Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Szkolnicki.
Hi Stephanie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up with parents and grandparents who gardened. One set of grandparents had a farm; the other set of grandparents owned a flower shop. It’s probably in my blood to grow! I began my own garden about 10 years ago, starting with tomatoes and slowly adding in more and more vegetables every year. I learned by trial and error what and what not to do with my crops. I researched and read about every issue I faced. Each year now, I challenge myself to grow at least one new crop. This allows me the opportunity to continue to learn how to grow new crops and what challenges those crops produce, as well as the best methods of tending that crop. In 2020, I started this business. I had been a realtor but decided to follow my gardening passion. I landed on garden coaching, designing, and installing raised garden beds. I feel it is important for people to learn to grow their own fresh, natural food, as well as get outdoors! Gardening gives people a reason to be outside, as well as allowing stress relief and exercise as they are gardening!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Smooth road and starting a business probably don’t belong in the same sentence. I believe with starting anything new you will face challenges. I have used my gardening lessons to keep pushing through the business lessons. In gardening you are bound to have challenges and failures, you can either give up or keep going! I have had to learn how to start a business, make connections, figure out marketing, business finances, business paperwork and estimates for this particular industry, contracts and so much more! I often tell my coaching clients that you might be growing crops but you’re also growing as a person. I have found the same thing with owning a business. I have had to step out of my comfort zone on so many levels and have grown so much in the past two years!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Southern Garden Solutions?
With Southern Garden Solutions I help guide homeowners through the design, installation, and maintenance of vegetable gardens and edible landscapes. My company develops and installs raised-bed gardens, integrates edibles into landscaping, and also provides coaching for existing gardens. I believe what sets us apart is our communication with clients and continual services. We provide quite a bit of information for plants after we install a garden, as well as offer the opportunity for our clients to go through seasonal coaching where we visit their garden twice a month and help them learn to tend their plants from March to October!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5-10 years I want to plant a lot more edible gardens and yards in the Upstate, as well as educate many Greenvillians on how to grow their own food. I hope to employ more women in the upstate in my business, as well as give back to the community by providing a garden or seasonal coaching for people in need.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.southerngardensol.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southerngardensolutions
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southerngardensolutions
