Hello Lisa.

Welcome back to another edition of THE PENCIL CASE! As always, each issue focuses on a theme to encourage a fresh look at garden design and graphics. This week let's discuss the importance of CHANGE and how it helps us grow as individuals.

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Since we’re friends, I wanted to share some big news with you. After thirty beautiful years at Iowa State University (ISU), I decided to take the plunge and focus on Paper Garden Workshop full-time. Wow!

THE OPPORTUNITY OF CHANGE

Amazingly, I worked in three different departments while at ISU (who would have thought my landscape architecture degree would be so flexible?). I practiced landscape design and earned my LA license the first ten years at Facilities, Planning and Management, then scooted over to Reiman Gardens (ISU’s botanical garden) for eight years to run the adult education and volunteer program, plus served as the assistant director, then finally had the wonderful opportunity to teach landscape design for over 12 years in the Department of Horticulture. My positions at the University allowed me to grow personally + professionally in so many ways.

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I feel fortunate for each of these experiences and the talented people at each one. They taught me about leadership, team-building, planting design excellence, planning, technical skills to earn my license, plus stretched me into areas I would have never imagined, including entomology, greenhouse technology and growing, retail, non-profit management, event planning, marketing, fundraising, and teaching pedagogy.

CHANGE PROVIDES FRESH PERSPECTIVES + EXPERIENCES

Being in the Department of Horticulture was the icing on the cake. Teaching design and graphics is such a humbling experience. It isn’t just passing out information, but instead it’s about understanding how others learn, how their experiences impact their viewpoint of the topic, and how they can explore theory, then apply these ideas in a practical way. It’s this constant back and forth…and lots of adjustments as the instructor to find the right formula so an idea finally clicks. And BTW, it isn’t just students learning…I learn just as much from them. I am so thankful for the broader perspective they’ve provided me.

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Even though I was at the same amazing institution for many years, I embraced change every time I switched into a new role, met new people and faced new challenges. Now I’m stepping into one of my biggest changes to date: entrepreneurship. Paper Garden Workshop has been with me as a side-hustle for over 15 years. I’ve enjoyed learning about business and applying everything I’ve learned in my other positions to this pivotal moment. I have an amazing support system, lots of awesome experiences, fabulous students and an open mind to whatever jumps in front of me. Change is super scary, but I know that change is also good for my brain, body and soul.

So here I am at the start of my next adventure and I’m excited to dive in so I can continue to work with budding designers around the world in order to help YOU with your professional goals/skills. I’m excited about this next phase of my career and thrilled you’re on this journey with me.

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CONSIDER THE BENEFITS OF CHANGE

As I mentioned earlier, change is scary, but I've had to be brave to access the many benefits...some of which are listed below: 

• Professional and personal growth
• Adaptability, resilience and confidence 
• Fresh challenges and learning opportunities
• Ability to gain new perspectives and strengthen creative thinking

How has CHANGE benefitted you?

LET'S DO THIS!

If you'd like to learn more about my professional journey you're welcome to listen to this interview on THE BOTTOM LINE podcast. It has a financial angle, but provides a bit more detail on how I arrived at this point in my career. ♥︎

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Oh, and one more surprise...I had the wonderful opportunity to visit with Kryssie Maybay on her podcast: THE PROCESS DRIVEN DESIGNER. You're welcome to listen in to our conversation. This is Part One. Part Two will be released next week.

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If you know someone that needs design inspiration, please feel free to share this newsletter. Anyone can subscribe right here. I also keep a VAULT of past issues in this secret location.

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Thanks for letting me visit your inbox today! I look forward to seeing you in two short weeks.

All my best,

Lisa 

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PAPER GARDEN WORKSHOP

Thank you to Mandy Orgler for designing the lovely graphics in this newsletter.