Starting a business and a family at the same time

Angelica Negrete

Co-founder and owner, Royal Gardens Landscaping and Design in Florida

Starting a business is challenging under any circumstances, but doing so while adjusting to life as a first-time mother felt like navigating uncharted waters. In 2018, my life took two monumental turns: I found out I was expecting my first baby boy, and two months later, I registered my landscaping business. By January 2019, I was holding not only a newborn but also the weight of a new business.

My husband joined me in this journey as he saw its potential and believed in my vision. His practical skills as a landscaping technician perfectly complemented my background in landscape business management. I took on the role of leadership, creating systems, making decisions and guiding our efforts to align with a clear vision for success. This experience taught me that effective leadership is not about control or gender but about inspiring others, even in a male-dominated industry.

When my maternity leave began in January 2019, I knew I had a narrow window of opportunity to give my full potential to this new chapter. I wanted my business to succeed so I could support myself financially and avoid returning to my previous corporate position. Those months were not about taking it slow; they were about working tirelessly, often through sleepless nights, to turn an idea into a sustainable business.

The days were chaotic. I took client calls with baby cries in the background, visited customers with my son strapped to my chest and squeezed in emails during nap times or morning strolls. I wasn’t just adjusting to motherhood; I was leading a business and making my way in a male-dominated industry. Every project, every meeting and every late night was fueled by my determination to make it work.

One of the most pivotal moments came during a phone call with a potential commercial client. My son’s soft cries were audible in the background, and I worried it would cost me the opportunity. Instead, the woman on the other end paused and asked kindly, “Is that your baby?” When I said yes, she responded warmly. As another mother, she understood the challenge I was facing and chose to support me. She gave me one of my first major opportunities in landscaping, a moment that reinforced the power of women uplifting each other.

That experience taught me that success isn’t about pretending everything is perfect. It’s about showing up as you are, even when things feel messy and uncertain. Authenticity resonates, and being true to yourself allows others to see your potential, even in moments of vulnerability.

Looking back now, I see those months of balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship as a time of immense growth. It wasn’t just about building a business; it was about proving to myself that I could rise to the challenge, even when the odds felt overwhelming. My baby and my business grew together, and every sleepless night and early morning was worth it.

To any woman considering a leap into the unknown, whether it’s starting a business, taking on a leadership role or stepping into a new, challenging project: You can do it. It’s not about having all the answers or waiting for the perfect moment. It’s about trusting yourself, showing up authentically and knowing that progress often looks imperfect.

And when you have the chance to support another woman on her journey, take it. Those moments of encouragement, no matter how small, can make all the difference.

Women in Landscaping is a column brought to you in partnership with the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Angelica Negrete is an active member of 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.