Making connections in the industry can be one of the most vital and important factors in growing your business and knowledge of your work. Check out this week’s blog as Nathan talks about some practical steps you can make to reach out to others in the industry. Read the blog on our website to see exclusive tips.
The biggest thing when starting a company and growing your company is making connections in the industry. You can’t do it alone and if you try to do it yourself it will be costly and you won’t grow as fast. Finding my mentor was the best thing that has happened to me, from buying a truck and a chipper from him to being able to dump my brush at his shop. Without him, I wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am today. This season is the first season I have done salting myself and Mike has been guiding me along the way and how to salt effectively. So how do you get these connections? Many people have asked. It's as simple as sending an email. Here’s a draft that I sent out to many companies (and still do today) as I am always trying to make new connections. When you email, it allows them to think about what they want to say and check their schedule. I wouldn’t recommend cold calling people as they might be busy and it can rub off negatively unintentionally. Hello Justin, My name is Nathan Fox, I'm a student at Michigan State University studying Landscape and Nursery Management. I currently own my own lawn care and landscaping business in Holt just south of Lansing and have a goal to own my own nursery someday. I would be interested in learning how you got into the business, any advice you may have and potentially a tour. I would appreciate an opportunity to have a conversation with you and will follow up with you by December 27th if I don’t hear from you. Thanks Nathan Fox (517) 525-4075 Creating an event and sitting down with these owners and asking them about their story is so motivating for you and for them as they are seeing new people coming into the industry and improving the standards of our work. There is so much to learn from people who have been doing it for a long time.