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Growth, Grit, and Gratitude - First Year of Business
My vision, high hopes, and the things I did not anticipate.
10/21/20255 min read
Hi, I'm Vanessa, your local Garden Consultant, and I would love to dream, plan, and grow with you!
At Your Dream Garden, we believe that the gardening journey should be an experience of beauty and bounty -- more enjoyment, less overwhelm.
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When I started my business a year ago, I had a clear vision — to help people create edible gardens with more enjoyment and less overwhelm. What I didn’t fully anticipate was how much I would grow along the way.
While there were moments when I felt unstoppable — watching a client’s face light up as they harvested their first handful of greens.. There were also moments when doubt crept in, whispering, “Who am I to be doing this?”
Facing the Overwhelm
I thought the hardest part would be walking to people's gardens and doing a design built for their needs. But the real challenge was designing my days. Balancing creativity with admin tasks, client work with marketing, and vision with execution was often overwhelming. There were times when I wondered if I was moving in the right direction, or if I was simply spinning my wheels aimlessly.
But even in those moments of overwhelm, I kept coming back to my “why.” I wanted to have people experience the magic of growing food, and all the benefits that come along with it . And that sense of purpose often pulled me through the uncertainty.
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Putting Myself Out There
One of the scariest parts of this journey was re-learning how to put my name out there. With some years in Marketing at a bank, I thought it shouldn't be that hard. But this one is different-- it's my brand, my name. I had to face my fear of rejection head-on — the uncomfortable vulnerability of showing up, introducing myself, and sharing my vision with others.
There were plenty of “no’s” along the way. Some were polite, some were silent. Each one stung a little, but they also built resilience. Because every “no” brought me closer to a “yes.” Each closed door pushed me to knock on another, and with time, I began to realize that the right opportunities — the ones that truly aligned with my values — were worth waiting and working for.
Meeting All Kinds of People
This business has re-opened my world with so many wonderful people and opportunities— from passionate gardeners to complete beginners, from curious children to seasoned growers, and from small business owners to community leaders. Every interaction taught me something new — about people, patience, and perspective.
I’ve also learned that collaboration is one of the greatest gifts in business. I’m deeply grateful for the friends, local businesses, and community members who have supported and believed in me. Their willingness to collaborate, share ideas, and spread the word has reminded me that growth doesn’t happen in isolation — it happens through connection.
Conquering My Own Perceptions
And one of the biggest challenges wasn’t external at all — it was internal. I had to overcome my own perception of what success should look like. Being a Filipino migrant, it was ingrained early on for us to be successful and make the least mistakes as possible. This path in itself is way less than ideal, so to speak; let alone providing a service with foreign people in a completely different season and time zone.
For so long, any form of work was equated with perfection — the perfect plan, the perfect post, the perfect project. But real growth, I discovered, happens in the imperfect moments — in the messy middle, the learning curves, and the quiet persistence to keep going even when things don’t unfold as expected.
Hope and Inspiration for What’s Ahead
I can't believe it's been a year. Looking back, I feel a mix of pride, humility, and gratitude. This year stretched me in ways I didn’t expect, but it also solidified my purpose. I’ve learned how to focus — not on doing everything, but on doing what truly matters.
The growing time in our area might have slowed down, but it doesn't mean that it's completely on a halt. I've learned that this season is the time to recalibrate and review how the year went.
I’m stepping into my second year with renewed confidence, clearer direction, and an even deeper love for what I do. I’m excited to refine my offerings, nurture my collaborations, and continue helping more people discover and experience the joy of growing with their own hands.
To everyone who’s been part of this first year — clients, friends, collaborators, and cheerleaders — thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support has turned challenges into lessons, and lessons into stepping stones.
Here’s to another year of growth — in the gardens we tend, the communities we nurture, and the lives we touch along the way.
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