Meet Lauren Riordan | Landscape Designer and Builder

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

Hi Lauren, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I didn’t realize how important risk is until I started my own company, KALEIDOSCAPE LLC. Risk has been pivotal for growth, in both my personal and professional life. Risk doesn’t have to be reckless, but rather a chance for change. I’ve always been an advocate for change. If something’s not working, then change it. However, I have also come to realize that something doesn’t have to be broken to seek change. It’s ok to still want more from life. This quest for more is what keeps me taking risks; I’m talking about manageable risks that will take me out of my comfort zone but still set me up for success. I do believe a vision or goal is necessary when taking a chance. To simply take a risk without an objective can be reckless. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to follow my intuition. When I take a chance guided by my own intuition, it always works out. When I take a risk due to outside pressure, I tend to learn a more negative lesson. Being confident in my intuition guides me to value risks as positive opportunities. That’s not to say that all risked experiences are positive, but the lessons learned can be valued in a positive way. It is important to learn how to not do something. We shouldn’t look at risk or failure as a shortcoming, but rather a learned experience.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I don’t think any entrepreneur will tell you starting a business is easy, but it has been the greatest and most rewarding investment I have ever made. I started my company when the pandemic first hit, March 2020. I had been planning to do so and knew I needed to take the risk. Luckily, the last two years have been great for the outdoor living industry, and I am thankful for the opportunity to grow my company during a time where people are seeing the value of being home and outdoors. That being said, COVID has presented its own set of challenges for construction. One of the most important lessons I’m always learning is how to be adaptable. Adapt to the current times, weather, material shortages, demands, standards, etc. It’s important to be flexible as change is inevitable, and the more you learn, the better off you’ll be in every aspect of life.

I’ve put a lot of blood, sweat, and time into learning as much as I can about creating sustainable and professional landscapes that address functional and aesthetic issues for my clients and the natural environment. This is one of the characteristics that sets KALEIDOSCAPE apart. We care about our clients, their landscape, and the natural world we all belong to. Part of caring is installing quality products that will stand the test of time and blossom into beautiful, outdoor living spaces while catering to the individuality of each client to make them feel special.

I am very proud to own and operate a small landscape business promoting women in the industry. Breaking gender norms and boundaries is our specialty. Last year, I had an employee who was nervous to change her own lightbulbs, and now she’s operating heavy equipment and installing landscaping lighting. Encouraging women to explore careers in male-dominant fields is important. Employing women and men creates a well-rounded team of landscapers with a hard work ethic and keen attention to detail. We need more women in the construction world!

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?
To begin a perfect day in Fort Collins, I would have to recommend breakfast
and a spicy Bloody Mary from the Rainbow Restaurant! This family-owned
restaurant has wonderful options, not to mention a beautiful outdoor patio. It
sits directly across the street from Colorado State University and the infamous
Oval, which is worth a walk under the vast canopy of elm trees. If you like
houseplants and want to build your own terrarium, go check out Horsetooth
Stem and Roots; it’s close by!
One of my favorite activities in Fort Collins is to bike and brew! There are
many bike trails throughout the city. Spending a day biking along the Poudre
River and stopping at breweries along the way is a tried-and-true FoCo
activity! Great beer and good times can be had at Odell’s, Funkwerks, Rally
King, and so many more.
I also highly recommend taking a scenic drive up the Poudre Canyon for some
outdoor fun and relaxation! There are plenty of designated areas for day use,
BBQing, and over-night camping. You can pitch a hammock anywhere along
the Poudre River and unwind for the day. While you’re up the canyon, you
must stop at the legendary Mishawaka for a beer and burger on the river. The
view from their deck is amazing, and you’ll typically see whitewater rafters and
a few mountain goats while you’re there. If you’re lucky, head up on a Friday
or Saturday night for a memorable outdoor concert experience!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My wife, Julia, deserves this shoutout! I would not be where I am today without her mental, physical, emotional, and culinary support. She keeps me present, levelheaded, loved, fulfilled, and so much more. She’s been with me every step of the way, and she just joined the KALEIDOSCAPE team. I could not be more excited to be her partner in work and life!

I also wouldn’t be here without the support and referrals from vendors, colleagues, and professionals who I work with in the Outdoor Living industry. Networking is a necessary tool for success, and I am thankful for all the relationships I make along the way.

Website: www.kaleidoscapellc.com

Instagram: @kaleidoscape_llc