Island Economics

San Juan Islands-specific considerations for this business:

• •Second homeowners and vacation rentals need reliable yard maintenance
• •Island properties can't easily hire mainland services—local advantage
• •Shorter growing season concentrates demand into intense months
• •Small island community—your reputation travels faster than anywhere else
• •Ferry schedule limits mainland competition for island properties

The $500 Experiment

Test this idea before investing heavily:

Getting Started

1. 1
   Start with basic equipment: mower, trimmer, blower

   • •Quality equipment is essential but start minimal to test demand
   • •Lawn care basics (mow, trim, blow) cover most residential needs
   • •Expand equipment as client base grows and income justifies it
2. 2
   Focus on a geographic area to minimize drive time

   • •Travel between jobs is unpaid time—tight routes maximize earnings
   • •Concentrated area builds neighborhood visibility and referrals
   • •Fuel and vehicle costs multiply with scattered territory
3. 3
   Build recurring weekly maintenance accounts for steady income

   • •Recurring clients provide predictable income vs. one-time jobs
   • •Regular clients trust you more and refer more often
   • •Schedule stability helps with equipment maintenance and planning
4. 4
   Add services incrementally as you grow

   • •Start simple and expand—don't overwhelm yourself learning everything at once
   • •Each new service requires equipment, knowledge, and pricing strategy
   • •Let client requests guide which services to add

Where the Money Goes

Expected startup and operating expenses:

Don't Cheap Out On

Areas where quality investment pays off:

Smart Places to Save

Areas where cost-cutting makes sense:

• •Start with a push mower before investing in riding equipment
• •Buy used commercial equipment from retiring landscapers
• •Maintain equipment yourself—YouTube tutorials for most repairs
• •Offer discounts to clients who refer multiple neighbors in the area
• •Share expensive specialty equipment with other landscapers

Cash Flow Considerations

Financial timing and planning notes:

• •Weekly mowing creates consistent weekly income during growing season
• •Winter income drops significantly—plan for seasonal variation
• •Equipment purchases are major capital outlays—save during peak season
• •Collect payment weekly or monthly with autopay for consistency

Risk Reducers

Strategies to reduce risk and increase odds of success:

• •Start with fewer clients done excellently rather than too many done poorly
• •Build a buffer of extra time in schedule for equipment breakdowns
• •Have backup equipment for critical failures during peak season
• •Diversify with year-round services (snow removal, holiday lights)
• •Document property conditions with photos before starting new clients
• •Get clear agreements about fertilizing, chemicals, and liability

Island Economics

San Juan Islands-specific considerations for this business:

• •Second homeowners and vacation rentals need reliable yard maintenance
• •Island properties can't easily hire mainland services—local advantage
• •Shorter growing season concentrates demand into intense months
• •Small island community—your reputation travels faster than anywhere else
• •Ferry schedule limits mainland competition for island properties

The $500 Experiment

Test this idea before investing heavily:

Getting Started

1. 1
   Start with basic equipment: mower, trimmer, blower

   • •Quality equipment is essential but start minimal to test demand
   • •Lawn care basics (mow, trim, blow) cover most residential needs
   • •Expand equipment as client base grows and income justifies it
2. 2
   Focus on a geographic area to minimize drive time

   • •Travel between jobs is unpaid time—tight routes maximize earnings
   • •Concentrated area builds neighborhood visibility and referrals
   • •Fuel and vehicle costs multiply with scattered territory
3. 3
   Build recurring weekly maintenance accounts for steady income

   • •Recurring clients provide predictable income vs. one-time jobs
   • •Regular clients trust you more and refer more often
   • •Schedule stability helps with equipment maintenance and planning
4. 4
   Add services incrementally as you grow

   • •Start simple and expand—don't overwhelm yourself learning everything at once
   • •Each new service requires equipment, knowledge, and pricing strategy
   • •Let client requests guide which services to add

Where the Money Goes

Expected startup and operating expenses:

Don't Cheap Out On

Areas where quality investment pays off:

Smart Places to Save

Areas where cost-cutting makes sense:

• •Start with a push mower before investing in riding equipment
• •Buy used commercial equipment from retiring landscapers
• •Maintain equipment yourself—YouTube tutorials for most repairs
• •Offer discounts to clients who refer multiple neighbors in the area
• •Share expensive specialty equipment with other landscapers

Cash Flow Considerations

Financial timing and planning notes:

• •Weekly mowing creates consistent weekly income during growing season
• •Winter income drops significantly—plan for seasonal variation
• •Equipment purchases are major capital outlays—save during peak season
• •Collect payment weekly or monthly with autopay for consistency

Risk Reducers

Strategies to reduce risk and increase odds of success:

• •Start with fewer clients done excellently rather than too many done poorly
• •Build a buffer of extra time in schedule for equipment breakdowns
• •Have backup equipment for critical failures during peak season
• •Diversify with year-round services (snow removal, holiday lights)
• •Document property conditions with photos before starting new clients
• •Get clear agreements about fertilizing, chemicals, and liability