Onwards and Upwards Part 2

Hello all,

Back in January I wrote my first blog, "Onwards and Upwards" http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/onwards-and-upwards

This described my origins and my plans for my business. Well I think it's time for a bit of an update.

Well I did state that I would like to get a bigger van and as it happens my hand was kind of forced with this as my poor old Renault Kangoo suffered a catastrophic engine failure. So I had to get a new van, I now have a SWB Ford Transit which is great, lots of room and it's nice being high up. I am waiting for the sign writing to go on which will be soon hopefully. I've also bought a brand new Bateson 720 trailer this year which has made life so much easier for me.

I have also invested in quite a lot of equipment this year too, so next year i'm hoping to build up the bank balance a bit.

Just after I wrote my blog I decided to have a website and it has proved to be worth its weight in gold, I really wish I had done it years ago. If you want to have a look it's here www.doughtygardenmaintenance.co.uk

I have got some really good jobs from it in the last couple of months and i'm getting a lot of enquiries arising from it. I am hopeful that next year things will get even better. As I have took on a few very large gardens alongside the work I was already doing I am going to be struggling for time next year so I have decided to buy a small second van and will be having my dad work for me, He will be doing the small local jobs for me so I can concentrate on the larger, more profitable jobs. My Dad is really looking forward to it as I am. I am pleased because I won't have to worry about the van or the machines as I would if it was just an employee. I think it will work out well.

As you may or may not have seen on here I got married in August to Gina my ever patient beautiful wife and it was an amazing day... best day of my life!.... even if I did get rather drunk at the reception!!

So all in all it's been a good year (I know it's far from over yet) I have some good work lined up for the winter and I am already braced for the next season. So again it's Onwards and Upwards for Doughty Garden Maintenance in 2013.

Thanks for reading, I hope you are all doing well.

"Plus it doesn't matter if we all know plants are better value. I'd make the point of this to the customer but if they want trough grown at the extra cost that's their choice I'd just do it"

"I've done 5ft Thorne troughs. Very easy to plant just got a mini digger dug the trench then drop them in couldn't be easier however £250 per m does seem expensive. "

Thought I'd sign up to this forum. And I hope I'm allowed to post stuff for sale on here as this will be a one off? I have for sale a tiny pro robot, it's not the new edition but it's the bigger one of the two. If anyone is interested then please…

Comments

andy @Doughty Garden Maintenance October 26, 2012 at 10:27pm

Thanks Rowly :-)
Benjamin O'Neill October 26, 2012 at 10:40pm

il only say one thing and thats sit back and put yer feet up for abit, its nice to look back at things and look at how far you have come, congrats matey =]
Jen@A&J Owenwindows&gardens October 27, 2012 at 7:35am

Well done Andy. Time for a bit of a winter rest though I think - you deserve it!
neil garrett October 27, 2012 at 5:33pm

Well done Andy,similar story to myself after 4 years doing maintenance on the side this year I decided to go for it,website was a great step forward bought a trailer,turned out to be a great idea for getting rid of waste down the tip using next doors car to tow it,I've got enough work booked in until Christmas with hard landscaping,a little worried about jan/feb early march as I have no cash saved just plugged it all back into the business buying equipment etc,I know it's still early days but hope some more work comes my way by January
andy @Doughty Garden Maintenance October 27, 2012 at 8:18pm

Thanks Ben and Jenny, I'll take advantage of the shorter working days after this weekend to rest a bit. But I have a 4 large jobs that will require a lot of work through the winter so i'll still be busy :-)
andy @Doughty Garden Maintenance October 27, 2012 at 8:19pm

Thank you Neil. Glad you're doing ok and I hope you continue to :-)
PRO

Brian www.mibservices.co.uk October 28, 2012 at 2:51pm

Great stuff Andy, lang may yer lumms reek ;-)
andy @Doughty Garden Maintenance October 28, 2012 at 3:44pm

Thanks Brian, ... I think. Lol :-)
PRO

Brian www.mibservices.co.uk October 28, 2012 at 7:32pm

Lol in queens english mate it means long may your fires burn
PRO

Mick Gammage October 28, 2012 at 7:34pm

well done Andy and all the best for the future :)