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What to do for a logo?
#1
1
12348910
1
12348910
My mom have this thing that can make stickers or print stuff onto shirts/sweatshirts. What should I do for a logo? I want something like this but I want a cool name on it (like my “business” name) by the way I’m only 14 
#2
R
Rivets
R
Rivets
Are you trying to look professional or just want to get noticed? You are making a common mistake when trying to get noticed. What do you think the people you want be hired by, like about you when your logo looks like the one you posted? Do they say “This looks like a respectable young man or what kind of job is this kid going to do?” My recommendation is to keep the name simple and easy to remember. Worry about the logo down the road, after people are pleased with your work.
#3
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12348910
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12348910
I want to look professional but not super professional. That is a good idea to try something else because that logo might not be the best.Are you trying to look professional or just want to get noticed? You are making a common mistake when trying to get noticed. What do you think the people you want be hired by, like about you when your logo looks like the one you posted? Do they say “This looks like a respectable young man or what kind of job is this kid going to do?” My recommendation is to keep the name simple and easy to remember. Worry about the logo down the road, after people are pleased with your work.
#4
H
Honest Abe
H
Honest Abe
Hmmm, a lot is totally dependent on "What" your business is ??? If you're doing Lawn Mowing, I don't want anyone just hot-rodding up and down my yard as fast as they can leaving it looking like a dirt-track.My mom have this thing that can make stickers or print stuff onto shirts/sweatshirts. What should I do for a logo? I want something like this but I want a cool name on it (like my “business” name) by the way I’m only 14 View attachment 67424
#5
1
12348910
1
12348910
I understand what you’re saying, but I want something that stands out and isn’t supper basic. I guess I should get more customers firstHmmm, a lot is totally dependent on "What" your business is ??? If you're doing Lawn Mowing, I don't want anyone just hot-rodding up and down my yard as fast as they can leaving it looking like a dirt-track.
#6
Scrubcadet10
Keep it simple, this is a generic clipart off google,
Scrubcadet10
Keep it simple, this is a generic clipart off google,
#7
StarTech
StarTech
Business cards are nice so your can have your number available but your best advertising is word of mouth as if you do good work they will refer you to their friends.
#8
1
12348910
1
12348910
In order from top to bottom, I came up with front corner of shirt, back middle of shirt, back of business card, front of business card. I covered my phone number for privacy. I chose Tractor Boy (TB) as my name because I couldn’t think of anything else and because at school my teacher and friends call me that since I always work on ridding lawn mowers (tractors) at home and school 
#9
B
bertsmobile1
B
bertsmobile1
In partnership with a friend we set up a courier service that ran for 25 years & at it's height was turning over $ 8,000,000 / year.
No uniforms , no logo, no business cards , no vehicle signs.
All word of mouth
Dress neat , wear plain cloths ( no company branding ) , do a good job , under promise & over deliver
Worry about a logo when you have customers & a van
No uniforms , no logo, no business cards , no vehicle signs.
All word of mouth
Dress neat , wear plain cloths ( no company branding ) , do a good job , under promise & over deliver
Worry about a logo when you have customers & a van
#10
StarTech
StarTech
Boy saying you have years of experience when you said you was only 14 yrs old is wrong; unless, you started out in your diapers.
Matter of fact I got a company in area that the original owner started 25 yrs that just recently purchased by a new owner that trying the same thing with new techs that can't even find a blown gasket. Instead they told the customer he needed a new $4000 when it was only $300 job. Now the customer is no longer using them but instead using my shop as I do good, standby my workmanship, and tell the truth when asked. Also there was another company that was recently that tried the same thing they made two years and when I was by their place last week everything was gone. Just a place up for sale.
Heck in general I have professionally work on equipment since '79. I was training since I was in the second grade but as lawn care equipment repair mechanic I have only been doing it professionally since 2009. And everyday I learn something new as I am getting something I have never worked on and must learn new things.
Matter of fact I got a company in area that the original owner started 25 yrs that just recently purchased by a new owner that trying the same thing with new techs that can't even find a blown gasket. Instead they told the customer he needed a new $4000 when it was only $300 job. Now the customer is no longer using them but instead using my shop as I do good, standby my workmanship, and tell the truth when asked. Also there was another company that was recently that tried the same thing they made two years and when I was by their place last week everything was gone. Just a place up for sale.
Heck in general I have professionally work on equipment since '79. I was training since I was in the second grade but as lawn care equipment repair mechanic I have only been doing it professionally since 2009. And everyday I learn something new as I am getting something I have never worked on and must learn new things.
