w many times your in the middle of a job hot and sweaty and the phone rings, then you have to put on your secretary hat, run to the truck and grab a pen and paper to write down their info, and schedule in your CRM, and the caller may be junk. Not for me man. Jills handles my stuff and they are probably nicer and talk better than us any day.

[@RayWilliamJohansen]

@@geauxcuts4496 I am not that worried about "wasting" time on my phone, I think im pretty good at feeling out a customer and texting can wait till the end of the day. BUT having a woman/professional answer the phone is a big plus for me.

[@williamspropertymaintenanc5570]

I'm solo And average around $10,000 a month It's definitely doable and I have minimal stress and lots of time with my family 👪

[@MikeAndes]

✅🌟

[@gibsonslawnservice7261]

Just seen your comment it would be cool to get some lawn videos on how you run your business. I'm a solo artist as well

[@wrb0911]

How do you do it dude? And what are you doing.. mostly mowing or landscaping or what?

[@RogueSpear17]

Mike, the problem with quality service is you get too many referrals, it's so important to know how to drop off low value clients and move towards high value ones. I only schedule 3 days a week so I can physically perform at 100%.

[@dakotahsteier5481]

im currently unemployed and was just a carpenter. found out i like hard work but dont like being on a team. this sounds like something i'd enjoy. how much are you charging per yard, or do your pricing in general? i'm going to keep watching more videos but 3 days a week sounds like an absolute dream to me.

[@TheWhyChange]

@@dakotahsteier5481 im looking to start in my area and it seems like in Tampa, FL the going rate is $40-45 a yard. I plan to offer $40 a yard with $5 off for a neighbor referral and $5 off if you have solar panels/electric vehicle. The solar panel thing is to go with my theme which is all electric equipment to be carbon neutral so it aligns with my business principles. But yeah 40-45 near me lmao.

[@Alexwhitman03]

@@TheWhyChangejust moved down here and looking to start one down here. I did not know the going rate but I’m happy to run past this. Wish you nothing but the best!

[@PinellasPrem]

Hey Mike! I think the most helpful things you've put out as far as KZbin goes is Zero turn. Those conversations with the other business owners are so good.

[@geauxcuts4496]

I listen to that entire playlist often.

[@TomRoyce]

Mike, one of the things you bring is the focus on systems. I would say that for the solopreneur, systems are as important, if not more important, than for the larger organization. To free yourself from the distractions and disturbances that everyday life brings to the table, systems are the balance. When you have a larger organization, you have redundancy and many bodies to jump in and restore equilibrium. When you are on your own, you need great systems to be effective. My background has been as a Fortune 500 IT director and now a 20-year solopreneur. I have seen both sides of the game.

[@carlostavaresjr958]

Same here and same boat. I went from IT engineers to CTO of small business and having systems in place help. Personally as I do side work to I have a instance of invoiceninja running for personal projects.

[@eldechicagoo]

As a solo operator this year my wife and I were out for 2 weeks due to covid it hit us hard and I had no one to take care of my accounts, I did loose like 5 accounts, that was a huge wake up call to get connections to work with other landscapers for thing like that. Keep your head up and hustle

[@sebastiangarcia41910]

How do you get those connections?

[@miltonzinn8732]

Really like that, I think that actually helps me make a choice in how I can get started with Augusta. Thanks for looking out for the little dudes man

[@tyronecashin4351]

Thanks for the advice Mike. I run a small solo mowing business in Australia. Love your channel mate.

[@grahamgray8801]

Thank you for your valuable advice Mike! U have inspired me to take the leap. Setting up as a Solo Operator and feeling independent, even if it is just owning a job. Well done on your success Sir! Kind regards from Germany

[@kyleturner3586]

Solo with some part time help here and there will gross $130,000 this year but work 7 days a week. Mine is not sustainable long term but 80-$100,000 working 5 days week is. Profit margins are very high.

[@diesel_man99]

What's Ur rate

[@Adroit1911]

Im no rich man, don't need to be. 3-4 days a week of work works perfect for me, I spend the rest of my time fishing.

