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A female and male landscaper sitting near a winding path with a dog and green shrubs in the background
Start the year right with these expert small business tips for a successful 2025.

As a small business operator, Malcolm knows you’ve got to stay on top of everything, from tools to accounts and even staff morale, to keep your company in the best shape. Having spent almost 20 years helping clients all over the world build and maintain the gardens that make up their homes, here the Desert Flower Landscaping owner shares his tips on what you should be looking at to kickstart your year successfully (and continue it throughout 2025).

Malcolm’s pro tips

Get social: “I just hired a social-media manager so we can engage with our audience and get our work out there more. It’s logical to be active on social.” 

Nurture apprentices: “They are our future.”

Keep growing: “We are always adding to our team people who find joy in working with local materials, get excited about sustainable, creative solutions and thrive in camaraderie.”

Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glassesgloves and a mask, for example) when using power tools. Always follow the instructions for the product or equipment. 

: A female and male landscaper kneeling in amongst green shrubs install a garden light

Remember your small business mission

“I travelled a lot in my 20s, learning about permaculture and sustainability, staying on little organic farms around the world,” Malcolm says. “So, coming back to Australia I wrote out a deep mission about what I wanted to achieve. It’s a lot more than just wanting to create a pretty garden. 

I wanted to educate people about the importance of growing your own food, choosing the right plants, pesticides and insecticides, and what they can do in their own gardens. Four years [after launching my company], and with 19 on the team now, I try to make sure whatever we do stays true to that original vision. It keeps you on the right track.”

Start fresh each year

“The key to a good new year is to do a lot of the preparation at the end of the previous year,” Malcolm says. “But if you haven’t, the first step is communication; that’s a big skill in business. 
Talk to clients, suppliers and your team to make sure everyone knows what’s coming and what you need.”

Starting fresh means making sure all your gear is up to the job as well. “Clean out the utes, check your stocks of everything you’ll need – every worker knows what’s essential for them – and make sure your staff have had a decent break and are good to go. Definitely check in to make sure they’re 
OK.”

Stock up on essentials

“I make sure we have the organic compost, seaweed tinctures (like Seasol) and pesticides or chemicals that are better for the environment, and then all the safety gear, including masks, eye-protection, gloves, boots, plus cleaning gear, like brooms and buckets,” Malcolm says. “Then there’s the little things that often get overlooked. Make sure you’ve got your permanent markers, for example, get a fresh measuring tape, sharp blades for your knife and the Dy-Mark spray paint. Oh, and string lines! Those things are just critical in our world for lines and levels – they show the future and they define what will be.”

A male and female landscaper, shot from knees up, look at a leaf from a tree

Learn to earn

The new year is also a great time to look back and see what you could have done better and 
learn how you can improve, Malcolm suggests. “We all make mistakes when we start out because we’re wearing a lot of hats,” he says, “but the more you learn, the more you earn, so don’t be afraid to reach out to read the books, talk to colleagues and get involved with your industry body. You’ll find that usually there’s a lot of events going on where people in your line of work get together, and they’re often generous with their knowledge about what they’ve learned, as well as what they know works and what doesn’t. It’s also great because my friends don’t want to hear me talk about landscaping, but these guys do!”

Future-proofing with apprentices

“Apprentices are the future of your business, but also your industry,” Malcolm says. “I honestly believe that in the future people will be coming to us [landscaping specialists] for the answers, whether that’s because of global warming or changing the way we live, people will be asking questions about growing plants, saving water and more, and we will have all of that information, experience and knowledge. I’m a big supporter of taking on apprentices because if you spend some time with them and help them grow, that’s good for the future. Look at our apprentice Hannah, she’s going to take over the world!”

Did you know?

Apprentices can apply for their own PowerPass. Apply to take advantage of exclusive PowerPass pricing, digital tools, dedicated support and more.

Stock Up

Keeping his crew safe on the job and using the right products is top of mind for Malcolm. This is just some of the gear he keeps stocked.

Seasol 10L Seaweed Concentrate
Citeco Bluetooth Ear Muffs
3M P2 Particulate Sanding and Fibreglass Valved Respirators – 2 Pack
Mechanix Large Goat Leather Rigger Glove

Back to Work Essentials

Second-year apprentice Hannah Jenkin starts the year right with these must-have products to get the job done.

The portable toolbox

ToughBuilt StackTech 3 Piece Combo

“A good toolbox is like having a mini-shed you can take with you – you know exactly where everything is, so if you need something it’s right there,” Hannah says. “Plus, it means you don’t have a long pack-up at the end of the day.”

The power tool

Makita 18V DJR186Z Recipro Saw (Skin Only)

“This is such a good power tool for a landscaper,” Hannah says. “These are applicable in such a variety of settings, like pruning, cutting wood, pipes or roots. Oh, and make sure to have a spare blade or two on hand in your toolbox.”

The post-hole shovel

Cyclone Square Mouth Post Hole Shovel

“Absolutely essential!” Hannah says. “This tool is handy with mixing, for levering something out of the ground and, of course, digging a post hole. That’s a big part of what we do and these tools just make that job so much easier.” 

Ready to take your business to the next level this year?

Check out the Bunnings Trade Business Hub to see how our dedicated trade business specialists can help you grow.

 

Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.