INPUT ARTICLE: Article: In the early stages of your business, you will need to rely on small scale activities like fliers, or going door to door.  Advertising using social media can also be a good, cheap way to get some early advertising through friends and other acquaintances. Utilize social media to find new customers. You can establish Facebook page showcasing your work, and use business networking sites like LinkedIn and Google Plus. Look for sites where people search for services, like Angie's List and Yelp, and encourage your customers to post reviews there. These can be local groups like  the Chamber of Commerce, or larger trade organizations. Local business groups can keep you connected to local businesses that may need your landscaping expertise, or can provide additional services to your company. Regional and national trade organizations allow you to keep up to date with changes in the business, and can provide additional opportunities for education. Look for other kinds of design or installation you can do to expand your customer base. Continuing education courses that you take through maintaining your contractor license can be a good opportunity to learn new skills that your customers will want to take advantage of. One good niche to move into is "interior-scaping". There are opportunities available for businesses that can manage the greenery of indoor spaces, such as malls or office buildings. You will want to know the type of plants best suited to the environment and will be visually appealing with the building's design. There can be quite a bit of overlap in this kind of work with that of a more general interior decorator. To get bigger, you may consider branching out into more advanced projects through landscape architecture. If you don't have a bachelor's degree, you can get one in Landscape Architecture (BLA or BSLA). There are further programs for a Masters in Landscape Architecture (MLA), which will differ depending on your undergraduate degree.  The American Society of Landscape Architecture has a listing of accredited schools, both in-person and online, where you can earn these degrees. There is an additional MA/MS in Landscape Architecture, but that degree is better suited for someone who wants to do research in the field, not be a professional. The toughest part about growing as a landscaping business is that you will not be able to do all of the design and landscaping work. Instead, you will need to rely on your employees to keep up the quality that attracted customers in the first place. Make sure your business has design and work processes in place for everyone to follow, and perhaps a designated management team to help carry them out. Find ways to keep the best employees. Landscaping and lawn care are high turnover businesses. You need to find ways to keep your best employees, as they provide additional skills that allow you to attract more customers, and may not be easily replaceable. Finding ways for them to stay with the company, while still having room to grow, will help maintain standards and quality.

SUMMARY: Advertise. Join business organizations. Add a new niche. Get a degree in landscape architecture. Develop processes to maintain quality.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: When the body does not absorb or make  sufficient carnitine, doctors will prescribe oral L-carnitine. Carnitine levels may be low because of many reasons. Genetic disorders are the most common, but medical procedures such as hemodialysis also drain the body of L-carnitine temporarily. Vegetarians or anyone who is on a strict diet may also have low carnitine levels. Patients with serious kidney disease often have low red blood cell counts. Taking L-carnitine supplements is proven to be an effective way to increase red blood cell counts in these patients. Kidneys are responsible for synthesizing carnitine in the body. Kidney disease decreases carnitine and lowers red blood cell count. If you struggle with complications related to heart disease and heart failure, your doctor may prescribe L-carnitine, especially if you have chest pain or have had a heart attack. There is strong evidence that suggests L-carnitine supplements mitigate symptoms.  Patients with stable angina may benefit from L-carnitine supplements when it is taken with propionyl-L-carnitine. Both may reduce symptoms and improve the ability to exercise without chest pain. Heart attack victims benefit from L-carnitine  supplements when taken with conventional medications. It may reduce the risk of a second heart attack, chest pain, abnormal heart rhythms or heart failure. Patients who have experienced heart failure may benefit from L-carnitine. This supplement may improve exercise capacity. Studies suggest that a low dose of L-carnitine can help infants born prematurely and with a low birth weight by... The supplement can help infants get more benefit from the nutrition supplied to them at the hospital. Patients on anti-seizure medications containing valproic acid may be able to minimize and prevent side effects from that medication.  However, L-carnitine has been linked to an increased risk of seizures in patients prone to seizures, so using the supplement to combat side effects associated with anti-seizure medication can be dangerous and should only be done under doctor's supervision. L-carnitine may mitigate side effects associated with AZT (an HIV/AIDS medication), doxorubicin (chemotherapy medication), and isotretinoin  (acne medication). Research is needed to verify these claims before L-carnitine can be recommended in these cases. If you suffer hyperthyroidism, your thyroid gland produces excess hormone and you may have symptoms of nervousness, weakness, tremors and rapid heartbeat. Research indicates that L-carnitine reduces these symptoms. Research also suggests that carnitine might block the action of thyroid hormone, which is why the effect of excess thyroid hormone is reduced when it is taken. L-carnitine supplements may help correct male infertility problems caused by inflammation of the prostrate, seminal vesicles and epididymis.  Low sperm count has been linked to low levels of carnitine. L-carnitine supplements may increase sperm count and mobility.  Propionyl-L-carnitine may help men suffering erectile dysfunction, especially if they are also using conventional medication for this condition. L-carnitine has been used to treat many conditions in the past, but medical studies have either ruled the supplement to be ineffective or results were inconclusive for those conditions.  Studies suggest that L-carnitine does not improve athletic ability. There is no evidence that L-carnitine improves athletic performance or endurance. L-carnitine is often marketed as a weight loss supplement, but there is no evidence to back weight loss claims.  While the verdict may change favorably in the future, there is insufficient evidence to support claims that L-carnitine can improve:  Fatigue due to celiac disease, age, cancer, hepatitis C, or memory disorders. Leg pain caused by poor circulation (peripheral vascular disease). Some studies suggest propionyl-L-carnitine may reduce symptoms of PVD, but evidence is still inconclusive. Symptoms of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Rett syndrome. Eating disorders. Diabetes. Preliminary studies indicate that acetyl-L-carnitine may reduce pain associated with diabetic neuropathy, but evidence remains inconclusive. High cholesterol. Blood disorders. Leg ulcers. Lyme disease. Autism.

SUMMARY:
Boost low carnitine levels. Increase red blood cell count. Combat heart disease. Improve birth weight. Prevent side effects. Treat symptoms of high thyroid hormone. Treat male infertility. L-carnitine will not improve some conditions.