Millennial says lower pay is worth more flexibility and control as a business owner

Lloyd Fisher left a decade in corporate marketing and started Oak Avenue Landscaping in December 2023; in 2025 he reported about $52,000 in net income and roughly $430,000 in revenue while prioritizing flexible hours and sustainable, all‑electric equipment.

Lloyd Fisher left about a decade in corporate marketing and launched Oak Avenue Landscaping in December 2023. Job cuts and decisions beyond his control helped prompt the move. His early business income was lower than his last corporate salary, but he values the control and flexibility of running his own company. The business emphasizes sustainability and uses fully electric equipment. What is known: - Fisher reported about $52,000 in net income for 2025, with roughly $430,000 in revenue and about $37,000 in expenses as of December 22, 2025. - He invested heavily in vehicles and equipment in the first year, and much of the gross profit has gone to subcontractor costs. - Fisher said he had severance to rely on while starting the business and that he learned pricing and operational details through trial and error. - Oak Avenue Landscaping offers services ranging from several hundred dollars for designs to multi‑thousand‑dollar projects, with some work reaching six‑figure contracts. - The company operates with one full‑time employee and uses an installation team for large projects, and Fisher also runs a small marketing agency he plans to grow. Summary: Fisher says the business has given him a different kind of satisfaction and more control over his schedule, including time for family and personal pursuits. He has doubled revenue since starting and reinvested much of it into operations; he plans in 2026 to expand services, pursue more commercial clients, and continue promoting all‑electric landscaping as he builds the business and his team.