[@tonydoherty8056]

@@Adroit1911 yep your right ..no point being the Richest Man in the Graveyard

[@somesauce]

@@Adroit1911 same here, 3-4 days of work and save the other days for maintenance or other hobbies or side hustles

[@BillyGoatLawnService]

Awesome video! My wife and I are shooting for $100K in 2022 with 75% in profit.

[@MikeAndes]

Awesome!

[@Misterpoisonivy]

Goals

[@edge2edgelawncare728]

Nice!!!!!

[@CastlesLawnCare]

Nice video Mike. You continual put out great info for us Lawn business peeps!

[@mrbaggins1654]

Michael Michael Michael... Here I was a little burnt out after running my solo operation Solo for a number of years, and i happened upon your videos and they kind of re-energized me. I considered the franchise deal, and the price tag was just not something I could swing. So i figured I'll just keep doing what I'm doing but I'll bring on one or two employees to help with the workload. At the time you didnt have the website program. So i just spent $1500 on the website another $700 on uniforms, a new phone number so it wasnt going to my personal phone, and an additional truck because I ran across a really good deal. A new logo!!! And then you throw this out there. It would have been a no brainer if you would have put this out there 2 months ago. Even now I'll still have to take a hard look at it, but damn it would have been so much easier if this news came out 2 months ago.

[@MikeAndes]

LOL Sorry. We have been working on it for a long time... just had to make sure everything was ready to roll out.

[@mrbaggins1654]

Well who knows. Maybe down the road. What a gift though, for those guys who are just starting out.

[@KeepSwinging22]

@@mrbaggins1654 going on a adventure!

[@mrbaggins1654]

Everyday is an adventure. No need to go anywhere!

[@KeepSwinging22]

@@mrbaggins1654 Hobbit: You! Mr. Bilbo where're you off to? Bilbo Baggins: I'm already late. Hobbit: Late for what? Bilbo Baggins: I'm going on an adventure.

[@nicholasreed514]

I think this is amazing and great for so many people who like the technical side of this industry but still want to be in business for themselves. I’m excited to see how many people decide to go this route! Amazing opportunity to get your foot in the door and possibly switch to the growth model once they gain confidence in the systems!🙏

[@kingcolten1]

Super excited to get my website up with lawn care web design!!

[@MikeAndes]

LETS GO!! ✅🌟

[@FrostyBravo]

If im looking to start my business with minimal cash to spend on extra value to the customer stuff, like I have a kind of rusty/beat looking mason dump/truck, and no uniforms or website. And I want to price at 60/hr, below the standard in my area. Do you think I would retain customers once I get the high value stuff and change my price from 60 to 80? would that be too big of a price increase and shock the customers? Everyone talks about small increment price raising but I am pretty familiar with the market prices and 80 is all I would need to do basic work like mowing, mulching, bushes and still be profitable. thanks to anyone who does respond! great video Mike, you provide so much value!

[@BobbyBowker]

I'm solo again. Always netting $500/ average a day.at least. 4 days a week 50 weeks a year. $100k. Woooooo! Let's go.

[@firstname6208]

A few questions. Solo needs an llc before signing u with you? Can liability ins be purchased thru your co? Vehicle ins? Any discounts besides hustler? How does a solo operator pay himself? Is a w2 generated? One doesn't really know what to ask til your knee deep in it, sometimes then it's too late.

[@WilliamTheBot]

Buddy for 15,000 you could do all of this 100X better doing it without this guy. He’s feeding on peoples initial fees. 4000 bucks. You start and fail he gains 4grand and he provided no real business boost other than printable marketing. You can get door hangers designed on fiver for 40 bucks. Hand out 1000 every day until you reach the customer limit you want financially. What this guy is doing should be a crime

[@geauxcuts4496]

Mike we need more of this.

[@KeepSwinging22]

I appreciate you man. Thank you for all the content you put out.

[@harplockoutchattanooga6129]

I want to do this but can't pay the 3999 to start with I have my own lawn mower and weeteat and blower but barely making ends meet help!!!

[@Ink30]

Just print 1000 flyers for 40$ saying Tim's lawn care ect hand em out door to door talk to folks get lawns cut em and get paid

[@mikeadkins2713]

great what your doing my son is trying to start a company and this would be great but if he did full access will he succeed because he wants to so bad but spending that kinda money I dont nor does he want to fail. Have a great day.

