Staying SOLO Kinda Makes Sense....

I get asked so often whether or not I think you should add employees or just keep your lawn business low key and stay solo. I believe you should have some labor help in your lawn business. I think there are just too many advantages to having some employees in your lawn care business, BUT there is no denying there are a certain set of advantages that solo lawn care operators have that bigger businesses do not. We're going to discuss the main advantages to staying solo as a lawn care business.
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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

[@glclawncarellccentraltexas8766]

Good topic. I think you hit most of the pros and cons of being solo. Being solo is great if you're young. But as you get old, you'll be limited on what you can offer. You also need to consider if you get hurt and unable to work. Most of your clients will not wait for you to get better.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Well said!

[@luisrodriguez7843]

I agree with you 100%. I am 39 years old and for the most part always been solo. Have had helpers here and there but nothing steady. My biggest worry is if I get hurt what will happen.

[@precisionfilms3777]

You have to get off the mowers and get in the skid or mini excavator.

[@glclawncarellccentraltexas8766]

@precisionfilms3777 Heavy equipment business is hard to sell. Ground maintenance, i.e., mowing service, is guaranteed that you will grow your clientele because it is a reoccurring service. Skidsteer and excavator the market is slim and dominated with big companies. The company that do residential or commercial development are heavily invested they run D7 dozer and 365c. If you look at land clearing, those guys run Barko or converted CAT (tiger cat) for land clearing. The only work left are homeowners that have few grand to spend to develop or maintain their property maybe once every 5 years. Mowing you can invest a 100K to add a crew and guaranteed to get that investment x2 annually.

[@LandscaperLife]

I have been landscaping for about 20 years and I've had my own business for around 10 years. In my area, finding reliable help is tough. I could not do the whole route by myself if they called out. I started solo for a few years and had 1 employee for around 7. I'm back to solo with a streamlined route and higher end clientele. Great video.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Thanks for sharing. This is one of the scariest things is if you outgrow the work you can do by yourself, then you are totally reliant on the help to show up. I get it. Thanks again for the insight from 20 years experience.

[@LandscaperLife]

@@FloridaTurfPros I've been a fan of your channel for a while. You are one of the landscaping channels that inspired me to start my own channel this fall. Keep up the good work.

[@rayrayslawnlandscape2008]

I agree Reliable help is impossible for me to retain! guys come out making 20-25per hr - they get one check and never see them again. It has molded me to stay smaller and to be SUPER efficient with the density and really vague to commit to bigger jobs. I usually have one guy thru the summer but he has moments where he cant keep his phone on - cant keep a car-Always trying to borrow money against his check. Biggest thing with employees to me is the inability to manage their money. I want to pay them good but most cant handle $800 bucks a week and when i pay good like that then those are the ones that dont show up the next day - or always broke cause of their lack of self discipline-So its a double wammy for me - more out of pocket and they dont show up ! Crazy

[@LandscaperLife]

@@rayrayslawnlandscape2008 100%

[@franciscoiraheta2308]

​😮@@rayrayslawnlandscape2008

[@michaeldaniels5584]

Great video as usual. I am solo as a retired LEO, Ive been mowing for 5 years f/t now as I started p/t while on the job. I see friends who have a crew with headaches all the time. Not for me. I just enjoy when my son who's 13 helps me in the summer. :)

[@FloridaTurfPros]

That's great. I really enjoy the time I spend with my son working as well.

[@precisionfilms3777]

Stay solo..scale your equipment instead. I started mowing grass. Now I have 2 skids and a mini x. Still have 2 mower. I also have 2 dumps and my personal truck and a car and 2 houses. Completely solo. Im 38 and my back is shot but I'm otherwise great shape. I run 2 miles every other day but I dont take high labor jobs. I just use the machines. There are easier ways to do it but this is the life ive made for myself. Lmk if you want to know more. I plan to make a video soon

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I like the idea of scaling equipment. I'm kind of at the point now where I rather make more investments in machinery to tackle jobs.

[@precisionfilms3777]

@@FloridaTurfPros I'm kinda in a niche for my track skid steer

[@Keith-wb2nn]

If you have back pain try nofap, and semen retention, it worked for me!!!

