In this episode I speak with Adam Hompas from Adam Hompas Landscapes, a landscape construction company based in Melbourne.
Adam started out working in Commercial Landscaping before moving to domestic landscaping projects and starting his own business, so he talks about the differences between the two sectors.
He's currently working with Landscaping Victoria to launch a wellbeing hub, which will be a resource centre for landscapers to go to to be able to get help or education about improving their mental health and that of their employees.
Adam also touches on the fact that he's starting to use sub-contractors more than he has in the past and the reasons/benefits of this, as well as how he's choosing a balanced work life, rather than growing into a massive, high end company.
You can follow along with Adam on Instagram @adamhompaslandscapes
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 EP65 - Eden Hill - EHL Landscaping
In this episode I speak with Eden Hill from EHL Landscaping, a construction company based on the Central Coast of New South Wales.
Eden has been landscaping since he was 14 and running the business since he was 19, which was only 4 years ago. The things he's doing inside and outside of his business are what many landscapers who've had their business for 10+ years aspire to do, so it was an awesome chat to have with Eden.
He employed a business coach early on, and has clear goals set out for the short and long term, as well as a plan on what he's going to do to achieve them.
He also talks about the many ways his company uses Xero, his time at the World Skills competition, and how fortunate he was to start his career at Cornerstone Landscapes.
You can follow along with Eden on Instagram @ehllandscaping
The tradie group that I mention in this chat which was started by Rich from Bluesky Landscaping is called The Trade Society and is on Instagram @the.trade.society
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 Ep64 - A chat with Dan Foreman at the Melbourne Home Show
This weeks episode is a different format to the usual schedule. Previous guest Dan Foreman was the landscaping ambassador at the recent Melbourne Home Show, and part of that included designing and building a display garden, and he also organised to have a heap of different designers, landscapers and suppliers come in to be interviewed by him on stage.
This episode is my chat with him where we discussed things like choosing the right landscaper, the importance of making a plan prior to starting landscaping, and my experience at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show as well as on The Block.
In the intro I mention who the other speakers were, and you can head to the Melbourne Home Show Facebook page to watch/listen to these chats by the other guests.
You can follow along with Dan on Instagram @danscrepes
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 Ep63 - Nick Conley - Nicklaus Landscaping
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
