Expert: John A. Troland - 5/14/2005

Question
i was thinking about starting my own small buisness mowing lawns, lawn care service, also small brush clean up and leaves etc. if it is at all successfull and makes me some extra money i was going to try to also plow in the winter since i live in nh. but that would mean 4wd pickup and plow. i wanted to know if you could help in guiding me into the steps and things to look at before starting this buisness. for one i was thinking...
i could hire a friend and pay him 10.00/12.00 hr
then say he mows 3 lawns for me that day.
it takes hime 5 hours. i pay him 50.00-60.00.
but charge 40.00 for one lawn 50.00 for another and 35 for another. i would make 125.00 and that would give me about 75.00 profit for doing nothing.

but i plan on doing it myself and everything but that was just an idea. do you think its at all good?

well anyway if you could just give me some buisness startup thoughts that would be great.
i dont know where to start ya know?

thanks, matt


Answer
Matt:  Since your question involves a small business startup I would suggest you do the following:
           1) purchase a copy of the book Starting
              Your First Business by Jim R. Sapp;
              go to his website at www.sappbiz.com
           2) contact SCORE (Service Corp of Retired
              Executives); they offer free business
              assistance and counseling
           3) contact a Small Business development
              Center in your area for free assistance
              and booklets and phamphlets