We had the good fortune of connecting with Karla Dakin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karla, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
First there was the life long desire to start my own business.

Second, the fear of being stuck to a computer for eight plus hours a day drafting someone else’s bad designs inspired a call to freedom at the risk of going broke. Freedom being my own business.

Third, I had a new baby who I wanted to spend time with. I was willing to risk my career on family time.

Lastly, ignorance is bliss.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What set me apart years ago was my comprehensive belief in learning from as many different knowledge sources as possible: horticulture or permaculture, academics or biodynamic gardening, ancient, new, untested, all were welcome in my book.

The path was never easy but always engaging. How did I overcome the challenges? One foot in front of the other. Perseverance big time.

These days, after a quarter century or more in business, it is my wisdom, depth of experience and knowledge that sets me apart. There are gifts to getting old and I offer them in abundance to my clients.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The roof top garden that I designed at MCA. Any art exhibit at Redline Contemporary Art Center. A hike in the hills above Boulder. A tour of Denver Botanic Gardens. Uchi restaurant. Denver Art museum. Clyfford Still museum. Dinner in my garden cooked by me from vegetables I grew.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to acknowledge all the architects from Colorado to California, who as my top strategic alliances, helped me to grow my career. Despite the fact that they rarely, if ever, gave me credit when our project was published, I still owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude for giving me opportunities to design many beautiful gardens.

Website: https://www.kdakindesign.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kdakindesign/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdakindesign/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karla.dakin/

Image Credits
Karla Dakin

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