We were lucky to catch up with Brandy Hall recently and have shared our conversation below.
Brandy, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
When I was young, my mom and stepdad were poisoned by the herbicides and pesticides they used on their conventional plant nursery in South Florida, which led to life-threatening allergic reactions for years. I’ve seen the pitfalls of conventional landscaping and agriculture practices firsthand and want homeowners to know there is another way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Shades of Green Permaculture is more than your average landscaping company; we are a permaculture landscape design, build, and education firm producing regenerative, ecologically-sound and sustainable outdoor spaces that contribute to the Earth’s return to health. Our designs protect biodiversity, grow edible and medicinal plants, create pollinator habitats, build soil, and restore the water cycle. At Shades of Green Permaculture, we believe harmony between the human-built environment and the natural world promotes biodiversity, fertile soils, and clean water, which is ultimately achieved through our core values – joyful exertion, taking care of one another, welcoming the unexpected, doing better always, and working like nature for nature. I’m also so inspired and humbled by the incredible team I work alongside daily. Our team was built slowly and intentionally and has bloomed into nothing short of magic. We are bound by our love for the Earth and caring for people within our organization and with each client we gratefully encounter.
Finally, we recently launched EcoLawns Atlanta, an environmentally-friendly alternative lawn care service for Atlanta residents who want to maintain a diverse lawn with positive environmental impact. We are thrilled to service your lawn using all electric equipment (zero emissions!), while also using all organic lawn care methods to build soil and support pollinators.
We are also continuing to build out our educational offerings. We have several digital courses, including the Regenerative Backyard Blueprint, a step-by-step guide to transforming your yard into an eco-friendly paradise, and soon we are launching our Hand Drawn Landscapes course, our newest comprehensive drafting & rendering course that teaches you to create gorgeous, professional-quality landscape designs!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
First, a commitment to meet people where they are along their journey to environmental stewardship. In permaculture and sustainability, it sometimes feels like there is a lot of shaming people when they aren’t making the BEST choice, but ultimately I believe that undermines the essential incremental change we need to “right the ship,” so to speak. Everyone has their unique shades of green, and we help clients and students find the expression that best suits their priorities, budget, and skill level. Every garden, no matter the size, can have a positive impact. Being able to reach all people with all landscapes, budgets, and backgrounds and help them find their expressions for beneficial landscapes is a crucial component of our success. Second, do better always; at Shades of Green, we’re committed to integrating feedback, owning our mistakes and celebrating our wins. We take this seriously both with our clients and with each other internally. The result is constantly getting better at what we do.
Having the tenacity to stay aligned with our company values while also creating a financially sustainable business. I encountered many people who said permaculture practices aren’t feasible “at scale”- that it would be cheaper to use conventional practices. I take pride in the tenacity it takes for Shades of Green, a proof-of-concept business, not only to exist but to grow and thrive.
Advice for folks early in their journey would be to keep a beginner’s mind and a learning spirit. Having an attitude of openness and wonder will keep you courageous, receptive, and curious.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
Our ideal client is committed to making a positive impact on the planet and is also values-aligned. This is someone who believes in slow landscaping and steady progress and holds aesthetics in the same regard as the benefit of a landscape. Our core values drive everything we do – anyone who aligns with the values of doing better, working like nature, taking care of one another, and welcoming the unexpected and joyful exertion will be the right fit for us!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shadesofgreenpermaculture.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shades_of_green_permaculture/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shadesofgreenpermaculture/
Image Credits
Erik Meadows and Audra Melton
