Past Due

Since we have started this business eleven years ago, we have never raised our rates or assessed late fees.  As times become tougher, the overwhelming amount of customers who wait months on end before making any payment, yet still expect services to be rendered, increases.  We finally have decided to start charging late fees.  As this is a business, we count on customer payments as they count on our services.  Along with standard business expenses, we have employees to pay, equipment to be serviced, rent, etc.  Last year alone we charged off several thousand dollars in unpaid services.  Please comment below to discuss any concerns or thoughts.  Thank you to those who pay in a timely manner.  We do appreciate everyone's business and referrals.

2017 Bartlett Holiday Parade - December 2nd, 2017.

We found that the parade was one of the best and cheapest forms of advertising, not to mention it was a total blast.  It was wonderful to get the family and entire team together for this fun-filled Saturday afternoon.  We had two crew members operating zero-turn mowers and spinning all over Stage Road while in the trailer two of the guys were letting it snow!!!  Mrs. Claus was even unloading stockings filled with candy to the crowd!!

Tips for next parade:
1.  Bring a tire repair kit.
2.  Buy more candy.
3.  Do not drink an entire pot of coffee beforehand.
4.  Do not walk the parade in heels.

Happy Fall, Ya'll

It has been quite awhile since I have written a blog.  It is difficult to maintain blog entries during peak season, but I have a new office manager that seems to be on her game.  So from here on out, she will be the official Mow & Blow blogger.  In fact, this is her now.

Since I have joined this wonderful team, I have had the pleasure of having breakfast with the Better Business Bureau, joined the Bartlett Area Chamber Of Commerce, had delicious lunches, and met some amazing people.

At our very first Bartlett Area Chamber luncheon, we had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful lady, Rhonda Talbot, a representative for MidSouth Solutions, a company that can create and manufacture your company logo on Frisbees, hats, pens, signs, and just about anything else.

That same week, we had the pleasure of enjoying a boil sponsored by Atlantic Irrigation.  The staff at their Memphis warehouse are truly wonderful people.  The guys are very knowledgeable about the products they use.  I am also impressed that they mainly use chemical free pest control products.

The following day we had the pleasure of networking with Tony and Lora Lee Falasca.  Tony is a representative of CBD Oil Kills Cancer, oils that can be used on humans as well as household pets.  His oils can help with managing stress, anxiety, Alzheimer's, sciatica, obesity, fibromyalgia, and much more.  Although, I have not used Tony's sponsored product, I intend to soon.  His wonderful wife Lora Lee is a representative of Catering Memphis Events. I will state that her lunches are divine.  Also at this networking session we encountered Devan Dillard the marketing director for Two Men And a Truck, movers who care.  To me I found it extremely interesting that one tiny little small business has expanded nationwide.  Amongst this group we met a guest speaker, Dana McFeeters, who also assists in advertising your company's logo.  I will say, her personality is one that I could surely do business with. 

At last weeks meeting, I did have the pleasure of having a one-on-one with Dale Hill, the director of sales and marketing for Magtech Drug Testing, 24 hour on-site testing, a company we will be sure to use in the future.

Lastly, we cannot forget about Saba Automotive, a Honda and Acura specialist.  They have been in business since this past January.  They have only positive reviews on FaceBook.  We intend to give them a chance if we ever have a need to be met. 

Amongst the aforementioned people, we met a few realtors, brokers, printer specialists, and even had lunch with the mayor!! 

Thank you again for supporting our small business and please consider those mentioned in this blog if ever need be.  Remember, it is people like you that make us and other small businesses successful.

Wet Leaves

People always request to come get their leaves after the rain. Well wet leaves are the hardest to get or suck up.  This is because of all the extra weight from the water that they are retaining. We blow the leaves out to the street and then suck them up. With wet leaves it is even harder to move them around period. As you suck them up, it grinds them up which is like wet dust that just clumps up and clogs the machine. All of this makes each job take at least three times longer not to mention any of the tracking up of the soaked yard. All of this is one reason we try to wait as the grass in the fall or winter will not grow and any damage will be there most likely till spring.

When is it too wet to cut the lawn?

When it rains like it has this past week, it is just too wet to attempt to cut the yard. Most, if not all the mowers are just too heavy to put on the lawn. If you can not walk across the yard without sinking or if it is just like walking on a sponge, then it is simply too wet.  Sometimes I have customers call and want it done.  Do not as it could turn your yard into what looks like an old corn field, leave ruts, and make an all around mess of things. I also have some state they see some companies out cutting.  A lot of times they are cutting commercial lots or in some cases just do not care. We try to avoid this at all cost, but know it will get us behind. There comes a time when you just have to take that chance though.  If you have ever had your lawn messed up then you know exactly what I am talking about.

Crepe Myrtle or Crepe Murder??

The crepe myrtle is a beautiful tree, but just that,  a tree.  If clipped correctly and left alone to grow, it will be absolutely beautiful.  However, at times they are planted in the wrong spot by either the homeowner or landscaper.  Most of the time it is too close to the house causing these to have to be cut back to prevent them from rubbing and messing up the house.  Eventually they will have to be removed as they will become too big.  Often times, you may even see them underneath power lines.  As they continue to grow, they become too big and grow into the lines which in turn causes these beautiful trees to be removed.  Once cut back, they will religiously have to be cut back.  Personally, I like to see them full grown and in bloom and never cut back.  I would also like to here anybody's thoughts on this.  Do you consider cutting them back as crepe murder?

Gutter Cleaning

While doing gutters, I ran across this little nifty thing the other day.  I think it is a very good idea, especially for the under ground drainage which can get filled with debris and may be difficult to clean out if over a five or ten foot span.  This little thing is called a gutter trap.  It can be purchased from Lowe's for around six dollars.  The gutter trap assists with blocking most of the debris from going down.  You simply just clean the screen when needed. I would like to hear from anyone using them.  Please state the pros and cons of this this product.