A landscape contractor I work with has a "mentor" thru one of the Landscape Contractor Associations...maybe ALCA (?) He seems to be very pleased with the results. I would suggest contacting one of these organizations to see what they offer. You may find a retired local designer/contractor who had a business similar to yours who might be willing to advise you. I have a wonderful network of designer friends thru my state Design Organization (here...the Va. Society of Landscape Designers www.vsld.org) We meet as a group twice a year and regionally more often in smaller groups to network, vent, and share ideas. It has been invaluable to me and my business. The national organization...APLD...may do the same thing.

What!!! I'm from an older generation and don't know what your Q's, P's, and V's mean. Let me know when you find an advisor over the phone? I could use one too.

Sorry if this sounded cryptic....ALCA is (I think) the Assoc. of Landscape Contractors of America?? There are other professional organizations as well for Landscape Contractors. (also free magazines they send if you contact them.) APLD is Association of Professional Landscape Designers..a national organization/certification for Landscape Designers. The contact info is in my office....if you email me I can send them to you.

There is, believe it or not, an organization of retired business people who offer free advice to small businesses. Of course, as with everything, some are more helpful than others, but it is a volunteer group. Most states have at least a few. I used them when I was getting started, and found my guy to be quite helpful. I think it's time for me to go asking again- I should probably upgrade to a LLC at this point.

Here is a link that might be useful: SCORE site

I would like to say I found it helpful, but my visits with a score advisor were less than helpful. I had to sit on my hands to not write anything less kind. My business was totally out of his element to begin with.

Thankfully I'd had some decent econ classes in university and I enrolled promptly in a small business night class. I didn't learn that much there either, but the prof was sharp and the networking I managed was very worth it.

I even spent several sessions with an attorney to just ask legal questions. He was supposed to be an agricultural specialist. It was also less than helpful. My best help has been from those in the business, and various trade short courses.