Thank You Notes
Happy Friday! This has been a year of transformation for my container gardening business. It’s been challenging, exhausting, and exhilarating…usually all at once. There were so many times when the universe told me to pack it in, that this wasn’t the right time or direction.
But I respectfully disagreed and my virtual team encouraged and ushered me through those moments of doubt.
To express my gratitude, this Friday 5 is a bit different from my typical gush about outdoor decor, visual arts, and flowers. Rather, it’s about a few of the PEOPLE who are inspiring me lately. It’s my Thank You Note to them.
INSPIRATION: Digging in Gathering and Unique by design Landscaping and containers
No matter your path in life, it helps to know you’re not alone. The Digging In trade community brought me into the fold at its inception back in 2017 and introduced me to a nationwide universe of container gardening pros I didn’t even know existed! They have become my mentors, friends, muses, sounding boards, and even students. If you are in this business, or even thinking about it, check out @diggingingathering. To Digging In, I also owe my thanks for introducing me to one of my container gardening idols, Helen Weis of Unique by Design Landscaping & Containers. Helen’s approach has influenced my aesthetic, sense of scale, layouts, and even teaching. Her Insta was recently hacked, so to go deep into her library of stunning work through the years, check her out on Pinterest. Thank you Digging In and Helen Weis for always inspiring me to become a better container gardener!
MENTORS: chair whimsy and simply southern cottage
Sound unrelated to my field? Well, let me tell you, the two women behind these companies and brands are powerhouse creative entrepreneurs and they get me fired up to get the job done! Wendy of Chair Whimsy and Sara of Simply Southern Cottage lead their own successful businesses AND have come together to share their combined expertise in their Pink Creatives retreat. This program welcomes creative entrepreneurs to explore and maximize their business potential. After attending their first retreat, my one-on-one coaching session with Wendy jump started my online courses in container gardening and helped me move past my fears. Sara’s warmth and approachable demeanor in person and on social media are something I will always strive to emulate. These ladies will give you a kick in the pants and help you do hard things! Give them a follow and consider attending a retreat via www.pinkcreatives.com! Wendy and Sara, I’m forever grateful and a fan for life!
Sara of Simply Southern Cottage (left) and Wendy of Chair Whimsy (right) inspire creative entrepreneurs to maximize their potential (Photo: Hector Sanchez)
TEAM TECHNOLOGY
When you start a new business venture, you don’t know what you don’t know! Thankfully I found two professionals to help me bring my vision to life. For all things branding and web design, thank you Emma of River Eyes Studio. Emma is an incredible mix of creativity, artistry, tech prowess, and business sense all rolled into one!
On the video front, Jeff Hillman is the most patient and understanding video consultant and editor a newbie like me could ask for! Jeff brings a wealth of videography and instructional expertise to his projects and works some magic from the beginner footage I send him. In every conversation or email exchange with Jeff, I learn something new. Find him here on Linked In.
TEAM PHOTO
If you’ve ever created a website, you may understand what a huge endeavor it can be. Aside from all of the branding, products, and services, you need photos for visual interest and to help tell your story. A great photographer is essential and I’m honored to have worked with Tina from Tina Take My Photo. Tina is another rockstar entrepreneur who understands how to incorporate your brand into your imagery. She is organized, business-focused, and uber-talented. Plus, she’ll make you smear dirt on your face to get the perfect shot.
I also learned that part of getting a great brand photo is having the right outfit, hair, and makeup. These are not my strengths, so I called on Nee Chic Styles and Makeup by Holly to take over. I truly love outsourcing this stuff and wish I could have them do wardrobe, hair, and makeup every day! Not in the daily budget, but super fun for the occasional photo shoot!
Lastly, great photos rely on perfect locations. Thank you to Cross Creek Nursery for welcoming us to your beautiful site brimming with gorgeous pottery and lush plants!
Tina Take My Photo offers personal branding sessions
MY NEW STUDENTS
Welcome and thank you go those of you who’ve already taken my course, The Ultimate Guide to Container Gardening, or tried a recipe in your own planters. This new business direction is for you, to help YOU create elegant container gardens with ease. I’m blown away by your positive feedback so far and I’m looking forward to growing and learning along with you! I’ll end with these comments from one happy student:
"I'm loving your easy to follow modules with the explanations and visuals! You've made me feel like the art of container gardening is attainable! Thank you so much! Can't wait to learn more from you in your future resources!" — Lindsay M.
Gratefully,