Will We Survive This Winter? Another Week in the Life of a Young Business Owner | Episode 41

Summary

This vlog follows a landscape business through its challenges and progress. The speaker highlights the rental of equipment, including a skid steer, and a recent planting job that allowed a client to personalize their garden. A favorite tree, the 'Wedding Cake Tree,' is introduced, along with other plantings. The office has become more organized with a new hire, Robin. The vlog also touches on plans for the Chelsea Flower Show and the growing capability of the video team. With a focus on learning, growth, and excitement for future projects, the speaker thanks their audience for their continued support.

Takeaways

• 😀 The skid steer equipment was successfully hired out for the first time, generating extra income for the business.
• 😀 The speaker highlights a planting project where they created a skeleton planting scheme for a client, allowing them to add their own plants later.
• 😀 One of the standout plants featured in the planting project is the Cornus controversa, or Wedding Cake Tree, which the speaker recommends for its layered beauty.
• 😀 The office has reached capacity with desks, prompting a need for better organization and the purchase of additional shelving and drawer units.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on a busy week of work, including using a motorbike to navigate heavy traffic while attending meetings.
• 😀 Despite a team member, Finn, feeling unwell, the yard was tidied up, and the skid steer was successfully returned after the hire.
• 😀 Plans for participating in the Chelsea Flower Show next year are in the works, with additional videographers being brought in to handle the increased workload.
• 😀 The speaker expresses excitement about showcasing behind-the-scenes work at the Chelsea Flower Show, which represents the peak of landscaping and horticulture.
• 😀 The speaker acknowledges the emotional rollercoaster of running a small business, sharing that it’s a constant learning experience.
• 😀 There is a growing sense of community with the speaker's audience, as they express gratitude for their increasing following and encourage engagement.
• 😀 The vlog emphasizes both the challenges and successes of running a business, underscoring the importance of organization, growth, and adaptability.

Q & A

What is the speaker's experience with hiring out equipment?

The speaker shares that they have never hired out their equipment before, but they decided to give it a try. They highlight that they get a good weekly rate for hiring out their skid steer and are prepping it for the hire. This decision marks a new step for the business.

What type of planting work was done on the project in Hambledon?

The speaker describes a planting project in Hambledon where they provided a skeleton planting scheme for a client. They outlined the garden's structure, leaving the client to fill in with plants of their choice for the following year, allowing the client to have ownership of the garden's final look.

What is the 'Wedding Cake Tree' mentioned in the script, and why is it recommended?

The 'Wedding Cake Tree' (Cornus controversa 'Variegata') is a medium-sized tree known for its layered, tiered structure. The speaker praises its beauty, particularly for how it catches the light at sunset, making it a visually striking choice. It's described as an underused tree that could be a valuable addition to garden designs.

What role does Robin play in the business?

Robin has joined the office team, which has now reached capacity in terms of desk space. One of Robin's first tasks was to purchase additional shelving and storage solutions to help maintain order in the office as the team grows.

What challenge did the speaker face when moving a bulk bag of stone?

The speaker encountered a problem when trying to lift a bulk bag of stone using the skid steer. The bag ripped during the attempt, making it impossible to move the stone as planned, illustrating the physical challenges that come with managing large landscaping materials.

What kind of week did the speaker have, according to the script?

The speaker describes the week as busy but productive. They managed to attend meetings, including one related to the Chelsea Flower Show, and completed various tasks at the yard. Despite challenges, such as a team member being unwell, the speaker seems satisfied with the week's progress.

What is the significance of the Chelsea Flower Show for the speaker's business?

The speaker looks forward to participating in the Chelsea Flower Show next year. They are working out the details for their involvement and mention the need for additional videographers due to the scale of the project. The Chelsea Flower Show represents a prestigious opportunity for the business to showcase their work and engage in high-profile projects.

How does the speaker feel about running a small business?

The speaker reflects on the emotional ups and downs of running a small business. They express a sense of accomplishment but also acknowledge the challenges involved, including the unpredictability and hard lessons learned along the way.

What are the plans for future video production at the business?

The speaker discusses plans to improve video production for the business, including bringing in extra videographers to handle the workload. They emphasize the importance of creating slick, professional projects and charging accordingly for high-quality work, especially in preparation for events like the Chelsea Flower Show.

What does the speaker suggest about the growth of their business?

The speaker notes that their business is growing, both in terms of staff and the scale of their projects. The addition of new team members and the upcoming participation in major events like the Chelsea Flower Show indicate that the business is expanding and diversifying its operations.