If you have a passion for gardening and are particularly skilled at what you do, you may have considered starting a business of your own. Around 87% of households in the UK have a garden, and these will always need tending to throughout the year.
This means the gardening industry is the perfect opportunity to start your new endeavour. But how do you turn your much-loved hobby into a fully-functioning business?
How do I come up with a business plan?
Gardening covers a variety of different tasks and so will require specific knowledge in order for you to perform the job to the best of your ability. This is why you must decide on what you will offer to clientele, whether this will be weed control, lawn maintenance or plant repotting. You may even decide to cultivate your own plants and sell them to keen anthophiles.
Try to keep an eye on your biggest competitors – see what they are offering to clients and whether something is missing in the market that you could act on. Ask around the local area and see if people would be interested in your services and what they would want to be included – you don’t want to purchase expensive equipment to then never use it!
How can I manage my finances?
As with any business, investment is the key to success. This isn’t particularly difficult if you have managed to save enough money to be used upfront. You need to bear in mind starting a business will require ongoing costs and there may be some hidden expenses you initially never thought about, so it’s vital you keep some money spare.
Cash flow is your main concern; without this, your daily operations will become a challenge and you may find yourself in a position where you can’t afford to pay yourself or your employees. A long term business loan could be the ideal solution to help grow your business and not worry about primarily making ends meet.
What legal aspects do I need to consider?
Before you set up your business, you need to decide whether you want to conduct it as a sole proprietorship or as a limited company. If you’re unsure how to go about this, reaching out to a lawyer can be a big weight off your shoulders, and ensures you complete all the necessary paperwork.
It’s also wise to take out relevant insurance policies to help cover you and your employees should the unexpected occur. Proactively making use of health and safety training will likely be beneficial to reduce the number of accidents when operating heavy equipment.
