How beautiful backyards are making us happier - Andrew Whyte, Whyte Gardens Andrew Whyte speaks to AQUA magazine about ‘visual amenity’ and how beautiful backyards have the ability to influence the happiness of a society through the creative addition of beauty and function.
How and when did Whyte Gardens begin? After 12 years in the engineering industry, I decided to work outdoors in nature where I felt happier. This all happened back in 1992. I started with the name of Gorgeous Gardens, which evolved into the Whyte Gardens name years later.
What is your role within the company? Managing Director/Owner/Marketing & Sales
What’s business like at the moment? I’ve never been so busy. With recent events pushing society to review our way of life and seeing how the garden can play a greater role in the fulfilment of family life and of spending time with others; or simply relaxing at home without the need for the hustle and bustle of travel to another destination to do what can be achieved in the garden. I have never had so many people ask to include a pool as part of their new lifestyle priority shift.
Whyte Gardens has exhibited at many of SPASAVIC’s consumer expos. How have you found the experience and would you recommend exhibiting to others? You have the opportunity to meet many people that may not have found you by other means. We have designed and built many projects from the clients we met at the expos some years later. You have to be organised for the influx of leads, have your qualifying in place and know how to answer the enquiries and stage out a timeline of meeting with them.
What secrets can you reveal about your feature garden build that is planned for our Pool & Spa Expo + Outdoor Living in February 2022? It’s about adding various elements - from colour, to texture, to shape and proportions. Our last exhibit was a great success with so many people saying, “Can you just lift the stand and drop it off at my house, I love it!” So the secret lies in the instant impact, where you instantly say, “I love this!”
My wife is a constant companion on my stand and together we have found the expos to be a great opportunity to take on new clients.
AQUA MAGAZINE | EDITION 5 - SEPTEMBER 2021
30
