Czaro Strategic Communications

When I was 14-years old, I had a lawn business. I started out cutting my yard and my neighbor’s yard. Through some referrals, I picked up a few more clients.

I put up a flyer at the community pool and purchased an ad in the neighborhood newsletter. Then business took off.

When a small business achieves rapid growth, unforeseen problems can ensue. It happened to me, and I had to quickly develop a plan or my entrepreneurial venture would collapse.

Our neighborhood was spread out over a square mile and several of my new clients were at the outer-reaches. I couldn’t drive, and I had to somehow transport my equipment.

My father and I built a push cart out of plywood, 2x4s and wheels from a salvaged grocery cart. I was mobile and ready for more business. By June, I had a client base of 14 weekly customers. Summer vacation was my second opportunity to grow.

I started getting calls from new clients who were going to be one-and done customers. They only needed their yard serviced when they went to the beach or to visit grandma. I picked up these jobs and knew that if I did a good job they might turn into regular customers, which some did.

That summer, I built a healthy business and grew a lot as a person. I didn’t know it at the time, but that’s when I learned how to develop people. I managed my business and learned to manage myself.

Employee development is something that managers can struggle with at times. When you hire a new employee, you want that person to be successful. But many managers throw new hires in the ocean of work with a sink or swim philosophy.

I like to start slowly, giving my new hire one or two tasks that they can master. We partner for performance, and pretty soon the new hire is ready for another project, and then another.

By growing incrementally, the new hire doesn’t get overwhelmed and frustrated. Instead, by showing them what a good job looks like, they gain confidence and competence.

If I started my lawn business with 14 regular clients, I would not have been successful. I needed to start slowly and build on my successes. It’s a lesson I utilize every day.