#11
1
12348910
1
12348910
Years of experience is not a lie. I started out with my grandma when I was in 3rd or 4th grade cutting one lawn a week. We did that up until last year when that lady moved into a senior living home and this year I started out with 2 yards that where side by side and as the year went by I got another 3 yards because of them telling there friends and family about me. I was making over $150 a week on just some small yards in the city. They also had me do some other small jobs. One lady had me remove the gravel on her retaining wall and later on put mulch down. Her neighbor had me dig up bricks from his driveway since he was getting concrete poured. Another lady had me clean out her gutters. Now I have this ridding lawn mower I got from school and I want to use that to try bigger lawns to make more money. I will Still have those other yards from last summer that I would do later in the week and these new yards I would do earlier in the week Or the Other way around. in the past my parents and grandparents have let me cut there grass too. So if I started 6 or 7 years ago but skipped a year then I would still have 5 or 6 “years” of experience.Boy saying you have years of experience when you said you was only 14 yrs old is wrong; unless, you started out in your diapers.
Matter of fact I got a company in area that the original owner started 25 yrs that just recently purchased by a new owner that trying the same thing with new techs that can't even find a blown gasket. Instead they told the customer he needed a new $4000 when it was only $300 job. Now the customer is no longer using them but instead using my shop as I do good, standby my workmanship, and tell the truth when asked. Also there was another company that was recently that tried the same thing they made two years and when I was by their place last week everything was gone. Just a place up for sale.
Heck in general I have professionally work on equipment since '79. I was training since I was in the second grade but as lawn care equipment repair mechanic I have only been doing it professionally since 2009. And everyday I learn something new as I am getting something I have never worked on and must learn new things.
#12
R
Rivets
R
Rivets
According to industry standards you are still a toddler. Just like the rest of us you have lots to learn and like us we wake up every day saying “What’s going to hit me in the face that I haven’t seen before. The first thing you need to learn today is this. When you ask a question you must listen to the answer and then apply it to your situation. You have been given some very valuable advice, but have blown most of it off, because of your inexperience. No fancy logo, no shirts, no cards, just hard work are things you’ve been told more than once. Put your time and effort into two pieces of equipment you will be using everyday. You will loose everything you worked for when the only piece of equipment you have to do all “those” jobs will breakdown and no one gets the work done they’ve paid for. This is especially true with snow removal, as people can’t wait a day or two for the job to get down. What are you going to do on a school day when you wake up to 6” of Wisconsin’s wet snow and you have to be in school? Tell all those customers you’ll get to it later? I’ll tell you from experience, even older people hate it when they feel like they are locked into their homes because they can’t get out, due to snow and icy conditions. What are going to learn today?
#13
1
12348910
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12348910
my plan on the snow Removal is to tell them that I would have very limited availability since I may need to go to school or work and my parents are divorced so I would have them call me When it snows. I know it might not sound very professional but if I can prove my good work when I cut grass maybe they will think about the snow removal toAccording to industry standards you are still a toddler. Just like the rest of us you have lots to learn and like us we wake up every day saying “What’s going to hit me in the face that I haven’t seen before. The first thing you need to learn today is this. When you ask a question you must listen to the answer and then apply it to your situation. You have been given some very valuable advice, but have blown most of it off, because of your inexperience. No fancy logo, no shirts, no cards, just hard work are things you’ve been told more than once. Put your time and effort into two pieces of equipment you will be using everyday. You will loose everything you worked for when the only piece of equipment you have to do all “those” jobs will breakdown and no one gets the work done they’ve paid for. This is especially true with snow removal, as people can’t wait a day or two for the job to get down. What are you going to do on a school day when you wake up to 6” of Wisconsin’s wet snow and you have to be in school? Tell all those customers you’ll get to it later? I’ll tell you from experience, even older people hate it when they feel like they are locked into their homes because they can’t get out, due to snow and icy conditions. What are going to learn today?
#14
StarTech
StarTech
Okay you wanting to do this professionally. Then you got to get a business license including sales tax license. Must keep accurate records; therefore, either you got the do all the accounting yourself (computer program help) or hire it done. Then at the end of pay you self employment taxes. Trying hide your cash sales will sooner or later be caught by the local sales tax office especially if you buy sales tax exempt items for resale. I pay my sales tax on a quarterly basis here as I have cross over the threshold for monthly payments yet. Here I have pay a yearly business tax too base on my annual gross sales.
Then of course you would need at least liability insurance in case one you customers gets hurt by your equipment operations.
Then of course if you have employees then there is the quarterly or monthly payroll taxes that you must to the government.
In the 14 years I had my shop I done had two personal visits for the local government tax office inspecting my records. One inspector was very sneaky too as he pretend to be a customer. Once I handed him the bill out came his badge and demanded to see my licenses and records. Some customer had gotten pissed because I charge them sales tax and reported me. They would tell me who but I figured it out anyways and that customer is no longer a customer.
