The Landscaping Podcast - Ep26 - Mark Cvetkovski

In this episode I talk with Mark Cvetkovski of Top Buxus Australia.

Mark and his business partner operate a garden maintenance business in Melbourne and after struggling to find a suitable solution to the lack of health with Buxus plants, they discovered Top Buxus and started importing it into Australia to use on their clients gardens. After a year of using it they decided to be the Australian seller of it.

Mark's background is in Science, and we discuss how he looked to develop root systems within plants in winter in order for them to thrive in Spring.

We also discuss the benefit Mark of using the Top Buxus product prior to selling it, so that they had confidence in what they were selling.

You can follow along with Mark on the Top Buxus Instagram page @topbuxus_australia

You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page @instyle_gardens @thelandscapingpodcast You can view each episode on our YouTube channel or on our website instylegardens.com.au/the-landscaping-podcast

The Landscaping Podcast - Ep25 - Alistair Hutton - Everscapes

In this episode I speak with Alistair Hutton of Everscapes. Everscapes is a landscape design and construction company based in Brisbane and Alistair also runs Infinity Pool Builders.

In this chat, Alistair mentions how he started in the industry, by pushing himself to do new things as clients asked, which allowed him to grow his skillset. When I ask about how he grew the business to the size it is now (26 employees), he mentions how learning to not micro manage was the biggest thing he had to do in order to grow.

Something I forgot to compliment Alistair on was his use of social media. His Instagram is well worth a follow and can be found at @everscapes_landscaping

You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast

You can view each episode on our YouTube channel or on our website
instylegardens.com.au/the-landscaping-podcast

The Landscaping Podcast - Ep24 - Steven Wells - The Gardener

In this episode I speak with Steven Wells. Steven is a horticultural therapist and nurse, and has combined his love of horticulture and caring for people by designing and implementing a beautiful gardens built across three Austin Hospital sites for the benefit of patients, visitors and staff.

I found this chat to be great for reflecting on the way I think and act in business and life. Steven speaks about his amazing manager who supported his passion in the early days, how he's able to sit back and watch people enjoy the garden that was his idea and which he designed, and I remind Steven of a series of Instagram posts hid did a few years ago where he was noticing numbers in nature.

It's a deeper thinking episode than normal, but I absolutely loved that about it so hopefully you do too!

The Better Homes and Garden story I refer to in the opener is here, and it's worth watching prior to listening to this episode. The bit with Steven only goes for about three minutes, unless you'd like to learn how to build a water garden in a bowl, in which case, keep watching!

Steven can be found on instagram @stevenwellsthegardener and his website is stevenwellsthegardener.com

You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast

You can view each episode on our YouTube channel or on our website
instylegardens.com.au/the-landscaping-podcast

The Landscaping Podcast - Ep23 - Craig Ratcliffe - Southern Cross Lawns and Gardens

In this episode I speak with Craig Ratcliffe of Southern Cross Lawns and Gardens. Craig is a gardener who specialises in hedging and topiary and works in New South Wales.

Craig recently moved to Orange from Sydney, which is about 3 hours commute, so we discuss how he's going to look after past clients in Sydney and obtain new ones in Orange.

He's got a great story about how he started in the industry and the persistence he had to work for the employer he wanted to work for.

And Craig has a large social media following so we discuss his through process behind his posts.

You can follow Craig on Instagram @southerncrosslawnsandgardens


You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast

You can view each episode on our YouTube channel

The Landscaping Podcast - Ep22 - Jordan Taylor - Granite Works

In this episode I speak with Jordan Taylor from Granite Works, a paving supplier based in Melbourne.

We speak about Jordan applying for a job ad in the paper to work for Granite Works 18 years ago and the path he has taken to get to his role today.

We speak about how the paving industry has changed, about a couple of impressive projects Granite Works has been involved in and some new products on the market.

You can follow along with Granite Works on Instagram @granite.works or their website www.graniteworks.com.au

You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast

You can view each episode on our YouTube channel

The Landscaping Podcast - Ep21 - Tony Mcleod - Domain Pools

In this episode I speak with Tony Mcleod from Domain Pools, a pool building company based in Melbourne.

Tony has been in the Landscaping/Pool industry for more than 30 years and is a wealth of knowledge, some of which he shares in this episode.

He also talks about a massive project he won in the early days which set him up for future success.

He talks about people not charging enough when they're quoting for tasks such as paving.

And I ask the age old question "Why should I pick a concrete pool vs a fibreglass pool.

Domain pools can be found on Instagram @domainpoolsmelbourne or their website domainpools.melbourne


You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast

You can view each episode on our YouTube channel

The Landscaping Podcast - Ep20 - David Andersen - InsideOut Design and Build

In this episode I speak with our first international guest, David Andersen from Insideout Design and Build, a landscape design and construction company based in Vancouver, Canada.

David was born in South Africa, moved to London in the UK when he was 19 and started landscaping there. He ended up starting his own business in London before moving to Canada and, after working for other employers, ended up starting his current business which has been running for about 5 years.

We talk about the differences and similarities of landscaping in the different countries, as well as the path many landscapers make, starting out small and gradually moving slightly out of your comfort zone to try something new and growing from there.

You can also follow along with David's projects on Instagram @insideout_designbuild

You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast

You can also view each episode on our YouTube channel

The Landscaping Podcast - Ep19 - Steve Taylor - COS Design

In this episode I speak with Steve Taylor of COS Design.

Steve is a landscape designer based in Melbourne and is one of Australia's most awarded designers and my favourite designer.

We discuss how Steve started out, starting in landscape construction before growing the company and then doing design and construction, before transitioning to what he does now, being solely in design.

The Before and After video I spoke about in the episode can be found here and then click on the first video titled 'B&A S01E02 COS Design'

You can also follow along with Steve's projects on Instagram @cos.design

You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast

You can view each episode on our YouTube channel