What did you do before?

[JFMX345]

What did you guys do before the landscape bug bit?
I grew up on an orchard, and have been running tractors and equip since I was about 8.
I hated school, but went to vo-tech for carpentry. Then went to a computer school and took a mishmash of subjects from MS office to programming. All the while working for a bicycle shop. When computer school was over, the owner of the bike shop sold to the then manager and I took over for him. I worked there for 7yrs selling and fixing high-end custom road and mtn bikes. That was a great job, good hours, free bikes, and lunch hour rides. Then when the reality of needing a real job set in (you can only make so much turning wrenches on bicycles) and I had a son on the way. A good customer of mine was the GM of a car dealership and needed a new salesman. I worked in sales for a few months, got promoted to management, and worked there for a few years. Money was great, hours were terrible. Luckily for me I already owned a 1ton dually and 2 trailers, and had a few friends with skid steers. The few hours that I had off each week were spent doing landscape installs and minor hardscape jobs. I would line up two big jobs over vacation weeks. When business picked up, I demoted myself to service writer so I would have off every evening and weekend. That gave me a lot more time to focus on landscaping...
That was how I started. I know a few guys that just quit there jobs and took the plunge, but working part time gave me the freedom to get started (and make mistakes) without worrying about income. It was a much slower road, but it worked for me.

PS. I still get killer deals on trucks!

[Mike 33]

I was in auto-body repair. Started when i was 16 worked in garages until 22 then went in business for my self. Couldnt find any one to show up to spread crusher run in my driveway thought that would be a good business to be in. Bought a new 753 bobcat thought i would do those small jobs of spreading few ton of top soil and stone. Things then went to crap, every one thought i was going out of body business and wasent getting much bobcat work. Things started to get better than wife decides to leave and want 1/2 of bobcat business. So we start over rest is history.
mike

[Mbella]

I've been in the industry since high school. I went to college (landscaped while there), spent some time in the Marine Corps and am still in the biz.

I have worked for a small mom and pop biz, a national company and, finally for myself.

[cgland]

I have run the gamit! Worked with my uncle from the age of 12 untill 20 in his printing business all while being a Cashier/bagger at a local grocery store then promoted to receiver then to head receiver for 22 stores. Then worked in a paper mill running a slitter, then did inside sales for a metals place ( rerolling of copper and brass strip for semiconductor and stamping operations.) then promoted to outside sales. While I was training I quit to do this.

Chris

[gary1328]

About 10 years ago, I worked at a heat-treating plant. We dumped hoppers of screws onto a conveyer which led to a very large furnace. They passed through the furnace at a variable speed and then we had to do all kind of tests on them. Temper, speed, hardness, etc.

[dclandscaping]

After college I decided to join the army. Spent 12 years in it, the last 2 doing landscaping part time building my bus. Decided to get out after a "vacation" in Afghanistan. Now kicking the cat full time with a medical pension (bad ankle) to back me up. Before college I worked bagging groceries and for my dad (tree removal/trimming)

[zedosix]

I worked in a tree and plant nursery when I was 13 yrs old. Starting salary was $2.50 p/hr. Worked there part time until I was out of school. Worked at a large grocery chain store packing bags and pushing carts etc til I was 19yrs old. The son of the nursery where I worked started a landscape business and asked if I would join, that was in 1984. I became foreman of 3 crews 2 yrs later and finally in 1987 I started my co. I built my name around honesty and hard work and attention to detail. My future plans are to sell the company, teach karate and hopefully buy a place on the st. lawrence river and kayak my days away.

[tthomass]

Grew up on a 240 acre beef cattle farm. At 16yrs went to work for a friend of the family that just started a construction business ($5.50hr) remodeling houses, building garages, building houses etc. At 17yrs.....I don't remember actually?? When I turned 18yrs I worked a Lowe's ($6.25hr) and then went to Virginia Tech to get my associates in Landscape and Turf Management. While at VT I worked for a catering company ($7hr) on the weekends and/or evenings catering campus events. The summer between my two years there I had to do an internship and worked at TruGreen Landcare ($9hr). I graduated in 2004 and went to work as assistant foreman for a large landscape company ($12.50hr) in northern VA for 8 months. Left there and went to another company ($30k leaving at $36.4k) for 1 1/2yrs before going out on my own in May of 2006 ($ha.haha says Uncle Sam). Ever since I was a baby (literally) I have been working in the family business as needed. My Dad has a retail furniture business and I would go out on deliveries, unload trucks, assembly furniture, load up people etc.

So I've had a lot of different experiences but basically went straight into the industry after school, shortly after started my own company and here I am. 'Rock Water Farm' is the name of the farm I grew up on and my company name.

[STLPONDS]

I started in the restaurant biz when I was 14 busing tables. When I was 17 I washed dishes for the same restaurant making $325 a week cash in the late '80's Became a bartender when I was 19 (Italian restaurant) When I turned 23 I was in a car wreck and had some money to start a lawncare biz almost. I walked outside one summer day and thought it was to hot to work outside, so I stayed a bartender for 2 more years. At 25 I went to work at a school dist on the grounds department. At 30 I quit everything and started a concrete curbing business with NO money. 6 years later I'm still trying to build my Pond and hard/landscape business. I wish it wasn't to hot for me on that summer day. Live and Learn!

[mrusk]

Before i went into business i went to high school.


I actually have a very strong construction background. I started working his a framing crew when i was a freshman. I worked weekends and days off from school for 3 years. Then i spent 2 years working with 2 different general contractors. I got thrown around between there subs. I was exposed to all phases of construction, on both new construction and remodels. I'd be shooting grade for the excavator one day and helping the tile sub lay tile the next.

Honestly, its the best education i could of ask for. I really think its why i am able to do what i am at my age. I think anyone that trys to start a hardscape business with out a construction background is at such a disadvantage. Thats one reason why alot of lawn guys can never really make it doing hardscapes. I never really understood why lawn guys even try hardscapes, i see no connection between the two.


I never worked for a landscape company ever.