And gone through one IRS audit. Boy they really didn't want go through the boxes of paper records and just looked through my computer accounting system. But i had carry in both just to be safe.
And as Rivets put it customers are not going wait for you to get out school just get the snow removed when they also got to get to work themselves. They will just someone else that can do it.
Then of course you would need at least liability insurance in case one you customers gets hurt by your equipment operations.
Then of course if you have employees then there is the quarterly or monthly payroll taxes that you must to the government.
In the 14 years I had my shop I done had two personal visits for the local government tax office inspecting my records. One inspector was very sneaky too as he pretend to be a customer. Once I handed him the bill out came his badge and demanded to see my licenses and records. Some customer had gotten pissed because I charge them sales tax and reported me. They would tell me who but I figured it out anyways and that customer is no longer a customer.
And gone through one IRS audit. Boy they really didn't want go through the boxes of paper records and just looked through my computer accounting system. But i had carry in both just to be safe.
And as Rivets put it customers are not going wait for you to get out school just get the snow removed when they also got to get to work themselves. They will just someone else that can do it.
#15
R
Rivets
R
Rivets
After this post I’m going to get out of this thread, because I’ll have no more good advice to share. Young man you have very high goals, which I applaud, but also a lot to learn. I suggest you carefully reread the threads you have posted. Just about every time suggestions are posted you blow most of them off, because you don’t think it will work into “YOUR PLAN”. The people making those suggestions are old enough to be your grandpa and have more years of doing things wrong, than you think you have doing things your way. When they say; DON’T DO THIS, NO, SLOWDOWN, THINK AGAIN, ETC., they are basing it on the number of times we’ve made that mistake or seen someone else do it wrong. Each of us has learned that screwing up is a valuable and expensive teacher, but we hate to see others make the same mistake we did. In school you study history to learn from the mistakes made by those who came before us, so we don’t make the same mistakes. If you fail to listen and follow the valuable advice the people here are sharing with you, you will make the same mistakes they did and are doomed to fail. The choice is yours as to what to do next, I pulling for you, so I hope you don’t blow it. Good Luck
#16
B
bertsmobile1
B
bertsmobile1
I came here when I was 58 to learn the stuff I did not know
I have been fixing mowers since I was 10
Your attitude will get you in a lot of grief.
As a minor you may get away with IRS irregularaties but the IRS can be right royal PIA and a young inexperienced person such as you is considered easy meat so at the end of the year they can report to congress that they prosecuted XYZ,000,000 tax cheats and you are easier than EXXon.
I have heard some where the childs income was added to the parents income and the parents then got done for tax fraud which ended up costing many times what the youngster earned.
Check carefully to see if there is a tax free threshold for minors in your area
If one of your parents is getting any sort of tax benefit for you they can also be prosecuted .
On a couple of motorcycle forums the members there are bitching about IRS considering the sales of motorcycles they have owned & ridder for 30+ year as taxable income particularly if sold on ebay, face book, auction or swap meet .
Trump , Musk & Bezos pay no tax so the IRS is trying to take it out of the hide of ordinary people like yourself.
Then there are business laws . Trading without the proper licenses & insurances can have you behind bars or in debt till you are 50 .
It is a bitter pill to swallow and dissincentervises people who want to work like yourself , but there are way too many tax cheats and even worse social security cheats to allow any leaway .
Like Rivets, I can add no more.
Good luck. I managed to go bankrupt 3 times for various reasons so I know just how tough it can be out there .
I have been fixing mowers since I was 10
Your attitude will get you in a lot of grief.
As a minor you may get away with IRS irregularaties but the IRS can be right royal PIA and a young inexperienced person such as you is considered easy meat so at the end of the year they can report to congress that they prosecuted XYZ,000,000 tax cheats and you are easier than EXXon.
I have heard some where the childs income was added to the parents income and the parents then got done for tax fraud which ended up costing many times what the youngster earned.
Check carefully to see if there is a tax free threshold for minors in your area
If one of your parents is getting any sort of tax benefit for you they can also be prosecuted .
On a couple of motorcycle forums the members there are bitching about IRS considering the sales of motorcycles they have owned & ridder for 30+ year as taxable income particularly if sold on ebay, face book, auction or swap meet .
Trump , Musk & Bezos pay no tax so the IRS is trying to take it out of the hide of ordinary people like yourself.
Then there are business laws . Trading without the proper licenses & insurances can have you behind bars or in debt till you are 50 .
It is a bitter pill to swallow and dissincentervises people who want to work like yourself , but there are way too many tax cheats and even worse social security cheats to allow any leaway .
Like Rivets, I can add no more.
Good luck. I managed to go bankrupt 3 times for various reasons so I know just how tough it can be out there .
