Mini Interviews

Mini Interviews

Brian Klein, Landscape Designer for BK Landscape Design

What inspired you to get into the industry?

Growing up being in the outdoors, camping, scouting and always being curious about what everything does in nature.

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

I loved the natural beauty and lifestyle of those in Switzerland and the Lauterbrunen area. Seeing Versailles after so many years in studies and in imagery was amazing.

What would you blow your money on?

Vacations and .09 pencil lead.

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

Unrealistic or unreasonable expectations.

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

A better collaborative understanding of build costs between client, designer and contractors.

What’s the key to great design?

Understanding the needs and wants of the client and relating elements to the existing architecture, site features and natural surroundings. If it feels natural and not designed, then it’s good design.

Elizabeth Pyrgoda, Owner of Boxhill & Co

What inspired you to get into the industry?

My love for outdoor spaces and plants. I could of easily gone into architecture, but I loved plants so much. It’s so nice to work with material that grows and changes, plus I get to be outside.

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

Rapid growth during Covid. Yes, it is a blessing to grow 457 percent, but it was still a problem. We struggled getting the right staff and all the growing pains that come with more employees.

What is your favorite phrase, slogan?

“Buy once, cry once.” I prefer quality over quantity every single time.

What is something not many people know about you?

I am Lebanese.

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

“Nobody knows your list.” Someone once told me this, because I was getting ready to shoot a garden and I was walking around being very critical, and a person said this to me, and it was such good advice. What I can see as not being perfect, the average person doesn’t even notice. I tend to be my hardest critic.

Robin Parsons, Principal for Spring Greenworks

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

Naxos, Greece

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

More lobbying for environmental changes, including recycling materials and eliminating toxic products.

Who do you most admire in the industry?

Piet Oudolf and James Van Sweden

What’s your ideal Saturday?

Walking the dog to the beach, a core workout class and reinventing part of my garden.

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

Join as many trade organizations to connect with your peers and colleagues.

What is your favorite karaoke song?

“September” by Earth, Wind & Fire

What’s the key to great design?

Follow the masters of your field, visit gardens worldwide and follow the principles of good design.

What is something not many people know about you?

I am obsessed with shells and beach artifacts.

Gary Krause, Owner of Gary Krause Landscaping and Design

What’s the best part of your job?

To see what we have created for our clients and the compliments we get for our work.

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

Getting through the 2008 recession.

What’s your best childhood memory?

Growing my first garden with my granddaddy.

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

My dog Luna, a pocket knife and a pocket water filter.

What is your favorite phrase, slogan?

“It’s not how much experience you have in life, it’s more about how much life you experience.”

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

Charge for estimates and design consultation.

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

The Applegate Valley in Oregon

What would you blow your money on?

More advanced technology