One of the simplest businesses to start is a service-based business, and it's one that you can often run right from the comfort of your own home. This was the very path I took when I decided to start my first business in 2022: a lawn care service. What began as a small, local gig quickly evolved into something much more, and I’ve learned a lot along the way.

The Start of My Lawn Care Business

When I first got started, it was just a side hustle. I served about 5 to 10 customers in my neighborhood while working at KPMG as an accountant. It was a simple way to make some extra income, and honestly, it was enough to help me balance the demands of my job while gaining some hands-on experience in running my own business. However, after a few months, I realized something wasn’t quite right. The 9-5 grind wasn’t fulfilling, and I wanted to take a risk—try something new.

That's when I decided to go all in on my lawn care business. I set a goal to gain 60 clients that summer. In the end, I got 50 clients, which wasn’t exactly what I had aimed for, but it was still plenty of work and allowed me to make a decent income each week.

The Appeal of Lawn Care as a Business

One of the biggest benefits of running a lawn care business is the low overhead. I didn’t need to invest in heavy equipment or rent a storefront. In fact, I used a car that I borrowed from my parents—a 2009 Subaru Legacy hatchback. It wasn’t exactly glamorous, and the smell of rotting grass clippings was unbearable at times, but it worked. It allowed me to transport all the gear I needed to serve my clients. Plus, it kept my expenses low while I built the business up.

There was something about being outside, interacting with nature, and seeing the immediate results of my work that I really enjoyed. I found myself loving the operations side of lawn mowing. The physical work wasn’t easy, but it paid off in good cash each weekend, and for someone my age, that was very rewarding. Yet, deep down, I knew it wasn’t just a job for me—I wanted to turn this into something more sustainable and profitable in the long run.

Transitioning from a Job to Entrepreneurship

Fast forward a year and a half. Now, in my third year of lawn mowing, I’ve realized I don’t want to just create a job for myself. I want to be an entrepreneur. I’ve gained the experience, and now it’s time to think bigger. I’m looking to expand my business—adding more trucks to my fleet, managing employees, and moving beyond my residential garage to a shop.

While scaling up brings new challenges, it’s all part of the journey. Managing overhead, finding the right equipment, and expanding your fleet of vehicles are no small feats. But this is where the entrepreneurial spirit truly begins. It’s no longer just about cutting grass; it’s about creating a business that runs efficiently and provides sustainable income. That’s the dream.

Is Lawn Care a Good Business to Start?

Despite not needing advanced degrees or accounting knowledge, the skills I learned at KPMG weren’t entirely useless. But the truth is, anyone can start a lawn care business—you just have to be willing to put in the work. For me, I didn’t rely on my accounting background to make it happen. Instead, I focused on what I knew would bring results: hard work, persistence, and a genuine desire to improve the spaces I worked in.

The profit potential in the summer season is great. It’s not the hardest job in the world, but it does require being physically fit and prepared to put in the steps—sometimes as many as 20,000 to 30,000 steps in a day! But with the right mindset, this kind of business can be highly rewarding.

Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead

Looking back, I’ve learned a lot about what it means to build a business. There are risks involved, and the work can sometimes be grueling, but it’s worth it when you see the results. You get to be your own boss, set your own schedule, and watch your business grow. Whether you’re mowing lawns in the summer or planning for your next phase of expansion, one thing is clear: the rewards are there if you’re willing to hustle.

As I continue my journey into entrepreneurship, I’m excited for what lies ahead. Lawn care may have started as a small, simple job, but now, it's evolving into a larger business that I’m proud to call my own.

If you’ve ever thought about starting your own service-based business—whether it’s lawn care or something else—take the leap. The risks are manageable, and the rewards can be life-changing. And remember, you don’t need fancy equipment or an expensive storefront to get started. You just need a little grit, a lot of hard work, and a willingness to keep pushing forward.