Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Ireland.
Hi Janet, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
At age 45, I needed to reinvent myself. After years of being a full-time mom and community volunteer, a divorce inspired me to be a person who was not dependent financially on others. This drive to be independent began with turning my backyard gardening hobby into a business. A personal service business matched well with my “get things done” attitude.
At first, I did small jobs like patio gardening for friends and drew planting plans. But then people wanted help with bigger projects that required more labor than I could physically handle. I was operating out of my Toyota 4 Runner. One of my early clients traded landscape service for an old camping trailer…and that was the start of bigger things to come. A few workers were hired to help.
Being a woman in the Landscape business world was a little unusual, so I looked for other ways to enhance my credibility. I became a Master Gardener through Harris County Agricultural Extension office classes. I also got certified as a Texas Parks and Wildlife WILDSCAPES instructor. I took a Spanish class to be better able to communicate on the job sites–but ended up with my own English version of “landscape Spanish”. I signed up for any seminars provided by suppliers who offered classes to promote their products.
New business was primarily through word-of-mouth. Also, company signs left in yards told a success story with a noticeable difference in curb appeal. My company became known for thoughtful attention to detail in landscape designs.
I realized I needed to relinquish some personal involvement or I wouldn’t be able to grow the business. From long days on project sites, to driving the truck and trailer, to selling new jobs, the workload was exhausting and non-stop. With mentoring from a retired executive in the Silver Fox program, I was trained to keep an eye on bookkeeping practices and encouraged to add staff and workers.
With the addition of an appealing web site and new branding, the business grew rather quickly into a boutique landscape company, HOME & HABITAT. I employed all women managers–2 Landscape Architects, an Office Manager, and 2 Specialty Garden Service Managers. We ran four 4-man crews in upscale neighborhoods of Bellaire, West University, Memorial and Spring Branch. Our work kept getting noticed, including by some prominent builders in the area. We were invited to provide beautiful landscaping for new custom homes. Happy customers also asked us to landscape their second homes or ranches. We created several schoolyard habitat gardens. It was a very rewarding experience.
I also married my favorite plant salesman! He swore he could make my life easier–and he still does! His years of nursery experience and contacts helped provide my jobs with the best plant material available.
During my years of owning HOME & HABITAT, my team earned 10 Texas Excellence in Landscaping awards from the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association. Our landscapes were featured in The Houston Chronicle, LUXE magazine and many other local publications.
After 14 years of hard work, I sold the business to a San Antonio firm who wanted to break into the Houston market. It was a gut-wrenching decision–a little like letting go of a child! But a move to South Florida taught us quickly how to enjoy life more. We had new grandchildren and began a new phase of life, discovering new places, making new friends and spending more time with family. BTW–Everyone wants to visit when you live in Florida!
In Florida, I started a new consulting business called FLOURISH after meeting several contractors through the local Chamber of Commerce. After 12 wonderful years working and playing in Florida, my husband and I moved back to Houston to help with five grandchildren who are living in Katy and Fulshear.
We now live in a wooded West Houston neighborhood with 3 small lakes that provide great habitat for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. As a new neighbor, I led an HOA initiative called the Curb Appeal Program and provided landscape advice to residents free of charge. I volunteer for the Landscape Committee in the neighborhood. All this made me realize I did not want to be fully retired! I guess I’m always looking for a project! I’m back to my Texas roots, and now offer Landscape Consultations.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Landscaping is a dirty job and there is no rest for the weary!
With employees comes responsibility for designing and selling consistent projects.
Weather factored in daily on landscaping schedules and logistics.
Drought and freezes challenged homeowners to invest money in their landscapes. Finding summer and winter projects was important to keep full-time, trained employees year-‘round.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work makes places beautiful! Using my years of hands-on experience in Landscape Design and gardening, I now offer Landscape Consulting services to homeowners who want to make improvements in their outdoor spaces. No doubt, everyone has seen enough HGTV to be convinced that curb appeal and healthy plants add value to a property. But when people lose plants due to harsh Houston drought or freezes, they get frustrated–and sometimes give up! Homeowners need more advice than can be written on a plant tag! Replacing plants by trial and error gets expensive and that’s where good advice saves time, money and sweaty Saturdays.
My typical Landscape Consultation starts with a walk-through of the property. The homeowner follows along taking notes as we talk. Problem areas get solutions, and a To-Do List evolves with plant recommendations. Products and sources are suggested. Often a quick sketch of a planting plan is done on site.
This affordable advice helps Do It Yourselfers get on the right path for their project. Consultation recommendations can also be implemented by a homeowner’s capable lawn care or landscaping service.
My designs blend Houston-hardy native plants with traditional evergreens, to create low maintenance, successful landscapes. The result is an urban retreat with a park-like feel that benefits butterflies, birds and other wildlife, too!
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I loved early morning fishing trips with my family out on Galveston Bay. First one to catch a fish got a quarter!
I also have fond memories of walking through local plant nurseries with my mother. There was a mystical quality to the greenhouses and rows of plants that is missing in today’s Home Depot and Lowe’s garden centers.
Pricing:
- $250 Landscape Consultation
- Additional services available based on scope of work.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: janet_ireland_designs
- Other: Cell phone: 561-927-7878