#17
StarTech
StarTech
And just think not paying into Social Security hurts not only those currently on SS but yourself when you retire as they base your payments on how much you have paid in. And yes they considering raising the retirement age to 70 from the current 67. And I am in the 66 yrs and 10 month group right now if I want full benefits. But I am starting at 65 as medicare is required to start; unless, I wait to full retirement and pay extra the rest of my life.
As Bert put it running a business is no joy ride; although, many workers think it is as simple as being employed. It was once told to that you work 8 hrs a day for someone else to become your own boss and then work 18 plus hour days. Here my shop is open 10hrs/day six days week and I am still up at 4 am and go to bed around 9-10pm after all the research and paperwork is done each day. Matter I got this morning at 3 am to get started on today's work.
About all you can do is start out slow and learn the business along with a very good accounting program and several backup computers. As computer will when you need them the most. Personally I back up my accounting business program daily and upload to an offsite Google storage site. And it has been needed a couple times in the last few year due a power supply and a couple hard drive failures.
And as Bert said the IRS is a royal pain to deal with. When you have a problem it is impossible to talk to them, even the tax advocacy group can't get them to straight things out especially when they owe you money but they still expect you to keep paying in. Last year I was on hold for 3 hrs, finally talked to real person for 5 minutes, and they hung up on me.
I got a problem with right now with the IRS that I been trying to straighten out for the last 4 years. The tax advocate gets it straighten out and a month later the IRS just changes it back to the incorrect info. The IRS has been such a pain my advocate will not even return my calls now so I am left alone to fight them to gets things corrected. At least I have manage to get half of the $4000 they owe me. The rest is just have sit there for them threaten me this coming year for not paying this year's taxes.
BTW when it comes to self employment taxes there is no minimum amount that is tax free. I had to pay taxes on less $100 of annual net income. At least when you work for someone else there is a no tax minimum income amount.
As Bert put it running a business is no joy ride; although, many workers think it is as simple as being employed. It was once told to that you work 8 hrs a day for someone else to become your own boss and then work 18 plus hour days. Here my shop is open 10hrs/day six days week and I am still up at 4 am and go to bed around 9-10pm after all the research and paperwork is done each day. Matter I got this morning at 3 am to get started on today's work.
About all you can do is start out slow and learn the business along with a very good accounting program and several backup computers. As computer will when you need them the most. Personally I back up my accounting business program daily and upload to an offsite Google storage site. And it has been needed a couple times in the last few year due a power supply and a couple hard drive failures.
And as Bert said the IRS is a royal pain to deal with. When you have a problem it is impossible to talk to them, even the tax advocacy group can't get them to straight things out especially when they owe you money but they still expect you to keep paying in. Last year I was on hold for 3 hrs, finally talked to real person for 5 minutes, and they hung up on me.
I got a problem with right now with the IRS that I been trying to straighten out for the last 4 years. The tax advocate gets it straighten out and a month later the IRS just changes it back to the incorrect info. The IRS has been such a pain my advocate will not even return my calls now so I am left alone to fight them to gets things corrected. At least I have manage to get half of the $4000 they owe me. The rest is just have sit there for them threaten me this coming year for not paying this year's taxes.
BTW when it comes to self employment taxes there is no minimum amount that is tax free. I had to pay taxes on less $100 of annual net income. At least when you work for someone else there is a no tax minimum income amount.
#18
M
michigan_Rapter sd
M
michigan_Rapter sd
to add to the above make sure you don't use someone elses artwork without permission - unless your name is hobrath than this image is not public domane and owned by them. was in the graphics business for over 12 years and you do not want to build a brand and have to change your logo because of copyright infringement, start out on the right foot.
#19
old yooper
). Like bertsmobile 1 said, "under promise, over deliver".
old yooper
Word of mouth is the most important advertisement there is. Especially in smaller towns / rural areas. (everybody knows or is related to everyone elseBusiness cards are nice so your can have your number available but your best advertising is word of mouth as if you do good work they will refer you to their friends.
). Like bertsmobile 1 said, "under promise, over deliver".
#20
T
Tdj2591
If all else fails, it may be worth a shot.
And OP, please listen to all these older guys advice. Mistakes can be painful and costly. They’re sharing important lessons they learned the hard way and paid the price.
