Paula from Pod Gardens: Cultivating Success in the Bega Valley - interview + lifestyle photos
My most recent ‘Women in Business’ portrait features Paula from Pod Gardens in Merimbula on the Far South Coast.
Paula is a powerhouse, running two business! Her first is a landscape design business and the other is a shopfront full of the most amazing plants. I asked Paula a few questions about her fascinating career path and businesses on the Sapphire Coast.
What led to your current business and how long have you been operating?
My partner and I moved to the gorgeous Bega Valley 12 years ago and opened up a design, build and maintenance garden service. In September 2018 I opened a botanically inspired retail store focusing mainly on indoor plants and pots to help compliment our existing business and also create a base for our team to use as their office.
Did you need to study/train/up-skill to help you get there?
My background is in horticulture, I studied at Ryde Tafe more than 20 years ago (eek) and have been in the industry in various forms ever since. As anyone in business knows it’s all about continuous training, you never really stop learning.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face daily in your business?
Time management!
How do you manage the stress of work? Do you have an outlet or something that helps to get you through?
I love what I do and the industry I am in so that makes for a lot more enjoyment and a lot less stress, though having a small business is challenging. I like organising short trips away, weekend camping trips, mini breaks with my fam
Three people we checkout/follow, in your field?
I am greatly influenced by designers like Fiona Brockhoff, Will Dangar and US based Andrea Cochran
Business highlight, something you’re proud of –
Having surrounded myself with great clients that allow me to be creative and trust my judgment is a big highlight and having brilliant staff who are passionate about what they do is something that I am very proud of, I love this industry and I love seeing other people come up through that ranks in this industry and knowing I have helped them get there.
I worked as a garden designer and researcher for lifestyle TV shows such as Better Homes and Gardens and River Cottage, it was a lot of fun and fast paced (made dealing with stress later on in my career easier to handle), allowed me to be creative and gave me the opportunity to meet some amazing people and talent.
What have you got coming up that you’re excited about?
I have couple of business ventures and collaborations I am involved in at the moment and really excited about seeing them evolve over the next few months!