[@floridalawncareexpertsllc2817]

Yes having employees can be tough but that’s what running a business consists of. I was always taught if you like to do the work don’t be a business owner because you won’t be doing that. You will be doing everything else most people don’t know how to do. The problem in lawn care is it has such a low barrier of entry. It’s common for the worker to start a “business” just because he knows how to do the work. Unfortunately many don’t know how to run a business properly. This is the main cause of most of the issues in this industry. Those that say they can’t find good employees often times just don’t know how or the reason why they can’t hold good employees. Put yourself in there shoes. Would you want to just work with a guy all day, your boss? With obv no good future ahead of you? Prob not. People want to work for a growing company where they can see the company growing and themselves growing. This may be harsh but it’s the truth.

[@glclawncarellccentraltexas8766]

People that can't find good employees is because they can't and won't comprehend that it will cost 40 to 50% of you gross profit to retain employees. You have to provide financial stability for your employees. You have to pay them minimum 40hrs a week 52 weeks a year. You can't work them hard during grass season and let them go on winter and expect them to come back and work there azz off.

[@EduardoLopez-jk2gl]

I totally agree with you on these issues! I downsized from a big crew(with big headaches) to solo. My wife pitches in too. Keep up the great content!

[@clevercloverlawncare5066]

How much was your difference in net profit? How many employees? How many properties- now and then? Thanks.

[@leadershiphelpdesk510]

If paying by the hour, travel time costs more, MOST IMPORTANT, property owners trust you, and they don't trust knuckleheads on their property. As a lawn guy, I was always asked to do little personal tasks.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

💯

[@EverettetheEntrepreneur]

I enjoy the flexibility, it allows me to homeschool my kids. Also, I had a great job with a very large worldwide company that all of a sudden decided our location would be shut down. After that, it was time to start building something of my own.

[@Slowmowlawnandhome]

Great video! Totally comes down to how you want to spend your time. For me the silence and aloneness is nothing short of miraculous especially since I never realized this existed as an option for me. The deeper relationship with the clients is my unexpected favorite part of this whole thing although it also is the most annoying, lol. I will say although my profit ratios are comically high, my overall revenue potential is comically low so it definitely balances out and comes down to personal preference. What's funny is that I thought I would use the flexibility to work on my old dream of being a musician for a living but I could care less about that dream now. But helping people, being active, making money that makes sense, owning my labor, it is a completely full-filling way of life, employees or no employees!

[@NewHopeCutzandLawnCare]

Great content Jon. I am solo and I have grown at a steady pace. And I enjoy the exercise 😂

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Haha, yes being solo will force you to exercise for sure!

[@BobbyBowker]

I have tried both at one point I had three employees. Now I’m solo. I see the advantages of both. However, as a cello guy I am limited by time constraint and how much work I can get done in a day yes, my cross to bear. No desire to generate more revenue. I’m forced to raise prices and I work longer hours in order to increase my baseline. For example, first started, I could not break the $200 a day barrier. Just could not understand it and then I realize I had to be more efficient have route density and raise prices. Now I’m floating between 550 today. But I want to be closer to 802,008. so basically I need to sell bigger ticket items to work over hours. There are days where I thousand dollars to 1400 but it’s not consistent ,but all in all I prefer to be solo at this point I have four sons and they will all gradually have their shot at it if that’s what they want to do.

[@bryancontreras6857]

Being solo people don’t take you serious as a business they will try to low ball you , with the right help you can always do better and make more money and take time off and have business running.

[@shannonlambert8826]

I agree with everything you said . I been solo for 10+ years . I started thinking about hiring help this coming season , but with the kids today , they lazy and don’t care . I have a scag turf tiger that’s 14 yrs old , got 1,000 hrs on it and if I had a kid on it , it would be beat to hell and back . Like Florida ,South Louisiana is hot in the summer . That’s the only reason I wanted to hire somebody. I also know what my customers like and how they want things done . So with that being said I think I’m gonna stay solo for now .

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Equipment gets ragged out much quicker for sure. I had a 36" stand on that was solely used by me that still looks brand new. I have other 52" mowers that just get worn slap out and beat to death every season. It's almost like you just have to know that's the cost of having employees... even good ones don't treat the equipment the same you do.

