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I'm looking to change careers in the next few years and I'm looking for some guidance. I'd like to enter the landscape/gardening field. I have over 10 years experience as a home landscaper/gardener but no formal training. I do have a college degree but in an unrelated field. I'd like to get into a certificate program and go from there. Any suggestions?
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Location: Cary, NC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stranman
I'm looking to change careers in the next few years and I'm looking for some guidance. I'd like to enter the landscape/gardening field. I have over 10 years experience as a home landscaper/gardener but no formal training. I do have a college degree but in an unrelated field. I'd like to get into a certificate program and go from there. Any suggestions?
Start with the end in mind:
Learn to create and deliver quality and innovation in design, installation, and maintenance, coupled with excellent customer service.
There will be a place for you in the market.
Sell that creative ability and don't concentrate on others' low labor costs.
Learn the economics of the business, but don't ever go into any business with price as your first point of competition. There will always be someone dumb enough to be willing to undercut you on price, no matter the cost to them or the customer.
"He'll mow for $22/trip? Well! I'll do it for $20." There's a blue ribbon recipe for poverty.
Status:
"Made the Retirement Run in under 12 parsecs!!!"
(set 8 days ago)
Location: Cary, NC
43,086 posts, read 76,661,372 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by saturnfan
Yes, but many customers don't think beyond price.
That's why some property owners can be burned if employees get hurt and employer has neglected to get workmen's comp coverage.
That's why no smart or successful businessperson wants every customer. Some customers can't do business unless the other party is damaged.
I believe in "Win-Win, or no deal."
The OP has a concept, and appears to have a great deal of interest.
Guidance and advice to promote failure is readily available, all around any entrepreneur.
Success-oriented perspective also has reasonable credibility.
If you are willing to volunteer your services for a while, you could do the "Master Gardener" program. They train as long as you commit to volunteering (I think it's 40 hours the first year and 20 in subsequent years). That could enable you to get to know the market, enhance your credibility, and help you figure out what to do next.
(Edited to add: as I read their site a little more, they aren't keen on having it used for commercial purposes. However, it still could be educational. Also, here's a link to NCSU's Landscape Design program: HS Landscape (http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/hort_sci/landscape/lndmain.html - broken link) . Check out the Raulston Arboretum, too.)
I do not know of any specific certificate programs, but here are some interesting links that may give some good info about that: (FYI, I am not endorsing these websites, just offering them for your investigation):
Also, do you listen to the Weekend Gardener radio show on News Radio 680 AM WPTF? It comes on every weekend from 8-10am. It is hosted by Mike Raley and they answer listener phone calls. They also have garden speialists and arborists call in from time to time. I think you should give them a call next weekend and ask them the question you have posted here. They have a lot of experience and might be able to point you in the right direction.
I liked Jlurks idea about the Master Gardener Program. I saw a booth at the Wake Forest Farmer's Market this past summer that had a garden master who was giving out advice to us amatures. Maybe you should stop by the farmer's market this spring and try talking to him if he is there.
Have you visisted some of the great nurseries here in Raleigh? Perhaps you could get a part time job there on the weekends to get quench your gardening bug and get your foot in the door for starting your own biz. Perhaps there is a good place up in Wake Forest to work as well. Here are the ones in Raleigh that I know about
At the age of 34, I am also currently exploring a career switch into LA. This " thought" has led me to an extensive "research project" since it would be a big step for me. I hold an B.A. Technical Management and am interested in the 3-year MLA program offered by City College of NYC. Still waiting for the school's confirmation whether they are indeed an ASLA accredited program provider, please allow me to ask you two questions that I haven't been able to answer yet:
Assuming I would get into such program and successfully graduate, would it be difficult for me at the age of late 30 to find an apprenticeship? In other words, do employers prefer NOT to hire "adult trainees" or do you think it is more about good self-marketing, good education, etc?
Another question covering the "teamwork aspect in LA":
Do you often find an hierarchic among engineers, LAs, and architects in large projects or even power plays? I do understand that it is good to have constructive conflicts in teams... Sorry for coming across a little too critical. Hopefully you understand my intend -
Coming out of the Corporate World, I'd like to get a realistic picture about the world of LA and what to expect
before making any further moves.
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