Cultivating Spaces, Connections, and Growth
As a former Horticulture student at the University of Arkansas, I was interested in Horticulture Therapy but had never known that an industry like ours existed prior to finding my home with Leafscape back in 2019. I began my career as an intern and was drawn to this industry because it combined healthcare, arts, and sciences. Upon joining this team of plant lovers, we shared a mission to create healthy and beautiful spaces that brought nature back to built environments, and likewise, people back to nature. It was the perfect role for me because it was a very active position with different tasks every day that were new and exciting. As a Horticulture Specialist, I was able to practice the plant sciences that I had learned in school, all while learning the art of customer service through ongoing client interactions in each account that I was managing. It was not long before I had grown out of my introverted shell and realized how many people I was connecting with through our shared love of plants.
For those of us that have experienced the plethora of benefits that we gain from having natural elements within our offices or homes, it is easy to understand the necessity of botanicals when promoting better physical and mental health for human beings. A lot of our work with Leafscape is geared towards educating our communities and sharing all of the knowledge that we have gained through ongoing studies and practices over the years so that EVERYONE can reap the benefits of plants. I am grateful that our company has continually allowed me to further explore our Interiorscaping industry by providing ongoing education, attending industry conferences, and hosting events or presentations that connect us with our local communities. I learned quickly that my role as a Horticulture Specialist with Leafscape was not only about taking care of plants but also taking care of each person that got to enjoy the spaces we were cultivating for them on an everyday basis.
With a company that is geared towards the growth of plants and individuals, I was able to expand upon my imaginative side and dive into biophilic design work for our clients. One of my favorite aspects of our botanical design work is that I get to help clients create a vision based on their goals of a space and see it through to fruition. It is so rewarding when all of your efforts are later validated by clients who express the positive changes that your work has brought to their organization. Whether they were looking for a healthier environment or wanted to draw people into a uniquely artistic space, we were given the opportunity and their trust to create it for them. From design, to installation, to maintenance, we get to experience firsthand the joy that our work brings to everyone for years to come.
Written by Miranda Mangano, current Northwest Arkansas Branch Manager.
