my knowledge to deliver a first-class service. Good social skills are also vital. In football, you spend so much time working alone but now social skills are critical to the success of my business.” “Some customers don’t care what
“I was duly rewarded with a pot of tea and biscuits. You can’t get more rewarding than that”
you’re doing, some want to know every last detail but, regardless, I like engaging with them. One lady called me a ‘miracle worker’ after I’d removed two inches of moss from her 100m² lawn. I’d scarified the lot and overseeded. Twice she rang me in a panic that nothing was happening, but I was able to reassure her. Once the seed was up and established she was delighted and I was duly rewarded with a pot of tea and biscuits. You can’t get more rewarding than that.” “I don’t work many weekends now. At Arsenal I was doing twelve days on, two days off for eight months of the year. A five day week has had a positive effect on my work/life balance. I have so much more precious time now with my daughter, and I enjoy the flexibility in my work schedule and being able to dictate the pace myself to some extent.”
Making progress
So, has it all been worth it? Andrew can say, unreservedly, that it has.
“I’ve now been in business for sixteen months and things are going well. Like everyone else I’m sick of the media ramming financial negativity down everyone’s throats. I spent the spring looking after existing customers, and the summer months have largely been taken
TWENTYQuestions
Scott Reeves - Kerrang! Appears to be a bit of a heavy metal fan. I’ve a sneaky feeling he likes Metallica!
Who are you? Scott Reeves, Course Manager at Leyland Golf Club.
Family status? Married to Tracy with three children - Evan (10), Alice (8), Adam (5).
Who’s your hero and why? I admire a lot of people but I honestly have to say my wife. She raised three children, studied for a degree and achieved a teaching qualification. She was even studying whilst in labour!
What is your dream holiday? Somewhere warm but not scorching, sat by a pool with beer in hand and kids nowhere to be seen enjoying themselves.
What annoys you the most? Where to start? Mostly, people who cannot take responsibility for their own actions and the results of them. For example, morons up to their necks in debt on loans and credit cards who complain about the banks or MP’s expenses.
What would you change about yourself? If my wife would let me, I’d never shave again. What a waste of time.
Who wouldn’t you like to be? David Cameron’s spokesman. I think I would break my remaining teeth from gritting them so hard.
Favourite record, and why? Easy, ‘Master of Puppets’ by Metallica. The best metal
record ever made and, since we all know that metal is the best form of music, it is, by definition, the best record EVER MADE. Fact!
Who would you choose to spend a romantic evening with? Oh, my wife of course. At a romantic, intimate gig by Metallica at the Marquee Club. See, I know how to treat a lady!
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Take the kids to Toys R Us, give them a trolley each and then let them loose.
If you were to describe yourself as a musical instrument, what would you be and why? A white Gibson Explorer, played through an enormous Marshall stack cranked up to 11. Some people love it, some hate it, but no-one can ignore it!
What's the best advice you have ever been given? “Scott. Shut up mate”.
What’s your favourite smell? Roast lamb. Mmmm ... roast lamb.
What do you do in your spare time? Ha ha, that’s a good one! Ahem. Play guitar, Xbox, read and watch my kids do stuff.
What’s the daftest work related question you have ever been asked? “Why does the Cushman you want cost more than a Fiat Panda?” Duh.
What's your favourite piece of kit? Tough one. I would have to say the Baroness LM56 hand mower. The best greens finish I have ever seen.
What three words would you use to describe yourself? Honest, inquisitive and loyal.
What talent would you like to have? I wish I could draw really well.
What makes you angry? People with agendas who don’t put the needs of those they represent first.
What law/legislation would you like to see introduced? I would make it compulsory to vote, with stiff penalties for those who don’t.
up with fertiliser applications. Pricing by job, rather than from a menu, has helped as it gives customers the option to spend according to their budget. For example, if a garden’s neglected and the customer can’t afford to returf, he may find that, for less than half the cost, he can have his lawn scarified and overseeded.” “As for what the future holds, I’m happy to go with the flow. I don’t want to burden myself. Concerns about cashflow during the winter months were unfounded and I had a full schedule of liquid feed, turf hardener and moss killer applications. My first goal was to earn the same money I was on at Arsenal from a five day week, and to allow myself time to adapt to the lifestyle change. Now I’ve achieved that, I’d like to take someone on so I can extend my customer base.” And what advice would he give to anyone else considering self- employment? “Think of other ways you could use your skills and, when you’re looking at the options, make sure you do your homework. You must be motivated and able to rise to the challenge - it’s hard work but well worth it for the rewards. You’ve got to have good PR skills to deal with customers, which doesn’t always come easy for people who’ve tended to work alone. Finally, you’ve got to have good self-discipline - you’re not going to earn money sitting on your sofa!”
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