The Process Driven Designer

I get to discuss the learning process and motivations in purchasing a business and jumping into the landscape industry with Rodrigo Frias the new owner of Classic Nursery in Woodinville, WA. We discuss how to assess existing systems and when to implement changes and new processes. We even delve into the navigation of managing designers and creatives. Learn more about Classic Nursery at www.classic...

No matter how big or small your business is, teamwork is a vital ingredient to your success. Even for those of you that are solopreneurs, you may not have a team of employees, but you still have a team of collaborators that make your business run smoothly. There is a lot of business advice out there from seasoned business people wisely advising us to hire out the skills we lack or the tasks we don...

Join me in talking with Courtney Olander of Olander Garden Design. We discuss everything from shifting careers and how to find transferable skills to making connections and networking. Courtney discusses the importance of composition and imagery in the design industry and how she used those skills from her previous career to kickstart her business.  Here are some of the designers she is inspired b...

They say your potential is influenced by the 5 people you spend the most time with. I won't dispute that there is truth in that, but I also think the net of influence spans more than 5 people. It is often said that entrepreneurship is lonely. It can be but it doesn’t have to be. The kicker is you have to be vulnerable and put yourself out there.  Connected episodes: 11: Taking the leap into b...

Confidence is an important part of your brand and is a key ingredient to success and happiness. Confidence is a state of feeling certain or a feeling of self-assurance arising from one’s appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities. Confidence is built over time through experience. Each time you do that you grow, and it builds your skills and the inner knowing that you not only can do that thi...

I think I am most drawn to this idea of living seasonally because I find so much beauty in the natural changes of the seasons and it always brings a sense of anticipation. We are part of the system naturally, we have contrived our own system that runs very separate from the natural seasonal shifts but it's always there in the background and occasionally eeks its way up and through our artificial s...

For those of you in the pacific northwest, you know that the annual northwest flower and garden show is coming up. Yes, the gardens and many of the vendor booths are stunning but not many people know what goes into their creation. For those of you who have been part of the creation of a show garden you know what goes into it. the months of planning, the countless late nights, and crossed fingers....

Join me for a great conversation with Sara Meier owner of GreenThumb SAM. We discuss everything from the markers she uses and the processes she has in place to create her stunning drawings to balancing life as a mom and business owner. She shares her tips for organization and workflow to maximize efficiency as well as some self-care tips and rules she has in place to keep her on task and loving wh...

In the very broad field of landscape design, there are multiple credentials you will come across. At the end of someone's signature line on their email you will see many different acronyms- Some of them are assigned as being part of an association like APLD or ASLA, and others are for the various credentials, licenses, or certifications they hold. Anyone can call themselves a landscape designer. T...

Each design you deliver is a work of art. In my opinion, color is what brings a plan to life. it doesn’t matter if you hand draft or use a cad program. Color is what really makes your drawings have a wow factor. Color can be incorporated in a few different ways. Let's discuss the options for process, deliverables, and the cost associated with your time and the cost of printing. Connected episodes:...

Site measurements are an inevitable part of our jobs but there are many different ways to gather the information. I will take you through my process although in thinking about this I have realized that there are pieces I won’t be able to show the way I want without video. Therefore, I will also offer a live webinar with demonstrations of what we will be reviewing today and more- be sure to sign up...

Building a brand is so much more than just a logo and a color scheme. Brand is what you stand for and why you do what you do. The passion you have is the driving force in building your brand. Whether you are a business owner or an employee, as a creative anything, you bring a critical piece to the brand that you serve and sell. Most of my colleagues are solopreneurs meaning they run a business of...

For a long time, I embraced perfectionism as a badge of honor as many of you likely have at some point. But I found myself asking at what cost perfectionism was worth. I still hold myself to very high standards, yet I no longer strive for perfection. The weight of the expectation of perfect is a bit much. The design industry runs on the constant chase of beauty and beauty and perfection are placed...

Lisa Bauer is a landscape designer, certified professional horticulturalist, and the owner of Chartreuse Landscape Design. We discuss design process and inspiration along with our favorite plants, the use of natives and the common misnomer regarding hardy tropicals in the PNW. Her designs play with the composition of clean crisp lines of the hardscape elements contrasted with big bold lush foliage...

Lisa Bauer is a landscape designer, certified professional horticulturalist, and the owner of Chartreuse Landscape Design. We discuss design process and inspiration along with our favorite plants, the use of natives and the common misnomer regarding hardy tropicals in the PNW. Her designs play with the composition of clean crisp lines of the hardscape elements contrasted with big bold lush foliage...

Kevin Monohan is the owner of Avalon NW a premier landscape installation company in Seattle. We discuss the contractor's perspective on the role of the designer through the installation of a landscape and his evolution of business. Construction is often a very high pace, high-stress endeavor. I found his insight into finding a balance of schedule, services, and crew size to achieve a comfortable b...

In this episode, I will take you through how I modify my typical presentation process for a virtual meeting. With the pandemic, we all got thrown into virtual meetings whether we liked it or not. For me it was a great thing- now that life is more normal I don’t conduct a lot of virtual meetings anymore but I am delighted to offer them, especially for those clients that are not always able to coord...

Year-end planning is not just about the end of the year but about the start of a new year. The calendar changes and so with it the tracking of business financials (for tax purposes anyways). But most of all it is a mindset shift. The new year provides a clean slate, a set point upon which to build. It is easy to set goals at the beginning of the year- the challenge is keeping the momentum. Join me...

Each client will approach your business with expectations based on their desires and past experience. Those expectations will be either confirmed, denied, or transformed at each touch point they have with your business. This is obvious, the not-so-obvious piece is that the expectations need to be confirmed or denied across the board. If one touch point fails, it can take down the entire experience...

Especially as a designer, aesthetics are essential every step of the way. How you walk clients through the documents sets the tone and serves as a filter for which they digest the information provided. How you deliver and present your ideas is part of the entire design experience. It is one of the most valuable touchpoints you have with your client. It proves or disproves to your client your knowl...

Join me in a conversation with fellow landscape designer and business owner Sarah Van Sanden owner of SVS Landscape Design on the decision to take the leap into entrepreneurship, building a business, being part of a support group, hiring, and business vision and goals.  Find out more about Sarah and see her work at www. SVSlandscapedesign.com and on Instagram .  Please be sure to subscri...

Most of the construction industry and even the design industry is dominated by men. I have never been bothered by being one of few or the only woman and have been very fortunate to gain a lot of valuable exposure to the industry in an open, welcoming, and non-judgmental environment. I have had many mentors throughout my career that fostered that experience. I am fortunate and am not directly confr...

Why is defining your ideal client important? Well, it all circles back to intentionally creating a business that you love. If you work on projects and with clients that inspire and invigorate you it will make work more enjoyable. I also find when I am in the sweet spot, I am more creative and more efficient and the workflow feels much smoother and I accomplish tasks with ease. Please be sure to su...

Planning for an ideal workflow is super important not only for financials but also for my sanity. Like I said it doesn’t always work out as planned but I do put a lot of effort into planning my project flow. Planning helps to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of your time because we all know that busyness does not necessarily equal effectiveness. Planning your ideal workflow is balancing a...

Our very first podcast with a co-host! Hear from Colleen Hanzen Landscape Designer and Office Manager at Kismet Design about working collaboratively, remote working tools, delegation, organization systems, and communication tools. Be sure to find out more about Colleen at www. KismetDesignCo.com . Please be sure to subscribe and follow @kismetdesignco. Please also sign up for my newsletter to be n...