We were lucky to catch up with Kayla Lamb recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kayla, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

When I think about risk, two things come to mind: the moment I decided to start my own business with zero clue how to actually run a business, and the moment I signed papers on the biggest investment of my life — my little Farmette here in Des Moines.

For years, I ran The Garden Groomer out of the basement of my 600 sq. ft. duplex and the back of my SUV. We were scrappy and resourceful, but there was always this ceiling. No space for inventory, no proper spot to train my team, no room for growth. Then this property came up — a small in-town “farmette” with a greenhouse, barn, space for trucks to deliver pallets, and even a garden big enough for staff to grow their own food and flowers. It was everything I didn’t even know I needed.

The scary part? It meant a mortgage. A huge, real, grown-up financial responsibility that tied my personal life directly to my business. Signing those papers felt like stepping off a cliff. But here’s the thing — the moment I took that risk, everything changed. Now I can buy materials in bulk (which actually saves money), hold real staff meetings and trainings, and give my team the chance to learn and experiment in ways I couldn’t offer before. It’s become not just a hub for the business, but a place that supports community and creativity.

And personally, this farmette has become my playground. I call it my coloring book — a space where I can dream, plant, and play. I’ve brought in chickens and ducks, started seeds in the greenhouse just for fun, and I’ve even toyed with the idea of a farmstand one day, selling eggs and produce to my clients. There’s something so rewarding about waking up and deciding, “Today I’m going to plant a tree in the backyard,” and actually having the space to do it — on my own property. I never imagined I’d have that opportunity, and it’s been life-changing.

Of course, it’s still terrifying sometimes — and not just because of the mortgage. The maintenance of a property like this is basically a whole extra job. When something breaks, or a system fails, it’s entirely on me (and my wallet) to figure out. I’m just a girl on my own (with my amazing staff, of course), but this little farm is teaching me that I am capable of more than I ever gave myself credit for. Every season, every challenge, every “oh no, what now?” moment expands my knowledge and reminds me that we can always keep learning. The perks far outweigh the fear, because this risk gave me not just the next version of my business, but the next version of myself.

Kayla, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Kayla, the founder of The Garden Groomer, which I started back in 2017 with nothing but a love for gardening and the belief that I could help people feel less overwhelmed by their outdoor spaces. A lot of our clients come to us when their gardens feel out of control — weeds everywhere, shrubs that need trimming, or just a general sense of not knowing where to start. My favorite thing is being able to come in, simplify, and help people fall in love with their gardens again.

We do everything from editing existing beds to installing new plants, raised veggie gardens, seasonal porch planters, holiday décor — you name it. But what I think really sets us apart is the way we approach it: balancing beauty with practicality, choosing plants that thrive here in Iowa, and taking time to teach along the way so clients feel empowered, not intimidated.

One of the things I’m most proud of is that this little idea has grown into something I could invest in long-term. Recently, I bought a small Farmette here in Des Moines that’s become our company’s hub. It allows us to store materials, run trainings, and experiment with plants — but it’s also a place for my team. My staff can grow their own food, cut a bouquet of flowers to bring home, or just hang out with the chickens and ducks. It’s fun, it’s hands-on, and it gives them a chance to keep learning in a way that’s low-pressure and creative.

I want The Garden Groomer to be more than just a service for clients — I want it to be a place where people love to work. A place that inspires both our customers and my staff. That culture of care and creativity is just as important to me as the gardens we create.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

When I started The Garden Groomer, I didn’t have investors, loans, or any kind of financial backing. Honestly, I didn’t even know how any of that worked. What I did have was grit, a little SUV, and a rule I set for myself: you can’t buy the tool or fill the gas tank unless you’ve booked the job to pay for it.

So I bootstrapped everything. In the very beginning, I was going to estate sales and yard sales, buying any tool I could find for a dollar that would fit in my car. I started small, said yes to every job, and made a promise to myself to save at least half of what I earned and tuck it into a business savings account. When I needed something bigger — like a chainsaw or a pricier tool — I’d hustle to book enough jobs to cover that specific purchase, and only then would I buy it.

Eight years later, that’s still how I run things. With the exception of my Farmette mortgage, I’ve never taken out a loan for this business. If we want new equipment, we save and buy it outright. I believe in running a no-debt business because it keeps my overhead low and my stress lower. I never have to worry about loan payments or interest rates hanging over me. Everything we have, we’ve earned the long way — little by little, job by job. And while it may not be the flashiest growth strategy, it’s one that’s kept me grounded, creative, and fiercely proud of what we’ve built.

Any advice for managing a team?

Gosh, I still don’t think I have this figured out. Managing people is hard — especially in an industry where the work is outside in the elements and it’s darn hard work. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the most important thing I can do is listen to my staff. They’ll tell you when something doesn’t feel right, or when a certain tool or process would make their job easier. The trick is not to get defensive, but to use that feedback to actually make changes.

For me, my staff comes first, then my clients, then me. Without my team, I couldn’t serve a single client. If they need new uniforms, I buy them. If they need a better tool, I make it happen. If they need a day off for family, they get it. We’ve built a casual, flexible, family-like atmosphere here — and that’s by design. Gardening can be grueling. It’s hot, heavy, sweaty work, with bug bites, poison ivy, and the occasional wasp sting thrown in. I know how tough it is, so I do everything I can to keep my team safe, comfortable, and supported.

That doesn’t mean it’s easy. One of the hardest parts of running my business is hearing staff complaints. Most of the time the issues are out of my control, but it still hurts my heart. I take it personally because I want to give them the best. But I think that’s the point: it’s not about never hearing complaints — it’s about how you react when you do. Listen, take it seriously, and do your best to respond. That’s how you build trust, and that’s what keeps morale alive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thegardengroomer.com
• Instagram: @the_garden_groomer
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gardengroomerdsm
• Youtube: The Garden Groomer By Kayla