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Permalink Reply by Dave Lockney on April 22, 2012 at 21:25

I started July last year. It went mad for me too. Learnt a lot by mistakes - mainly in pricing and saying 'yes' to everything. Still evaluating whether I can make it pay but really enjoy it. 

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Rich AGS on April 22, 2012 at 22:35

HI mark

i have been building my business up over the last two years when i was in full work time as well, this gave me time to build up clients and machinery etc for the business  i have never advertised just word of month, most of my work is commercial .

MB Groundcare said:

Hi Rich, I'm just about to start as a self employed gardener, doing garden maintenance and lawn care mainly. Do you mind me asking how you found your first clients, i.e did you advertise etc? I'm just having flyers made and finishing a website, but was wondering how others found those first clients. Its an incredibly nervewracking and exciting time going it alone. Have you found enough work initially to support yourself, as I guess that's the main worry early on.

Hope your business continues to do well.

Many Thanks, Mark.

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Permalink Reply by Simon Jarvis on April 25, 2012 at 15:23

I have been going about 8 weeks now and have been really suprised at how quickly it has taken off. I have been almost fully booked for the last 3 weeks. Probably as it was a good time of year to start

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Permalink Reply by Gary, GS Grounds Maintenance on April 25, 2012 at 18:51

It is now 7 years since i started up my own business.  Towards the end of my 1st year i had one person working for me and i had built up a reasonable amount of clients to keep us busy most of the year round.  Most of our work now days is commercial however in my 1st year it was all residential.  I found that postcard advertisements in shop windows was a good way of gaining residential work when i first started out.

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Permalink Reply by Colin Hunt on April 26, 2012 at 6:38

You said it Simon - couldnt be a beter time to start! So many people come out of hibernation around Easter and think about 'getting their garden sorted', most established firms are booked solid with existing work(not helped by a plethera of Bank holidays!) and it's the time to jump in! Good luck Simon!

Simon Jarvis said:

I have been going about 8 weeks now and have been really suprised at how quickly it has taken off. I have been almost fully booked for the last 3 weeks. Probably as it was a good time of year to start

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