[@alphacharlie65ms]

Stay solo.

[@jamiechristian9710]

Great information. You have built an A+ business! 😘

[@toddbenfield6546]

I work with one man, and have route density👍if that man don’t show up, I still can get my route completed. Might take a few more hours. Been in the biz for 35 yrs, and a net worth of 3 million👍bigger is not always better👌

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Good points

[@ALTMowing]

I'm planning to work by myself. Unfortunately, I'm starting with a garden tractor, but I'm looking for a used stand on asap. Fortunately I have a tractor to start with. I don't have many properties to force me to rush. Once I'm streamlined and busy, a decent stand on should be affordable. Great video! Huge fan😊

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Go for it! A garden tractor is better than a push mower!

[@waylonratcliffe]

It really is the best job.. I can't wait till spring!

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I always get that itch around January too! I"m ready to go! 💪

[@RavensHardCore]

Loved the video. A lot of great points in there!

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@maconstroupe1583]

Awesome video. Informative, great scenery, and the quick cleanup with the equipment in action. Thanks for your time and effort.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for letting me know.

[@chriswest8147]

Thanks again for another awesome video. This perspective is spot on. Just started solo this year and just bid my second large clean up this year and won both bids. I'll make more in 5 hours than I would have at my last job in a week. I love being the master of my own fate. Something that you can't put a price on is freedom. Freedom to come and go, be selective with your jobs and clients, working outside, and calling the shots. $$ ain't everything but as long as your smart with your $, your golden.

[@brandonrickbornponyexpress6574]

He's the GOAT

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Solo definitely has its advantages.

[@trevorelliott8613]

Idk, it's hard getting 20+ a day solo... especially with lots of 3rd and 1/2 acres...

[@alphacharlie65ms]

Great video. I will stay solo. I make good money and agree with all the things you mentioned here. Employees stink. I am on vacation from Missouri. We are in Orlando. Would have love to meet you. Don't know how far away you were.

[@LLC_Turf_Pros]

Thanks for another great video! I also liked the work footage. Especially the sod prep footage.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Thanks. I'm going to collect some more footage of work and do some lectures/talks over it. I think that will be a better viewing experience to throw in sometimes.

[@LLC_Turf_Pros]

@@FloridaTurfPros yes for sure! Like we spoke about before, there are not good videos explaining sod installations. Especially from the business side of things.

[@Slide-A-Jar]

Formal education will make you a living, self educating can make you a fortune. Grow and self educate yourself and you’ll have a better chance. Love the video. Great information John .

[@556reaper2]

Great video, always learn something new from you. I suggest carrying some oc spray, saved me from a potentially bad situation one day due to a lose dog when I was jogging.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Good tip!

[@joshwhitlow9780]

I really enjoy your channel and the content you put out you give out great quality advice and tips to people who have small lawn care companies or people wanted to start a lawn care company I think your content is more relatable than these other channels that just put out fluff and try to get views

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I would not consider myself an "entertainment" channel, but more of an education channel. I do think there's value in mixing in some work footage with me talking though, as it gives the audience something else to look at and enjoy than just a talking head. I've got a lot of good feedback on this, so I think I'm on the right track. Thanks for letting me know you enjoy the content.

[@joshwhitlow9780]

@@FloridaTurfPros please keep the content coming I’ve seen videos of you mowing as well it’s all great content I have written down a lot of your tips and advice to help when I start my business this spring I’m also located in Florida

[@jean-lucroyer9203]

I live in Guadeloupe in the caribbean. I would love to give ut à try to do this in florida. I have been in this trade since 2005

[@AlbertoGonzalez-yu3pe]

You said it its up to you on what you want out off the business it depends in the individual age and the personality. That's the great thing about it you can make what you want because is yours. Personally I'm solo because I'm introvert and learn that stress is bad for your health

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I enjoy working by myself and with my team. I am glad I get to experience both!

[@jeffreyruffin586]

Great video

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Thanks!