T
Tdj2591
Rivets, not to hijack this discussion but wanted to comment on your IRS problem. Mine was much smaller. I retired and dropped from a nice 6 figure taxable income in 2021 to income below the minimum taxable threshold in 2022. Six months after the IRS acknowledged in writing receiving my return and multiple letters and inquiries from me, no response. I wrote our US Senator and asked for help. Within a week I had my money. Interestingly the IRS sent me a check instead of direct deposit as I had requested when I filed. The senator’s office followed up with me several times to make sure I got my refund. I was very surprised at how his office jumped on this immediately for me and got a quick resolution.And just think not paying into Social Security hurts not only those currently on SS but yourself when you retire as they base your payments on how much you have paid in. And yes they considering raising the retirement age to 70 from the current 67. And I am in the 66 yrs and 10 month group right now if I want full benefits. But I am starting at 65 as medicare is required to start; unless, I wait to full retirement and pay extra the rest of my life.
As Bert put it running a business is no joy ride; although, many workers think it is as simple as being employed. It was once told to that you work 8 hrs a day for someone else to become your own boss and then work 18 plus hour days. Here my shop is open 10hrs/day six days week and I am still up at 4 am and go to bed around 9-10pm after all the research and paperwork is done each day. Matter I got this morning at 3 am to get started on today's work.
About all you can do is start out slow and learn the business along with a very good accounting program and several backup computers. As computer will when you need them the most. Personally I back up my accounting business program daily and upload to an offsite Google storage site. And it has been needed a couple times in the last few year due a power supply and a couple hard drive failures.
And as Bert said the IRS is a royal pain to deal with. When you have a problem it is impossible to talk to them, even the tax advocacy group can't get them to straight things out especially when they owe you money but they still expect you to keep paying in. Last year I was on hold for 3 hrs, finally talked to real person for 5 minutes, and they hung up on me.
I got a problem with right now with the IRS that I been trying to straighten out for the last 4 years. The tax advocate gets it straighten out and a month later the IRS just changes it back to the incorrect info. The IRS has been such a pain my advocate will not even return my calls now so I am left alone to fight them to gets things corrected. At least I have manage to get half of the $4000 they owe me. The rest is just have sit there for them threaten me this coming year for not paying this year's taxes.
BTW when it comes to self employment taxes there is no minimum amount that is tax free. I had to pay taxes on less $100 of annual net income. At least when you work for someone else there is a no tax minimum income amount.
If all else fails, it may be worth a shot.
And OP, please listen to all these older guys advice. Mistakes can be painful and costly. They’re sharing important lessons they learned the hard way and paid the price.
#21
C
Cajun power
C
Cajun power
don't listen to old farts. I love your logo. It's cool and you like it, so that is what is important. Putting these stickers on your machines and on your shirt is awesome.
make sure you have a phone number on these logos and stickers...in big format.
get vista print to run 1000 of these into business cards and then go to your area, and knock on doors.
we all started and the old farts forget how important it is to just get out there and do it and be confident and don't overthink the work. it's mowing grass and edging and making the customer happy. You do that and it's all bisquits and gravy. Have fun and be safe (always wear hearing protection and eye protection! always...you'll want to hear and see the birds chirping when you are an old man...protect those ears and eyes )
God Bless America
make sure you have a phone number on these logos and stickers...in big format.
get vista print to run 1000 of these into business cards and then go to your area, and knock on doors.
we all started and the old farts forget how important it is to just get out there and do it and be confident and don't overthink the work. it's mowing grass and edging and making the customer happy. You do that and it's all bisquits and gravy. Have fun and be safe (always wear hearing protection and eye protection! always...you'll want to hear and see the birds chirping when you are an old man...protect those ears and eyes )
God Bless America
#22
S
schreib69
S
schreib69
listen to this guy. GREAT advice.Are you trying to look professional or just want to get noticed? You are making a common mistake when trying to get noticed. What do you think the people you want be hired by, like about you when your logo looks like the one you posted? Do they say “This looks like a respectable young man or what kind of job is this kid going to do?” My recommendation is to keep the name simple and easy to remember. Worry about the logo down the road, after people are pleased with your work.
#23
1
1madmouse
1
1madmouse
You have received some of the best information I have ever heard in my 70 years. Pay attention to copyright stuff, it does matter. The tax info is spot on, you will cringe when you see a registered letter from the IRS if you make a mistake and there is no where to hide.Like was said advertising is cool, but word of mouth is remembered more. You only have one chance to make a first impression, and your name , plus reputation are all you really have. Sell yourself by what you do and how you keep your word. Back up everything and then back up again. Give no excuses, man up to mistakes, and be humble, honest. Try to listen to what these older guys are telling you, they really are concerned for you and not just spouting stuff off. The school of hard knocks is not a good place to go. I am sure many here wish they would have had someone care enough to tell them all the crap they didn't want to hear. I am hoping you do something that no young people seem to do any more, like heed the good information you are getting here produced from many years of experience and hard work. Best of luck.
#24
B
brown91
B
brown91
I agree with cajun power. My suggestion would be to use an online logo creation contest website. You post your ideas and people from around the world will send you custom logos trying to win the contest. I've used them a couple of times with very good results.