[@Orphancripplr]

3:54 there is a landscaping service in my are named 'landscapers near me'

[@MikeAndes]

Oof 😅

[@nutz99]

Been solo for 3 years now. I've had my best year ever made $21,000 and that's with a full time job. I'm going to quit my full time job hopefully next year and go full force. Rise and grind best feeling in the world self employed 💪

[@unsure4857]

I am doing the same thing this upcoming spring. Best of luck brother!

[@edge2edgelawncare728]

Grind hard!!!

[@MegaAce1987]

Keep up the good work, we started late last summer made 4K I’m aiming for 15k

[@gabsnands9845]

Net or gross?

[@nutz99]

@@gabsnands9845 I actually netted around 26 for the year.

[@ReBible180]

Hmm...Wow...I’d love to be a part of this! You’re a very busy man Mike...Wish you could come visit us here on The Big Island (Kona, Hawaii) Aloha! Stay Blessed!

[@MikeAndes]

Soon 😉 one of our local Team members moved there last month and is thinking of starting a location up soon

[@Daniel-Wendorf0216]

Hey mike, love the videos. Where do I start with getting help building a quality website, that has good SEO.

[@MikeAndes]

Just search "mike andes website" and i have several videos about it

[@mizaelgarcia1522]

Hey Mike I am 20 years old I am going to school full-time and decided to start a small lawn care business to try to keep income coming in I am in school firm 8-12 am and from 5-9pm do you have any tips to get more customers and to branch out

[@expresslawnmowing5969]

Great food for thought for small business owners - thanks for sharing!

[@priest_c6062]

would it be a good idea if i purchased a lawn care business but rebrand it but keep the accounts?

[@MikeAndes]

Look up a video I made about this topic…. Just search “Mike andes acquisitions”

[@luism8609]

I’ve been waiting for this thank You mike!

[@joebrooks1695]

Any good answering services you recommend?

[@chasecarter1170]

Starting up my own gig currently. Got my business together and am hitting it hard.

[@MikeAndes]

LETSGOOOO

[@patriotmjb]

Make 100k per year or have a business that does 100k in revenue? My lawn business is on track to run 150k this year as a solo operator and my accountant shows me making 37k taxable income

[@MikeAndes]

Is this your first year? Did you have to buy a lot of equipment? Usually a solo operator can have a higher profit margin that 20-25%… in the video I am talking about $100K revenue but usually 50-70% profit margin is achievable as solo operator.

[@blackhoodiefitness5862]

Is there an online answering service you recommended?

[@aarongaal8168]

I’m a small business owner, solo proprietor that does snow plowing, tree removal and stump grinding. I have tried to switch to primary lawncare for the Spring, Summer and Fall but have been getting nowhere with that endeavor. My question to you is do you have or sell franchises in Canada? I’m located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and wonder if your business model is designed to work in other countries? I truly hope you have a chance to read and respond to this as I am very interested to know if you sell or have any franchises north of the boarder. Best regards Aaron AG Snow and Stump

[@MikeAndes]

Yes we have 3 franchises in Canada with a fourth one starting in February. 2 of them are in Ontario, 2 in BC

[@chancecooper4006]

I am an Army Major and I am responsible for 100s of people, daily. Been doing it for a long time. I can't wait to retire and be only responsible for me lol. If I run or get up to two, two man crews, I'd be ok with that.

[@darnelldrayton8341]

Ok I've cleared 100k the past 2yrs now.......AND IM STILL BROKE🤦🏿 after hearing these videos for the past month, I'm definitely going to do a Mike Andes challenge. Stay tuned 💪🏾

[@Money_era]

How?? Just wondering

[@mowtime4669]

Hey Mike, 2 man team here. Looked at the website. We think you're solo operator model fits as well To help us get off the ground, do you think this is something that you guys can make happen with a 2 man team? Very interested

[@MikeAndes]

Yes. Absolutely. It works well for any business up to $20K/month… it’s fine if you have an employee or two helping

[@TheMan-ud2wq]

What's an answering service? How do I do it?

