In this episode I speak with Liz Filmer from Liz Filmer Landscaping, a residential and commercial design and construction company based in Gippsland and South East Victoria.
Liz has had the business for more than 25 years and her story began like a few others I've spoken to, working for a great employer for her apprenticeship. She stayed with that company for 10 years before starting her own business.
Liz talks about what she looks for in an employee as well as recently working out what was missing from her life after moving to a property in Orbost.
Liz is about to take on the largest project of her career, so we also discuss that in this chat.
You can follow Liz on Instagram @lizfilmerlandscaping
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 109 - Do you struggle to keep the motivation levels up?
This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on April 30, 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 have a business mentor or someone you discuss ideas about how to better improve the business and operations?
What percentage are you currently putting on the different elements that go into a job?
Do you prefer designing and building your own projects or building someone else's design?
When quoting jobs, what is the hourly rate for an experienced qualified landscaper?
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 108 - Cam Hainsworth - Abcam Horticulture
maintenance company based in Melbourne.
Cam started working in a couple of different wholesale nurseries prior to going out on his own, working on one of the most expensive properties in Victoria prior to getting his business really established.
Cam talks about the challenges he knows he'll face as he looks to expand the capabilities of his business, and we also discuss the importance and value of really looking after your client and how it can lead to referral work.
You can follow Cam on Instagram @abcamhorticulture
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 107 - What are you putting in your quotes to help protect you?
This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on April 23, 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 do you believe the biggest asset in your landscaping business is?
What are your top 3 podcasts, and do you think the landscape podcast market could do with more podcasters?
How did you find running your business and trying to get a home loan in the early days?
What is the most important part of designing a water feature?
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 106 - Brooke Goodwin - Brookes Blooms
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