If you can't afford it, heck I'll do the artwork for you for free (If you can wait, I'm very busy these days). I AM NOT A PROSSIONAL GRAPHIC ARTIST, but I will help you all I can. ( See attached partial sample.)
Everything everyone on here has said is pretty much true. Just don't let it discourage you, you will figure it out as you go. I own my own business and the only thing I regret is not doing it sooner!
If you can't afford it, heck I'll do the artwork for you for free (If you can wait, I'm very busy these days). I AM NOT A PROSSIONAL GRAPHIC ARTIST, but I will help you all I can. ( See attached partial sample.)
Everything everyone on here has said is pretty much true. Just don't let it discourage you, you will figure it out as you go. I own my own business and the only thing I regret is not doing it sooner!
Attachments
#25
M
mmoffitt
M
mmoffitt
Are you trying to look professional or just want to get noticed? You are making a common mistake when trying to get noticed. What do you think the people you want be hired by, like about you when your logo looks like the one you posted? Do they say “This looks like a respectable young man or what kind of job is this kid going to do?” My recommendation is to keep the name simple and easy to remember. Worry about the logo down the road, after people are pleased with your work
Young man this is the place to be if you want sound advice on anything to do with this profession..listen to what these professionals say and do here. They have lifetimes of wisdom. Usually simple does it best...nothing cartoonish Good luckMy mom have this thing that can make stickers or print stuff onto shirts/sweatshirts. What should I do for a logo? I want something like this but I want a cool name on it (like my “business” name) by the way I’m only 14 View attachment 67424
#26
F
farmerdave1954
F
farmerdave1954
If I've learned anything in my 69 years, it's to listen to the old farts. They've been there and know what they are talking about. Listen to them.
#27
1
1madmouse
1
1madmouse
I know you came here to find a cool design and opened a can of worms. It can be a drag, but they are just trying to help. You can look all over the net for designs and different logos, or maybe you have a friend that likes to draw. Maybe try a few and see what sets you off. You can also find lots of business card stuff online too, maybe something that looks like you work hard or do a great job. The one you posted kind of looks like you would be a racer guy or wild, older people freak on that stuff, and think that is how you are. Just try to look at it like they would, imagine you are trying to hire a guy to do your personal place and that guy is you. Would you hire you to do the work? How would you present yourself and why should they hire you over the next guy? Everyone you meet has something you can learn from, the trick is finding out what that is.
#28
T
TT398
T
TT398
Firstly, I applaud your ambition and starting young. I started a side business at 14 and reached my goal to retire at 40. I continued till 50 because I enjoyed it.
All the advises from old farts are very sound. If I had knew them before, I could have avoided some troubles. I'll just add a few things:
1. The backside of your business card does not look professional due to inconsistency. 1st and last line is capitalized but not the others. If you calling cards do not pay attention to details, would your work be sloppy too?
2. "May consider other jobs" is a bit arrogant. How about, "Please call on other landscape services." If you cannot handle it, you can always politely decline and use the conversation to see if they have other needs that you can fulfill. It would help to build a network of similar professions like tree trimming and junk hauling. Make referrals; it goes both ways. Make sure the referred businesses do good work because their performance reflect back on you.
3. You probably think it does not matter much if you are doing a few cash jobs with neighbors. But because you are a minor, if you get in trouble with the tax guy you parents are also on the hook. The more you make the more important it is to keep accounting and taxes straight. Start now with your simple business so you know what to do when your business grows more complex.
4. I cannot stress enough on liability protection. You should always carry liability insurance for your line of work; an expense that you never want to receive back the service. Shits happen. A landscaper shattered my friend's custom patio glass and luck had it a storm whipped up the next day and caused thousands-$ of interior damage. I was sued and was liable for $1.6MM because my tree fell on a passing car; I personally did not pay because I had $2M insurance coverage that only cost me $400/year. For all the $10K or so I paid over 20+ year one case made it worthwhile.
Again, do not put off with all the good advises or let them scare you. Being in business is to do right by the customers (your bosses!) and by the laws. Good luck!
PS. When I first moved here in central coast CA, an young man (probably 20yo) named Anthony knocked on my door offering mowing/weed abatement services with his compact utility tractor. He call it "Ant Tractor Mowing." At that time it was just him and a friend with one small tractor and weed wacker. 7 years later, his business boomed because of fair price and good work. I saw his booth at local farm expos, with shiny bigger tractors and implements. He now runs the crews and focuses on managing the business. Oh, he had business licenses and written contracts even when he just started out. You can look it up on the web. Quite impressive. Hope yours will grow like his.
