Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dontaris Simmons. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dontaris, appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later
I’ve only been operating about five months, & almost from the start my business has been doing great!
I’ve gotten to know & connect with a lot of people in my 28 years
In 2015, I helped one of my good friends start his first business from the ground up (Tranzparent Dreamz), & I’m still trucking along with them today!
I said that to say, helping with “TD” allowed me to gain knowledge on business & also expand on connecting with people from all over!
We get praised on our customer service, & that’s one thing I definitely try to bring over to my own business. I don’t regret not starting my business early, because that gave me time to really understand the background to what it takes being a CEO…
But I’m more than grateful I decided to follow through with creating my own business, & I’m excited for what the future holds!
Dontaris, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I played sports growing up, & went to college a little after high school (HS graduate c/o ‘13) before dropping out. I realized college wasn’t for me, & jumped into the real world to start working. (Worst decision ever lol)
2 years passed, my friend told me about his idea to open up a vape and smoke shop, & that’s been my job the last 9 years.I had my son at the age of 21, & my daughter at the age of 26. After having my daughter, I started to really think about what I was leaving behind for them, & that was the moment I knew I had to figure something out. My shop pays me great for us to be a small business, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to live off it my whole life, while trying to support a family. So I came up with my own business in September of 2023 “Don and Dons Lawn Care and Pressure Washing”.
I always grew up cutting grass, I found it relaxing, & that’s the same for pressure washing as well. So I called my mom, told her what I was thinking about, & she got on the ball and helped me create my business!
Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?
I had a few pictures & a head of knowledge to tell him what I could do for him.
He decided to give me a shot to cut his grass and get the lawn to look nice..
So I maxed out my credit cards and bought a walking lawn mower, weed eater, & a leaf blower to cut 1.5-2 acre lawn..
It took me like 5 hours, but my time and dedication paid off. I was able to impress him enough in order to lock in my first property managing contract!!!!
Most people lock into a monthly contract which includes a yard cut twice a month.
He hired me for the full year to maintain his property, and keep in mind I had only been in business for about 2months..
Sometimes you have to take a chance, in order to reap a reward!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donanddons704?igsh=Nmc4bnpwNTFyMm9w&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551691490096&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: Personal FB & instahttps://www.facebook.com/don.simmons.7161?mibextid=LQQJ4d
https://www.instagram.com/don_ru704?igsh=dTlxaGJwZzQ2YW5l&utm_source=qr