[@MikeAndes]

What the Q&A I did last week… I mentioned a few

[@TheMan-ud2wq]

@@MikeAndes thanks brother.

[@RayWilliamJohansen]

My biggest struggle is having consistent work and my soft skills. That is something that I need to work on more than anything. On the bright side I am getting better at pricing my work.

[@willjam71]

Definitely a great video. Youre bang on

[@SubwayTutorials]

I wish there was an opportunity like this in the UK. Currently saving to start my own business in lawn care, complete change of direction in my life and I'm really scared about starting it up

[@austinbobbitt5662]

going out of your comfort zone is a beautiful thing! You got this!!! nothing is wrong with being scared just make sure u embrace it in the right way.

[@joelover2631]

This is gold

[@skilledroc3536]

I charge for estimates that at a cost for a service, that way the process weeds out of the time wasters and I don't lose time/money 😅

[@activegreenlawncare8472]

Running a medium-sized company is a bit stressful if you really want to grow you have to have an employee but everything has to be with tremendous control and the payment for the employees has to be good so that the worker is a little happy but you could also run your business alone with no one next to you that causes you stress but you'd be left there in a routine with no way out

[@lastking2114]

What do you consider good pay for an employee

[@activegreenlawncare8472]

@@lastking2114 the payment depends on what the worker knows how to do or the experience they have

[@lastking2114]

@@activegreenlawncare8472 I have 7 or 8 months experience pretty much half in cold half in hot weather and I know what I’m doing pretty much are the way around and get the job done about 8-10 houses per day 5 days a week I’m getting paid $14.50 an hour. Should I start looking for a better employer I asked for a small raise and he declined because business is “dry” not sure what that means what do you think it’s in California by the way Central Valley area (oakdale, Manteca, Turlock, Modesto, riverbank, and Escalon) I drive the truck with his trailer alone and only get to bring a helper once in a while. No more than once a week and when I do get help I’m expected to finish at least 1 hour earlier.

[@activegreenlawncare8472]

@@lastking2114 went you driving a truck with trailer and you make a production you deserve a good payment $17 to $18 in hours depending in how many property's you cut a day

[@geneLreynolds]

Yeah I know this is an old video and you're probably not going to read these comments but I work for a landscape company and I'm trying to push the owner into getting a better rig for me

[@geneLreynolds]

If that makes sense to you

[@geneLreynolds]

I'm operating out of Kitsap County by the way

[@zacharymiller2343]

What do you have to where you can charge credit or debit cards

[@shyguy2481]

Square. Can send it invoices too

[@bmuisc3142]

thank you

[@kingofpressurewash]

great advice

[@aliinuikalaluhi9694]

Protected territory? So if someone hangs door hangers in a protected area, what? Or is it just for internet advertisement?

[@MikeAndes]

Any new leads inside of a territory go to that franchise (regardless of who advertised or how the lead came in)

[@aliinuikalaluhi9694]

@@MikeAndes I see. Awesome!

[@axellcortes259]

Awesome video Mike!!! I'm so excited to start my own business. Tired of working whith people that don't appreciate you and where there's no team work. Just can't wait to start next spring. I'm quitting my current job and starting solo. How is the trainig going to be? One on one or more like a teacher with a class room? All the way from Scranton PA

[@MikeAndes]

We usually train 4-8 owners at a time… so small group classroom style

[@axellcortes259]

Kool. Thank you looking forward to it. I really appreciate your video's I've been learning so much this past months and you've been an inspiration for me. God bless you bro!

[@chineseboxer108]

Gold! Thanks

[@Charlie-fc1mh]

Hey Mike

[@zacjohnson8404]

How does having a good website help you acquire customers at the beginning if your site will be hidden behind all the seo optimized big budget companies. I'm signed up with a good company who is run by IT guys, they get the work for you and you pay them commision. Their service is literally to get the website up in search results and they still can't get above the local franchises, companies like hipages, air tasker, all the highly rated existing google business profiles etc. How is a solo operator just starting out going to compete with that just by having your own website.

[@BobbyBowker]

I ripped my vinyl logos off my enclosed trailer. Too busy. Just like you said.

