Why Big Mentoring Programmes Often Don’t Work for Landscaping Businesses
I recently heard from a former client I hadn’t spoken to in a couple of years. When I asked how things were going, their response really stuck with me:
“I’ve done two other mentoring programmes since we worked with you and honestly — both were a complete waste of time and money. Really disappointing, especially as the last one didn’t really care or know anything about my business.”
Stories like this are far too common. It’s not because landscaping business owners aren’t capable — it’s because most mentoring programmes aren’t designed for real, hands-on landscaping, gardening, or garden design businesses.
And that’s where tailored 1:1 coaching can make all the difference.
Landscaping Businesses Aren’t Generic
Landscaping, garden maintenance, and design businesses face very specific challenges:
Seasonal cashflow swings
Pricing complex or bespoke jobs
Staff management and retention
Weather disruptions and delays
Generic business programmes rarely account for these realities. Advice that works for tech start-ups or online courses simply doesn’t translate.
Even programmes run by people “in the industry” can fall short if they’ve grown too big to give personal attention.
When Mentoring Scales, Context Disappears
Many mentoring programmes start off personal and hands-on, but as they grow:
Group calls replace 1:1 attention
Advice becomes broad, not specific
Coaches spend less time understanding your business
Even if the mentor has experience in landscaping, being “too big” to support individual clients properly means their guidance can’t fully address your challenges.
Why 1:1 Coaching Works
This is where I focus my approach. By working 1:1, I can:
Understand the unique pressures and goals of your business
Give advice that’s practical, achievable, and tailored
Help with marketing and sales only where it’s needed
Support you with pricing, team management, workload and growth
It’s not scalable, and I don’t want it to be. Limiting my client numbers means every business gets the attention it deserves.
Choosing the Right Mentor for Your Landscaping Business
When considering coaching or mentoring, ask:
Have they worked in a business like yours?
Can they offer hands-on, personalised support?
Will they help with the areas that matter to your business?
If the answers don’t add up, you’re probably better off looking for someone who works 1:1 and has lived the industry — someone who knows the realities of being an owner-led landscaper or garden designer.
Conclusion
Mentoring programmes are not inherently bad. Some are brilliant. But for owner-led landscaping, gardening, or garden design businesses, personalised, hands-on support is often the difference between stagnation and growth.
If you want support from someone who has lived and breathed this industry for over 15 years, works 1:1, and genuinely cares about your business outcomes, I have 3 spaces available for new clients.
👉 Book a discovery call with me by dropping me an email - paula@thelandscaperscoach.co.uk
And if you’d like more practical insights for owner-led landscaping businesses, check out the Limitless Landscapers Podcast, where I share tips and stories from real businesses just like yours.
Commonly Asked Questions on This Topic
1. Can’t any mentor help my landscaping business if they have industry experience?
Not always. Even if a mentor has worked in landscaping, once their programmes get big, personal support often disappears. Without 1:1 attention, advice can be too generic to actually solve the challenges of your specific business.
2. How do I know if a mentoring programme will work for me?
Ask yourself: Will I get personalised, hands-on support? Will the mentor understand my business size, services, and seasonality? If the answers are no, it’s better to seek a coach who works 1:1.
3. Is 1:1 coaching only for large landscaping businesses?
Not at all. In fact, 1:1 coaching is ideal for owner-led businesses, whether you’re solo, have a small team, or manage a handful of garden maintenance clients. It’s about tailoring advice to your situation.
4. I’m in the UK. Does coaching advice vary by region?
Sometimes but not necessarily. UK-based coaching understands local regulations, seasonal trends, labour costs, and client expectations — all crucial when planning for growth or pricing work correctly.
5. How do I find a business coach for UK landscapers?
Look for a coach with direct experience in the UK landscaping industry. They should understand seasonal workloads, client expectations, and local labour costs, and ideally offer 1:1 coaching to tailor advice to your business.
6. Are industry-specific mentors worth it for garden designers or maintenance companies?
Yes, but only if they provide personalised guidance. Mentors who are “too big” may have lost touch with day-to-day business challenges. Smaller-scale 1:1 coaching ensures strategies work for your type of garden business.
7. What is the difference between general business coaching and UK landscaping coaching?
General coaching may focus on marketing templates or generic growth strategies. Landscaping coaching is tailored to the realities of UK garden businesses: job types, client management, seasonal cashflow, and staff planning.