Danielle Mears

When I was six months pregnant with my first child, my husband and I discussed me leaving my full-time marketing job to help with his growing landscaping company. He had reached the point where admin tasks and customer service were overwhelming, and it seemed like a win-win: We’d save the cost of hiring and I’d have flexibility as we entered parenthood.

Within a few months, I realized I had signed up for much more than part-time help. It became a full-time-plus role in a seasonal industry with highs and lows, labor challenges and a business needing process development. I dove in, determined to learn what it meant to truly be part of this industry. Fast forward to today: We’re expecting our fifth child at the end of this season. If you’d told me back then that we’d have five kids, or how landscaping would shape both my career and motherhood, I wouldn’t have believed you.

Life in landscaping isn’t tidy or predictable. It demands grit, flexibility and a willingness to adapt every single day. And when I think about the lessons my children will carry with them after growing up around this industry, three stand out.

Be proud to get your hands dirty. One Sunday, while we were loading a weed eater into my minivan, my oldest daughter wrinkled her nose and said, “It’s so dirty.” I told her that being willing to work with your hands and do jobs others can’t or don’t want to has built a career for our family. Landscaping isn’t glamorous. It’s dust, mud, sweat and unpredictable conditions, but there’s pride in that. I want my kids to see that being willing to get dirty and do hard work sets people apart.

Love your neighbor. When I joined the business, I was immediately aware of the diversity around me — team members from different countries and backgrounds, customers with different expectations and unique needs. It quickly taught me that kindness is the only common denominator that works. People forget what you said but remember how you made them feel. I’ve also learned the importance of a servant’s heart — putting others’ needs above your own when possible. That’s the lesson I want to pass on: be humble, kind and willing to serve others, whether it’s a customer on the phone or a new teammate who looks or speaks differently than you.

Own your profession. One of my biggest frustrations is the lack of respect crews get for their specialized knowledge. Whether it’s a skilled irrigation technician or a seasoned detailing crew, landscaping professionals are true experts at their craft. I remind our team not to let anyone discount what they do — their skills make them professionals, and they should carry themselves that way. I’ll also teach my children this lesson: whatever work you choose, dive in fully, master your skills and never let anyone discount your expertise. And learning a trade that fewer people are willing to do is something to be proud of.

As a mom in landscaping, I see how this industry shapes not only my career but also the values I pass on to my kids — pride in hard work, kindness to others and confidence in their career. From the outside, landscaping is about lawns and hardscapes. For me, it’s been about cultivating a family grounded in grit, kindness and pride.

I encourage you to reflect on the lessons this industry has taught you. Live them, share them with your team and pass them on to the next generation. In doing so, we can shape the people around us and the communities we serve.

Women in Landscaping is a column brought to you in partnership with the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Danielle Mears participates in the National Association of Landscape Professionals Women in Landscape Network (powered by Stanley Black and Decker), which provides a forum for industry professionals to support each other’s professional growth. The Network is free to all industry professionals.