Today we’d like to introduce you to Dallas Tillman.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was starting a new job when Covid lockdown happened. Unfortunately, since I was supposed to begin the day lockdown was issued, I was unable to qualify for any unemployment or relief benefits. I started commuting to Denton to work for a longtime friend for his landscaping business. I’d go for a week at a time and as I learned new things, I began to consider going into business for myself. I started my business by delivering dirt and mulch and built up from there. As I learned masonry and design skills, I increased my education with online resources and picked up more challenging projects as I was ready. In the last three years, I have been able to create an incredible client list based solely on word of mouth, and support my family and build my business.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a lot of hard work and commitment. Landscaping businesses have a habit of going out of business their first year due to winter being the slowest season. My first year, I had a lot to invest in, i.e., tools, equipment, a trailer. I was able to pull through, still commuting for my apprenticeship and then in January and February, I sold King Cakes for carnival season. I’m from New Orleans and I was missing home. I had a wonderful group of supportive friends order cakes and get me by. After that, my books filled up and I haven’t stopped working since. I have my clients to thank for their trust and support. And my husband for letting me start a business with his truck.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have always been an artist in some way. I started with ceramics ain’t high school and then spent some time in college working on a degree in ceramic art with a minor in glaze chemistry. Then, my life moved in a different direction. I began working on a glass blowing and sculpting apprenticeship but soon had to stop when I became a mother. I have been mostly caught up in the service industry until I was given the opportunity to start welding. I moved to Austin to pursue my trade work and fell in love with Masonry. It’s very cathartic to work with your hands. I feel empowered and fulfilled by a hard day of work. I’ve built my business from literal dirt and I couldn’t be prouder of my ability to persevere and continue to grow in both my business and my craft. I love working with stone and creating elements for my clients that will outlive me. I believe what sets me apart is my dedication to communication with my clients and my attention to detail. My client satisfaction is why I continue to grow without dumping money into ad space. It’s incredible.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t think it’s luck at all. It’s fate. It’s manifestation. It’s the natural progression of working towards a goal. I’m still here because I decided that this was what I wanted, and I stuck with it despite learning curves and hard times.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @get_it_girl_landscaping
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getitgirllandscape/
