Should I start a gardening business?

Hi DGers! I'm glad to be back on here. I took a few years off..just busy with the rat race and had to set a lot of fun things aside. Anyway, I was wondering if I could get some input/advice/reaction to an idea I have to start a local garden design/consultation company. I want to focus on the design/consultation and offer bed maintenance/clean-up and installation...just no mowing/lawn care. I also want to offer a specialization in organic gardening, growing vegetables/fruits, and native plant/butterfly gardens. I imagine my customers would be people who want to get into gardening or want to grow some veggies but just don't have the knowledge and don't want to "learn the hard way" (i.e. kill a bunch of expensive plants). My competition would be landscaping companies that offer design/installation, but their primary focus is usually on turf management/maintenance. The other competition is landscape architects, but I think they do more large-scale projects like big parks, commercial sites, etc. I want to serve the average homeowner who wants a veggie or herb garden or wants a unique and interesting/custom/personalized garden design vs. a boring row of the same plants that you'd see in a highway median.

Has anyone done this sort of business before or know of someone who has? Any advice/ideas/suggestions? I don't care about getting rich, but I wonder if I could make a living doing this.

A little about my background...I've been hobby-gardening for a decade...including veggie/fruit gardening, container gardening, native plant/butterfly gardening, orchids, seed starting, ornamental gardens, and more. I have a 4-yr degree in environmental science which included lots of botany/environment classes/internships. I recently decided to go back to school for a 2-year degree in horticulture and landscape design, which I'm starting this summer. I've designed gardens on Fiverr and also for several friends/family over the years, and it's my true love and passion!

Thanks in advance for any input - good or bad! Honestly! :)

I think you're well qualified for the business, with your experience and degrees. However, I have no clue as to run a business. I think it could be all numbers though? Like how much property you'd need for your plant nursery, or type of vehicles for plant and tool transport, as well as ads and stuff?

My suggestion would be to start it as a "hobby" business and see how it goes. I know of many people that started this way.

I'd go for it! Start part-time thing and see where it goes. Your degree and experience will be very helpful -- and there's nothing like working for yourself. If you start (and maybe stay) small, let people know that you are a "niche" provider specializing in ___, ___, etc. (whatever turns your crank), the big guys shouldn't be too much competition for you. Many people do not want to pay the higher prices for the big guys, and they want the customer service that you can offer as a small guy. Also, most states have places where you can lease a small plot to grow your inventory for less than $500 a year. Good luck!

Try a side business too? Offering different garden supports, Fairy gardens..

Awesome idea snakewatcher - any little niche that you can fill that sets you apart from all the others is a good idea.