Landscaper Alison Flakemore a finalist in Telstra Tasmanian Business Awards
Alison’s Garden and Landscape is one of 18 finalists in the Telstra Tasmanian Business Awards 2019. See all the nominations.
Business
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WHEN Alison Flakemore started her business, she had a lawnmower, an old van, no mobile phone and only $220 in her bank account.
Twenty-two years later, the founder of Alison’s Garden and Landscape has a flourishing company with 18 employees, specialising in landscaping jobs across southern Tasmania.
Her success has been rewarded as one of 18 finalists for the 2019 Telstra Tasmanian Business Awards.
Ms Flakemore’s journey involved studying horticulture at night school to gain her qualification and working during the day.
“To have this incredible dream to be where I am now, I knew I needed to bring it to fruition myself,” she said.
“I hit some incredible roadblocks in my first decade.”
BUILDING SUCCESS ON HOUSING BOOM
Ms Flakemore initially faced strong adversity entering the male-dominated industry, but said that it was important to note those divisions were “absolutely” lessening.
“Gone are the days that men are allocated jobs and women allocated tasks,” she said.
Ms Flakemore’s experience shaped her passion for landscaping in low socio-economic areas, forging a relationship with the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as charities such as Mission Australia to reach her goals.
The company’s contract involves outfitting public housing projects with landscaping, as well as the introduction of physiological focused gardens, vegetable patches and children’s play areas.
“My initial passion came from being a single mother. I could have very well been in that position myself,” she said.
Ms Flakemore says landscaping is essential for people to “be part of that community and call it home.”
She grew up in the country at Franklin, in the Huon Valley, which sparked her love of the outdoors.
“I guess it was born and bred into me,” she said.
“I was always looking outside, waiting to play in my garden.”
Ms Flakemore’s business success has previously been recognised when she won an entrepreneur’s honour in the 2017 Telstra Business Women’s awards.
She considers the nomination this year as a finalist in the small business category of the 2019 Telstra Business Awards “an absolute honour”.
“I am so proud of not only myself, but of my team,” she said.
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