ljn - LJN Blog Posts - Landscape Juice Network2024-03-29T12:41:10Zhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/ljnThe LJN Big Interview with Westhill Garden & Landscaping Ltdhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/the-ljn-big-interview-with-westhill-garden-landscaping-ltd2019-10-10T20:13:37.000Z2019-10-10T20:13:37.000ZFleur Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FleurVoice<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3655604079,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3655604079,RESIZE_180x180{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3655604079?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="180" /></a></p>
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<p>Dan never knew that he would be orchestrating a ten-man-band five years ago when he packed in his internet sales job in favour of a mower and a van. But since, he has progressively grown his business thanks to acute attention to detail and very happy customers. From mowing lawns to now landscaping and designing, he is now taking on £20,000-scale jobs in Somerset and only laying quality products from manufacturers such as Stone Market and Millboard.</p>
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<p>We asked Amanda, Westhill Garden & Landscaping Ltd’s Admin Director whether she thought that the horticultural industry had reached a plateau due to the decline in the housing market. She told me that in actual fact, the plummet in house prices is working in their favour. They have found that people are generally choosing to stay put and instead are investing in their houses which they often buy with a simple blanket garden and strip of decking.</p>
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<p><strong>We then proceeded to ask the current “big” economic question: How do you think Brexit will affect you, and how are you preparing for it? </strong></p>
<p>Much to my surprise, Amanda informed me that they are expanding their business in anticipation for the country’s unknown future. They have recently employed an additional team member, Lucy, to take over much of Amanda’s admin duties to enable her to drive the business forward through extra marketing to widen their radius, to then expand their range of customers and the density of the projects on offer.</p>
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<p><strong>Briefly describe your business: </strong></p>
<p>West Hill is a Landscaping and Garden maintenance company providing high quality and professional work in Somerset.</p>
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<p><strong>Now, introduce yourself:</strong></p>
<p>Daniel and Amanda are both directors of West Hill Garden & Landscaping Services Ltd. Daniel's role in the company is building landscaping projects, quoting jobs and overseeing jobs on site as well as many day to day tasks that come with running a business. Amanda's role is invoicing, day to day administration tasks, scheduling and business development.</p>
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<p><strong>Typically what type of client do you deliver your services to?</strong></p>
<p>A whole range of customers; from small domestic gardens, large country estates and small to £20,000 landscaping projects. We also work with number commercial customers.<br /><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3655595426,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3655595426,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3655595426?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="381" height="281" /></a> </strong></p>
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<p><strong>Do you carry out all aspects of landscaping / gardening or do you engage with other companies / what is the range of services you supply? </strong></p>
<p>We carry out all aspects of garden & commercial maintenance and landscaping, however we sub contract in a tree surgeons and metal workers when required.</p>
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<p><strong>How long have you been doing this?</strong></p>
<p>5 years.</p>
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<p><strong>How many staff do you employ?</strong></p>
<p>We employ 8 staff members.</p>
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<p><strong>Define the best attributes of what you do?</strong></p>
<p>We employ fully qualified horticulturists and skilled landscapers ensuring we provide the best service with skilled, tested employees. We aim for 100% customer satisfaction. </p>
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<p><strong>What made you want to become a landscaping business type?</strong></p>
<p>The love of creating outdoor spaces from start to finish and seeing the joy that customers get from their gardens.</p>
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<p><strong>What route have you taken to get to your current position (i.e. college; self-taught; mentoring)?</strong></p>
<p>Daniel spent 10 years training with a stonemason and learning the art of perfection before going to collage to gain a qualification in building techniques. Most of Daniel's landscaping experience is made up from years of practical hands on construction and applied to hard landscaping.</p>
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<p><strong>What is the most effective form of publicising your business to date?</strong></p>
<p>Word of Mouth</p>
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<p><strong>What gives you most pride in your job?</strong></p>
<p>When a project is completed, and the customers’ exceptions are blown away or receiving emails/phone calls praising the guys work!</p>
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<p><strong>What irks you most about the landscaping and horticulture industry?</strong></p>
<p>We feel the Landscaping industry needs to be regulated, equivalent to other industries like the plumbing industry. We believe the APL are trying to lobby this in parliament and yes we would like to be part of that change</p>
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<p><strong>Do TV gardening shows inspire you or are they unrealistic?</strong></p>
<p>TV shows can be inspiring but are normally unrealistic to the customers’ expectations of pricing. It would be nice to see budgets for projects mentioned on tv.</p>
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<p> <strong>How is your working week split? / How many jobs to you deal with per day?</strong></p>
<p>The landscapers deal with one job from start to finish. This could be 3 days to 2-4 weeks. The horticulturists have either 1 full day in 1 large garden, or 2/ 3 small gardens in 1 day. The lawn mowing staff can do up to 11-12 customers a day depending how large the areas are to cut.</p>
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<p><strong>What is your most productive time of the day?</strong></p>
