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by leros 1298 days ago
My favorite $100k idea to share is starting a landscaping business. The startup cost is small, you grow through hustle and good work, and the ability to expand to multiple employees/crews is there as you expand.

I think it's something just about anyone can do as it doesn't require special training.

3 comments

> the ability to expand to multiple employees/crews is there as you expand.

Finding reliable, motivated employees who will work for you and not themselves is the challenge that makes this type of business exceptionally hard to scale, from what I’ve been told.

You're well beyond $100k/yr at that point. A single person with a lawn mowing company can make $100k/yr.
How much is profit on that?
It's mostly profit. You have the upfront cost of equipment but then you're just paying for consumables like fuel. Its basically a manual labor job of converting your time and effort into money.
I think it's kind of implied that a 100k _doesn't_ scale.
This idea is a good one for local, but can be crowded. Search Reddit for starting a maid service or lawn service for templates and experiences.

And google “maid/lawn service <city>” for your city and adjacent ones and you might find people using that playbook.

It's a good model for someone with minimal skills and/or capital who is willing to hustle. If you have work, then go do it, if you don't have work, be going door to door handing out flyers and talking to potential customers.
If you can go all electric you might gain an advantage too. The town I live in banned gas powered leaf blowers because people got fed up with the constant noise (houses are close together), especially when working from home. Combine that with online scheduling/payments. But it does't seem like an "easy" business either.