A Passion for Planting:
My Own Landscape Design Business

My passion for plants started in my childhood. While other kids were hanging out at the mall, I was propagating indoor plants in my bedroom.

Ironically, in high school I was given a career test to determine which occupation would best fit me. I wasn’t surprised to learn that “landscape architect” was one of the three careers that matched (the other two were “journalist” and “art teacher”). I had always excelled in high school art classes, but was not challenged, so I wound up bored.

My aspiration upon graduating high school was to open my own greenhouse and sell indoor plants, but I took what I considered to be a more sensible approach and went to college, majoring in Art. I followed my talent instead of my passion, and again felt unchallenged.

Still drawn to plants, I switched my major to horticulture. The horticulture program included a class in Landscape Design, and it was in this class that my eyes were opened to the creativity involved in designing an outdoor environment.

I learned that plants are not the only medium for a garden. A garden is an outdoor canvas where there are no rules. Statues, architectural pieces, fountains, and lighting can be composed into a garden, and then plants can be used to enhance those objects.

In August of 1995, I was accepted into the Landscape Architecture program at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro. I remember feeling overwhelmed by the abundance of dogwood trees and azaleas I saw on my first trip to visit the A&T campus, and I knew in my heart that this was the right move for me both physically and emotionally.

After receiving a four-year degree in Landscape Architecture, my first job was with a small design/build firm. My job consisted predominantly of drafting, with a lesser emphasis on design. Working for a small company was a great foundation for starting my own business, because I was able to establish a list of contacts I could call for materials on specific jobs.

Eventually, I started my own company. I found I wanted to be involved in the entire process, from design to installation, working directly with the project site. Taking a design from paper and actually building it is incredibly fulfilling. It only took me a few months to get my business off the ground. Initially the only supplies I needed were a drafting table, compass and scale.

When I first decided to start my own landscape design firm, I contacted one of my former professors at NC A&T, Sherri Hollingsworth, who helped me establish my pricing criteria. I also attended additional classes at the Small Business Consortium, where I learned QuickBooks®, taxes, and marketing.

As an entrepreneur, I know that I need to balance my active time with quiet time for collecting my thoughts. I do this either at the beginning of the day with a cup of coffee or at the end of the day. I have found that some of my best ideas come in the evening, so self-employment is a wonderful fit for my lifestyle; it allows me to design when ideas hit me, no matter what the time is. I also value being readily available to my clients and my family. When my one-year-old son goes to bed, I work right in my home office near his bedroom.

My business approach is extremely service oriented. I know that the first appointment with a new client is crucial for the creation of a successful design. The more feedback I receive, the better the end result. I do not mind if clients call me on Saturday or Sunday, and visiting clients on the weekend is not an uncommon practice.

Creating comfortable—as well as functional—spaces for my clients is my number one priority. It’s gratifying to see people strolling, sitting, or even celebrating an event in something I designed and constructed. One of my clients had a Halloween party with 100 people. Seeing everyone dressed up in costumes, enjoying themselves by the pond, herb garden, pergola, and flower gardens, is a moment I will never forget.

Being in your garden should be rejuvenating and comfortable. There is no exact science to gardening, just like there is no exact science to running your own business. You must nurture both in a way that is comfortable, adaptable, and enjoyable for yourself.