OH, Farm kid, farmer, planting seeds, un-doing the success of my labor.
OK, one thing I have NEVER gotten used to is traffic. I've been here 13 years and I still hate driving in traffic. It is costly in both money and time. It is a horrible waste of good talent, sitting in a truck.
After the two early years in the business, I finally found my 'field' and started applying the same marketing in a more concentrated area. This worked even better, as the more you work in an area, the more business you generate by just being there. Plus you have the clients each telling one person who often lives near that original client.
BUT, I was still getting calls from a distance and when I'd drive, I would feel an opportunity cost of not then being able to generate more business closer to home. It took me two years to figure this out. Now I had to un-do what I had done.
The fact that I was now feeling a 'loss' in serving my hard-earned referral was actually a good thing. It made it easier to let them go. Cherished clientele, I had to politely tell them that I could no longer serve them. This went on for about two years. I'm not very good with saying 'no', especially to people who I had such a good relationship with (everybody).
But, over the course of time, if I would not serve them myself, I would at least offer them the name of a company that could. Eventually, I created a local, low-driving, low time in the truck, low traffic, close to home situation that I enjoy far more than I could ever express here with you. It is a dream come true, which is the point I make that you are the creator of your dreams. Just apply the magical formula of treating your clients with utmost respect, do the best tree care possible and do a magnificent, world-class cleanup. Do something free. Ask them to tell one person. Is that so magical, really? I promise, promise, promise you it will work.
Choose your field well.
