Page 55 - Free State Winter 2021

additional work and responsibilities to Right: Soulful Assistant
support these imperative changes in Below: Pivot with Purpose
service, despite having to learn new
skills overnight out of necessity.

I pivoted my small business by taking
stock of my skills and experience, then
deciding to accept all opportunities
that aligned with my company
mission and goals. This pause in our
normal business flow allowed me to
take advantage of the many webinars
suddenly available to us all to increase
my knowledge base. I also choose
to take and pass the ISA Certified
Arborist Exam so I can offer new
skills to my customers once business
levels returned. This was also the time
when I chose to join organizations
such as GardenComm. This decision
to pursue new opportunities led to a
wide variety of positive experiences
that allowed for great success in 2021.

I didn’t realize it then, but this was
actually a pivot with a purpose. their landscapes and managing them That was a first. In the end they

The GardenComm members were in environmentally sensitive ways. were very happy because their
great from the start. They are a savvy Our connection to the outdoors, our residents could enjoy their outdoor
networking group! It wasn’t long after influence on the world and its biome gardens without being bitten up. A
joining that I was a guest on my first became more important than ever much-needed respite for the condo
podcast (GardenDC, ep. 8), guest before. owners who needed to get outside. I
appearance on NPR, and was asked For me, this meant expanding my learned new skills and the work was
to write numerous feature articles service offerings to include such meaningful to my customers.
for a variety of sources. If you are a things as creating nursery inventories. As my business was increasing, my
garden writer, I encourage you to join: At one property where I was husband’s business was slowing
www.gardencomm.org. already providing IPM Scouting and down and he went on furlough one
The shut-down allowed more people Consulting, I designed and installed day a week. He works with the hotel
to spend more time at home and use an insectary garden, attracting industry, which was severely impacted
their outdoor spaces in ways they beneficial organisms and installed a by the shut-down. I hired him as my
never had time to do before. Homes Bluebird Nesting Trail. Did you know Soulful Assistant on that day. We had
and gardens became workplaces, that birds can eat 400-500 million a great time working together. He
playgrounds, sources of food, sources tons of insects each year? got to experience my business and
of peace and safe escapes. At another property, I was hired get away from his at-home office.
Luckily for me, he worked for food. I
Customers began asking for more to provide IPM Scouting and treated him to his favorite lunch on
products and services with great Consulting but asked to start by our workday.
fervor. The wanted help improving controlling their mosquito population. (continued on next page)

Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2021 55