Meet Michael William Beer
Michael is the owner of Michaels Mowing and Maintenance, a lawn care and yard maintenance business based in Redridge and servicing the Childers area. After years of relying on seasonal avocado farm work, Michael wanted something steady, reliable and his own. With determination and support from Many Rivers, he has built a growing business, gained confidence and created stability in his life.
“I was not confident with computers, so Lisa taught me how to use my phone properly, set up a Facebook business page, upload photos and videos, and promote my services. She also helped me understand insurance, paperwork and how to run things properly. Honestly, I would have been lost without her. She is very patient, understanding and supportive.” – Michael Beer
Read more about Michael’s business journey so far:
Michael’s business
My business is called Michaels Mowing and Maintenance. I do lawn mowing, gardening, trimming shrubs, gurney cleaning, and general yard jobs. I have been trying to get it going for almost two years. I first started toward the end of a year, right before winter, so it did not pick up much at the start. But over the last year it has really taken off. I am based out at Redridge, and most of my customers are in Childers.
Before starting my business, I did a bit of everything, mainly picking and packing avocados and maintaining the farms. I looked after sprinklers, pruning, weeding the trees, picking the fruit, packing it, and all the labour that goes with it. But it was all seasonal. I wanted work that would keep me going, not just for part of the year.
Working with Many Rivers
I was referred to Many Rivers by Busy Ability, a workforce provider I was with. I told them I wanted to start a business but did not know how, and they told me that Many Rivers could help people like me.
The support I received was mainly business coaching, especially around marketing and using technology. I was not confident with computers, so Lisa taught me how to use my phone properly, set up a Facebook business page, upload photos and videos, and promote my services. She also helped me understand insurance, paperwork and how to run things properly. Honestly, I would have been lost without her. She is very patient, understanding and supportive.
The loans that I got from Many Rivers were also very useful. The first loan helped me purchase a trailer, and once I paid that off, I was able to get a second loan to buy a reliable ute. Having both the trailer and the ute has made a huge difference to how I work day to day. The new ute especially has saved me from constantly spending money on repairs and has given me the reliability I needed to run my business properly.
Biggest Challenge
The bookwork and cash flow have been the hardest things for me. I had never been taught any business education, so things like bookkeeping scared me. Lisa gave me a bookkeeping kit that makes everything so much easier. I used to rely on her to fill it out, and now I am doing it on my own before our meetings. That is a big improvement.
Biggest Success
My biggest success has been my self esteem. Doing something I did not think I could do and seeing how far I have come. When I look at what I started with, secondhand gear and an unreliable vehicle, and what I have now, it feels good. I have a proper trailer, better tools, and a good ute. I am also getting known in the community, meeting people, and gaining confidence. It feels good to have regular clients who trust me.
Biggest Change
The biggest change in my life has been more confidence, more stability and more positivity. I still have tough days, but far more good ones now. I am getting to know more people, I am more involved in the community, and I feel more in control of my life.
Future Goals
Going forward, I want to keep myself busy and build something I can manage as I get older. I want steady regular clients, something I can ease back on when I cannot work as much anymore. At the moment I am debt free except for the ute, and I do not buy anything unless I can afford it. My goal is to stay steady, keep improving, and keep providing good service.
Thank you Michael for sharing your business journey with us. We wish you the best of luck with future endeavours and business success.
If you would like to stay updated with Michael’s small business, follow “Michael’s Mowing and Maintenance” through the following links:
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