Landscaper’s 5 Tips to Build a Booming Business

Published on April 5, 2023

Learn how Danny Reisdorfer turned his childhood passion for lawn care into a successful business that now boasts over 1,000 customers. In this article, Danny shares his top five tips for turning your professional pipedream into a reality. Plus, discover how Bobcat equipment played a role in Danny and his family's business success.

Did you know what you wanted to do for a living at age 10? Danny Reisdorfer did.

While other kids barricaded themselves in their bedrooms playing video games, Danny was earning his keep at his dad’s family-run lawn and landscaping company. He used that experience to start his own side business at the ripe “old” age of 12. Years later, when demand grew bigger than his part-time schedule could handle, he branched off to start his own company.

But when his father left to serve in the military following 9/11, Danny dropped out of college to oversee the family business. After his deployment, Danny’s dad returned to a booming business, which led him to make one of his best decisions ever – letting Danny continue to call the shots.

Here are 5 tips, in Danny’s own words, that any entrepreneur should use to make their professional pipedream a reality.

1. Know the value of a dollar.

“When I was 10, I opened a Sears credit card with my mom co-signing and I bought my first lawn mower and weed eater. My parents didn’t give me money. That taught me a lot about working for what I have.”

2. Commit to your passion.

“Work ethic will take you far. Especially if it’s something you’re passionate about. Since I was 12 I knew I wanted to run my own business. Today, we have around 1,000 customers. We always get compliments when we’re done with the job because we take pride in the work we do.”

3. Work hard.

“I worked for my dad’s business since I was 10 years old. When I was done with school, I had to go mow lawns. I would just push my lawn mower to the different homes that were in my neighborhood, and my parents let me do it on my own. We weren't a big company, so we relied on family to help. I don't know if I'd have the same work ethic if I didn't work like that when I was younger.”

4. Treat customers like you’d treat yourself.

“I always tell my employees to treat the customer’s property like it’s your property because you'd want the job done well at your own house. And if you do good quality work, word gets out. That’s the most powerful advertising by far, and that's how your business can really explode.” 

That service helped turn my dad and all my brothers into Bobcat business owners.

Danny Reisdorfer

Owner / Green Lawn Care

5. Pick good people.

“When I started my own business, I was good friends with my Bobcat guy, Chris Dennis, and I bought my first Bobcat® skid-steer loader. When I had maintenance work done on it, they picked up my machine and then brought me one to use for free while mine was being serviced. I had never experienced that before. They actually care about you, and they want to make sure you succeed.

“That service helped turn my dad and all my brothers into Bobcat business owners.”

Here’s the equipment that helped make Danny and his family Bobcat business owners for life:

Parting Words

There’s no secret sauce or one-size-fits-all solution for starting and maintaining a business. But Danny thinks anyone can write their success story if they have the right mindset. “I help people start their own business all the time. I just tell them to stay positive. You'll have your ups and downs, but in the long run, it's worth it.”

More Recent Stories

View All Stories
Celebrating 65 Years of Groundbreakers at CONEXPO 2023  Bobcat Booth Featuring Platinum Series T86 Compact Track Loader
Celebrating 65 Years of Groundbreakers at CONEXPO 2023
Bobcat unleashed 65 years of groundbreaking ingenuity and empowerment by unveiling the brand’s newest equipment, innovations and digital solutions at CONEXPO 2023.
40+ Years of Success with Family Values & Bobcat Equipment A Lewis Straus Construction crew member operates a Bobcat mini track loader at an indoor jobsite.
40+ Years of Success with Family Values & Bobcat Equipment
Discover how Lewis Straus Construction has successfully thrived for almost 40 years with Bobcat’s innovative equipment, excellent service and industry expertise.
Josh Duhamel Builds Legacy at Lake with Bobcat Equipment Josh Duhamel standing in the forest, gazing off into the distance.
Josh Duhamel Builds Legacy at Lake with Bobcat Equipment
Josh Duhamel is carving a legacy in the Minnesota lake wilderness with Bobcat Equipment, by building a family getaway for the generations to enjoy after him.
Bobcat Equipment Helps SDF Build Training Grounds Delta, a canine trainee with the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, jumping over a pile of rubble.
Bobcat Equipment Helps SDF Build Training Grounds
Discover how Bobcat equipment helps National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) build training grounds for elite canine first responders after disasters.
Landscaper’s 5 Tips to Build a Booming Business with Bobcat Equipment Product shot of Bobcat E10 compact excavator
Landscaper’s 5 Tips to Build a Booming Business with Bobcat Equipment
Learn how Danny Reisdorfer turned his childhood passion for lawn care into a successful business that now boasts more than 1,000 customers.
One-Man, One-Brand Show with Bobcat Equipment Fleet Eric Imgrund operating his Bobcat E35 compact excavator with bucket attachment digging water trench
One-Man, One-Brand Show with Bobcat Equipment Fleet
Discover how Eric Imgrund owner of Imgrund Excavating, who likes to keep his company small, does all the work himself with his fleet of Bobcat Equipment.
Bobcat MaxControl Gives Business Owner Renewed Freedom Anthony Cardoza operating his Bobcat S510 skid-steer loader with MaxControl
Bobcat MaxControl Gives Business Owner Renewed Freedom
Learn how Anthony Cardoza built his successful landscaping and snow removal business after a tragic accident with the help of Bobcat MaxControl remote operation.
Dreams Come True in Georgia with Bobcat Mini Track Loaders  Bobcat Mini Track Loader MT100 model product shot
Dreams Come True in Georgia with Bobcat Mini Track Loaders
Discover how Nationwide Turf in Georgia uses Bobcat equipment to complete jobs faster and with less manpower. Learn how.
Dayton, Ohio’s Go-To Gravedigger Does it Himself with Bobcat Equipment Bobcat E35 compact excavator product shot
Dayton, Ohio’s Go-To Gravedigger Does it Himself with Bobcat Equipment
With his fleet of Bobcat equipment, Jim Lock excavates all the graves himself for more than 20 cemeteries in the Dayton, Ohio area. Discover how it all started.
Christ In Action Rebuilds Lives with Bobcat Equipment Christ In Action uses a Bobcat E50 compact excavator to demolish a home.
Christ In Action Rebuilds Lives with Bobcat Equipment
A 100% volunteer-driven organization, Christ In Action provides disaster relief to communities and Bobcat® equipment has become a crucial part of its mission.

What’s Your Bobcat Story?

Taking on big, ambitious challenges is what being One Tough Animal® is all about. Tell us how Bobcat empowers or inspires you to accomplish more. Whether it’s at work, at play or in life, share your story with us.

Share Your Story