Go work in-house for a major landscaping company, on a contract basis (so you can be part-time). The'll appreciate contract basis since their business fluctuates by seasons anyway. Build up you portfolio that way, then hang your own shingle in a few years.

Other way: go work on a contract basis for many small landscaping companies, especially if your other language is Spanish. A lot of the small ones are 2-3 guys and they can mow lawns, but don't have the horticultural knowledge to do the landscape design (but they can implement it). You'd be the one to meet with the customer, do the proposal and estimate, then they do the work.

Related to the previous one, a lot of small lanscaping companies are awful at back-office like billing, marketing, and bringing in new customers. You'd do that, maybe for a bunch of companies at once.

(Can you guess that I'm an entrepreneur?)

Anonymous wrote:I (and the business I work for) spend money on things like this.

But there is so much competition and someone with no portfolio/clients/reputation for the last 8 years isn't going to get my business. Sorry.

I know there are Landscaping companies associates who show you pictures of beautiful gardens and patios on brochures, they wear professional uniforms and sell their services as the best in town. But once you sign a contract with them, they will send you a crew of technicians who don’t differentiate weeds from ornamental plants, pests from good bugs, toxic products from earth and people friendly products. You sign up for a certain number of visits and, if you are not around, they will just take a look from the street and they will charge as if they have been doing the job. I used to work for one of those companies but resigned because I did not want to be part of the dishonest way of doing business.

Anonymous wrote:To 11:17 - Sounds like advice of someone who is not in business and dismissive too. OP said she has the training and experience in the field. And do NOT do your work for free. Create a website sure, and get a Houzz page but don't price yourself as an amateur as you are not.

In this competitive space, if you haven't done anything for 8 years, you're a solo practitioner, and all you have is a Houzz page, you ARE an amateur.

Anonymous wrote:To 11:17 - Sounds like advice of someone who is not in business and dismissive too. OP said she has the training and experience in the field. And do NOT do your work for free. Create a website sure, and get a Houzz page but don't price yourself as an amateur as you are not.

Are you going to be the first client to pay a competitive rate for someone with a Houzz page and literally zero past projects, referrals, reviews or recommendations? Okay then, she's set!

To 11:17 - Sounds like advice of someone who is not in business and dismissive too. OP said she has the training and experience in the field. And do NOT do your work for free. Create a website sure, and get a Houzz page but don't price yourself as an amateur as you are not.

Why not work doing this for a gardening center or landscaping company?

If you also arranged for the work, sure. God my yard is such an unholy disaster right now.

Anonymous wrote:Used to work FT before starting a family. It’s been 8 years and I now need an income. My brackground (including a degree) is in landscapes and gardening. I’m bilingual. Would you be willing to pay around $60/hr to get ideas for your garden or business’ outdoor patio/terrace?

What is your second language?

That was close to my story OP and I started my own business. I have never had trouble finding new projects. Do you plan on doing design only? Will you be a contractor? Do physical labor? If you are ready, plan out your business and do it. Except for my lust for employer paid benefits - I love being my own boss. I actually started out with a partner but decided I like being on my own better. When I have work (and I aim for part time) I base my proposals on $125/hr. I guess if you factor in time I spend meeting prospective clients, doing marketing, etc, it does go down but I love my job. FYI: When I get too busy and have to pay landscape architects on a contract basis I base their pay $17-$25/hr and I never have trouble finding people anxious for work. If you were to work for someone - that would be your pay range.

Anonymous wrote:I (and the business I work for) spend money on things like this.

But there is so much competition and someone with no portfolio/clients/reputation for the last 8 years isn't going to get my business. Sorry.

+1 Build a portfolio by doing this for your own house and some friends/neighbors (with professional pics and a business website), then try to break into the business by undercutting your competitors on price. You can get to where you want to be in a couple of years, but I wouldn't pay $60 right out the gate to someone who presents as a bored housewife looking to make money on her hobby.

Just ideas? You’re not going to overhaul my landscape by planning AND shopping, digging, planting? No. I’d just hire a landscaping company who can give me a flat rate. Sorry.

No, I wouldn't, OP - not to someone who isn't part of a respected, proven firm with lots of reviews.

I (and the business I work for) spend money on things like this.

But there is so much competition and someone with no portfolio/clients/reputation for the last 8 years isn't going to get my business. Sorry.

Anonymous wrote:Used to work FT before starting a family. It’s been 8 years and I now need an income. My brackground (including a degree) is in landscapes and gardening. I’m bilingual. Would you be willing to pay around $60/hr to get ideas for your garden or business’ outdoor patio/terrace?

No.

Used to work FT before starting a family. It’s been 8 years and I now need an income. My brackground (including a degree) is in landscapes and gardening. I’m bilingual. Would you be willing to pay around $60/hr to get ideas for your garden or business’ outdoor patio/terrace?