Summary for a fresh start up, BIGGA and the lack of a lawn mower!

Good morning all, I hope you have all had a great Christmas and a happy new year?How exhausted am I? I got into Germany last night having driven my 40 year old landrover across with me that I shall use as a promotional tool. (the landrover is another story within itself)!Basically I am wondering if the BIGGA show would be worth while attending as I am a fresh start up business. (specialising in lawn care and lawn mowing)http://btme.org.uk/I have done a huge amount of research and I feel I have just about everything in place. (everything in place for a new business start up as markets change and other things are over looked.). I am running approx one month behind due to a very close family member recently passing away. I am awaiting my company tax number and my website just needs translating into German with a few little tweaks here and there. With the company truck ready for her stickers i could well and truly begin the launch of the company next week.A decision has been made to purchase Stihl combi tools to include the strimmer, hedge cutter from the local dealer. Maybe a blower or a power sweeper attachment as well ? I feel this Kombi machine works out cheaper in the long run. The hedge sheerer is a requirement for my own garden. If I have the knack then I am quite sure there is good money in cutting hedges as well. I have one of those Japanese hand held turbo saws and a pair of Felco 13 pruning shears which will save me from purchasing a chainsaw for small pruning jobs!Upon a recent topic here concerning law mowers http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/lawnflight-mowersI had decided to purchase the lawnflight mower. I still lean towards the Hayter pro (purley upon branding. The germans love a great identifiable brand) yet the lawnflight machines appear to have the edge? Naturally I would prefer to source my mower over here in germany but I am struggling no end. Do law mowers over here have a different brand name or is it ze Germans do not sell as many roller mowers as the Brits? Any suggestions or pointers are gladly welcomed.All design / art work / marketing material just need a slight amendment here and there but everything is ready for print.I will start my flyer com-pain next month which is a multi phase operation. I will run my German lessons in the morning then I will distribute my flyers. I also want to enrolled on a distance learning course probably offered by IOG sports turf care. Again any experience suggestions are very welcome.The flyers in february are only to really get my company branding across and allow me to identify the areas of intent and to time myself. I will be using GPS to analiyse the areas covered.The March flyer compain will be an attempt to individualise each and every front lawn by quoting on the flyer how much i will charge the client. Also I will begin promoting "on your second cut you get a free lawn treatment"Hence my leading question. Would I benefit from attending the BIGGA show next weekend. I may have to scoot back over to the uk as my other car I am selling to fund my lawn care company has been having new brake pads so I may find my self flying back to the uk to collect my car which is up for sale.The nature of a new venture. Excitement and nerves keep propelling me forward. With over a month away from the project I am relieved that I had researched and wrote a detailed business plan.All the company requires now are a full diary of bookings and satisfied customers. My customers will be my reward. Hopefully my investment and countless sleepless nights will pay dividend in a couple of seasons time when I hope to purchase a new landrover or a new van with heating!The only thing stopping me now is the lack of the lawn mower. Hmmm is my lack of a lawn mower like an army having a lack of soldiers?!!Thanks for reading and thank you in advance for all positive feedback.

Replies

PRO

Phil Voice January 15, 2013 at 10:49am

What a refreshing story Gregory.

I wish you well in your new venture and I'm pleased that LJN has been able to play a part in the creation of your new business.

Please do keep us up to date on how you get on.

Kind regards

Phil
PRO

Phil Voice January 15, 2013 at 10:51am

p.s. It certainly wouldn't hurt if you attended the BIGGA event.
English Sheep January 15, 2013 at 12:01pm

Good morning Phil.

Thank you very much for your kind words.

May I ask how the BIGGA event would/could benifit me as I would need to book flights for this weekend. The approx cost for me to attend the event would be around £400. This figure takes into account all travel expenses and food.

Phil do you believe I would get £400 worth of value from the weekend? It is very difficult for me to judge something like this.

Regards

Gregory
English Sheep January 15, 2013 at 12:02pm

Ps.

My private messages do not work from the iPad. I will reply when I get back to the computer.

Regards.
PRO

Phil Voice January 15, 2013 at 12:11pm

More in terms or general interest and seeing some machinery up close and personal.
Considering the cost and distance involved I would see that attending was commercial viable in the short term.

Gregory Roberts said:

Good morning Phil.

Thank you very much for your kind words.

May I ask how the BIGGA event would/could benifit me as I would need to book flights for this weekend. The approx cost for me to attend the event would be around £400. This figure takes into account all travel expenses and food.

Phil do you believe I would get £400 worth of value from the weekend? It is very difficult for me to judge something like this.

Regards

Gregory
Lawncare-4u.co.uk January 15, 2013 at 10:32pm

Greg,
how was the training/ courses in scotland ? i hope our short meeting was beneficial ! you didnt catch me at a good time , although i did have 30 mins free time -

Glad you are all set up and good luck. 40 yr old landy !! isnt 20 enough... was that WW2 ? :)