Meet Nikki Taylor | Landscape Designer/Perennial and Herb Grower

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikki Taylor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikki, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I always felt like I would be self-employed. In our industry (landscape design and construction and Greenhouse operations) the best way to move up is by learning from each employer and paying attention to how their order of operations works. Soaking up every bit of information that I could allowed me to think about how we wanted our business to be set up and what we wanted to do. I realized that every job that I had from the time that I was 15 years old and working in a greenhouse, was a stepping stone that would take me down the path of self employment and would help me follow my dreams of self employment….whatever that was going to look like. Thankfully, I met a man who had the same dreams.
In 2008 we decided to leave the safety of what we called “real jobs’ and started our own landscape design business, Dig and Design Gardens. I was designing and taking on any little project that came my way. Josh, my hubby, kept his real job for another couple of years and helped me on weekends and after work. We had two toddlers in tow and in 2010 he left the security of a 9-5 and we jumped into full time self employment! The passion was their and we were nervous, but in our hearts knew that FAILURE WAS NOT AN OPTION!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We started our business in 2008. We were naïve and not even thinking about the state of the economy at that time. We were ready and just going for it! My husband still had his 9-5 job so we had benefits and were able to be a little bit more daring and risky, but with 2 small kids in daycare and all the bills that come with life, we knew we were taking a chance. We had been dreaming of this moment since we graduated college and thought if we are going to do it then now is the time. While sitting in the kitchen one night, trying to think of what we wanted to call ourselves we came up with Dig and Design Gardens. We didn’t want to be your average landscaper throwing in the same basic shrubs, planting off of someone else’s plan. We had the knowledge, the want to and the need to work. Josh and I had both worked for other companies in the green industry and had learned what we liked and what we didn’t like.
Our goal was to create environments that worked for each homeowner individually. We wanted to guide them and teach them verses putting in a plan that may not fit their needs or be a maintenance nightmare. By choosing the right plant for the right spot and allowing it the space to grow the way that it was intended. We have seen way too much of that over the years. Immediate satisfaction usually doesn’t pay off in the long run. Our landscapes have something blooming or attractive for all four seasons. We focus on simplicity and beauty, and strive to plan gardens that encourage homeowners to become gardeners.
Four years ago we added a nursery to our mix specializing in pollinator perennials and herbs, edible and medicinal. We love this new aspect of our business and are finally feeling like we are getting our name out there. What we discovered is that we could grow it, but just had to have a place to sell it! That has taken time…..everything doesn’t happen all at once, I am thankful that it doesn’t! My feeble little mind would be blown even though the impatient side of me wanted it to fall in our lap. Every year is different, but that has allowed us to grow and figure out our path as we go.
Our biggest hurdle has not been the work that is our passion…..it’s the business part. The paper work, the invoicing, the estimating. Not fun, but that is what makes or breaks you. We are focusing on putting the right people in the right spot and letting go a little as well as MAKING ourselves come inside and focus on the not so fun part of running a business. It is worth it and is paying off better than we thought. We initially felt like as long as we work we will be good, but the money is made by the paper work.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Wow, ok! We are total home bodies! Except we love good food and live music, so does my best friend.

She would get into town in the afternoon. We would snack on chips, salsa and guacamole or she makes a mean charcutier board. We would have a glass of wine for happy hour and then go get some good supper in Macon. We would park downtown, eat at the Rookery and then catch one of our favorite bands. I love Tedeschi Trucks Band and we grew up following Widespread Panic (both hit Macon when touring) so we’d be happy to shake our bones with either of those guys. Plus any other good jam band, blue grass or good soulful group that comes to town.
We would make our way home, safely after the show, stay up and talk then hit the sack.
If the weather is good the next morning we would hit the river for a great kayak float and paddle. All while we enjoy the peace and quiet of God’s creation. Exploring and swimming as we go.
Grilling hotdogs on the sandbar and drinking good cold beer while we waste the day away.
I am sure we would need a day to sit by the pool. Cook for ourselves and visit with other close friends as the week winds down. We may even come up with a good craft to work on. Painting a picture, planting a pot maybe tie dying. Just hanging and enjoying sharing our time together as we can.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Most Definitely! I have quite a few

First shoutout to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! He was with me when I didn’t even realize that I needed Him. Pulled me through some dark moments growing up that have made me stronger and more understanding now. I work for Him!

To my Mama, Joy Jordan, who has never held me back. Always encouraged and taught me to take the good and learn from the bad.

My Granny, Tina Green, who in my heart planted the first seeds of gardening in me.

Mr. Adiel Ware and Ms. Carolyn, My first bosses. They took a chance with me working in their greenhouse when I was 15. He taught me that FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.

and of course, my Husband, Josh Taylor. He is my rock, he is my partner in crime and we make a pretty awesome team!!

Instagram: the_everyday_gardener

Facebook: Everyday Farm and Garden

Image Credits
Josh and Nikki Taylor. Partners in Life and Crime. Owners of Everyday Farm and Garden