In this episode I speak with Brooke Goodwin from Brookes Blooms, a landscape design, construction and maintenance company based in Brisbane, Queensland.
Brooke has grown the business from just herself 12 years ago, to now employing 96 people across the business. I asked her if she has the same passion for the business now as she did 12 years ago.
Something I loved that Brooke did was setting out clear roles within the business and tasks completed within those roles, so that when people are applying for a role, or working in it, they know exactly what to expect and what's expected of them.
Brooke also spoke about how she gets her designers to be involved with plant placement on their projects, which I thought was an awesome idea.
You can follow Brooke on Instagram @brookesblooms and you can see the mural at Brooks Blooms HQ here
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 105 - Do you believe the next 12 months is going to be challenging for landscaping businesses?
This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on April 16, 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 EST and released as a podcast on Thursdays.
In this episode I answered questions such as:
Do you prefer mortar or adhesive around pools?
Do you think you should have a distinctive style or trademark with designs?
Do you know of any female construction teams?
How much do you spend on advertising?
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 104 - Cam Freeden - Peninsula Stonemasons
In this episode I speak with Cam Freeden from Peninsula Stonemasons, a stone mason company based on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.
Cam's passion for rocks began at an early age, joining a rock and gemstone club at the age of 13, and starting his stone masonry apprenticeship in 1977. There's obviously been plenty of changes in the industry since that time, so we discuss some of them including tools he used and now uses, as well as the way he teaches his apprentices compared to the Spanish stonemasons he learnt from.
We discuss the detail required to work on the high end projects Cam works on, and how important it is to have employees who appreciate that level of detail as well as how hard, but rewarding the work can be.
You can follow Cam on Instagram @peninsula_stonemasons
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 103 - Is Peter Donegan better looking to the James Bond theme tune or in real life?
This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on April 9, 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 EST and released as a podcast on Thursdays.
In this episode I answered questions such as:
What's your process to existing soil in preparation for planting?
What's the best business advice you can give to someone just starting their business?
What dictates planting trends at the garden show?
Is MIFGS the landscaping/gardening version of a triathlon?
The Instagram Reel of Peter Donegan doing a James Bond impersonation can be found here
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 102 - Adam Robinson - Adam Robinson Design
In this episode I speak with Adam Robinson from Adam Robinson Design, a landscape design and exterior styling firm based in Sydney.
Adam is also the brand ambassador for the Landscape Design Institute and has been a member for 14 years, since he was a student.
Adam has a great story about how he started in the industry, starting in consturction before realising his passion was in the design of landscapes.
We talk about the importance of showing your face in marketing and Adam also talks about the anxiety he felt prior to hiring his first employee, and now he has a team of nine.
You can follow Adam on Instagram @adamrobinsondesign
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 101 - What's it like building a larger show garden compared to a Boutique Garden?
This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on April 2, 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 EST and released as a podcast on Thursdays.
In this episode I answered questions such as:
Did you achieve everything you wanted to at the garden show this year?
What's the best way to grout crazy paving?
How do you go about paying yourself Super?
What's it like building a larger show garden compared to a Boutique Garden?
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 100 - Renata Fairhall - Renata Fairhall Garden Designs
In this episode I speak with Renata Fairhall from Renata Fairhall Garden designs, a landscape design business based in Victoria.
Renata made the switch from the corporate world to landscape design after studying at Burnley and then went on to start her own business.
She talks about how, when you start out, you take on every job that comes along but soon realise they're not all worth taking on, and she knocks back 1-2 jobs per week, at least one of which she'd love to take on.
I also ask Renata about how she went about working out what to charge when she started out.
You can follow Renata on Instagram @renatafairhallgardendesigns
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 99 - How much money do you spend on a garden show?
This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on March 28, 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 EST and released as a podcast on Thursdays.
In this episode I answered questions such as:
How much money do you spend on a garden show?
What are three tips you would give to someone wanting to build a MIFGS garden in 2024?
What happens to your show garden once it's over?
With interest rates rising, what area of landscaping would you focus on if you could only choose one?
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
