Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Terri Stevens. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Terri, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
Thank you for the opportunity to share my story… I have never held a “regular job” or what I considered to be a regular job… I was always a lifeguard, bartender, banquet manager or landscape designer. I never had a 9-5. I am so thankful for having the opportunities I have had to share my skills outside of the typical box.. as a bartender/banquet manager I was able to be creative and provide for clients a special occasion, as a landscape designer, of course I was given a palette to express and convey the needs/wants of my clients. This brings me the ultimate joy.. to know that I am providing a living space where my clients can live in their outdoor spaces and enjoy their time off.. It’s amazing to be able to create outdoor sanctuaries for my clients and their families to enjoy for years to come. I can instill their wants and desires to meet their design goals and provide an amazing outdoor space for them.
Terri, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I loved to garden with my grandfather and father… I developed a passion for horticulture as a pre-teen, and then my parents purchased a house with a greenhouse, that only fueled my passion.. I am a Horticulturalist by education, with a landscape design specialization. I have been in business for over 30 years in Northern Virginia and now South Carolina for the last 4 years. I am involved in many professional organizations and am proud to participate in continuing education and hold memberships in many professional organizations, as they are part of growth in our industry. What I hold most important with my company is client service. We are always going to take care of our clients.. So many in our industry are not client care specific, but it’s really important to my business. I take care of my clients as how I would want to be taken care of. A big portion of our business, being in the “Low Country” is drainage work.. I am very proud of the drainage work we install for our clients. I have never had a “go back” or have had to adjust drainage for a client. We get it right the first time.. if we don’t, we will stand behind our work. Beyond drainage, we are designers… we can create amazing outdoor spaces for you with patios, walls, fire pits, fireplaces, seat walls, lighting and more..We love what we do and can’t wait to share with potential clients!
How did you build your audience on social media?
So this may sound a little “self-serving” but I have a lean towards non-profits.. in my next life, I would love to be a CEO of a non-profit…. So, as a business owner, I love the opportunity to support local non-profits in need with a “call to action” for clients who can indirectly by purchasing goods/services from my business, support a local non-profit- it will be 100% on them as a donation, we are not looking to get anything out of it but the support for the non-profit- the donation receipt will be sent directly to the client. We support one non-profit each month in our area which doesn’t receive government support. I am a big believer in supporting our local community!!
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Be true to your word… Do what you say you are going to do. Show up when you promise. Communicate as needed.. I follow the book “The Four Agreements” for my business..
I expect a high level or communication and workmanship from my crews and I follow through. Clients LOVE communication!!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.creativeoutdoorsolutions.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativeoutdoorsolutions.org/
- Other: I am sorry- I am slacking on social media… my apologies- I really appreciate this opportunity!!
Image Credits
@imagewerks.com