Today we’d like to introduce you to MJ Artmire.
Hi MJ, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began my journey studying accounting at Tarleton State University. In 2018, as my mother’s heart failure progressively worsened, I made the decision to move back home and finish my degree at a local college. That December, she gained her wings. Just a month later, I learned I was pregnant.
During that season of life, I was working as the office manager for my father’s tree company while doing small flowerbed projects on weekends. I found myself uncertain about my future path. I prayed consistently for clarity and direction, unsure whether accounting—or even landscaping—was my true calling.
My father had long encouraged me to take a soil health class. At first, I wasn’t interested. But eventually, I agreed, and a few weeks into the course I was captivated. I fell in love with soil biology and the intricate ecosystem beneath our feet. That passion ignited a vision.
In 2022, I officially filed the documents for what would become Happy Gardens, while still balancing it part-time. That December, my father sold his company. I stayed through the transition, and by the following July I stepped fully into my own business, hiring help and later bringing my brother on board. My dad, a certified arborist dedicated to organic tree health, became my mentor and coach.
In July 2024, my father suffered a devastating stroke. After 30 days in a medically induced coma, countless hospital nights, and the painful realization that assisted living wasn’t a long-term solution, he came to live with me. Throughout it all, I continued building Happy Gardens. The unwavering support of my clients and community has given me the gift of flexibility—to both run a thriving business and be present for my father’s care, taking him to appointments and therapies while growing the vision we planted together.
Alright, 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?
Ha, challenges and landscaping come hand-in-hand—you can’t have one without the other. Every job brings its own obstacles, whether it’s unmarked utility lines, equipment breakdowns, unexpected rain delays, or simply the unpredictability of Mother Nature. At the end of the day, we’re working with living organisms and entrusting them to someone else’s care, which requires both forgiveness and responsibility.
I’ll admit, sometimes pride gets the best of me—maybe I give a shade plant a little too much sun or underestimate the impact of deer pressure. I strive relentlessly to prevent problems, but when they do arise, my focus shifts to resolving them as quickly and thoroughly as possible. It’s a constant balance of humility, problem-solving, and learning from the land itself.
We’ve been impressed with Happy Gardens Landscape LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Someone once told me, “It’s better to have a one-dollar plant in ten-dollar soil than a ten-dollar plant in one-dollar soil.” That perspective is at the heart of Happy Gardens. We emphasize organic practices from the ground up—if something could harm the living microorganisms in the soil, we do our best to avoid it. Healthy soil builds healthy plants, and that’s where true, lasting landscapes begin.
We provide a full spectrum of services—everything from hardscapes to landscapes, with the details in between: landscape lighting, drainage solutions, tree health and pruning, removals, and ongoing maintenance. What truly sets us apart, though, isn’t just what we do, but how we do it.
Happy Gardens is proudly family-operated, rooted in teamwork, integrity, and care. In a male-dominated industry, being a woman-owned business carries weight, and I’ve embraced that as part of our identity. Add to that a phenomenal crew that feels like family, and you’ll find a community-driven culture behind every project we take on.
What I’m most proud of brand-wise is that people trust us not only for the quality of our work, but for the heart behind it. Our clients know that when they choose Happy Gardens, they’re choosing a company that values the environment, prioritizes soil health, and treats every landscape as if it were our own.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Yes—drastic shifts are on the horizon. As commercial and residential development continues to expand, the amount of carbon in the atmosphere will only grow, while tree populations continue to decline. This matters because trees and plants are one of our greatest natural solutions: through photosynthesis, they pull carbon from the air and sequester it into the soil, where it can actually support life rather than harm it.
Unfortunately, as carbon levels rise, we’re already seeing weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable and extreme. I believe public awareness will continue to grow in the coming years, but the challenge is speed—we simply can’t plant trees or implement organic practices fast enough to counterbalance the pace of development.
That’s why, as an industry, we have both a responsibility and an opportunity: to lead with sustainable practices, to educate clients, and to prioritize soil health and tree preservation wherever possible. The shifts ahead aren’t just trends—they’re urgent calls to action.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://landscapedesigntylertx.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happygardenslandscape/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/happygardenslandscapes/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/happygardenstyler/
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/happy-gardens-landscape-tyler-2
