In this episode I speak with Ben French from Yards Landscapes, a landscape design, construction and maintenance business based in Brisbane.
Ben started early in the industry, working at a landscape supply yard while still at school, and then trialled different roles within landscaping to work out which ones he liked best.
Yards was originally solely design and construction, but maintenance gradually took over and is now the majority of the business.
Ben and a few of his team were in Melbourne recently helping Peter Donegan build his 2024 MIFGS garden, so we discussed what that experience was like, and Ben also talks about the benefits of working for successful people and how much can be learnt from them, regardless of what industry they're in.
You can follow Ben on Instagram @yardslandscapes
If you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link 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 192 - Garry Ashton - Aussie Lawnstars
In this episode I speak with fellow podcast Garry Ashton from Aussie Lawnstars.
Aside from his podcast which has been running for about 2.5 years, Garry also has a lawn and maintenance business based in Newcastle.
In the episode we discuss both business advice as well as some life advice along the way, talking about how Garry learnt the hard way as to what he should be charging for an employee. And we talk about how the way you look at life, is often how you experience it.
You can follow Garry on Instagram @aussielawnstars
If you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link 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 191 - Daniel Fuller - Plants Grow Here Podcast
In this episode I speak with Daniel Fuller from the Plants Grow Here Podcast.
Daniel is more than 200 episodes into his podcast and it is a wealth of knowledge for the horticulture world.
He has some extremely interesting and knowledgeable guests on, and is also very knowledgeable himself, so it makes for some fascinating conversations, from which I've learnt a lot!
Daniel talks about how great it can be when the different arms of the green industry can share their knowledge and experiences, and he also talks about the importance and benefits of getting out of your comfort zone and going to industry events to network, and how it gets easier each time.
You can follow Daniel on Instagram @plantsgrowherepodcast
If you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link 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 190 - Dougie Elliot - Rock Solid Health / Stone and Landscaping
In this episode I speak with Dougie Elliot from Rock Solid Stone and Landscaping and also Rock Solid Health. Rock Solid Stone and Landscaping is his stonemasonry and landscaping business, while Rock Solid Health is where he's a holistic health coach.
Dougie started out in Castlemaine working for the local council in the botanic gardens, among other areas before working for his dad for 4 years learning stonemasonry, and then moving to Geelong with his wife to start working for himself during Covid.
His holistic health views are quite eye opening for uneducated folks like myself, and while not everyone will agree with everything he says, one thing that can't be argued is that poor diet is the common denominator to many health issues, both mental and physical. And if there is something he says that you don't agree with, I'd encourage you to listen to the whole episode, as he has some great points to make and great bits of advice.
You can follow Dougie on Instagram @_rocksolidhealth and @rocksolidstoneandlandscaping
If you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link 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 189 - Do you have a specific rock/excavation clause in your quotes?
In this episode I've done another Q and A episode via questions asked on Instagram, purely because I wasn't organised to have a guest for this week!
I answer questions such as:
When is The Landscaping Course going to be released?
Do you have a clause in your quotes for under ground rock, extra fill etc.
Would you buy a mini excavator or mini loader first?
What's your current take on the current state of the landscaping/construction industry?
If you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link 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 188 - Tammy Huynh - Leaf An Impression
In this episode I speak with Tammy Huyhn from Leaf An Impression. Tammy is a Horticulturist, Writer and also a presenter on Gardening Australia.
She started studying Horticultural Science at Sydney Uni before getting a role working on the Better Homes and Gardens Magazine team.
She was awarded Horticulturist of the year in 2021 by the Australian Institute of Horticulture, and also appeared on an episode of Gardening Australia creating a terrarium and kokedama before eventually being offered a presenting role.
You can follow Tammy on Instagram @leaf_an_impression
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 187 - Rob Waddell - Waddell Design
In this episode I speak with Rob Waddell from Waddell Design, a landscape design and construction company based in Melbourne, Geelong and Byron Bay.
Rob speaks about the reasons and challenges behind opening up separate arms of this business in different towns.
He's also designed and built 4 show gardens at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show and talks about those experiences and how it changes from when you start, doing it all by yourself, compared to doing one with multiple employees working on it.
Rob is a true entrepreneur and has also created his own App, which isn't quite complete yet, and is also in the process of setting up his business to be able to be franchised, and he talks about the process of both.
You can follow Rob on Instagram @waddell_design @waddell_design_geelong or @gold_coast_landscape_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 186 - Brent Phipps - Byron Bay Ranga
In this episode I speak with Brent Phipps from Byron Bay Ranga, a landscape design, construction and maintenance business located in Byron Bay.
It's an extremely enjoyable chat with Brent, with a great combination of education (Brent has been in business 11 years) and entertainment.
Brent had a great starting point in the industry, work for Mike Cass Creative prior to moving to Byron Bay, and he speaks about how he built relationships within the community which then fed him work when he needed it.
Brent also talks about the value he's found from employing a couple of business mentors/advisors and the need to pay for advice if you're looking to scale your business.
You can follow Brent on Instagram @byronbayranga
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
