"From personal experience a dealer knows very little about machinery outside of their shop, they can sell or push an item but they don’t use them daily so don’t listen to what they have to say about performance, they only know what they have read in…"

"Hi Andrew,
Thank you for the reply, I have found it really helpful.
I think you're right, I'm working somewhat back to front. I'll reevaluate this weekend."

"Hi James, there is always great excitment when starting out to think about shiny new kit - it's natural and we all do it. However, step back. Kit is readily available quickly, so no need to rush into it. What's more important is to work out who your…"

"Hi Geoffrey,
Thanks for the reply. 
Im fairly focused on the items I would like prior to start in a mower, long reach trimmer etc. Just the options and if you go with a kombi system etc, think im just nervous given the prices involved, only have one…"

"Hi James, 
I have next thursday pencilled in as the big day to hand it in, nervous but excited. 
My position of the last 8 or so years has been office management and various different office type things, prior to that retail and liesure management.…"

"Hello James,
I'd say you need to be clear what sort of gardening, you're offering, as it varies considerably.
Maintance or restoration.
All power tools or hand work.
Planting?
Organic, peat & pesticide free?
This will determine who you are aiming at…"

"Hi Ian, 
Thank you for your reply.
Sensible stuff, I am somewhat stepping into the unknown and Im aware the better course would have been working for someone else for a year to learn the business and expand my skills but circumstances dont really al…"

"Hi James I'm in the same position as you only I haven't handed in my notice yet. I was wondering what you current job is and what background you have had in the industry if any? Good luck in you venture and I wish you all the best
Maybe we could hel…"

"Morning Vic,
The pricing thread makes perfect sense to me, just a case of getting my quotes right with no experience but im sure it'll come in time.
I reached out to all local garden business to request general prices as I don't want to undercut the…"

"Hi- and welcome to a great industry and a great forum. 
I would say that the first thing that you should do (as with any business) is to research what your likely market is. This will mainly be determined by your location and working area and what c…"

"Hello and welcome to the club. Welcome to life being controlled and dominated by the weather.
The advice I would give the ‘me’ of 29 years ago when I went self-employed is the critical advice I would give to any new start up gardening business.
Get…"

"not for me, i thrive on unpredictability, the less routine the better lol ... what i do is weather dependent and have elderly parents and young children, i am out pretty much every sunday and bank holiday with my other business, again the results fr…"

"That’s a worry when you are in business lol"