Let's Get Cory's Lawn Service Rolling

Hi, my name is Cory. I'm 36 and I live in Ottumwa, Iowa. I've recently found it almost impossible to obtain active employment. Our jobs are either taken by teens looking to make a quick buck or by stubborn elders not ready to collect their big fat 401k plans. I've noticed that this is detrimental to my generation stuck between two extremes. We are easily swept under the rug if we can't stand out.

Back in 2010, I attempted to complete my automotive degree. After obtaining a year of credits, the school informed me that I didn't qualify for aid. So ever since, I've been struggling to find a viable option for a stable income. I've landed on lawn care, especially lawn care for those in our community that can't get out as easily to tend to it anymore.

The issue I am having is with startup. With the simplest options for startup on lawns this size, it will take at minimum $3,000 for a rider and a cheap but viable utility trailer. I am leaving room for a weed eater and leaf blower for those who don't like a mess left over, and a trimmer for the sidewalk edges. That leaves a good $1,000 to $1,500 for cash flow so that I have the cushion needed to stay afloat until the profit hits my business's account. I charge $35 for mowing, weeding, and maintaining sidewalks and drives. I feel this makes it much more affordable for some who can't get out to do it themselves. Of course, that rate goes up depending on size and lawn difficulty.

I've spent several months attempting to put together a viable pitch for banks, listing the rider and trailer as collateral, as well as offering up a family antique handed down to me by my grandfather, and asking for considerably less money. But to be honest, my business will not thrive unless I have the tools I need to stay competitive. So I've settled on $5,000, knowing I can get the tools I need and fund my business through the roughest part of its life—the startup.

Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to read all of this, and to those of you thinking about contributing, I can't thank you enough. I can only tell you to leave me contact information and I can share my journey with you so you can see how far your contributions really go.