Welcome to our Plant Leasing Franchise FAQ area. If you have any questions regarding our home-based Plantscaping Business please do not hesitate to call our offices toll free at (888) 782-0020. From work at home parents to retirees, this is a perfect home-based business for anyone.
Why do you refer to your buyers as members?
Since we offer ongoing education and monthly newsletters as well as the Photo Club we are a group by definition. We pool our buying power for the best wholesale prices and all members share their design ideas and suggestions in the Photo Club.
What is the Exclusive Members Area?
This is a special place within our website for on-going weekly education & training. This secure area contains the monthly newsletters with questions and answers from the President and staff: Articles on Sales, tax tips, and so much more. This area is updated weekly so members receive NEW ongoing training all the time. "Good business health is essential to any business so ongoing training keeps us all up to date with fresh innovative ideas for our plant customers. "Shared knowledge and ideas help everyone collectively."
Where will I find customers?
Your Personal Customer Service reps will help you look for hot leads ready to sign with you, and will actually make calls in your area to assist you in getting those accounts. "They will not stop until you have landed your first account!" The books and training tapes map out where and how to find clients who will soon be accepting bids for Plant service. You will schedule role-playing sessions with your personal customer service rep to practice what to say and who to say it to as well. "We will be with you every step of the way!"
Tell me a little more about my Personal Customer Service Rep:
Each member is assigned a Personal Customer Rep. This highly skilled staff comes to us with years and years of experience in sales and marketing. They will be with you from the time you join until you don't need them any longer and you decide when that is. They will walk you thru your homework within the Exclusive Members area: setting up your business license, resale permit, checking account and website. They will also be your first contact when you have questions while you build your business. There will be questions however that only Pamela can answer. She works in the office most afternoons. "We are all here to help you succeed!"
Why not just buy some plants and water themselves?
A plant service can achieve a lush classy image instantly but more importantly a plant service will maintain that classy image for years to come. Companies now budget plant service as a needed expense they cannot live without.
What about the slowing economy and gas prices?
Even with soaring gas prices we have only seen a slight decrease in the amount of signed contracts. However, the amount of these contracts has actually increased. The National Plantscape Registry recently tabulated this information and our membership confirms this. Green and Christmas Concepts truly are low cost franchises that are profitable now and into the future. Your personal customer service rep will work closely with you to help secure contracts close together so driving is minimal.
My friends and family are warning me about starting a home business at this time.
If you are asking for advice from anyone who is not currently a business owner you might not be getting the best advice. Friends and family have a tendency to project their own fear onto others. If they have never had a business it might seem like too much for them, so they think it will be too much for you. If you are determined to work for yourself and you are craving the independence and power over your own life, nothing they say can influence you. We are actually glad most have no idea how profitable the Plantscape industry is. This is one of the biggest reasons plant people make so much money per hour. There is very little competition if any, and clients sign multiple year contracts so our profits are secure. You will be providing plant service for companies that pay their bills on time and honor contracts.
What if I do not know much about plants?
You will only use 15 plant varieties over and over again on all our jobs. This is not rocket science, anybody can do this business!
Do we really get a FREE website?
You sure do! We have programmers who are creative and trustworthy ready to customize your site. You receive a beautiful website with special features built right into the coding. Your website will increase in ranking with Google organically. Over a period of months your listing will rise higher and higher as your future customers search for you, and it's free! Our website programmers will set up your domain (Internet business license) Host (Internet monthly rent) your new business email address, as well as your business card masters. A customized website would cost thousands more than the purchase price just to join us and it's all FREE. The programmers do charge a small fee for their time but it was negotiated for you in advance and it's less than $50.00 per website. Your domain name is about $15.00 and your monthly hosting fee is the absolute lowest that we could find.
What are the costs to attend an upcoming seminar on a cruise ship?
The seminar is completely free with your purchase. We have negotiated group rates and will hold these seminars between the East Coast and West Coast each year. You will be able to plan your vacation around this great training. You will only pay for airfare and rooms.
What is the Photo Club?
The Photo Club is thru secure access within this website. Your can submit photos for watering care, creative options you might not have thought of, or general questions about anything you want. We believe strongly that share knowledge and creative ideas are powerful tools. We want to empower every member so they can do their best and make the highest profits from every job they do.
What are my start-up costs after joining Green Concepts?
Plan around $500 to $600 for your Business license, a few industry subscriptions, fax machine, your website is free so domain and server only, and a few plant supplies for your new plantscape business.
Are there any royalties or fees after I join?
Not at all! You pay a one-time purchase price only, and this is in writing in the agreements we mutually sign. As your business grows you might want extra aprons or caps for your workers, at $45 per set. Any new products we add to our business line up are free to all members even if they joined years ago.
Can I have an exclusive territory?
YES. You will receive an exclusive territory for 2 full years. Competition is a big fear for new entrepreneurs but if you ask anyone who is already in business, that fear goes away quickly. You will be so busy getting clients you won't have time to worry about the other guy.
Why have you changed the last name or city of references in your testimonial area?
Up until a year ago, members offered to field calls all the time just because they loved us and their business so much. Those who previously posted testimonials with their accurate last name or city began receiving calls in the middle of the night all the time. They were asked questions far too personal in nature too. Members began telling us they weren't comfortable being out there on the Internet for just anyone to call. So we asked them if we could alter a few letters of their last name, or change the city they came from. For this same reason we no longer give out any current member phone numbers until you have asked all your questions, reviewed the contracts, and are ready to make a decision. Our member's trust us to only give out their phone number to people we have come to know and trust ourselves.
Will I need a van or truck?
