Meet Lachlan Dunn, the small business owner of Character Gardens, a gardening and landscaping business based in Brisbane.
Lachlan specialises in maintaining residential lawns and gardens. He offers a range of services including lawn care, hedge trimming, mulching, weed control, garden maintenance, and cutting small trees. Partnering with a skilled carpenter, he also takes on fencing and other carpentry projects (stairs and outdoor timber repairs) to maintain outdoor spaces as well. Currently undertaking landscaping training, Lachlan is expanding his expertise to offer even more comprehensive services to his clients.
“I was trying to get another vehicle for gardening and landscaping work. I looked at a few loan options, but they didn’t work out. The loan from Many Rivers was very fair and easy to access. It helped me grow my business. And probably practical advice from my Many Rivers business coach Renee, you know, like not spending a ton on wasting money on things like Instagram ads, and instead looking for more cost-effective ways to market. That’s been really helpful.” – Lachlan Dunn, Character Gardens
Read more about Lachlan’s business journey so far:
Lachlan’s Business
I mainly do garden work, lawns, hedges, and small tree jobs. I’ve also partnered with a friend who is a carpenter, so together we take on fencing and other carpentry work. I am currently training in landscaping so I can offer even more services. I ran a similar business a few years ago, but I officially started this one in November 2024. I focus on residential lawns and gardens, not commercial ones.
Working with Many Rivers
How did you find out about Many Rivers?
I was calling different government organisations looking for better support, and that’s how I found Many Rivers.
Why did you want to go into business?
I wanted more freedom and flexibility in my life. Being my own boss allows me to make my own decisions and manage my time better.
What services did you receive from Many Rivers? How did it help?
Renee helped me write my business plan and supported me in getting a loan for my vehicle. She has also been very helpful with business ideas and marketing. Renee also helped me understand the accounting side of things. We catch up every three weeks.
What did you find the most useful about the assistance from Many Rivers?
I was trying to get another vehicle for gardening and landscaping work. I looked at a few loan options, but they didn’t work out. The loan from Many Rivers was very fair and easy to access. It helped me grow my business. And probably practical advice from my Many Rivers business coach Renee, you know, like not spending a ton on wasting money on things like Instagram ads, and instead looking for more cost-effective ways to market. That’s been really helpful. Also, having someone to talk through ideas with and help with planning, like doing a business plan and setting some future goals. Renee also helped make the van idea come about and I now have another work vehicle. Now the business can be in two places at once, if I’ve got someone helping me who can go to another client or help move plants and tools around.
Did you get a loan from MR? How did you use the loan?
Yes I got a loan from Many Rivers and it helped me by a van to grow my business.
Do you have any current employees? If so, how many employees? Are they full-time or part-time?
I had a casual worker for a while, but he recently left. I now have a friend who has joined me as a partner for the carpentry side of the business.
Biggest Challenge
I recently stopped working part-time to focus fully on my business. It has been a bit tough financially while I adjust.
Biggest Success
Some really good projects are coming through, and I am being considered for a lot of jobs, which is very promising. I get enough clients through word of mouth and personal connections.
Biggest Change
Having more flexibility compared to working for someone else. I can choose the projects I want to take on, rather than doing repetitive tasks for an employer. There’s also the chance to earn more money.
Future Goals
I want to finish my landscaping course and start offering landscaping services to earn more income. I want to be able to offer full services to my clients – removing weeds, garden maintenance, and small tree work from start to finish.
Thank you Lachlan for sharing your business journey with us. We wish you the best of luck with future endeavours and business success.
If you would like to stay updated with Lachlan’s small business, follow “Character Gardens” through the following links:
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