THE UGLY TRUTH ABOUT YOUR FIRST YEAR WITH A LAWN BUSINESS

www.turfprosacademy.com is a mirror image of the business model Jonathan used to build Florida Turf Pros. If you're looking to start your own lawn care business, or if you feel like your lawn care business should be more profitable than what it is, this is the course for you.
My 3 Favorite Lawn Care Tools:
For Pruning: Dewalt Hand Saw amzn.to/3hCWYPJ
Best Multi Tool: Leatherman Skeletool amzn.to/34n8YlV
Best Boots: Merrell Foresbtound amzn.to/3sXaCoo
My Story:
In 2016 I had been in law enforcement for almost 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, my own income, and I am proud of what I have built.
On this channel you will learn the steps I have taken (and am still taking) to have a lawn care business that serves ME and my family’s needs.
We are a small owner operated company (2 full time mowing trucks/crews, and now a sod installation division).
If you are interested in starting a lawn care business this channel will provide the direction.
This really is a great industry to be in…
And I hope that by documenting my journey it will help you too.

[@lilmosca4607]

Idk if it’s just the older generation…but I never really took long with paperwork, or office work. Probably because I have technology on my side. No kids no wife, just my business partner and I.

[@hashrosinking1608]

The hardest part of the first year is relying on the short amount of customers you have to keep you as a client throughout the year because it's very difficult to earn new clients midway through the mowing season.

[@734gman-vs5uf]

N the ones you get are the yards nobody wants cause theyre underpaid n wet swamps or all push mower backyards who want biweekly cuts for 35 bucks. Lol

[@brandonwynn3965]

Gotta be honest made it to over 50 account first year did over 100k mostly because I watched you and Mike Andes before I went for the spring rush. 2nd year I’m already at 70k since March. Appreciate your videos

[@paulreints2279]

Congratulations. What did you do to land 50 that worked the most? I've been part time in lawn care since 2020 & have 22 accounts as of today. I don't spend a dime on advertising & still have a day job, but I want to quit & cut lawns full time, but I don't quite know how to advertise effectively.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Solid. I always feel pride to be mentioned in the same sentence as Mike 😂

[@linearflight4064]

Second this I’d love to hear what methods you use for marketing.

[@nelsondorgan2758]

Hoping to be one of those who work a full time job and do lawn care part time. Off reg job between 12 and 1 pm everyday. Going to use the afternoon hours for lawn maintenance. Want to keep it small for now and see what happens.

[@TurningBlades]

I have a friend with 60 accounts and started working with him last summer as a part time gig. Luckily, I’m blessed to have a good full time job so I didn’t need to “hustle”. I took my time to learn the trade and buy my equipment over a years time. I’m now solo with some accounts and still helping my friend as 60 clients is a lot for a side gig. Lol. Thanks again!

[@734gman-vs5uf]

My first yr in lawncare. End of may promised by my brother who has an established service he wanted no new customers and would send all side work and new customers to me. Promised 10-20 referrals a week from him n 5-10 a week from 2 of his buddies each (both of whom didnt know he said that. After quitting my 27 an hr job n taking loan to buy equipment he decided hed take all new customers n i could be his employee while he screamed at me n left me using edgers with bad blades or using my own while being his employee. Using a backpack blower with broken strap throwing my shoulder out.... Went on my own n got luck with his one buddy who didnt know he was sending me 5-10 customers a week who allowed me to work with him for better pay. In michigan, after 10 customers by the end of season, EVERY customer decided no leaf clean up. Built a 20 customer snow route, then it snowed three times n 5 of them just decided to do their own snow.... Just now up to 25 customers most underquoted....

[@jessiecole659]

Fixing to go full time lawn care quitting my job at a golf course of 25 years. Man I'm so thankful for your videos

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Glad you enjoy them. Good luck in your new business. Check out Turf Pros Academy. It may be useful to you..

[@TopNotchPropertyServiceLLC]

I have two kids and a girlfriend who I’m trying to balance out and she’s working and I’m working and the whole first year was rough. I missed the spring rush and started in mid summer and had really really minimal equipment. I started without a trimmer edger or blower! But made it work and learned a ton about pricing. I also wasted soooo much time with custome made incoicing and no crm. Go get yardbook it’s free!!

[@maxgreenlawncarellc3678]

Plan it, have goals, motivate & and discipline yourself. Got to have it to make it work.

