We were lucky to catch up with Ashleigh Lemon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ashleigh, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

Container gardening and small space gardening has become a popular trend due to its numerous benefits and practicality. Space constraints, flexibility, accessibility and the versatility of container gardens have given people who otherwise could not garden the opportunity to get their hands dirty in a convenient and visually appealing way. I have seen a large uptick in clients, both residential and small businesses, interested in our container garden designs for all different seasons! Covid even unlocked additional popularity due to increased interest in gardening as people sought productive and engaging activities while the pandemic kept most people at home. Being a “plant parent” has many benefits including stress relief, mental well being, beautification and ability to express and personalize their own designs and discover the joys and benefits of gardening.

Ashleigh, 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?

Lemon Garden Designs is a woman-owned business that brings beauty and vitality to outdoor spaces. Our expertise lies in landscape design, installation, garden maintenance, and the art of container gardening. We take pride in creating captivating environments that harmonize with nature and reflect our clients’ unique vision.

At Lemon Garden Designs, we believe in the power of connection and growth not only with plants but with our clients. We also offer engaging, hands-on workshops that unite teams and ignite creativity. Our plant-based workshops are perfect for team-building events or a memorable girls’ night out, where participants can explore the wonders of plants and unleash their inner green thumbs.

With a passion for both aesthetics and sustainability, Lemon Garden Designs is committed to creating outdoor sanctuaries that inspire and uplift. Whether you seek a tranquil retreat or a vibrant gathering space, our team of skilled professionals will bring your landscape dreams to life. Experience the transformative power of nature with us!

Ashleigh Lemon, the visionary behind Lemon Garden Designs, embarked on her entrepreneurial journey with a deep rooted passion for nature and gardening. Her inspiration stemmed from witnessing and learning the joy and connection of gardening from her grandparents. Driven by her background in horticultural research from working as a senior biology specialist for Scotts Miracle Gro she merged her creativity, horticultural knowledge, and desire to educate to form Lemon Garden Designs. Ashleigh also recognized the need for more women-led businesses in the landscaping industry. “I aim to inspire other women to pursue their passions, break barriers, and thrive in traditionally male-dominated fields,” exclaims Ashleigh.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

First and foremost, each team is unique but I think there are a few crucial pieces of advice I would like to share about managing a team in a small startup company.

1. Foster open communication: My team is like family and we like to share highs and lows in both our personal and work lives. We each try to encourage open and honest communication among team members while creating a supportive and comfortable environment.

2. Celebrate: We try to celebrate achievements both big and small which I think helps keep high morale and keeps us excited for each new project.

3. Team building: Whether it be cookouts, a baseball game, axe throwing, camping……we’ve done it all and often. Getting together outside of work enhances our team dynamics, boosts morale and motivation, and fosters a positive work culture. Your team may not function as a “family” like ours but team building outside of work is crucial for creating a cohesive and motivated team, just find out which activities would work for you team by asking!

Have you ever had to pivot?

The decision for me to leave a Fortune 500 company and all the comfort and security that come with a corporate job was one of the hardest things I have done in my life but I do not regret it! Change is hard and I was definitely intimidated by the unknown. However, I realized that the stress of working on projects that I was either not passionate about or that were not taken seriously was not worth all of the time and energy I spent during the work week. I need to feel that what I do with all of those hours matter.

Long story short, after taking the leap of faith and embracing the unknown I found my calling as a small business owner. Entrepreneurship was literally the last thing I ever thought I would do in my life. I figured I would be in Africa studying endangered species or working as a scientist the rest of my life. Small business ownership allows me to challenge myself every single day, which I did not have working in the corporate world. By diving into all the various aspects of business ownership such as finances, marketing, operations, and leading a team I have the continuous opportunity to grow and learn. Seeing your ideas come to life and building relationships with your team, clients, community and other small businesses is the reward and meaning I was looking for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lemongardendesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lemongardendesigns/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LemonGardenDesigns
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lemon-garden-designs/