[@KalebJones803]

I had 7 guys I dropped down to 3 last year and it's been so amazing and very profitable 📈

[@KalebJones803]

And I pay them more but they are on 1099 so it works out perfect I only pay for payroll for myself

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I agree there are advantages to 1099'ing, but do they use their own vehicle to service the properties? Also, do they use any mowing or stick equipment that you supply? The reason I ask is because there was a lawn business in my area operating the same way you are describing and got hit with backed payroll taxes for 7 years because they were 1099'ing their workers when the IRS said they should have been on payroll. I'm sure you've already consulted someone on this, but just want to make sure.

[@KalebJones803]

@FloridaTurfPros yea they use there own trucks and trimmers I just supply the mowers

[@redoakpropertycarellc]

Stay solo, but keep a few people you can call on for help

[@fivepointslawn2275]

Great comment , I work 7 till 5 solo everyday , have two part time guys . One comes out after five a few days a week and Saturday mornings , other is retired and just cuts a park for me at his liesure. I work tons of hours April to Dec . Then play with my portable sawmill in the winter . Basically 17 weeks off . It’s really cold and windy out today . So I’ll just do some honey do jobs . Low stress , I’m content . Starting my 20 th season , have had lots of employees over the years , good ones , just doesn’t suit my personality . Thr is not right answer , I just know I’m making way better money

[@BigRedServicesLLC]

All true 100% I’ve been solo ever since the beginning, and I don’t plan on changing this model.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Nothing wrong with that!

[@galsmedia4455]

I have found that in florida especially, one single persons ability to max money out is what any 1 person can do in one single 7 day period during the summer months. AS schedules go to half schedule for winter, (meaning ur 4 week workload becomes 2 weeks) u have now lots of free time. These 2 additional weeks you may book up if you wish. But when summer comes that one single person WILL be overbooked no doubt. That's where you can hire your seasonal worker. Run him 5 months out of the year. Where you know you're overbooked. Then when slow season comes, you can still manage the entire operation solo. Then if you overbook winter and need the 2nd person even in winter, then you have a full time position available. Then repeat. BTW.. no fighting for yards because all this scheduling, IS recurring monthly yards. #MakeMoneyMowing

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Yes, we service a lot of biweeklly yards just to maintain a full schedule during the fall and early spring. If everyone was weekly then we would have a huge shift in labor needs.

[@curbappeallawncarellc4263]

were the same way. id say almost half our clients i have never really meet or seen. or its once a year i see them cause they are here part time or travel. being solo is great but there are those days havning extra hands would be nice.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I agree! Extra help is nice sometimes. I'm going to lay out of some of the benefits I have by having a few employees. I'll be releasing that video in a day or two.

[@curbappeallawncarellc4263]

@@FloridaTurfPros awsome will be waiting for it

[@timothyevans114]

Great video and information. What size gravely is that and what type of shoot blocker you are using! Thanks 🙏🏽

[@FloridaTurfPros]

52" prostance... it's gravely's oem chute blocker

[@timothyevans114]

Thanks 🙏🏽 have a great and blessed day

[@jamesvillegas877]

You can do solo it's great lot less problems. I would just train someone on the side like they know your route and can take it over for a while if something happened to you or just going on a small vacation.

[@Theultrazombiekiller]

I run a solo operation as well but often need help with bigger landscape jobs in the Spring. I either subcontract if it is something like irrigation or tree trimming and make a some money doing that (for example, if my irrigation contact tells me my clients new sprinkler system will be $6k, I invoice my client for $6500 and pay my irrigation contact the $6k and keep $500 for subcontracting, easiest money ever) OR my childhood best friend and his 3 brothers run a landscaping company as well and I will pay them to help me with larger spring landscaping jobs, or if I can't get to a property for whatever reason. With all of this, I make $75 - $85K a year solo due to the majority of my clients being commercial contracts, with only a few (7) residentials and they are huge mansions in the richest neighborhoods with big properties and they are on 12 month contracts, I do not do small residentials anymore and let all of them go a few years back.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Very interesting.. thanks for sharing!

[@user-po5bf5zf4v]

Off topic but I was looking for your newest video to ask a question. I beleive you said you buy new mowers every rwo years. My quoestion is though can you do a review on the new pro stance? I was looking at one 23 or 24 models and it is way dufferent than the 2020 models on youtube. Thank you for your time.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

We recycle handheld equipment every year. I've had these mowers for 3/4 years now.