[@EduardoLopez-jk2gl]

Thank you so much for your sincere talks and advice for Lawntrepeneurs! I keep learning from your content and I just had to give props to you and your family for sharing your knowledge and understanding of this industry. Turf pros academy here we come!

[@TopNotchPropertyServiceLLC]

Great video thanks for sharing!

[@ericstinnett9182]

Great video, also preparing for rainy days slow days winter months is very challenging as well. Thanks

[@user-zh5zg4gd8i]

First year in the business this year…definitely needed this video lol. Appreciate ya! 👊🏻

[@simonduvall3945]

Love this content. This avdice can help out pretty much any new business owener, especially service based business. Lots of truth and useable advice

[@vassimobin8772]

Hey man, This year we have built up to 90k in revenue as of mid May. I have been doing this for the last 2.5 years and have learned so much from you and Mike Andes, truly have helped me reached my goals as university didn’t work out as planned. I just turned 23 and I’m still learning and making mistakes but just wanted to thank you for all the great content you put out. My biggest challenge in first year of business was figuring out pricing, your video on pricing and creating a price matrix really brought me to the next level Thanks again and good luck in your season

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Thanks for the kind words. Sounds like you're off to a great start.

[@mikehardaway11]

I been doing this in side for many years. Started my LLC a little over a year ago. I say everyday I’m going full time but the insurance is a big thing for me. I’m currently at about 10-15 lawns and need to jump all in to get to next level just scared as shit. Love your content keep it up.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

You can do it... good luck!

[@hashrosinking1608]

I'm full time with 23 yards. $5,250 a month. Weekly clients only. You're almost there!

[@xxKURTMANxx]

@@hashrosinking1608that’s awesome. I’m also currently at about 15 but biweekly’s. Where are you to pull $55 weekly yards? Here in Tampa,FL that ain’t happening

[@upscalelawncaremonroe408]

A good video real good info, good stuff!!!!

[@andrewtaylor-hv3oh]

Getting clients and building good routes is the most frustrating for be thus far, 3 months in. Appreciate the content

[@FloridaTurfPros]

It really takes time... I will do a video on this topic.

[@SouthernDadshift]

37 here and by December I’ll be 38 I’m tired of the office thanks for these videos… I’m about to go head first

[@Camo-Dan]

This is a fantastic video. You really hit the nail on the head on this one. I work sun up to sundown on the 3 full days a week i have available schedule wise. Due to having two kids and my girlfriend works 4 days a week im only able to do 3. And weeknights but that costs me. My gf is usually upset and stressed. I totally dont have the right equipment even still. Last fall my mower broke down the last week of the season multiple times. Luckily im a mechanic so i fixed the fuses and switches that went out and was able to jump the starter solenoid😅 Customer said “i think you’re due for an updated mower.” Also fall cleanups are a real challenge and in general not having a stand on mower and not having a dump bed insert yet or dump trailer is absolutely tough.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Agree. Sounds like you're pretty handy, though... which is a great thing to be in the this business!

[@paulreints2279]

Spot-on about your rapport building and professionalism. I'm part time in this industry since 2020, only 22 accounts. I want to go all in next season. I'm experiencing the issues you mentioned about equipment breakdowns, time management issues, difficult customers sensing insecurities & trying to negotiate my estimates, etc. I'm a former cop too so I know how to handle adversity & No-People, but I'm still struggling to understand how to effectively advertise & grow my route, with greater route density. Thanks for all of your videos, you have helped me out a ton already, God bless.

[@optimallawnmaint]

I left LE after 10 years a year ago and went full time with my business after several years of it on the side of working the late shift. Best decision I’ve ever made. The best thing I did for prep of my first full time season was get a solid logo and branding designed, yard signs out, door hangers in my target neighborhoods and posting them at the local grocery stores, a Google business page, website and Facebook page. They all start talking and help your SEO….this help people find you. Your LE experience will make interacting, selling and communicating with clients and potential customers. Do good work and the rest will fall in line.

[@paulreints2279]

@@optimallawnmaint Thanks. I've got the name & logo too, Lawn In Order... Everyone comments on it and I've landed many jobs because it resonates with people & they remember it. I definitely want to do this full time & your advice will help.

[@chancecooper9246]

Really good video man....I am retiring as a Field Grade Officer in a few years making 160k, and your videos have really persuaded me to want to do this....Thats crazy lol...If I told my Officer peers that they would look at me sideways lol. But I really like the idea. ITS YOUR COMPANY!