[@violetjames7534]

Aunt Betty who got too old to mow her own lawn doesn’t get on Google to find a lawn care company. She asks her neighbor Ethel.

[@chadpilled7913]

Not true. Most of the "no computer" old people have passed away. 80 year olds these days were in their 40s when computers started getting big, so they all know how to use them.

[@chenolan1]

LOVEIT!!!

[@robinhoodahm]

I love this! The solo Op package sounds amazing.... but I'm kind of at the point in all of this where I want to push my brand.... BUT.... having (even basic) access to command center would save alot of stress.... do you ever plan to open CC up for non franchise folks? (Become that call center you suggested). Just my .02 having a call center that's totally submerged in the lawncare industry is worth a premium....

[@MikeAndes]

We won’t ever be able to open command center up to the public. It would water down the specific way we can handle clients since we know the business model and systems that our franchisees use. At that point we wouldn’t be any more efficient, cost effective, or higher quality than any other calling service available now. Hope that makes sense. Feel free to setup a meeting with Lee. It is NOT a sales pitch. Just get your questions answered and talk to some of the other owners to see if it is a good move for you.

[@robinhoodahm]

@@MikeAndes I just might.... and I feel like with proper resources here..... $1m in a year wouldn't be to difficult

[@worldcomingdown6713]

I feel like this was made specifically for me. I will be talking to the wife tonight about this very video. I have some decisions to make.

[@justinlpugh]

Let me help you…. GO F-KING DO IT!!!!!! Thank me later.

[@TobyRichardson-d6f]

When I was 14 years old I started mowing with a push mower and weed eater just around the block and then next year I had a riding mower and trailer but the riding mower didn't have a working deck and then when I turned 16 I bought 2 snapper riding mowers and another trailer and my friend was helping me with mowing and I got another weed eater and now I'm 17 and have about 45 customer's in total and mow about 28 every week and I just bought a trailer for my pickup and i also just now finished rebuilding the pickup's engine and transmission and replaced about everything that's made out of rubber so now next year of mowing I should be able to get more customer's because a whole bunch of people want me to mow but sense I was driving the mower house to house I couldn't get more customer's and about everyone in this town know's about me and they call me the mower kid because I'm always mowing and I'm a mechanic at a lawnmower shop and I got my craftsman riding mower to go 45 MPH with some a pulley swap and engine modifications but the cop's don't like it to much so I don't drive it and I want to get a zero turn

[@TobyRichardson-d6f]

But I need to find something that pays good in the winter because all the grass is not growing at all

[@matthewhughes4092]

I thought u said don't worry about a website till u get about 100 cuatomers?

[@SonySnipz]

Hey we bought the spraying side of this guys company haha

[@MikeAndes]

Very cool. The location in Georgia?

[@thecosigneronlylikedopemcs5247]

Easy when you a amall engine repairman you can do repairs in day?and cut all afternoon and control who you fix to control the market. If ppl gotta wait 2wks for repairs and my work the same or better I'm gonna take the customer's for that season or lifetime. I had 2 employees and did fine even after it rained 45 out of 61 day's 20 cuts a day easy

[@thecosigneronlylikedopemcs5247]

Don't do Facebook your family and friend's gonna hate you. 😆 i advertise my business ppl we're 😊 at 1st thwn when they saw how successful i became they got jealous. Never mix fam n friend's with business unless they 100% care if you make it. The relationships you build with customer's does help. And answer yoir phone or hire a woman to answer and schedule appointments the customer's gonna pay you more cause you have professional voice behind you

[@ethanwilliams1825]

Keep it small keep it all.

[@keithg1955]

Ya know the word NO with line crossing it out means there ARE employees lol

[@713skywalker]

🎯💯😎

[@vendingservices8900]

I can understand not wanting a big business, but it makes no sense not to want to have another person in truck with u

[@tomcraven3396]

You can only run a solo lawn care business if it rain regularly if you want make 100000 in a year.

[@michaelknowsstocks5170]

run the lawn company big enough to pay your bills and put back money in savings. too big causes issues

[@kendavisbiz]

Solo always loses out to a good team business

[@BobbyBowker]

Employee s =headache

[@danielerenae]

15k. Do you actually get people to pay that? You can get this info for free. Lol