Disabled Single Mom Seeks Government Grant To Start Lawn Care Business

by Ashlee Atherton
(Okeechobee, Florida, USA)

Hi, my name is Ashlee. I have been disabled or 14 years. I have been told I would never walk again but I proved the doctors wrong.

Then I had spinal surgery where I had a 50/50 chance of being paralyzed from the chest down. After 23 hours of surgery, being on life support and in the hospital for a month, I overcame the hurdle.

I live in pain every day and take care of my two daughters and my three-year-old new stepson. It is a burden every day. I manage because I have to.

My kids don't have nice things, extra things that normal kids have but they do have love and everything that I can give them.

I want to work but it is impossible when I don't know how I am feeling from day to day and sometimes hour to hour.

I have come up with a lawn and landscaping business plan. I can set up accounts, and market and hire a person to do the hard work of operating the machines.

I know this will work. I am determined and will NOT fail. I don't have the needed capital, although I have already found everything I need to get started…

- F620 20-horsepower 48" zero turn mower
- 14 x 6 ft trailer
- blower and a weed eater

This equipment would cost $3000. It is only $ 22 per year for the business license. A business name, which I don't need to start right away, is $125.

Advertising costs will be minimal. I will start off with door-to-door and flyers. I have checked into door hangers and can get 1000 four-color two-sided cards for $125 this would be a later cost.

The person helping will said they would work for free just to help me get started. They believe in me.

I know it is a lot of money but it's little compared to some start-up business costs. At $3022 I would have a business up and running the same day. It's an opportunity I really don't want to miss.

I know I can do it. I want to give my family a life they deserve and not have to worry if I will have food to feed them for the week.

Thank you for listening to my idea. I will be grateful for any help you can send my way or direct me to. Love, Ashlee.