Hey Lawn Care Millionaires, my name is CJ. I own Buffalo Outdoor, and today I want to share a bit about my journey and some insights into building a successful lawn care business.
From Humble Beginnings to Massive Growth
When we started in 2016, our focus was simply on mowing grass. That year, we generated $125,000 in revenue. As we evolved, we expanded our services to include fertilization, weed control, and pest control. Fast forward to today, and we’re on track to achieve just under $4 million in revenue.
However, the path to success wasn’t always smooth. In the beginning, it was messy, stressful, and chaotic with insane working hours. It wasn’t fun, but those tough times are an inevitable part of building a business.
The Turning Point: Hiring Help
Every business owner reaches a breaking point where the stress feels unbearable. For us, the turning point came when we started making enough money to hire help. This milestone typically happens around the $1 to $2 million mark, though it can vary based on your services.
Once you start bringing people on board, it’s no longer just you against the world. This phase is all about finding the right people to help you move forward and take tasks off your plate, allowing you to focus on pushing the business forward.
Scaling Up: Strategic Focus
Currently, we’re projected to reach just under $4 million this year and employ between 35 to 40 people, depending on the season. Our services now include pest control, fertilization, weed control, and we’re even starting an irrigation division. We’ve also recently rebranded.
Our current strategy focuses on developing our organization and management teams. These elements are crucial for leveling up and sustaining growth.
The Importance of Timing and Focus
In today’s world, there’s an abundance of information, and while much of it is good, even the best advice at the wrong time can lead to poor results. It’s essential to understand your business stage and act accordingly.
Early on, I was fortunate to receive good advice. For example, if you’re generating around $250,000 in revenue, don’t spend countless hours on things like organizational charts or complex management structures. Instead, simplify your processes. Less is more.
Embrace Change and Adaptability
Another valuable piece of advice is not to get bogged down in processes during the early stages. When you’re growing fast, processes will change quickly. The 80/20 rule and focusing on just a few key things will help you move faster through the initial growth phase. The quicker you get through this stage, the sooner you can afford help and see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Peer Support and Continuous Learning
In the early stages, it’s challenging to know which advice to implement and which to postpone. This is where peer groups become crucial. Surrounding yourself with people who have been there and done that can provide guidance on what to focus on and what to set aside for later.
You’ll learn a lot of valuable information that you can come back to when the time is right. Write it down, file it away, and revisit it when appropriate.
Thank you all for taking the time to watch this video. I hope you found it helpful. Make sure to follow LCM on all of our platforms. If you want to be featured as a lawn care millionaire, just click the link below.
This blog post captures the essence of my journey and the insights I’ve gained along the way. Building a successful lawn care business is about perseverance, strategic hiring, and knowing when to focus on specific aspects of your business. Keep pushing forward, and you’ll achieve your goals.
