Join us as Phillip Withers (of Phillip Withers Landscape Design ) offers valuable insight into the world of landscape design – whether it be residential or commercial projects, or works on stunning boutique show gardens. From the design and development of a project through to documentation of the work, Phillip Withers provides priceless advice for new and emerging designers in the industry. Email tfg@landscapingvictoria.com.au if you've got a question, a suggestion for a topic, or a guest you’d ...
Sep 13, 2021•38 min•Season 3Ep. 5
The well-respected Ian Barker (of Ian Barker Gardens ) provides valuable insight on company saleability, staff management, and business structure – discussing the importance of both hard work and a healthy work/life balance. Join as Ian walks us through his career: from leaving school at 15 to work with Tim Jackett – one of LVML’s founders – to establishing his own business in 1996, and now building spectacular gardens that stun. Email tfg@landscapingvictoria.com.au if you've got a question, a s...
Aug 30, 2021•52 min•Season 3Ep. 4
The knowledgeable Mitchell Zadow (of Sharrock Pitman Legal ) discusses all things domestic building contracts! As a vital part of running a successful landscaping business, familiarising yourself with the world of contracts is essential – educating yourself on your own obligations, as well as the client or property owner’s. Join as Mitchell walks us through the ins-and-outs of contracts and how to handle changes made after signing. Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is not provided as l...
Aug 16, 2021•49 min•Season 3Ep. 3
The experienced Myles Baldwin (of Myles Baldwin Design ) discusses his incredible entrance into the landscaping industry, and his journey and success into the modern day. From beginning his own business at the age of 20, to taking on his first huge job (building a heritage garden) two years later, and maintaining his name as an esteemed designer today – follow as Myles takes the boys through his journey in the industry. Email tfg@landscapingvictoria.com.au if you've got a question, a suggestion ...
Aug 02, 2021•42 min•Season 3Ep. 2
The talented Dean Herald (of Sydney’s Rolling Stone Landscapes ) talks with the boys about finding his feet in the industry, making mistakes and finding the value in learning from them, and how he managed to grow a small company into success from age 19. Email tfg@landscapingvictoria.com.au if you've got a question, a suggestion for a topic or a guest you’d like Chris and Tyson to chat to on ‘The Front Garden’. Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message! Coolabah...
Jul 08, 2021•40 min•Season 3Ep. 1
The passionate Kerry-Anne Hagen chats with the boys about her change of careers from hospitality to horticulture, her current apprenticeship with Super Gardens , and the benefits of study as a mature-age student in the industry. Email tfg@landscapingvictoria.com.au if you've got a question, a suggestion for a topic or a guest you’d like Chris and Tyson to chat to on ‘The Front Garden’. Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message! Coolabah Turf is an award-winning ...
Jul 05, 2021•38 min•Season 2Ep. 10
The experienced Carl Soderlund ( Botanix Plant Supply ) chats with the boys about the challenges and opportunities within the booming nursery industry! In this episode, Carl discusses his journey into the industry – from working with his dad who established Plantmark in 1988, to the introduction and success of Botanix Plant Supply. Email tfg@landscapingvictoria.com.au if you've got a question, a suggestion for a topic, or a guest you’d like Chris and Tyson to chat to on ‘The Front Garden’. Got a...
Jun 21, 2021•35 min•Season 2Ep. 9
The talented Steve Taylor of COS Design chats with the boys about his passion for landscaping, design and construction! In this episode, Steve takes us on his journey into the industry – from working on his own property in his youth, to providing free designs, and balancing his time between running a successful landscape construction business and the introduction of design work. Email tfg@landscapingvictoria.com.au if you've got a question, a suggestion for a topic or a guest you’d like Chris an...
Jun 07, 2021•41 min•Season 2Ep. 8
On this special episode of The Front Garden – recorded live at The Landscape Show 2021 – Chris and Tyson sit down with a group of industry experts (David Thomson of StrathAyr , Andrew Triantafillou of Semken Landscaping , and Brett Robinson of ACRE ) to discuss the benefits of marketing and exposure, and the importance of staying relevant in the current climate. Email tfg@landscapingvictoria.com.au if you've got a question or a suggestion for a topic you’d like Chris and Tyson to chat about on ‘...
Jun 01, 2021•42 min•Season 2Ep. 7
The wise and experienced Marty Semken of Semken Landscaping sits down with the boys to discuss his entry into the industry, and how he has grown his business to where it is now! During this episode, you will learn all about Marty’s journey from finding an apprentice gardener role in a newspaper, to running his own successful company in Semken Landscaping . Email tfg@landscapingvictoria.com.au if you've got a question or a suggestion for a topic you’d like Chris and Tyson to chat about on ‘The Fr...
May 24, 2021•42 min•Season 2Ep. 6
The professional and experienced Rob Stewart of Holmesglen TAFE sits down with the boys to discuss all things education, apprenticeships, and industry opportunities! During this episode, you will learn all about Rob’s journey from becoming the first registered Landscape Construction Apprentice in Victoria, to owning and running his own business, and now mentoring new landscaping apprentices in the industry. Email tfg@landscapingvictoria.com.au if you've got a question or a suggestion for a topic...
May 10, 2021•41 min•Season 2Ep. 5
The professional and experienced Hendrik Van Leeuwen sits down with the boys to discuss all things business management, garden maintenance, and landscaping! During this episode, you will learn all about Hendrik’s journey from serving retail customers at a local nursery, to now running a successful team of landscaping professionals. When it comes to successful business, Hendrik discusses the key aspects you need to consider, and its these helpful tips that will assist you in putting your business...
