Happy Sunday!
I recently interviewed Carl from ARE Land Management in Georgia on the podcast...
this one was fun to interview someone in the same industry and wanted to give you guys a summary
Carl started his business by purchasing a $10,000 stump grinder
he sold stump grinding jobs to tree service companies
He did this until he paid the stump grinder off
Then, he made his next moves by stepping up in machines
here's the rest of the summary...
Business Evolution
- Started with a $10,000 stump grinder purchased at auction
- Expanded to brush clearing with a Kubota tractor
- Progressed to forestry mulching with a CAT 299 skid steer
- Added a CAT 306 excavator for land clearing and site prep
- Acquired a CAT 953 track loader for larger land clearing projects
Equipment Financing and Purchasing
- Utilized CAT Financial for in-house financing options
- Purchased both new and used equipment
- Typical financing terms: 48-60 months, interest rates varying from 0-8%
- Monthly payments ranged from $1,800 to $4,000 depending on the machine
Marketing Strategies
- Heavy investment in Facebook ads and campaigns ($25,000-$30,000 annually)
- Utilized yard signs effectively for local marketing
- Emphasized the importance of branding and online presence
- Recently partnered with Land Service Marketers for lead generation
Business Model
- Offers forestry mulching, land clearing, grading, and site prep services
- Pricing model: Day rate of $1,600-$2,000 for forestry mulching
- Bids larger land clearing projects based on site plans
Operational Insights
- Initially operated solo, later hired an experienced operator
- Currently back to solo operation due to staffing changes
- Emphasizes the importance of building relationships with clients
- Focuses on providing honest, cost-effective solutions
Key Takeaways for New Business Owners
- Invest in marketing and branding from the start
- Be prepared for the challenges of business growth
- Build strong relationships with equipment dealers
- Stay adaptable and open to new opportunities
- Prioritize customer relationships and honest communication
- Don't get discouraged by setbacks; persistence is key to success
Hope this is helpful info for y'all
Next time you're in the truck, throw on the episode to hear about how Carl grew his business from stump grinding to full service land management & excavation!