Her thoughts on her career experience:

Gender disparity
I have noticed that vendors, who can give perks to companies—like event tickets—offered them to my husband, not me. To them, I was considered ‘the wife’ even though we are equal partners/owners. After 14 years, I’ve noticed that some of the assumptions about women are generational. Some of the companies in business for many years longer than us have older owners who can make assumptions about the roles of women. They ask, ‘Do you do design? Are you admin?’ These kinds of assumptions are still out there, but not so much with the younger business owners. I don’t feel slighted by it. People come from different generations and have different experiences in life. When I explain what I do, and my education and involvement in the industry, I start to earn their respect. Typically, when I work with others and they see what I can do, the relationships are fine. There is nothing ‘off.’

Mentors
Most of my mentors are men probably because most members in the ALCC’s Southern Chapter are men. There don’t seem to be many woman managers/owners in the Colorado Springs area. As I’ve gotten more involved at the state level, I have met more women owners in the Denver area and I’ve enjoyed getting to know them. ProGreen is good for networking with women but here’s been a hiccup with COVID.

We have good relationships with some more established companies in the area that have taken us under their wing. When you’re running your own business, it’s hard. Sometimes you’re trying to find your own way and it’s helpful to have these relationships. We can learn from mistakes they have made before we make them.

Advice
Women, especially those in the field, have to prove themselves to the men. You’ll have to demonstrate that you are knowledgeable and capable. You’ll have to prove you’re worthy of being here. Be confident in your knowledge, your voice and in who you are. If this is what you want to do, just dive in. People—men—will come around. Get the skills and knowledge you need if you want to succeed in the industry, whether starting your own company or being hired as an employee.

Benefits of women in the industry

Women are often better at multitasking and have better attention to detail. There are benefits in customer service and client interactions to the softness or femininity of women. Women tend to have a calmer demeanor and can be better at defusing situations.

Read the full coverage of women in landscape in the November/December 2021 issue of Colorado Green magazine.

Women in landscape, 2021 edition
Women in landscape: Konstanze Fabian
Women in landscape: Kim Jewell
Women in landscape: Cindy McCord