Great read so far. This article interests me.
So many variables here. A lot of your potential success depends on where you live, who you know, level of common sense, business saavy, etc.
I live in the richest part of PA. Lots of wealth to be served. The last business I'd go into is small time lawn service. There's plenty of "foreign" labor to serve that market.
I've got 10 guys willing to cut the 3 acres of grass around my house for $35. :laughing:
2 years ago, I went into the business of field mowing because I had a couple ongoing construction customers who asked me if I could take on their land to manage. There's a few players around me cutting fields. Many years ago, it was the local farmer. Most of them have sold off or died off and left an opening for cutting fields they once cut.
I already had 2 tractors I used in construction and snow plowing and it wasn't terribly difficult to buy an 8' bush hog and an 11' triplex finish mower (both used-good deals) and dive in.
After 2 years, I found it to be a nice SIDE income, but not primary income (we rely on construction for more serious income). However, now I wouldn't be without my field mowing business.
The key to me is the customer base. I turn down most anything that doesn't feel right and focus on good customers only. I solicit new customers through targeted direct mailing to owners/managers of large parcels. Once I'm "in", I rebuild their barns & garages, build retaining walls, stone driveways, install gates, lay pipe, etc.
Believe it or not, I actually have only 4 really good customers a few other decent customers, and while relying on the good ones, gain hopefully a few more each year. I hope to grow the business carefully aquiring rich clientele and avoiding "hacks" that pay slow or ask to cut anything that looks dangerous to my equipment or myself. I ask to be paid when I'm done, or within a week before I agree to cut.
Bottom line key to me is you need to be versatile-able to do more than just cut their fields. If you buy a tractor and only use it to mow, chances are it won't pay, but if you use it to plow snow, etc., you'll be busier and hopefully making more money with your investment.
lately, I've been asked to hay land for a couple of 40-50 acre customers. It's tempting, but I can't justify the investment in the equipment. Just too much to manage, repair, store.
A man has to know his limitations.