How I Create a Landscape Design, 2D Plan, and 3D Rendering Before Leaving the Client's Driveway
To close premium landscape deals on the spot, I use a fast, mobile-and-AI workflow that visualizes the final project before leaving the client's yard. Here's my method, and links to the programs I click on. Map I walk the property with Cam to Plan to instantly generate an accurate 2D layout using augmented reality. Sketch I drop that map into Procreate on my iPad with my Apple Pencil and start listening and observing. As the client shares their vision and seatbacks, I sketch design layers and notes directly over the map layout to build instant trust. This part is where you really design. You're listening to the client and creating solutions based on your breadth of knowlege and your uncanny talent to see the past, present, and future by looking at a plot of dirt. That part is 100% you. It’s about this point that I go sit in the client's driveway for 10 minutes and hash out my design, and when I’m getting close, I turn to AI. Polish I run that rough sketch through my own app that I spent months developing (not a developer) called PlotTwist: GrowingShade, created with Opal. It instantly transforms hand-drawn sketch into a clean 2D landscape plan with legible text, improved symbols, and architectural shading. It’s my design, but presentation ready. I use these glow ups in website and social media posts. Close PlotTwist 3D, another of my Opal apps overlays that finished 2D plan directly onto the original photos of the client's yard. Seeing a realistic 3D concept of their future space layered onto their actual home creates an immediate emotional connection that closes the deal. You do want to emphasize that it is conceptual, because this app isn't as accurate at the previous. Now you know all my secrets! Comment below on the programs and apps that you use! -La Madrina
Do handwritten thank you notes still make a difference?
Random thought: Have handwritten thank you notes become a thing of the past? In a world of emails, texts, and automated follow ups, I wonder if a simple handwritten note stands out more today than it did 20 years ago. Do any of you send them to customers, employees, referral partners, or vendors? If so, have you seen an impact? Curious to hear what others are doing and whether personal touches like this still move the needle.Networking ahead of our launch – looking to connect with builders and GCs
Hey everyone, I am currently in the pre-launch phase of setting up a specialized spray foam insulation business out here in Nebraska. Once fully operational, my son and I will be running the company together. Right now, we are doing all the groundwork behind the scenes—working with our business advisors and securing our physical infrastructure so we can open up the right way. We are an SBA-certified SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business), and since we are mapping out our launch schedule in advance, I want to use this time to network and build direct relationships with general contractors, builders, and concrete crews in our region. When we go live, we will be handling specialized foam work from standard residential envelopes down to subgrade foundation prep before concrete pours. Because we focus strictly on the insulation scope, we will always be in a position to pass framing, building, and concrete leads over to the right people. I am looking to connect early with reliable pros who want to share local leads and have a go-to insulation sub they can depend on down the road. Drop a comment or send me a direct message so we can swap info and connect ahead of time.How much free advice is too much before you ask for a paid visit?
Got a call today from someone on an acreage outside of town. They accidentally Roundup'd two acres of grass. All of it. We talked through it on the phone. I was honest — there's no cheap fix for this, free seed isn't going to cut it, this is a full restoration. I suggested a paid site visit as the next step. But after I hung up I started wondering — did I give too much away for free? Enough that they'll try to handle it themselves and never call back? Or was being upfront the right move to build trust and set realistic expectations? As a solo operator my time is valuable. I don't drive around to do free estimates anymore, but I also don't want to be the guy who won't answer a basic question without charging for it. Where do you draw the line between being helpful on the phone and protecting your time with a paid visit?
How important is social media for growing your business?
Im a one woman show. I hire day laborers but majority of the time I work alone. I’m a female contractor in the cowboy capital of Texas. The struggle is real yall. I feel like I’m constantly having to prove myself. Nobody takes me seriously until I start doing the work. Would it be wise to do videos and how much would this help me in establishing my skills and help grow business? I’m busy and I just don’t want to waste time on this if it’s not going to help. What do yall think? And what kind of videos should I do? I do a variety of work. Do I pay someone to follow me around? If you’re doing this please give me some tips and lmk how much it helped you. Thanks
Why is is so hard to find advertisement marketing agencies that actually work?
I'm still a fairly small business so I cant afford to try everyone on the market but so far everyone I've tried just kind of sucks at there own job. Now marketing really isn't my forte which is why I'd prefer to just pay someone to do it for me. Here's the problem though. Everyone wants $500-$1200 start up fee + $500-800 monthly fee. I can afford that just fine when my calendar is full but I'm with my 2nd company already and so far both of them are just trash. The first guy was alright but it always took 3 or 4 days to get responses to my messages. My guy I'm using now I'm just closing in on a month of using him; he has a teem of over 10 employees, he's usually vary responsive, and he always has a lot to say about what he's working on. But in 1 month of using him so far I've gotten 10 leads and 4 of them booked. Now for some business models out there that might be fine but for me I need 2 jobs a day to stay busy. So I'm just curious what all of you think about this and if y'all have any advice for me here?
