A day in the life of Tony Merrick our Stourbridge nicenstripy franchisee.
Monday morning and it’s what we call ‘The Kiddy Run’, its most of the day in Kidderminster and surrounding villages, nice and rural and a very nice old fashioned community spirit. We enjoy this round as the customers are always so pleased to see us and often remark at how pleased they are with the quality of our work . . . they do like nice straight stipes in their lawns in Kidderminster!
Monday morning and it’s what we call ‘The Kiddy Run’, its most of the day in Kidderminster and surrounding villages, nice and rural and a very nice old fashioned community spirit. We enjoy this round as the customers are always so pleased to see us and often remark at how pleased they are with the quality of our work . . . they do like nice straight stipes in their lawns in Kidderminster!
Wake up 7 am and quickly wash and shave ready for day ahead.
Into the office to check work schedule, though on this day most cuts are set in stone. Print off invoices and head outside to meet Simon on the van at 8 am.
Head off through some beautiful countryside into outskirts of kiddy.
All of the customers on this round have been with me for a number of years now and know very well what to expect from Simon and I . . . A Clean and tidy van, clean tools and dressed in full corporate attire, to be easy and quickly identified as nicenstripy personnel, together with rubbish sacks to take away their grass. There is nothing too difficult today, as we are grass cutting in the main season now, but we know the Van will be full, with grass, at end of the day.
9 cuts in Kiddy with a couple of cups of tea in between
Lunch time, where we call at a lovely village café, who do great sandwiches to take out!
Drive towards Bridgnorth to a village called Alveley
4 cuts in Alveley with a cuppa in between
Heading now back towards Stourbridge area passing small village called Cookley where Simon and I have to cut a difficult, very steep, back lawn . . . well it gets strimmed to be honest, but our customer is very grateful as he no longer has to cut such a steep bank and is always amazed at how fast we carry out the works to a very high standard.
Passing farms and Villages on the way home, in the sunshine of June, reminds me why I do this job as it’s a glorious day , well maybe a little warm, but at least the tan that we both had in April this year continues to improve.
Last job of the day very close to home and its back for 4.30 pm job done!
Its bye bye to Simon and check money adds up to the round done.
Could I have worked harder? Undoubtedly, if I wanted to I could double the number of customers on the day, but I don’t want to. I earn a decent living and enjoy a good work – lifestyle balance, which is why I joined the nicenstripy Gardening Franchise.
Quick cup of tea with the Mrs then it’s out over the woods and fields close by with my dogs to relax and unwind. We have a long weekend planned for next weekend, so I will miss next Monday’s round and Simon will be cutting all day by himself, but he doesn’t mind as he does get a few extra quid in his pay-packet at the end of the Month. It’s important to me and the Mrs. that we have a few holidays each year, mostly during the winter periods, as all work and no play makes Jack a very dull boy! When we work we do work hard but generate a very good income that allows for between 10 – 12 weeks holiday each and every year. The reason I chose nicenstripy was because they promised me a good work – lifestyle balance and after the first couple of years I have achieved an even better balance between working and spending time with my family, than I was promised or envisaged!