All the advises from old farts are very sound. If I had knew them before, I could have avoided some troubles. I'll just add a few things:
1. The backside of your business card does not look professional due to inconsistency. 1st and last line is capitalized but not the others. If you calling cards do not pay attention to details, would your work be sloppy too?
2. "May consider other jobs" is a bit arrogant. How about, "Please call on other landscape services." If you cannot handle it, you can always politely decline and use the conversation to see if they have other needs that you can fulfill. It would help to build a network of similar professions like tree trimming and junk hauling. Make referrals; it goes both ways. Make sure the referred businesses do good work because their performance reflect back on you.
3. You probably think it does not matter much if you are doing a few cash jobs with neighbors. But because you are a minor, if you get in trouble with the tax guy you parents are also on the hook. The more you make the more important it is to keep accounting and taxes straight. Start now with your simple business so you know what to do when your business grows more complex.
4. I cannot stress enough on liability protection. You should always carry liability insurance for your line of work; an expense that you never want to receive back the service. Shits happen. A landscaper shattered my friend's custom patio glass and luck had it a storm whipped up the next day and caused thousands-$ of interior damage. I was sued and was liable for $1.6MM because my tree fell on a passing car; I personally did not pay because I had $2M insurance coverage that only cost me $400/year. For all the $10K or so I paid over 20+ year one case made it worthwhile.
Again, do not put off with all the good advises or let them scare you. Being in business is to do right by the customers (your bosses!) and by the laws. Good luck!
PS. When I first moved here in central coast CA, an young man (probably 20yo) named Anthony knocked on my door offering mowing/weed abatement services with his compact utility tractor. He call it "Ant Tractor Mowing." At that time it was just him and a friend with one small tractor and weed wacker. 7 years later, his business boomed because of fair price and good work. I saw his booth at local farm expos, with shiny bigger tractors and implements. He now runs the crews and focuses on managing the business. Oh, he had business licenses and written contracts even when he just started out. You can look it up on the web. Quite impressive. Hope yours will grow like his.
#29
T
TobyU
T
TobyU
Well, now that we have established from reading through the post that you are a long cutting service or landscaping etc, we can give better advice.
You can always change it later because the shirts are going to wear out I need to be replaced and three or four years anyways.
But I would agree with some people that even though that's an awesome looking picture, it's probably not the best for someone who cuts grass for money..
Two reasons: it does look racy and high-tech more like a tractor pull or racing competition for tractors or lawn mowers and that doesn't give people the right impression of attention to detail and doing a nice tedious good job and taking their time while doing it.
Secondly, most professional lawn Care people in most parts of the country don't use riding mowers or lawn tractors or not the traditional riding mower like in your picture.
In fact, some customers have an issue with this. Sometimes just subconsciously and other times it's flat-out openly expressed and in the front of their mind.
Since the price for lawn care has gone up quite a bit over the years and the minimum for coming out now and doing anything is kind of just that, a minimum, they expect to get something close to their money's worth.
Technically, all they're paying for is for you to cut their grass and make it look respectable and like it should be.
How you do it or what you used to do it with should be none of their concern or business, but people don't work this way.
When you have a trailer that you pull behind a decent looking truck, with zero turn mowers or walk behind commercial style mowers, it's easier for them to justify paying you the price which is probably just the going rate or could even be slightly cheaper but that's just the way their brains work.
I'm not saying there haven't been plenty of successful people who use a Craftsman 42-in riding lawn mower, but I'm saying it's a little harder so if I'm going to create a logo or put stuff on my business card, it's going to be professional grade equipment and not lawn or garden tractor style stuff that is common for residential owners to use themselves.
You can always change it later because the shirts are going to wear out I need to be replaced and three or four years anyways.
But I would agree with some people that even though that's an awesome looking picture, it's probably not the best for someone who cuts grass for money..
Two reasons: it does look racy and high-tech more like a tractor pull or racing competition for tractors or lawn mowers and that doesn't give people the right impression of attention to detail and doing a nice tedious good job and taking their time while doing it.
Secondly, most professional lawn Care people in most parts of the country don't use riding mowers or lawn tractors or not the traditional riding mower like in your picture.
In fact, some customers have an issue with this. Sometimes just subconsciously and other times it's flat-out openly expressed and in the front of their mind.
Since the price for lawn care has gone up quite a bit over the years and the minimum for coming out now and doing anything is kind of just that, a minimum, they expect to get something close to their money's worth.
Technically, all they're paying for is for you to cut their grass and make it look respectable and like it should be.
How you do it or what you used to do it with should be none of their concern or business, but people don't work this way.
When you have a trailer that you pull behind a decent looking truck, with zero turn mowers or walk behind commercial style mowers, it's easier for them to justify paying you the price which is probably just the going rate or could even be slightly cheaper but that's just the way their brains work.