<p>The morning.</p>
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<p><strong>Contemporary or traditional gardens...what's your preference?</strong></p>
<p>Contemporary</p>
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<p><strong>Do you listen to music when working?</strong></p>
<p>Yes</p>
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<p><strong>Do you have a family or pets?</strong></p>
<p>No pets! We don't have time....... but we have 4 children ....26, 23, 21 and a 10 year old</p>
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<p><strong>After a busy week, how do you unwind and relax?</strong></p>
<p>We relax with friends with the odd glass of wine and we like to take short breaks.</p>
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<p><strong>What is your motto?</strong></p>
<p>Do it once......Do it right!</p>
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<p><strong>What would you like to do more of in the future?</strong></p>
<p>Modern large landscaping projects - design and build.</p>
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<p><strong>Can you offer any advice to others setting up in a similar business?</strong></p>
<p>Be reliable, on time, good customer service and deliver a professional, tidy job. - the customer is always right .... (well, most of the time!) Most importantly, if you don't know how to do a project, walk away or seek advice or help from and experienced person.</p>
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<p><strong>Finally, what are your ambitions for your business?</strong></p>
<p>To grow and double in size, we are also looking into our own garden furniture range.</p>
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<p><strong>For more information, please contact: </strong></p>
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<h3>Admin Team </h3>
<p>Administrator</p>
<p>West Hill Garden & Landscaping Services</p>
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<p><a>01749 321 123</a> | <a>07590 574 177</a></p>
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<p><a href="mailto:info@westhillgardenservices.co.uk">info@westhillgardenservices.co.uk</a></p>
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<p><a href="https://www.westhillgardenservices.co.uk/">www.westhillgardenservices.co.uk</a></p>
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<p>Unit 7 Lodge Hill Industrial Estate, Station Road, Westbury-sub-Mendip, BA5 1EY</p>
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</tr></tbody></table><p> </p></div>Derek Sivers "It's all who you know?"https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/derek-sivers-it-s-all-who-you-know2013-02-11T08:30:00.000Z2013-02-11T08:30:00.000ZCraig McGibbonhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/CraigMcGibbon<div><p><strong>Introduction</strong></p><p>My father told me about Derek Sivers a few years ago, since l have read his book, read his blogs and follow him on twitter and now l am sharing with you!</p><p>Derek Sivers describes himself as <em>"Entrepreneur, programmer, avid student of life. I make useful things and share what l learn"</em></p><p>Derek Sivers was the creator and founder of CD Baby, the largest seller of independent music online. Derek is a musician who wanted to sell his CD's online, before the like of Amazon were around. He created a website with a simple buy it button and shipped his CD to the customer. Friends within the music industry asked him to sell their CDs too and it boomed! He sold the company in 2008 for $22M.</p><p>He lectures around the world, writes and inspires other business owners; often thinking out of the box, adding fun to the business and client experience as the following YouTube clip shows <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youtu.be/KCIXkbfgR6g" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/KCIXkbfgR6g</a></p><p> </p><p><strong>It's all who you know? </strong></p><p>Derek Sivers latest blog is titled "It's all who you know?".</p><p>The blog explores the importance of connections with other people; in one simple but astute act opened many doors to him, which lead him to be surrounded by many successful people who, in his own words:</p><p><em>"I learned so much from watching how people become successful, hearing their stories, philosophies, and mistakes. </em><em>The people you surround yourself with don't just open doors. They change the way you think, and change your self-image of your capabilities!"</em></p><p>Being in a big city would obviously help making these connects but now</p><p><em>"But more and more it feels like 'where everything is happening' is online - and the way to be there is to create something that adds to it."</em></p><p>Derek Sivers goes onto to say the most connected people he knows are connected;</p><ol><li><em>because they keep creating great stuff and posting it online, which gets the attention of their peers, so soon “everyone” knows who they are</em></li><li><em>because they reach out to say hello to the people they admire.</em></li></ol><p><em>Read full Blog at </em><a rel="nofollow" href="http://sivers.org/xn" target="_blank">http://sivers.org/xn</a></p><p> </p><p><strong>The LJN Connection</strong></p><p>When l read Derek Sivers article l immediately think of the fantastic community on LJN; to paraphrase Derek "I <em>learned so much from watching how people become successful, hearing their stories, philosophies, and mistakes. They change the way you think, and change your self-image of your capabilities!"</em></p><p>My best connections l have meet through the LJN, espcially at the meet-ups and continue to build on those friendships online. The meet-ups are priceless and would encourage anyone to attend these or similar events in your area.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Personal Thanks</strong></p><p>My personal thanks to those who continue to inspire me and for their help and advice.</p><p>Kerry Jackson - Jackson's Landscape Design</p><p>Mick Gammage - Crystalclear</p><p>Richard Bickler - Arbour Design & Build</p><p>Gary Cobb - Acer Paving & Landscaping</p><p>and thanks to Phil Voice for Landscape Juice Network</p><p> </p><p><strong>More About Derek Sivers</strong></p><p>You can find out more about Derek Sivers, CD Baby and his interesting business advice at;</p><p>Website <a rel="nofollow" href="http://sivers.org/" target="_blank">http://sivers.org/</a></p><p>Follow on Twitter @sivers</p><p>Or read his book available from Amazon on Kindle or Hardback called <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1936719118?tag=cdbaby" target="_blank">Anything You Want</a></p><p> </p><p><span class="font-size-1"><em>Written by</em></span></p><p>Craig McGibbon</p><p>Garden Design & Landscaping</p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.craigmcgibbon.co.uk" target="_blank">www.craigmcgibbon.co.uk</a></p><p> </p></div>