HTC Success Story
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Natural Beauty That Comes By Design
Turning ideas into beautiful reality is what makes Dorothy Pedersen’s day. It also what makes her business, Nature’s Garden, LLC, a successful endeavor. In the process, it has led to her being featured as the winning designer on an upcoming segment of HGTV’s “Landscaper’s Challenge,” news that the HTC graduate is proud to share with former instructors and current students.
“I hope that HTC students will see that hard work and perseverance can pay off and lead to success,” said Pedersen, who established her landscape design/build firm in the Twin Cities in 1989, shortly after the birth of her son and after she had left the corporate world to devote time to her family.
A new career
With a degree in business administration from the University of
Nebraska and a resume that included serving as the senior vice
president of Human Resources and Administration for Rothschild
Financial before it was eventually sold to U.S. Bank, Pedersen had the
background to operate a business. She supervised a staff of 85 in
everything from a clerical support center to the firm’s property
management system. She knew, though, that she needed some specialized
knowledge to build a new career as a landscape designer. Already a
master gardener in the Ramsey County Master Gardener program, Pedersen
found that “HTC offered what I needed to fill the gaps in my
knowledge. It’s what made me a professional.”
Pedersen sees a clear advantage to HTC’s training, recommending it to others who want to pursue a career in landscape design. “The best thing about the program is that it’s so practical,” said Pedersen. “You’re taught what you need to know to succeed in the landscape design industry.”
Planting the seeds of success
Pedersen’s landscaping business started as an outlet for her
energy after she left the corporate world. First, Pedersen designed
her own yard’s landscaping, then a neighbor asked her to design for
them. Next, a real estate agent saw that yard and wanted Pedersen to
do work for her. To take her business to the next level, Pedersen
enrolled in the Landscape Design program at HTC, graduating in 1997.
Her business has grown by word-of-mouth. And that’s just the way she
likes it.
“I’ve kept my business small because people want me to work for them because of my design skill,” said Pedersen in describing her business practices. “I spend a lot of time with clients to understand their sense of style and how they’ll use the space, so the design is really them.” Over the years she has designed a variety of landscapes, including low maintenance spaces, lake shore restoration, English cottage perennial gardens, Japanese/Asian-influenced spaces, commercial projects, children’s/family gardens and portions of the Roseville Arboretum. She is a member of the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association and the Association of Professional Landscape Designers.
After close to two decades in landscape design, Dorothy Pedersen continues to find joy in her career. And she still remembers the start she got at HTC. It’s a career path that has led to success for her and beautifully designed landscapes for her clients.
To learn more, visit www.naturesgardenllc.com
Contact HTC at 952-995-1300 or info@hennepintech.edu
Copyright © 2008 by Hennepin Technical College