Russ, before we start I would like to Thanks you for taking the time to sit down with me to find out more about yourself and your company, Parrish Landscaping.
Q1) Russ, Start off by giving me a brief overview of yourself?
A1) To start, I graduated from NC State University with a Degree in Agricultural Business Management and Biological Science, with a minor in Economics. This is where I really found my passion for horticulture and explaining my small grass cutting business. I started out many years ago with a push mower, a weed eater and a blower. Now I have a very profitable business with a lot more overhead and equipment.
Q2) How did you set up your company?
A2) I basically set my company up very cautiously, testing the market before investing too much capital. I used what I had and worked on the side at first, but once I saw the customers where pleased with my work and were recommending me to other people, I began making my company “more legitimate.” I bought new equipment, invested in insurance, spent money on marketing ideas.
Q3) Where did the idea for the business come from? Did your subject research the idea to see if it might be economically feasible?
A3) I loved to cut grass, it was something to me that came easy and I enjoyed doing it a lot. Over the years I began to learn more than just lawn care and expanded my horizon of learning to landscaping. At first I did not research the idea of starting my company to see if it was economically feasible, I just loaded my trailer up with lawn care and landscaping equipment and started going from door to door asking if they would like to use my services. When I was ready to expand my company to other cliental, further away from my “comfort zone,” that’s when I began doing research to see if my business would be economically feasible.
Q4) What did you do in the area of marketing and market research?
A4) At first I went from door to door asking for people to give me the opportunity to work for them. When I wanted to expand my business to different areas I began making flyers or only going to places that really needed a lot of attention where I knew my business could make a big difference. Beyond that my customers have become my marketing team referring new customers all the time. The incentive I give for referrals is hard for my cliental to turn down. I did not per say do any market research but looked at companies I worked for in the same trade to see in which direction they were taking their business.
Q5) Was the location of your business a critical factor to its success (or failure)?
A5) I do not believe the location of my business has been a critical factor for its success. The reason being is I travel to people’s homes to take care of the needs there. Some areas may be more rural than others, but with the industry I am in, traveling is just another part of the job.
Q6) What advice do you have for those that want to start their own business?
A6) Never give up; there is a marketplace for everybody’s business. Also remember when the going gets tuff the tuff gets going. PERSAVERANCE WITH SET GOALS IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS
Q7) What is the most significant lesson you learned?
A7) The most significant lesson I have learned is that you have to stay focused to achieve your goals. Without goals my business and I have no directional guidance.
Well Russ, I think I have learned a lot of useful information from you about owning and operating a business. Thanks again for taking the time to have this interview with and best of luck with your company!