Apr 26, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 4
The professional and experienced Steven Browning sits down with the boys this week to discuss the importance of business planning and what ambitious business owners can do to ensure success. Sit down with Chris, Tyson and Steven as they discuss leadership, strategy, and the ever-changing business landscape. When it comes to successful business, Steven discuss the key aspects you need to consider, and its these helpful tips that will assist you in putting your business on the right path towards g...
Apr 13, 2021•53 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Self confessed 'plant nerd' Andrew Smith talks all things Horticulture and his 35 years working at Warners Nurseries. Find out how Andrew's love of plants commenced at a really early age - he recalls some great stories of being part of different plant clubs whilst still at school. He also provides advice on the things individuals can do to get into the industry and shares why he loves being part of trade shows, especially MIFGS (but not necessarily the 5am starts!) When it comes to successful pl...
Mar 29, 2021•46 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Ollie Stephens from Hungry Wolf talks about his meteorical rise from a supermarket register operator to becoming a concreter highly regarded in the landscaping industry. As concrete started to enter homes through floating stairs and BBQ benches, Ollie capitalised on the boom in social media, in particular Instagram, to grow his business and explore interesting and unique ways to utilise concrete for that designer look in delivering striking landscapes elements like cantilevered benches and polis...
Mar 15, 2021•39 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Our Hosts Chris Weiss and Tyson Owen share their experiences of lessons learnt throughout their careers and discuss how, as a business owner, that the way you respond to the challenges you face will shape the future success of your business. From using new contractors to taking on jobs 'just a little bit' out of your capability, or the best way to set up your teams on site, tune in as Chris and Tyson illustrate that the best way to learn is from your mistakes (unfortunately!) Got a suggestion fo...
Feb 15, 2021•56 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In this episode of 'The Front Graden', Chris Weiss and Tyson Owen, have a chat with Lisa Ellis from Lisa Ellis Gardens about how she happened upon the Landscaping industry, the challenges of operating within a predominantly male dominant industry and industry specific challenges in general. With a successful career in marketing to a Graduate Diploma in Horticulture, Lisa speaks with passion, pride and joy of building beautiful tangible outdoor spaces of escape. Together, they cover everything fr...
Feb 01, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Chris Weiss and Tyson Owen, together with Andrew Grasby, Managing Director of Super Gardens and current President of Landscaping Victoria discuss smashing through the stigma of having more women join the predominantly male-dominant Landscaping industry on this brand-new episode of ‘The Front Garden’ brought to you by StrathAyr, the home of ‘World Class Grass’. Andrew also takes us through the humble beginnings of Super Gardens in 1989 as a Residential Maintenance company, mowing and maintaining ...
Jan 18, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Chris Weiss and Tyson Owen have a chat with Shah Turner, Landscape Architect and owner of Pitch Box, on this brand new episode of ‘The Front Garden’ brought to you by StrathAyr, the home of ‘World Class Grass’. Shah takes you on a journey of how his love for Landscaping got him enrolling in a degree in Landscape Architecture at RMIT before setting up Pitch-Box, an online ‘on-demand’ service, working exclusively with landscape business owners, translating Sketch Plans into industry-leading 3D vis...
Jan 04, 2021•58 min•Season 1Ep. 7
On this episode we take a deep dive on the topic of OH&S standards and the importance of staying on top of your obligations for the safety of your workers, and the survival of your business. David Jarman from Coolabah Landscapes, with 36 years of knowledge, experience and know-how under his belt takes us on a journey through his early days in the business, whilst emphasising the importance of dotting your I’s and crossing your t’s with OH&S Policies & Procedures. He lets us in on the...
Dec 21, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Yet another informative episode brought to you by StrathAyr where Chris Weiss and Tyson Owen pick the brains of Ineke Clark, Director of Ambition Consultants, a successful Marketing Consultancy whose primary objective is to help small business Landscapers and entities in the built industry to build brands online. Ineke takes us through her journey from being the former CEO of Landscaping Association of SA (Master Landscapers of SA) to starting Ambitions Consultancy 18 months back, which now mana...
Dec 07, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this episode, we speak with Bruce Winstanley from Winstanley Landscapes and Great Ocean Pools about his 30 years in the landscaping business. Bruce has a great story to tell - from his beginnings of working in a Bank for 10 years, to completing his apprenticeship at 28 years of age! He has some great tips for tradesmen in general and offers advice on how you can improve your business. Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message! Coolabah Turf is an award-winnin...
Nov 23, 2020•50 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this episode, we are speaking with Chris Keay. He describes how he started his career as an (almost) roof tiler before deciding on a Landscaping Apprenticeship, culminating into the creation of his own commercial landscape business, Landscapes Plus. Chris gives Chris and Tyson his tips for building a successful business and outlines the process he went through in successfully selling an 80% share of Landscape Plus in 2018, before moving out of the business completely in mid-2020. Got a sugges...
Nov 09, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In this episode, co-host Tyson Owen takes us through his experience dealing with VCAT in a 2-year battle. He provides a background of his business and how the project came about. From positive beginnings, communication then stalled, leading Tyson to navigate the VCAT process. Some of the key tips and tricks Tyson provides includes how to maximize Landscaping Victoria Master Landscaping Membership to get help and assistance with contracts and arrange initial consultations with lawyers. Got a sugg...
Oct 27, 2020•45 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In the launch episode of The Front Garden, hosts Chris Weiss and Tyson Owen chat with Adam from Adam Hompas Landscapes. Adam summarises his 6 year journey of owning his own business and describes how it was the passion he had that really pushed his business to new heights. Adam, Chris and Tyson discuss their experiences of 2020 and share how COVID has affected them personally and professionally. They share the unexpected positives of going into Stage 4 restrictions - including finding the time t...
Oct 27, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 1
