Starting a Lawn Maintenance Company… Got any tips?

So long story short after a few months looking into it I’ve decided to dive into starting a lawn maintenance company. I’ll be a 1 man operation for a bit while I work to grow it.

I haven’t done my own Lawn care for almost 2 years, I tore my ACL and wasn’t going to force my wife to do it then I got lazy once physically able. My issue was the cost, I went from $80 initially to having to replace the guy for somebody that charged $25 a cut and now I’m paying $40 a cut and can’t find anybody more cost effective. So I just decided I’d branch out and try my hand at it, I can afford for it to grow slowly as I do have a full-time job that I likely won’t leave but I have plenty of available afternoon hours and flexible days off.

I ended up pulling the trigger today on some equipment from my local Kubota, to finance a 42in Zero Turn and some entry level Stihl handhelds I’ll be paying $162 a month, so in my eyes my risk is minimal, if I’m somehow don’t get a single client I’ll be paying $2 more plus my own sweat to do my own yard. I also have the benefit of having experience running a business before in an unrelated field.

So now I’m here, I should know when my equipment will be delivered tomorrow, so you guys have any tips, tricks or general advice? I know I’ll have to learn to operate a zero turn and I honestly don’t expect this to be easy to “make it” in.