Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Neff.
Hi Laura, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
After college in the 80’s, I briefly tried the corporate life and decided the day-to-day routine was not for me. Since I inherited my late grandmother’s love of all things green, I decided I wanted to work in the gardening industry. I scored a job as a newbie, learned the business, and a few years later, jumped feet-first into my own gig.
Fast forward to the present, I am still going strong and now own an irrigation and drainage company with my husband. I went 100% organic about 15 years ago and now work primarily with native plants, pollinators, and plants we know will survive the Houston heat and freezes.
I continue to offer a complete line of landscape, design/build, and maintenance services which include design, installation, lighting, hardscapes, irrigation, drainage, seasonal color, and tree care. I am known for my use of organic soils, amendments, fertilizers, and mulches, along with the same attention to detail and dedication to our customers.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
“Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.” – Dale Carnegie
Starting, running, and keeping your own business is never smooth sailing. When I first started, there were a few challenges. Obtaining vendor credit, finding honest contractors, getting paid by clients, making payroll, taxes…
The economic climate has changed a lot over the years, which causes a feast or famine mentality, but thanks to good quality work, attention to detail, referrals, and loyal employees, I have persevered and continue to do well.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I do residential design and landscape installation. I love meeting new and interesting people and educating them on soil, organics, and beneficial insects. I love to plan and build vegetable and pollinator gardens to bring butterflies and birds. Native plants are in demand in our area, so I apply an 80/20 rule of designing my gardens. 80% is Texas natives, and 20% is evergreen plants that come back from a freeze and survive droughts and temps over 100. I am increasingly known for my work with soils, organic amendments, fertilizers, and native plant knowledge, which makes me very proud. Designing and building sustainable gardens sets me apart from other companies and gardeners.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I can’t stress the importance of learning as much as possible before you open a business in this industry. There is a lot of competition, along with people who don’t know what they are doing. You can’t educate your customers if you aren’t knowledgeable yourself.
Prepare yourself ahead to have financing or a line of credit for slow days, purchasing power, and paying employees.
And finally, know your city and state’s rules on permitting and taxing. It’s very easy to get in trouble when you least expect it, so knowledge is power.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.riceorginc.com
- Instagram: @thericeorganizationinc
- Facebook: @thericeorganizationinc
Image Credits
Jacob Power Photography
