In this episode I speak with Ben Scott from Ben Scott Garden Design, a Landscape design company based in Melbourne.

Ben is one of my favourite designers and has a pretty cool story about how he started in the industry, working for Julian McCarthy Landscapes and working on Paul Bangay's garden at Woodend, before eventually working for Paul in design.

Ben also talks about how he uses photoshop in his design presentations rather than 3D, and also speaks of the importance of communicating with those building and maintaining the gardens he designs so that they achieve what he creates.

You can follow Ben on Instagram @benscott_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

This episode, the final of the Instagram Live episodes, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on November 26, 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 also answered questions such as:

How have you gone re-homing your MIFGS plants?

How much detail do you give in your quotes?

What are your thoughts on companies liquidating and then re-entering the same industry?

Is it too early to start putting Christmas messages in your email signature?

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

In this episode I speak with Andy Watkins from Leaf By Leaf, a garden maintenance company based in Melbourne.

Andy runs a team of four and started out studying visual arts, and still uses the same design principals he learnt, today.

Andy has a great outlook on his business, treating his clients more like a friend than just another paying client. To Andy, "It's not just gardening" that he does for his clients.

We also discuss the pros and cons of petrol powered equipment versus battery powered.

You can follow Andy on Instagram @leafbyleaf

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

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on November 19, 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 also answered questions such as:

What are your 3 favourite podcasts related to the landscaping industry?

As a construction company, how much detail do you want in a design?

Do you qualify clients before looking at projects?

What number am I thinking of?

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

In this episode I speak with Steph Walton from Studio Es Design and Co, a landscape design company based in Adelaide.

I was keen to get Steph on to talk to her about the way she's advertising her business, even though she's only been operating 12 months.

She talks about the use of 3D designs to not only show her clients the potential of her design, but also to provide social media content. And we also talk about the systems and processes she's putting in place in her business before she's even got an employee, so that when she does have an employee, they can hit the ground running.

You can follow Steph on Instagram @studioesdesignandco
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

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on November 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 also answered questions such as:

What are your business values and why?

Do 3D renders create an unachievable expectation?

Is work drying up around Geelong?

How do you get around rain days?

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

In this episode I speak with Bryce Hillig from Local Green Bean, a garden maintenance company based in New South Wales.

Bryce is also studying Landscape Design, and recently had to defer his studies after he was awarded an internship to work in France at Monet's Garden, where he worked for 8 weeks, so we talk plenty about that expereince.

Bryce is also looking to build his relationships within the industry, particularly with designers as he looks to increase his design knowledge. A great way to go about it.

You can follow Bryce on Instagram @local_green_bean

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

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on November 5, 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 also answered questions such as:

What advice would you give to yourself when you were starting out?

How's your front yard coming along?

Is it unprofessional to ask for cash on some smaller jobs?

Have you ever ruined a client's Christmas by not having their garden ready?

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

In this episode I speak with Grant Boyle from Fig Landscapes, a landscape design, construction and maintenance company based in Byron Bay.

Grant shares his story about how, prior to starting Fig landscapes, he worked as a bricklayer and also had a partnership with another landscaping business.

He talks about the benefits of building from the ground up when it comes to employing staff, and also talks through his process of how he started getting more of the types of projects he wanted to work on in the early days.

You can follow Grant on Instagram @fig_landscapes and you can find more info on his book at guidetobettergardens.com.au

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

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on October 29, 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 also answered questions such as:

As a Landscaping Victoria judge, do you feel you learnt anything that will benefit InStyle?

What's your favourite plant?

What's something you've learnt from your inhouse designer?

Do you think Garden Design is a growing industry?

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