Growing up in upstate New York, I knew the value of hard work. As a teenager, I started my own lawn care business, and learned a few things along the way that have stuck with me to this day. Here are some lessons I learned from my experience:
Helping Others
I started my business to earn some extra cash, but I quickly realized that it was about more than that. It was about making people’s yards look great, and seeing the satisfaction on their faces when I finished a job. Helping others and making their lives a little easier was a reward in itself.
Job Well Done
At first, I thought as long as the grass was shorter when I left than it was when I arrived, I had done a good job. But I soon realized that there was more to it than that. A job well done meant taking care of the details – trimming the edges, blowing away the clippings, and leaving the yard looking neat and tidy. It meant going above and beyond what was expected, and taking pride in the work I did.
Simple Pleasures
As a teenager, I spent a lot of time indoors – watching TV, playing video games, or doing homework. But when I started my lawn care business, I had a reason to be outside, breathing in the fresh air and feeling the sun on my face. It was a great feeling, and it reminded me of the simple pleasures in life.
Supporting Local Businesses
No matter how careful I was with my equipment, things would occasionally break or wear out. But having a local repair shop that I could count on to fix my lawnmower quickly and affordably gave me peace of mind. It also taught me the value of building relationships with people in my community, and of supporting local businesses.
Of course, there were some challenges along the way. There were days when the weather didn’t cooperate – when it was too hot or too rainy to mow lawns. And there were days when I had more lawns to mow than time in the day. But I learned to be flexible, to adapt to changing circumstances, and to prioritize my tasks based on what was most important.
Looking back on my lawn care business, I’m grateful for the lessons I learned. They’ve helped me in my personal and professional life, and they’ve taught me that the simple things – helping others, doing a job well, enjoying the outdoors, and supporting local businesses – can bring great satisfaction and joy. So, whether you’re a teenager starting your own lawn care business or someone who just loves to mow the lawn, remember these lessons and enjoy the ride!