We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mariah Bakke. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mariah below.
Mariah, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
My optimism comes from my mindset and a deep sense of gratitude for what I am given. I believe that there are seasons in life, and during the challenging and difficult times, I know that I will emerge stronger and better than before. Every hardship I encounter becomes an opportunity for personal growth and improvement. This understanding fuels my optimism, as I approach each situation with the belief that there is always a silver lining waiting to be discovered. By maintaining a positive outlook and embracing the lessons hidden within adversity, I am able to navigate life’s ups and downs with resilience and hope.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a Landscape Architect by trade but I love to do anything creative from painting, interior design, graphic design and photography. I always tell people that Landscape Architecture is all encompassing and it is EVERYTHING you see in the outside world from trees, to parks, to urban corridors and even national parks. Bringing people into nature is our goal. When people and nature collide it truly brings peace and serenity to our lives. At Viva Landscapes we have created not only landscapes for people to enjoy but started a sister company called Viva La Casa that is tropical vacation rentals for people to enjoy beautifully curated homes with lush gardens surrounding them. Viva is a way of life, not just a company.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three important qualities, skills or knowledge that have helped me throughout the years is listening more and talking less, not being afraid of making mistakes, and asking a lot of questions. One of the key things I learned when growing my skillset in Landscape Architecture was to shadow higher level designers and listen to the way they speak, present their ideas and connect with clients. Just watching a successful person do what they do is a HUGE way to learn the art form of sales and representation. Not being afraid to make mistakes was huge too! Sometimes we let fear of failure hold us back from what we can truly become in this life. Last but not least is asking questions. A lot of times there is uncertainty around starting a business or making some sort of jump in your career but always reach out to people who have done it before you with success for help in any transition you may be going through!
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
The most impactful person who has helped me overcome challenges and build the skillset I have today is my old boss. The company I moved down to Florida to work for in 2015 was a design build company. The owner of the company was a great mentor and taught me all I know today as a Florida Landscape Architect. Having a successful business owner teach you the ins and outs of the industry was huge for my growth in my career.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vivalandscapes.com
- Instagram: @vivalandscapes
Image Credits
Omar Cruz, Tina Sargeant, Michael Stavaridis, Sugarshack Sessions, Sarah Ormiston Photo
