Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Morgan.
Susan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
As the daughter of a horticulturist, I grew up with easy access to nature and, throughout my life, have experienced firsthand the physical and emotional benefits of connecting with the outdoors. One aspect that I enjoy about my job is the tangible result – a newly planted garden or a harvest of fresh veggies or cut flowers – after a day’s work. I also enjoy how plants can bring people together, which directly ties into the therapeutic horticulture work I do with my clients facing illness and life’s challenges.
After a career in working at public gardens around the country, I now work to connect people who have limited access to nature and bring plants and gardening activities to them. The primary goal is to share the variety of benefits that I have experienced firsthand – and research-based evidence continues to show – when connecting to nature. Today I work with clients of all ages, backgrounds, and life experiences and use plants and gardening activities to help them plug back into nature.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
On the surface, it may appear that I have traveled a smooth road, but I would say it has been a winding path, bumpy at times, smooth at times. I never imagined that I would work for myself and own a business.
As a horticulturist, I use a lot of different parts of my brain – the creativity required in designing attractive, cohesive gardens and finding plants with complementary colors and textures OR the scientific part of my brain in understanding the growth and maintenance requirements of each plant (sun vs shade, drought tolerant or not, soil preferences, cultural care, etc.) OR the “people” aspect in communicating about plants to the public, translating horticultural practice into understandable concepts.
When the opportunity presented itself and I started my business, I found that I had to use another part of my brain, in addition to what I was already doing. As my business has evolved over the last four years, it hasn’t been a smooth road – what did I know about starting a business? Fortunately, I have a great support system and have learned a lot from my mistakes and successes, and my business continues to grow.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Horticultural Link – what should we know?
The Horticultural Link offers a variety of engaging, hands-on horticultural workshops, therapeutic horticulture programming, and garden communication and consultation services throughout the Dallas area. With extensive training and experience in public horticulture and horticultural therapy, I specialize in offering therapeutic horticulture services for clients of all ages, backgrounds, and life experiences.
I lead horticultural workshops, give presentations on a variety of topics, and bring plants and hands-on garden-related activities to groups at memory care, assisted living, and independent living communities, senior centers, human service organizations, garden clubs, and other public groups. I am most proud that as a company we are able to connect so many people with the great outdoors in unique and different ways and, on an individual level, witness transformations, big and small, occur on a regular basis.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I’m a listener. Being able to listen to what people are telling me – through their words, actions, and behaviors – allows me to respond to individuals in the moment and connect with them. This is important in the work I do. Listening has also helped me to respond quickly to client needs and guide my business in a positive direction.
Contact Info:
- Website: thehorticulturallink.com
- Email: thehorticulturallink@gmail.com
- Instagram: @eatbreathegarden
- Facebook: @thehorticulturallinkllc
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