In this episode I speak with Nick Conley from Nicklaus Landscaping, a landscape design and construction company based in Northern California.
Nick has been in business for around 6 years, and something he did early, which he's no doubt benefited from, was obtaining the services of a business coach. Specifically one who previously worked in landscaping, so we discuss that.
Nick also talks about the reason why he wants to build a successful business that will allow his employees to support their families.
And there are plenty of experiences that Nick discusses which will sound familiar to landscapers regardless of what country they're in, such as when he mentions how he no longer provides exact start dates for projects, as he wouldn't be able to meet the deadline, and would end up stressed and with an unhappy client, so now he just gives a very loose estimate.
You can follow along with Nick on Instagram @nicklauslandscaping
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 Ep62 - Andrew Hopkins - Hopkins Construction
In this episode I speak with Hoppo from Hopkins Construction. Andrew runs a construction company with a landscaping and carpentry crew in Melbourne, and has been doing so for the past 5 years.
I first met Hoppo on The Block in 2019 so we discuss our time there, as well as some business tips that he's learnt along the way, such as employing people to do the things you're not good at.
We also discuss charging for quotes, getting budgets off clients and whether you should have clear boundaries between employer and employees.
You can follow along with Hoppo on Instagram @hopkinsconstruction
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 Ep61 - Dean Herald - Rolling Stone Landscapes
In this episode I speak with Dean Herald form Rolling Stone Landscapes. Dean runs his landscape design and construction company in Sydney, and has done so for more than 30 years, starting out on his own before building the business up to a super high end company building some of the best landscapes in the country.
Dean shares plenty of tips and advice in this chat, and it's all achievable for any sized business, which I found fascinating. Simple things such as turning up on time make you stand out from the majority of businesses, and it's not hard!
Dean also mentions why he doesn't charge consultation fees, and shares his processes for staff communication and job tracking.
You can follow along with the phenomenal work produced by Dean on Instagram @rollingstonelandscapes and you can see the 2011 Show Garden we discuss at Rollingstonelandscapes.com . It's mind blowing that this is a show garden and the ground hasn't been penetrated to build it.
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 Ep60 - Sam Langham - Outside Indulgence Pools and Landscapes
In this episode I speak with Sam Langham from Outside Indulgence Pools and Landscapes. Sam runs a design and construction company based in South West Sydney and operates with 6-8 staff.
Throughout this chat I realised that Sam does a lot of the 1%ers really well, things like putting time into customer service/communication, ensuring staff are taught and teach things the right way, lots of small things like this that seem obvious, but not a lot of companies do.
We also discuss potential benefits of long term employees as well as a great way to build your skills as a business owner, by making connections with other business owners who operate a larger/more successful company.
The top post on the Outside Indulgence Instagram page is a pinned post about services they offer, and it's a brilliant post, so I recommend you check it out, along with their other work @outsideindulgence_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 - Ep59 - Tim Pilgrim - T.P Gardens
In this episode I speak with Tim Pilgrim of T.P Gardens. Tim's company is based in Central Victoria and he does Landscape Design, Installation and Maintenance.
He describes his style as Naturalistic gardens for a modern Australian context, and his Instagram page illustrates this brilliantly.
While researching Tim, I saw on his website that he lists a 'from' price for the services he provides. I thought this was a great idea so we discuss the benefits of this.
I also brought up two stunning gardens that I saw on Tim's page, and when Tim describes them both, they have something in common which is a great indicator to why they were so successful.
You can follow along with Tim's beautiful Instagram page @t.p_gardens
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 Ep58 - Matt Hiner - Hiner Outdoor Living
In this episode I speak with Matt Hiner from Hiner Outdoor Living, a landscape design and construction company based in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Matt designs and builds some of the most amazing natural water features in the world, with the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop to many of them.
In this chat we discuss how he started out working for himself, with just $300 to his name, and how he built his business up to where it is now, turning over around $5,000,000 annually.
He shares some advice on empowering staff as well as giving a run down of some of the Hiner Outdoor Living Core Values and how he implements them to new employees.
They say time flies when you're having fun, and this felt like the fastest podcast I've done to date, so hopefully you enjoy it as much as I did!
You can follow along with Matt on Instagram on his personal account @the_yardist or the business @hineroutdoorliving
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 - Ep57 - Josh Hooper - Landscape Techniques
This week I speak with Josh Hooper from Landscape Techniques.
Josh runs a design and construction company in South Australia, working in the top end of the market on some of the best properties in Adelaide and the surrounding suburbs.
In this chat we talk about the challenges of growing your staff numbers, advantages of using/buying the best equipment or tools for the job and the importance of a healthy body and healthy mind.
You can follow along with Josh on Instagram @landscape.techniques
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 - Ep56 - Alistair Kirkpatrick - Stratis Landscape Architecture
In this episode I speak with Alistair Kirkpatrick who works for Stratis Landscape Architecture. He was previously a joint owner of AKAS Landscape Architecture.
Alistair is a Landscape Architect and also teaches at RMIT, Melbourne University and Melbourne Polytechnic and has been proactive in teaching the Architecture students more about plants and horticulture than they'd otherwise learn.
We discuss Alistair's first interaction with horticulture and the path he took as a student and then starting his business after completing his studies, in a different physical and economical environment than we have today.
We also discuss why Alistair likes teaching and the benefits of using Tafe/University teachers as a great resource to find your next employee.
You can follow along with Alistair on Instagram @alistairkirkpatrick or Stratis Landscape Architecture @stratis_la
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
