What is your job title/ company?

I am the owner of Creative Gardener and Urban Garden Company. I do garden design and coaching as well a speaking and writing-all about the garden-of course!

What is your overall philosophy for being successful in this field?

Overall philosophy, oh my, it seems to change all the time, but changing and reinventing is what every business needs to do, especially in the seasonal volatility of the garden industry. I am always learning and staying up on what my clients are reading and hearing about how to take care of their garden or what is the latest and greatest plant to have. I want to be a good dependable “live” resource in the day and age of searching on the internet. I call it gardening in real time!

I have also found that staying flexible and adaptable to the changing economic climate has been important. In the past garden drawings were the biggest portion of my income, but as the economic climate changed and more homeowners were going the “Do-It-Yourself” route, my garden coaching and hourly consultations are now the most popular service I offer. It gives homeowners access to a design professional and solid garden information right down to identifying weeds and soil problems in their own garden.

What is the biggest challenge you face in your job?

One is resources to help clients get what they need; from product to installation or landscape clean-up help. The other is time management in busy season. I am told I need to clone myself. It is a good problem to have, but a challenging one all the same.