No and we do not recommend buying a special vehicle. Most nurseries do deliver. You can also consider renting a van for the day just to do installations. Good business health starts with keeping expenses low and profits high.
What type of company will rent plants?
Car dealerships, hotels, retirement homes, banks, restaurants, engineering firms, architects, insurance firms, corporate offices, banks, beauty shops, day spas, fitness centers, surgical centers, medical facilities, hospitals, dentists, building lobbies, property managers, financial institutions and any company who wants to impress their clients. In fact, many of our highest paying accounts were in large buildings you probably never even knew were there. Most, if not all companies in those tall grayish silver high rises along the freeway you speed by every day have leased plants or are planning to get them soon. Next time you see a tall building consider this: That building has a potential for at least 50 plant contracts in that single building alone, then scan the horizon and count just how many other buildings you see in that immediate area, now multiply that and you have enough accounts to last a lifetime!
How much time does an average account take to care for?
Accounts are watered every 9 to 10 days. A $100 per month account will take less than 1 hour every 9 days. A $500 a month account will take a few hours every 9 days. You will make an average of $60.00 to $80.00 per hour. This is an amazing home business for single moms and dads too; the entire family really can get involved in this home-based business. You can build your business one account at a time, and with your customer service rep at your side finding accounts will be easy.
When is the best time to join Green Concepts?
If you have the desire to change your life then NOW is the time to start. If your heart races when you come to our website, and you see yourself peacefully watering your little plants, or visualize giving notice and walking off that job, call me and lets talk about it!
How hard is it to find accounts?
Not hard at all. Look around your area. Is there new growth going on? Do you see new buildings or new homes being built? They will all need plants. Your personal customer service rep will make calls and help you land your first accounts. No other franchise offers this service, and let's face it, our price is amazing for a home based business.
Will clients take me seriously if they think I am new?
Your clients will never even suspect that you are new. That's the beauty of this program! You will have copy written references showing clients you are part of a franchise with over 800 members worldwide. They will be confident knowing you are fully trained and part of a nationally recognized organization that takes pride in their work and will deliver a quality product. "Your new clients will definitely trust you with big budgets just like any other Plantscaper."
What if I have a full time job?
Most do at first. Corporations appreciate a family run home business. From experience they know home based entrepreneurs work harder! Companies actually get tax breaks now for supporting small businesses.
How long will it take to get my first account?
Many members get accounts right away. From the day you sign up start telling everyone. Your excitement draws clients to you like bees to honey.
What if I decide to move after I join?
You can transfer your contract to a new address at any time, just let us know. We cannot restrict you from doing business anywhere you want, but if there is a current member in your new area, we would like the opportunity to notify them first.
Where will I buy the plants and containers?
You will learn how to find local sources as well as work with our recommended national wholesalers. With over 800 members we have considerable clout, so you will always get great prices and service.
How long will my client sign their contract for?
A plant client will sign a minimum one-year contract and occasionally a two or three year agreement. They cannot terminate the agreement prior to that date so you always have financial security.
How many plants will it take to do an average plant account?
Take an average account for $250.00 a month. This account might need 10 large plants or 20 small plants. The cost of your contract will be based on the wholesale cost of the plants rather than how many plants are actually used.
How much is an average plant account?
The average plant account has recently jumped from $245.00 to $275.00 per month. We have a member right now with a $3700.00 per month plant contract. We recommend your minimum be around $100 per month.
What about replacement costs?
Plant replacements show the client value and are a necessary part of the lease experience. We looked at replacements as a gift to our clients for timely payments. Clients want a fresh new look from time to time. You will rotate plants from among your existing accounts. The client will never know their new plants are not fresh out of the greenhouse.
Can I name my business anything I want?
Sure, but most use our copy written name "Guaranteed Green" it's a national brand with a worldwide recognized name and logo. You are free however to name your new business anything you like.
What type of account should I go after at first?
The ones that make you feel the most comfortable. If you are currently in the medical professional chances are you will gravitate to that setting, if you are a physical fitness buff, gyms might be a good fit, if you have ever been a food server, restaurants will come easy, if you have sold cars in the past, car dealerships will be an easy sell. Your business is a living thing and you will gravitate to the accounts that best fit your personality.
What about companies that already have plant service?
Our company never encourages anyone to go after other plant contracts. The client will simply go back to their existing service and make them lower their price. Going after someone else's account is not good business. There is so much good work out there, let's go after clients who really need you right now.
Where will I store the plants?
You will purchase only the plants and pottery you need for signed contracts, and only for each special spot. Plants are delivered and installed directly into each of your pre-selected areas in their facility.
What if I don’t have a "Green thumb"?
So glad you asked. "Water Language" was created to teach everyone how to properly care for indoor plants. Our company used this method for over 25 years so we have it down to a science no matter where you live.
What exactly is Water Language?
You will have 15 easy to care for plants choices. Each plant has an exact watering need based on height and pot size. With 40,000 plants on hundreds of accounts we needed a watering standard. As the plant shows any sign of stress you will email or call us and we change your water count until its perfect. Once you have a solid watering count, you can write the watering counts on a 3x5 card and anyone can now help water your plants.
What about the cold weather?
We bundle up our bodies, so plants will need to be bundled up as well. Plants can be wrapped in thermal sleeves made just for warming purposes and transported quite easily.
Are plants and containers heavy?
Not really, in fact most containers are fiberglass and weigh a few pounds. The tallest plant used on an average account is 6' and these plants weight about 15 lbs. A simple dolly will do most of the work.
What about employees?
For the first several accounts consider a family member or friend to help you. Many times during the installation process your client will want extra plants added so a helper is always helpful. Every time they add plants, your monthly profits go up!
