Jan Johnsen - Living her dream every day

Jan Johnsen is an award-winning landscape designer, author and speaker. Learn about Jan’s journey in a male dominated field, how she built her business  over 37 years ago and continues to live her dream everyday. 

Early years and her unusual college experiences 

• Kid from the NY boroughs, growing up in a concrete jungle

• Always fascinated w plants 

• Steered toward botanical illustratration by HS guidance counselor

• Attended Friends World College, run by Quakers, created her own studies 

• Studied in Japan, lived in Kyoto and transfixed by Japanese gardens 

• Japanese boss said “you’re not an architect, you’re a landscape architect.”

• Studied landscape architecture at University of Hawaii and studied hydroponic  gardening, without soil. She was the only woman in her class 

What was Jan’s next endeavor?

• Realized she was not suited to working in an office 

• She wanted hands on training and worked at Mohonk Mountain House in NY

• Worked for a French master gardener who was reticent to work w her since she was a woman. But Jan was persistent and persevered

• Learned professional horticulture 

• Jan believes in experiential education, learn by doing 

How did she start her biz? 

• With not much money, rented one room from a man who ran a small tree service, who became her mentor 

• “I knew what I knew, but I didn’t know how to run a business and luckily had a husband who knew how to.”

• Her mentor coached her, told her what courses to take. He started Sav-a-Tree, a first class and very successful tree business. 

• Your thoughts and attitudes are key to your success. Set sites high enough 

• Have a goal and see it through Jan’s goal is to create beautiful outdoor settings 

• Her mission is to pay it forward, share what she’s learned 

Author

• Jan started writing books because she loves sharing what she has learned and believes that having a serene outdoor environment can uplift people in this crazy world

• 7 books including Spirit of Stone, Flowertopia, Gardentopia, Heaven in a Garden

What advice do you have for women looking to find their passions, and her “brass ring” for success?

• Get your business systems in place first before you start out. Being talented in your specific field is not enough, your passion I will be the key to your success. 

• Work with people you align with

• Get yourself out there  

• Make time for yourself, even something as simple as a walk 

• It’s ok to be the only woman in the room 

• You have to love what you do