Meet Lauren Wilson | Landscape Designer and Garden Consultant

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

Hi Lauren, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
It was 2020, the pandemic just hit, and I was working in a major hospital. All my friends with older kids were struggling with homeschooling and working. I was lucky enough to have daycare that was doing the best they could even though it wasn’t great and was affecting my job. All I could think of was “how do I get out of here?!” I have always loved landscape design and always wanted to do it for a career so when the government was giving out money and I took a leap of faith and bought myself a computer. I bought the design program and got to work and never looked back. Three years later I am to do this full time.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I think what sets me apart from the rest, is truly my passion for horticulture. I can talk about trees, shrubs, bulbs, flower and hardscape all day long. I love it and my clients feel my passion for their yard. When I have a client that is lost, I always say, ” if this was my yard, this is what I would do” Straightforward! I am most excited about the future. I get to be home more for my family and do what I truly love to do every day!

I got where I am today professionally by asking a lot of questions and being vulnerable. I was trying to go into leadership at the hospital, but all the doors were closed. I just kept telling myself “These doors are closed for a reason” Then I got a call from Waylon at Tristar Landscaping wondering if I would design for him. Then a call from Dakota with Grey Rock Landscaping wondering if I would design for him too. The doors opened and I walked though! It was hard to know that the time I put into the hospital wasn’t paying off the way I thought it should, but I also knew it wasn’t for me anymore and was thankful for the time and the friendships I built over the years. I learned over the years that everything is a lesson, and you need to look at what you have learned, positive or negative, it’s all important.

I want the world to know that you can’t replace passion with education. I don’t have a big degree; I wasn’t one of those lucky kids that had that opportunity, but I never let it stop me from doing what I love. Don’t let a piece of paper stop you from building the life of your dreams. You can do anything if you put your mind to it!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, we would definitely rent an Air B and B in the mountain and just catch up!! No husbands, no kids, just a girls weekend away!! I love Red Feather, Poudre Cayon and Wyoming.

I love Saratoga Resort in Wyoming!! We have gone many times and the food; the rooms and the hot springs are awesome! Let alone the cute little town. The wolf hotel has the best prime rib and such a cool old hotel!!
The train to Glenwood… AWESOME! and the hot springs are great too, but the train ride is so cool.
I will always go to Steamboat too; I have never had a bad time there!

But if we are staying close to home, got to go with Fort Collins Old Town. It has everything and Blue Agave is one of my favorites.

If we are staying really close to home, The Goat in Greeley is my new favorite place. Great food, great drinks and hubby can watch his games.

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?
First, COVID. Thank you for scaring the shit out of me! I am so blessed and thankful for all my amazing and talented friends that have help guide me along the way.
Huge shout out to Elyica Feldman with Wild Blossoms Studio – Look her up! So talented and mom boss x 1,000!
Jacqueline Feil with Windermere Real Estate- She is beyond business savvy and someone I can always call with business questions. Another mom boss x 1,000!
Natalie Greene with Natalie’s Unique Bouquets. She is my garden geek friend. We both have similar goals and passions. We love what we do, and we love helping each other when we need it. She is also mom boss x 1,000.

Gerry V pod cast and TikTok’s- motivating and straightforward! Really made me look around and think about what I was doing with my time and money. I don’t waste my time anymore and it changed my life!
Favorite Book- Atomic Habits- Read it, game changer!

And ME! I put in the work, every day. I never gave up. I made goal and I crushed them. ” Chase that dream, because a dream won’t chase you back!”

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Image Credits
Family Photo Credits- Tiffany Morgan Kisner