Mini Interviews: Extended Version

Paige Tisdale, Business Developer for Dennis' 7 Dees Landscaping in Portland, Oregon

What inspired you to get into the industry?

I used to study music and actually spent some time singing opera in college. One thing led to another, and I needed to find a different career path. I found horticulture through some friends and fell in love with it. I spent a winter working in the greenhouse on campus and noticed my seasonal depression practically disappeared … and that sealed the deal for me. I’ve been passionate about the power of plants ever since and love to share that with others.

Who do you most admire in the industry?

I most admire one of my college professors, Skyler Westergard. His energy and enthusiasm for the green industry is so infectious and inspiring. He has encouraged and motivated me to chase my dreams and achieve anything I set my mind to. A kind and listening ear, I know I can always go to him with questions, concerns or ideas and he’ll make time for me.

What advice would you give to someone entering the green industry?

Use your mentors, ask for advice and help, DO the work. I love that you can roll up your sleeves and accomplish hard work. There’s a lot of gratification that comes from a job well done. This industry is so kind and helpful. I’m even friends with many direct competitors. Never burn your bridges.

What’s the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is probably being able to be a friend to everyone in the city. I'm known as the “Plant Lady,” and it's easy to make relationships with others. I get to bring actual happiness to people's offices. I often get to do hands-on plant workshops for corporate events, and everyone always says its the best work experience they get to have. Horticulture therapy at work!

What’s the one thing that would make the industry better?

One thing I've been excited to see get better is technology for the industry. We seem to be an industry that is slower to innovate in that realm, even with the push for battery equipment and apps for business. We really are just beginning to scratch the surface on what's possible for our industry down the road. I've seen a few companies start to use AI and VR technology for their designs, which will really pull us forward. Imagine showing your clients in virtual reality right in their back yard what their new landscape will look like.

Where’s your happy place?

My happy place is anywhere I have delicious food in my mouth.

Shira Panitch, CEO of Glow & Grow LLC in Phoenix, Arizona

What’s the best part of your job?

I love helping people create their dreamscapes through intelligent and sustainable design. I also love constantly educating myself about all the aspects of landscape design, from 3D modeling to arboriculture.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?

Starting a business from the ground up. I have never worked for anyone in this industry and I had no prior clientele. I just woke up one day and realized my passion. I went back to school and now I’m a graduate student at Arizona State University. I study desert horticulture and design and I’m becoming a master gardener through ASU.

What’s the one thing that would make the industry better?

More unity, not so many people trying to underbid and look at each other as competition.

What’s the key to great design?

Great landscape design is created by considering clients’ desires and style and their microclimate and macroclimate. Here in the Sonoran desert, water is always a concern. We work with clients to create sustainable, serene designs within their budgets.

Where’s your happy place?

Margate City, New Jersey. I used to go to the Jersey Shore all the time growing up because my grandparents had a house. A lot of my family is from Philly. Now my parents and my aunt and uncle have beach houses there.

What’s your ideal Saturday?

Waking up late, hanging out with my cat, tending to my many, many plants and watching Netflix all day.

What is your favorite phrase, slogan?

Stick to what you know. Learn what you don't.

Alan Burke, Landscape Architect & President of Classic Nursery & Landscape Co in Cottage Lake, Washington

What inspired you to get into the industry?

I managed a hardware store right out of college. One day a woman asked me to manage her hardware store and nursery. It opened a whole new world for me.

What’s the best part of your job?

Convincing a client to move ahead with me after she had seen a number of my competitors’ ideas. Working with passionate, innovative and creative people in the industry.

What’s your favorite place you’ve ever visited?

Dubrovnik, Croatia.

What would you blow your money on?

An 18-foot outboard bowrider boat (if my wife would let me).

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?

Selling my home to pay off business debt at the height of the recession in 2010 to avoid furthering layoffs.

What advice would you give to someone entering the green industry?

Work for a design/build company. Learn about building a business and what goes into it. Focus on the dozen things that we do. Listen to my Green Meridian podcast!

What’s the one thing that would make the industry better?

Leaning in on environmental stewardship as a core message. Recognizing the hijacking of our green industry message by chemical interests.

Who do you most admire in the industry?

Dan Hinkley, Grant Jones, Vita Sackville-West, Tommy Church, Frederick Law Olmsted and all the passionate people starting out.

What’s your best childhood memory?

Closing the gates to one of the last U.S. Air Force bases in Britain in the ‘60s. Also seeing Jimi Hendrix play when I was in the 8th grade.Where’s your happy place?My houseboat on Lake Union, where I work on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

What’s the key to great design?

Creating beautiful and lasting outdoor environments on-budget.What three items would you take with you on a deserted island?The works of Cormac McCarthy and John Cheever, and some choice fruit and vegetable seeds.

What has the quarantine taught you?

Resilience. It was a true and lasting blessing.

What’s your ideal Saturday?

Watering plants on the houseboat. Reading The New York Times with a good coffee. Outlining a podcast episode or looking forward to an upcoming conversation.

What are you most proud of?

My three children. My choice of partner. My theatrical gardens.

What is your favorite phrase, slogan?

The first year it sleeps, the second year it creeps, and the third year it leaps."

What is something not many people know about you?

I was born in Japan.

What’s the best advice you have received for your career?"

Your head is up you're a** right now. Think about it."

What advice would you give to someone entering the green industry?

Work for a design/build company. Learn about building a business and what goes into it. Focus on the dozen things that we do. Listen to my Green Meridian podcast!

What is your favorite karaoke song?

Don't Stop Believin’ by Journey.

John Leslie, Owner of JSL Landscape Design & Build in Sedona, Arizona

What inspired you to get into the industry?

After I graduated with an undergraduate degree in zoology, I wasn't sure what to do next. Then one day my mother mentioned that her neighbor across the street was a landscape architect who worked for the city of Newport Beach. She thought I would be great doing something along those lines. I later enrolled in the graduate program for landscape architecture at Cal Poly Pomona and was accepted. I learned that my skills and abilities were better suited for a career in design compared to science.

What’s the best part of your job?

Being my own boss.

What’s your favorite place you’ve ever visited?

The top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?

Understanding the difference between running the business and being run by the business.

What’s the one thing that would make the industry better?

A stronger consumer education campaign to not hire unlicensed contractors and better clarify what types of services do or do not require someone to be licensed.

What’s the key to great design?

Consciously being aware of using principles of design in a balanced way without it looking like you did and balancing aesthetics with engineering.

What are you most proud of?

A business model that uses all subcontractors and no real employees.

What is your favorite phrase, slogan?

You can't get there from here and besides, there's no place else to go. - Sheldon B. Kopp

What’s the best advice you have received for your career?

If you're not having fun, there's something wrong.

What advice would you give to someone entering the green industry?

For designers: Learn landscape software like AutoCAD and 3D modeling.