[@KOG-KingOfGreen]

Great points! Totally off subject, but how is that gravely stander holding up for you? I’m looking into one and I was wondering about the longevity of it

[@FloridaTurfPros]

It has been a really good mower.

[@rabidfarmer9765]

I like to go solo - actually start to make some $$ on side. How do I charge what is fair?

[@finaltouch1962]

I took off the tip of my finger a couple years ago in an accident on the job. Without employees my business would have went under and I’d be doing Uber

[@jeffalbrecht4560]

I'm turning 60 this summer. Do you think its a good idea.

[@TNsher776]

Not necessarily to be solo, but keep your mowing business smaller, like running 2-3 trucks max! Keep expenses down, but at the same time you have to crew to tackle bigger jobs!

[@FloridaTurfPros]

That's def one way to do it!

[@Slide-A-Jar]

I was about to purchase a used stand on mower for 4k. I was doing some research and ran into section 179. I gonna end up financing a 6k mower and write it off at tax time.

[@TheJuice401]

you arent actually saving that much... say you make 100k profit.. and pay 10k for a mower... now you owe taxes on 90k profit.. so you spent 10 grand to save 2k lol

[@DIOSESELUNICO]

Bro what type of microphone you use for your channel bro ?

[@FloridaTurfPros]

rode nt usb

[@theehgroup7006]

Man i enjoyed to watching u mow near the ocean. Dreaming i was on vacation but im stuck in ohio. Where in Florida are you located?

[@FloridaTurfPros]

We're in between Destin and Pensacola. This is really a beautiful area.

[@ehexzs10]

@@FloridaTurfPros Very Cool. We have been to FL 2x for vacation and that is where we have visited. Love it there

[@michaelknowsstocks5170]

how many solo yards are you doing? im at 65 yards and mostlikely will not add any more.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I used to do 12 a day on average. I don't do that anymore though. If I go solo only about 8.

[@aaronschramm5091]

So exactly what is your day to day role in the business?

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I'm going to do a video on this. I've been asked quite a lot.

[@alexrileyfoxhound5453]

John, you are solo? It may have been an older video but I thought I saw you had employees.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I have employees. I just wanted to make a video on the pros that many solo guys have. Lots of ways to skin the proverbial cat.

[@alexrileyfoxhound5453]

@@FloridaTurfPros 👍

[@T_81535]

Pay em. Pay em good enough to wanna come in. Work em 4 long hard days a week. Give em 3 day weekends. Come monday morning they oughta be hungry enough to come on in back to work. Works most of the time for me but you gotta pay enough for em to wanna come in or enough so that you dont have trouble finding new help. Good cheap labor aint a thing no more.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Paying well is a must sure sure.

[@matthewhughes4092]

W

[@Riverbendmowing]

Being Solo does not make real money. What are you going to do, beat your body to death everyday for 20-30 years? What happens if you get sick, hurt, time off. 2-3 full time guys year round generates 350-500K/year between mowing, snow, leaves, aeration. I use to like your channel, but some of these topics are ridiculous and not reality to build a business that runs itself.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Maybe you should read the description.

[@musselmanmedia5236]

reading is hard for people these days@@FloridaTurfPros

[@NewHopeCutzandLawnCare]

@@FloridaTurfProsyeap. I agree with you Jon. I am solo and working good money

[@workingcountry1776]

Most contractors are solo or +1. HVAC, electrical, plumbing, finish carpentry... almost never see big companies outside of big cities. Every single tradesman I know is at capacity with waiting list and charges industry standard rates and makes a good living. Lawn care being a luxury is tough during a recession as bad as this one. My county alone lost probably 2,000 jobs.... mind you we have 45-50k ppl in our county as we have many smaller mill towns. The next county over lost 6 figure number of jobs in the 90s-2010s and covid nailed alot of restaurants and shops shutters closed for good so maybe you should think that what works for your city now may not work for you in a couple of election cycles when your area loses all it's big payers.

[@gibsonslawnservice7261]

Divide that $500k up with 3 people taxes insurance and equipment it don't add up to much Solo guy here did $140k solo with every Saturday and Sunday off 🤷🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️