[@robertmailhos8159]

The ugly truth about that matter is a great thing to talk about that matter young man 👍😎

[@Azntrutek2012]

Thank you.

[@charliecasseday8886]

I been on the fence about starting my own lawn business for 4 years

[@juliansalinas3154]

Thanks for the heads up. Ive been teaching for 7 years with a passion for lawn care. I started mowing lawns 2 months ago so I can have some work for the summer. I now have 13 clients and it seems to be working out. Teaching has definitely helped with the people skills aspect you mentioned. I am trying to scale up to work my way out of my current profession. Thanks again for the information.!

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Good luck!

[@lawn65]

Appreciate your videos

[@ryanfoley9999]

Amen Johnathan you can't try for a million dollar company your first year save & buy 1 item at a time so you don't go in depth or you'll never get where you wanna go just have faith & always move forward.

[@jimb1073]

Did you start off as a LLC? I’m in my first year, your videos are very helpful, Thank you

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Yes, moved to an S Corp pretty quickly

[@briandanielson5818]

What brand of stander mower are you using?

[@lawnfreak3543]

I run a 52 and a 48 if the property is too small for those mowers I don't do it

[@Gregoman89]

I’m considering opening a business. I understand it will take time to grow: how do you guys handle health care down the road?

[@FloridaTurfPros]

My wife works part time at a local hospital and she carries our family health insurance. To be honest, this is a very challenging thing for any self employed business.

[@spikesjk]

My first year had a heart attack. But doing good now 3 years in a lot easier.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Dang man, take care!

[@spikesjk]

@Florida Turf Pros I am now. Build my own house and mowing is great!

[@dominickwynn2435]

That ain’t no joke. My best advice is learn how to work on your mower and stay ahead of problem items. I’m getting back into law care with a revived old 36” Lesco Belt drive walk behind I used back in 2004 working with my Pops in his lawn care business and I am able to get it going with preventative maintenance and replacing or having back up parts for things that look like they could break. Additionally, I have an accounting degree and actually work in Big 4 accounting and I wish I knew/though now with my degree and experience back when I was in my early 20s.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

💯 An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of repairs.

[@stroutma]

Confidence when pricing were questionable for me starting out and sometimes now. I am part-time though.

[@lawn65]

My 2nd year 21 accounts its tuff.

[@hashrosinking1608]

Same 21 clients. Weekly only. $1200 a week.

[@BrokenBuilder375]

I just tuned 12 and I’m trying to start a lawn business do you have any tips for how to get customers?

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Talk to your parents about what's realistic for you. Work close to home under your parents supervision. Good luck.

[@eddietrevino3280]

My BIGGEST problem is pricing jobs correctly. Hopefully I can start pricing jobs correctly and make a decent profit.

[@hitracing3862]

It’s pretty simple. Have a comprehensive understanding of your cost structure, if not, $100 an hour is a good figure to start at unless your totally overloaded with debt and other overhead. Begin tracking your turf square footage, level of property difficulty, and actual production times on properties then break it down into a simple number. For example: Easy: 250 square feet serviced per minute Moderate: 200 square feet per minute Difficult: 150-175 square feet per minute Now measure the turf size and divide from the above accordingly. Example: 6000 square feet of easy turf/250 = 24 minutes x $1.66 ($100/60)= $39.84. Tracking turf square footage, actual production rates, and understanding your cost structure is key. Once you understand your cost structure a little better and your production rates you’ll be able to bid more accurately

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Look at some of my most recent videos... I cover lawn care pricing extensively.

[@andreabond3501]

Stress levels 0-100 up and down God with me at times

[@Hillsidelanscapemanagement]

The family/work balance wasn't so bad the first year. After the business grew and I had a handful of employees to care for, that really made the family/work balance difficult. Even last year, as a solo guy, that balance can be tricky. Always place family above work. It's not a 50/50 balancing act. That doesn't mean that you should spend more time with family than work. It means the time with family is pure quality time. When I'm with family, work is set aside. I have had to set strict time limits on answering calls and emails from clients. It's done during working hours or first thing in the morning before anyone else is awake. I don't know the numbers, however, I would bet that a good number of new entrepreneurs have a high divorce rate. That balance is really tricky

[@FloridaTurfPros]

This is very true. Being present when you're with family is so important. Good comment.

[@ryanfoley9999]

You have ups & downs like everything but twice a crunch...

[@user-on4vw8zp2q]

i have to get th4 mowers and one self propelled for my sons business two whipper snipers and double up on spares