I'm not saying there haven't been plenty of successful people who use a Craftsman 42-in riding lawn mower, but I'm saying it's a little harder so if I'm going to create a logo or put stuff on my business card, it's going to be professional grade equipment and not lawn or garden tractor style stuff that is common for residential owners to use themselves.
#30
M
mcspeed
M
mcspeed
Listen to the people who have actual results like bertsmobile1. That is a huge success story.
Let your work be your logo. Show up on time or early. Do excellent work ( straight lines and change the pattern each week, no clumps of grass, no missed patches, sweep/blow, with extra effort like pulling weeds, fixing gate, picking up trash etc). In other words exceed expectations. Word of mouth is what you are looking for. Stand above the rest by doing excellent work and you will never need a logo.
Let your work be your logo. Show up on time or early. Do excellent work ( straight lines and change the pattern each week, no clumps of grass, no missed patches, sweep/blow, with extra effort like pulling weeds, fixing gate, picking up trash etc). In other words exceed expectations. Word of mouth is what you are looking for. Stand above the rest by doing excellent work and you will never need a logo.
#31
mow1
mow1
Keep it simple and legible. I see to many logos on trucks all the time that are so busy you can't even read the name. Your selling yourself... your name. Do good work, do what you promise, be professional and your business will speak for it's self. Word of mouth will be your success. Ruin your name and no logo will help you.
#32
1
12348910
1
12348910
How much would you suggest charging for a yard that is .80 acres and about how long would you expect it to take? I have a 1998 John Deere Sabre. Also any tips for using a rider? It’s the first time I have ever used one before.
#33
C
CoopsDad
Names: Lawn Ranger | Blaze Mower Lawn Service | Turbo Tracks | Blaze Mowing
Let me add, It is so refreshing to see a 14 year old taking the initiative to do research, ask questions and solicit feedback. Just having the drive to start your own business gives me hope for the next generation that I would have thought was a complete loss. Good Luck!
C
CoopsDad
Logo is kind of cool IMO but as others said Business Cards and possibly flyers to leave in mailboxes are a must to get your name out there. There is also a great fairly new Social Media platform that targets homeowners and their neighbors and you can post for specific neighborhoods you want to target. Try the app Nextdoor I think you will be happy with how targeted your marketing can be.My mom have this thing that can make stickers or print stuff onto shirts/sweatshirts. What should I do for a logo? I want something like this but I want a cool name on it (like my “business” name) by the way I’m only 14 View attachment 67424
Names: Lawn Ranger | Blaze Mower Lawn Service | Turbo Tracks | Blaze Mowing
Let me add, It is so refreshing to see a 14 year old taking the initiative to do research, ask questions and solicit feedback. Just having the drive to start your own business gives me hope for the next generation that I would have thought was a complete loss. Good Luck!
#34
1
12348910
1
12348910
I will have to look into that app. I know that where I live, it’s illegal to but stuff in people mailbox like that. It could be different in other states but that how it is where I live just so you know so you don’t get in trouble in case you would ever do that.Logo is kind of cool IMO but as others said Business Cards and possibly flyers to leave in mailboxes are a must to get your name out there. There is also a great fairly new Social Media platform that targets homeowners and their neighbors and you can post for specific neighborhoods you want to target. Try the app Nextdoor I think you will be happy with how targeted your marketing can be.
Names: Lawn Ranger | Blaze Mower Lawn Service | Turbo Tracks | Blaze Mowing
Let me add, It is so refreshing to see a 14 year old taking the initiative to do research, ask questions and solicit feedback. Just having the drive to start your own business gives me hope for the next generation that I would have thought was a complete loss. Good Luck!
#35
StarTech
StarTech
And doing a mass mailing is costly too. I tried that approach once was very little results. And advertising in the local paper can get you some weird calls too. My an answered a couple of them that were down right filthy callers.
#36
1
12348910
1
12348910
I don’t want too many people since I’m a 14 year old doing this myself. I think I will just hand out a few cards at least this yearAnd doing a mass mailing is costly too. I tried that approach once was very little results. And advertising in the local paper can get you some weird calls too. My an answered a couple of them that were down right filthy callers.
#37
B
bolensst140
B
bolensst140
the thing i do is just leave a picture of my fleet of mowers and describe my services and put my phone number on it tooI don’t want too many people since I’m a 14 year old doing this myself. I think I will just hand out a few cards at least this year
#38
B
bolensst140
B
bolensst140
i also cant legally drive but i put my number on my family's firewood truckthe thing i do is just leave a picture of my fleet of mowers and describe my services and put my phone number on it too
#39
1
1madmouse
1
1madmouse
You might contact some of your satisfied customers and see if they would mind you using them as references. Word of mouth goes a long ways