In this episode I speak with Simon Buchanan from Landart Landscapes, a design and construction company based in Melbourne.
Simon had a similar sound to his story about starting in the industry, in that he had a passion for graphic design in his school days, and then was fortunate enough to work for a great landscaper as his first employer, in Scott Wynd from TLC, where he not only learnt all things landscaping, but also pool construction, and Simon now also runs Striking Pools with his business partner.
Striking Pools won the most recent Pool of the Year for the Master Pool Builders Association and Landart the best landscaping project in the $250k category for Landscaping Victoria.
Simon talks about how he travelled to two different countries thanks for Landscaping, and also talks about his World Skills experiences.
You can follow Simon on Instagram @landart@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 115 - Is $99/hr per person too high for a landscaper to charge?
This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on May 21, 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:
Will you ever put ads in the middle of your podcast?
What does your average day look like?
What do you think the future holds for the landscaping industry?
How do you deal with variations during a project?
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 114 - Tim Volant - Tim Volant Stonemason
In this episode I speak with Tim Volant from Tim Volant Stonemason, a Melbourne based Stonemason who started in the industry when he was 28.
Tim has a great story about how he started out and the challenges he faced, and he's another guest who had a big impact on the stonemason he is today thanks to who he worked for, both in reference to employer and also client.
Tim speaks about the most challenging client he's worked for, his desire to employ an apprentice, and his feelings after he finishes each project.
Tim also talks about his passion for work, and whether his endless pursuit of doing the best job possible is perfectionism or just workmanship.
He also talks about the amount of thought that even goes into his Instagram posts to show his work in the best possible way.
You can follow Tim on Instagram @timvolant
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 113 - What is the worst work situation that has happened on site for you/your team?
This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on May 14, 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 percentage of a quote should be just for plants?
Is it still shorts weather?
What is one type of construction you feel you've never nailed?
How do designers deal with starting out and their self doubts of their design?
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 112 - Carla Ramsland - R Haus
In this episode I speak with Carla Ramsland from R Haus, a Landscape Architecture Studio based in Perth, Western Australia.
Carla began her studies in Sydney at Ryde Tafe and worked for a Design and Construct business, before moving to Queensland and studying Landscape Architecture, and then moving across to Perth and starting her business there about two years ago, after more than 20 years in the industry.
Carla explains the difference between landscape design and landscape architecture from her point of view, having done qualifications for both.
Carla has a mantra she mentions a few times in this chat of "Good people attract good people", and she has remained friends with many of the colleagues she's worked with along the way, and now creates successful connections with contractors she engages to build her projects.
My favourite part f the episode was when she explains the importance of giving the professional freedom to do what they do best, whether that's a designer, bricklayer, stonemason or whoever.
You can follow Carla on Instagram @_rhaus
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 111 - What do you look for in an employee?
This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on May 7, 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:
If you were no longer allowed to be a landscaper or designer, what would you be?
What's the best design programs out there for garden design?
Pros and Cons to being a sole trader as opposed to a company?
What's the best construction tip you've ever received?
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 110 - Liz Filmer - Liz Filmer Landscaping
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
