Open Association of Landscape Industries
Starting out
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Colin Hunt on -
Hello Jo. Firstly I would ask 'can you afford to take the plunge'. If you have heavy financial commitments, then I would say stop right now. If you feel you can take a drastic drop in money and are willing to try and build a business over a couple of years, then its worth a go.
Some things to consider:
Succesful, professional gardening bears little resmblance to doing your our own garden. You have to be focused, the day is long (our standard day is 7.30-5) come rain, shine, wind etc.. it is hard work.......and can be stressful!!
You will need to purchase tools and transport.
It should go without saying, but you need to be good! I dont think you should rely on being a 'lady gardener', the customer will be bright enough to work that out.
Winter will be a real problem when starting up.
That's a few negatives! On the positive side..................its a great way to earn a living, very satisfying and after 35 years I'm still learning. Good luck with whatever you decide.
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Permalink Reply by Joanne Hitchcock on -
Thank you for your reply, I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Jo
Colin Hunt said:
Hello Jo. Firstly I would ask 'can you afford to take the plunge'. If you have heavy financial commitments, then I would say stop right now. If you feel you can take a drastic drop in money and are willing to try and build a business over a couple of years, then its worth a go.
Some things to consider:
Succesful, professional gardening bears little resmblance to doing your our own garden. You have to be focused, the day is long (our standard day is 7.30-5) come rain, shine, wind etc.. it is hard work.......and can be stressful!!
You will need to purchase tools and transport.
It should go without saying, but you need to be good! I dont think you should rely on being a 'lady gardener', the customer will be bright enough to work that out.
Winter will be a real problem when starting up.
That's a few negatives! On the positive side..................its a great way to earn a living, very satisfying and after 35 years I'm still learning. Good luck with whatever you decide.
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Permalink Reply by Joanne Hitchcock on
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Hi Gaynor - I've added you as a friend - thank you for taking the time to respond to me, I really appreciate it. I look forward to speaking to you. Jo.
Gaynor Witchard said:
Hi Jo
I understand your position...if you want to add me as a friend I will email you and if you want to talk to me personally on the phone.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Craig McGinty on -
Hi Jo,
There are some forum posts under specific sections that might help, please see:
Marketing and also Legal/legislation
You may also find Understanding chargeout rates and business costs and Calculating travel costs useful.
Craig
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Adam Pilgrim on -
I have set up myself relatively recently - anything you think that I may be able to help you with, feel free to get in contact.
All I would say is to echo the comments above about long hours (when you have work), slack unearning periods (when you haven't) and winter......
Anything else you want to know, just ask!
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Jen@A&J Owenwindows&gardens on -
Hi Jo, I've also added you as a friend so if you want to chat/e-mail no probs.
As a fellow career changer I'd like to comment particularly on that though! I think you mentioned on another post that you have a very stressful job currently? I was also in a stressful job and that going self employed was the answer to all my problems but whilst I would not go back for a million pounds the following are problems I've experienced.....firstly, doing your own garden is definitely nothing like doing someone elses. For example I'm a 100% organic/environmentally friendly garden at home but that's not what others always want. I've had to learn to compromise and it's been hard at times. It's also much harder work as Colin's commented above. It nearly killed me to start with! Also, although your current job might be hell (mine was), if it's anything like mine it came with friends, good salary, paid holiday sick and all the perks. I still miss all those things after 3 years - I would be a liar if I said otherwise! Luckily I had no debt issues - if I had I would never have quit my job. There is also a 'status' issue - I was looked at as mad for doing what I did and some people will 'look down' on you because you are no longer in a 'professional' occupation. Not very nice but I have found that it can happen.
But on the positives, on a good day it's the best feeling in the world to be out there gardening, and it's pretty fantastic that your destiny lies more in your own hands than your employer.
Any help I can give - just shout!
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gardens4u.co.uk on -
not read all the above , but : if you have a job , id say stick with it.
no holiday pay
no sick pay
no pension
no mileage
no finish at 5.30
no bank holidays
no money
no life lol
dirty job
apart from the above its ok !
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Dan Frazer Gardening on -
I have to disagree with some of the above comments - even if you have a job, it's worth one day becoming your own boss. I was in environmental consultancy before but wouldn't go back, even if I was offered a 6-figure job in it, as I can't stand that type of work, plus running your own business has that sort of potential too if you can keep a business head on and carefully plan and schedule the staff and contractual issues.
My advice would be to go part-time in your current job if you can, advertise and give yourself a company name (I reckon avoiding flowery names may be a good idea here) and simply start doing some initial casual jobs. Approach it with a professional attitude, always communicate formally, don't get too attached to any clients as they are driven by their wallet as much as their loyalty to you.
You'll reach a balance point where it's much more easy to completely stop the paid work.
Keep a note of everything you spend and earn.
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Permalink Reply by Joanne Hitchcock on
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Hi there - big thanks to everyone for their comments, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to me. My husband went self-employed (as an electrician) 12 months ago so alot of the pitfalls are known to us; I have tools already including a petrol mower, rotovator and strimmer, and a van is on its way. The part-time option in my current job is probably a no-go but I am looking for a few hours a week in a nursery or garden centre. I know it's not going to be easy but I am determined to give it a go and make it work. Keep your comments/advice coming please. Thanks, Jo
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on -
Joanne, take on board all the points mentioned above BUT dont let it dishearten you.
It is hard, but if it were easy everyone would do it.
There is something quite special about making it all work and proving you can do it.
You've been thru some of it already but just a plan, a measurable plan keep it simple and divide it into sections.
Work to achieve each section before the next. It's much miore satisfying.
There are plenty of positive contributors on LJN who will gladly share knowledge and experience.
For me - was it hard tomake and grow a business - absolutely.
Do I enjoy it ? A 100% yes. It's MY business and represents my hard work. Ethics and dreams.
The Doubters you come across are merely jealous of you .... :-)
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
Hi Jo
First of all, good luck with your venture and feel free to keep popping in for advice because there are so many people on LJN who've done what you are doing at some stage in their career (or are thinking of doing the same).
Take a look at this string of subjects all of a similar theme; they may help: http://www.google.fr/search?hl=en-GB&q=starting+a+new+business+...
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Jen@A&J Owenwindows&gardens on -
Hi Jo, if I could sent myself some advice back 3 years I would by the best tools I could afford instead of messing around with domestic rubbish that just breaks! I also wouldn't have wasted time taking the rubbish away for customers because I know I made a loss on it each time.
Now might actually be a very good time to start if that's what you are planning because a lot of the decent maintenance people will be full up by now and that could be your niche? With 20 years gardening experience you are well ahead of where I was (or am now for that matter) but what I did have was a passion and determination that come what may I was going to run my own business - hard though it was.
All the very very best of luck, there's load of good advice on here!
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