In this episode I speak with Les Edwards from ED Landscapes, a design and construction company which started in 2006 and is operating in Sydney and Mudgee in New South Wales.
Les has a great story about where his love for the green industry began as a small child watching his dad's cousin mow their lawn, before going on to study horticulture at Ryde TAFE, and then going on to work for his dad's cousin for 6-7 years as a landscaper.
Les talks about how in the early days of business he was taking on every job that came along, but then after sharing emails with Dean Herald from Rolling Stone, he decided to take Dean's advice and niche down slightly, choosing landscaping of new homes as his target market.
There's also a great story about one of Les' employees starting as an apprentice and now moving into the operational side of the business many years later.
You can follow along with Les and ED Landscapes on Instagram @ed_landscapes_
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
Episode 91 - What do you think social media has done for the Landscaping Industry?
This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on February 26, 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 EST and released on the podcasts on Thursdays.
In this episode I answered questions such as:
What attention do you pay to soil conditioning?
What do you think is the ideal crew size? Cost effective/productive?
What's a power tool you wish you bought earlier?
What was the motivation to start the podcast? Did you think it would get so popular?
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
Episode 90 - Adam Gee - Anston Architectural Products
In this episode I speak with Adam Gee from Anston Architectural Products. Adam works as a sales manager at Anston but originally started his working life out of school as an apprentice landscaper at The Garden Company in Melbourne.
Adam became qualified and started his own landscaping business before realising it wasn't for him, so moved into sales and ending up at Anston 10 years later.
In this chat we talk about Adam's time as a landscaper and how that experience has helped him in his role with Anston. He also lets us know what the current trends have been in terms of colours and sizes of pavers, and I ask him what the best way to lay paver is.
Anston are sponsoring our Garden Show build with some of their concrete spheres, so I asked Adam what the motivation is behind sponsoring events like MIFGS and the Block.
You can follow along with Adam and Anston on Instagram @anstonarchproducts
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
Episode 89 - How do you balance work and life?
This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on February 19, 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 EST and released on the podcasts on Thursdays.
In this episode I answered questions such as :
Do you meet on site, or at the shed in the morning?
How do you balance work and life, and when do you find time to do quoting and other paper/computer work?
Long pants, or shorts all year?
What's the first question you get asked or ask during a quote/consultation?
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
Episode 88 - Liam Riley - Indigenous Design Landscaping
In this episode I speak with Liam Riley from Indigenous Design Landscaping. A design and construction company based in Melbourne who build sustainable and environmentally sensitive landscapes.
Liam has 18 employees and completes residential and commercial projects and in this chat he talks about the importance and his willingness to upskill his staff.
He has a great story about the luck he had in starting in the industry, just by handing out flyers in his street.
He also talks about how he studied business in his early days, as he's more of a natural landscaper than businessman. We also discussed the difference in the pros and cons of residential and commercial landscaping.
You can follow along with Liam's work on Instagram @id_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
Episode 87 - What's the best ratio of staff per site?
This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on February 12, 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 EST and released on the podcasts on Thursdays.
In this episode I answered questions such as :
What design program do you use and why?
What's the best purchase for your business you've made under $100?
What is the best staff numbers to have on site?
Where do I begin when landscaping on a sloping block?
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
Episode 86 - Malcom Berce - Desert Flower Landscaping
In this episode I speak with Malcom Berce from Desert Flower Landscaping, a landscape design and construction company based in Adelaide, South Australia.
Malcom is a wealth of knowledge and a great person to talk to. The conversation I had with him prior to the podcast officially starting was so good that I had to leave it in.
He talks about the reason he charges for consultations, where his passion for gardening and landscaping originated and what it's like being on the MLSA board.
Malcom had a long term vision of what he wanted to be and to achieve prior to starting in landscaping, and it's great to see him achieving his vision and working towards a continually improving one.
You can follow Malcom on Instagram @desert.flower.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
Episode 85 - When did you know you'd made it in business?
This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on February 5 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 EST and released on the podcasts on Thursdays.
In this episode I answered questions such as :
When did you know you'd made it in business?
What job management programs do you use?
When is the best time to put on an employee?
Any advice for a first time MIFGS entrant?
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
