Episode 95 - Should a quote be split 50/50 for labour/materials?

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on March 12, 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 is the rudest client experience you've had and how did you deal with it?

What's the best study/qualification to have to get a job in landscaping?

Should a quote be split 50/50 between materials and labour?

Is a uniform necessary on a building/landscaping site? And are track pants ever acceptable?

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 94 - Adam White - Dorset Bottega

In this episode I speak with Adam White from Dorset Bottega, a landscape design and construction company based in Brisbane, Queensland.

Adam started his landscaping business later than most, but had  plenty of valuable experience prior, working as a cabinet maker, carpenter, furniture designer, renovating 17 houses and having hardworking and creative parents.

He talks about the vision he created prior to starting Dorset Bottega and how he wanted to build beautiful gardens for nice people, and he continues to uphold this philosophy today, while also creating a great environment for his employees to work and grow.

In an Instagram video I reference that Adam made, he talks about how he learnt to train his thoughts which filled his creative head, and Adam talks about how he went about doing that.

You can follow along with Adam and Dorset Bottega on Instagram @dorsetbottega

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 93 - What is the most profitable part about landscaping?

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on March 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: What is the hardest thing to teach employees? Work ethic or detail? What do you think of the IQ Power Tool saw with its dustless, dry cut system? What's a power tool you wish you had? What is the most profitable part of 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 92 - Les Edwards - ED Landscapes

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