Mini Interviews - Get to know your industry

INTERVIEWS

Angelica Negrete

Founder & Owner, Royal Gardens Landscaping and Design Plantation, Florida

What’s the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is the relationships I build with my clients and the joy of creating spaces that bring harmony and beauty to their lives. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing a client’s vision come to life and knowing that I played a part in enhancing their environment.

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

Morikami Japanese Garden in Delray Beach, Florida

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

Being a woman in a male-dominated industry has meant constantly proving my capabilities and earning respect, which has been an ongoing challenge. But these challenges have also fueled my determination to succeed and to advocate for greater female representation in the industry.

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

One of the key changes that could improve the industry is shifting the mindset and breaking down the cultural paradigms that require women to prove their worth before being recognized. Even today, I often have to clarify that I am a female landscaper and business owner because people automatically assume this is a man’s job and that my husband must be the one in charge.

What’s your best childhood memory?

One of my favorite memories is pretending to be a businesswoman in my father’s stores. I can still hear the laughter of customers as they saw me, serious and determined, trying to sell them a product or service at such a young age.

Brant Wichman

Founder & CEO, Customer Insight Roca, Nebraska

What inspired you to get into the industry?

I always wanted to farm on my family farm and my father told me that if I wanted to do that, I should get a degree in something else just in case farming doesn’t work out. I worked with a small landscaping company and loved how small changes can be so huge.

What’s the best part of your job?

Talking to contractors. One of my first encounters as a young business owner/ contractor was walking into the contractor entrance at one of my supply houses.

Who do you most admire in the industry?

Sean Collinsgru with Premier Outdoor Living. I admire the way he constructs structures, creatively uses textures, and his marketing is truly incredible.

What’s the key to great design?

A great design to me has nothing to do with the price or the materials. The client using the space and getting compliments on their landscaping puts everything together.

What’s your ideal Saturday?

Husker football. A big win and family and friends with appetizers and drinks.

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my family. I take a lot of pride in my kids, like every parent does, but I am fortunate enough to have a hardworking wife that would take care of 50 kids if I didn’t stop her.

What is your favorite phrase, slogan?

“It’s not that you didn’t have time, it’s that you didn’t make time.”

Courtney Krstich

Co-Founder & Head of Growth, EarthaPro Haymarket, Viriginia

What’s the best part of your job?

Working with customers and meeting so many business owners, from family-run lawn care companies to other software firms. These people are invested in your success, just as you are in theirs.

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

I visited South Korea for a friend’s wedding, and I was immediately struck by how organized and efficient everything was.

What would you blow your money on?

A house with a huge backyard, so I can grow all my own food and embrace my inner self-sufficient plant parent.

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

My first real job was with PepsiCo in the distribution center, working long hours as a route runner. The physical and emotional challenges were intense, but it taught me resilience and perseverance.

What has the quarantine taught you?

I’ve realized I don’t need as much stuff to be happy, and I don’t have to follow the traditional path if it doesn’t feel right for me.

What is something not many people know about you?

A life goal of mine is to play guitar and sing at a bar or restaurant—and get paid for it!

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

Hard work is important, but building connections and sharing your journey with others can make all the difference.

What is your favorite karaoke song?

“Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift

Edward Morrow

ISA Certified Arborist, TREE S.T.A.R.S. LLC Milledgeville, Georgia

What inspired you to get into the industry?

An enjoyment of the outdoors and being able to work within nature. Also, I always wanted a career that would push myself. Arboriculture engages the mind, body and spirit, forcing one to perform at a high level with skill and grace.

What’s the best part of your job?

It gives me the opportunity to meet and work with new and interesting people, whether they are property owners, community members, business professionals or fellow outdoor educators.

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

Because I had so many interests, it took me a long time to settle into a career.

What’s your ideal Saturday?

Starting the day to either write, study guitar or exercise, then spend time visiting older family members/friends to hear great, inspiring stories.

My creativity to develop tree care stories and urban forestry programs that inspire others to climb higher in their careers/education.

What is something not many people know about you?

I started learning about woodworking this year and now have four mentors (three woodturners and one woodcarver).

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

Regardless of if your day was a failure or a success, you still have to get up the next day and go to work.

Kayla Lujan

VP of Sales & Marketing, Down to Earth Landscape & Irrigation Maitland, Florida

What’s the best part of your job?

Coaching the team. I love helping those around me become better.

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

I really enjoy South America.

What would you blow your money on? Traveling

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

Being a female in this industry. We’re often seen as not the experts or leaders, because it’s so male dominated. It’s changing, but there are still many “old school” leaders who only see females as employees who work in the office or do sales.

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

Promoting idea sharing, networking and mentorship across companies. We all can learn so much from each other and so many great leaders are out there to help support companies.

What three items would you take with you on a deserted island?

Speargun, machete, sunglasses

What is your favorite phrase, slogan? “Own and be known in your market.”

What is something not many people know about you?

I’m a real estate investor.

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

Have an open mind. There are so many different paths that you can take in this industry. The opportunities are endless. Connect with people in the industry and network.