Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Bilton.
Hi Michelle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Fairytale Landscapes was created in 2018 with just an idea and a dream . At the time there was alot going on with life and family . I would frequently sit on my porch and look around thinking to myself what could I do to create a happy space in my life . First thought when I saw how pretty the green grass was . I thought adding beautiful flowers would be great . Something warm and vibrant. So off I went to my local neighborhood nursery which was Gores . Picked up a few flowers and plants . This was the best idea that I didn’t know then would be life changing . My interest and desire grew deeper into wanting to know about different plants and flowers. Frequent visit started to my local nursery. Educating myself on zones and the proper way to install was something that peek my interest to a excitement that I never felt before. My desires grew into wanting to design my lawn so my neighborhood could enjoy also seeing a beautiful sight aswell. Wouldn’t you know my client happen to be a neighbor . I laughed at the fact that she had even asked if I would create her a beautiful design too . My community and visitors would stop take pictures of my property. So I thought to myself you might be on to something Michelle. People would literally come to my door and ask if they could get a card . Thinking in silence what if this had been my real calling in life 🤔 creating beautiful lawns . Never did I imagine me playing in dirt would excite me this much lol . Speaking to my family on my idea and decision on doing landscape they were all in and extremely happy that I wanted to do this . I knew I would need a buisness name . I struggled with this so much that my thoughts went back into my childhood era . Tinkle Bell and Minnie mouse were my favorite characters . Tinkle bell and her wand always made beautiful magic .At that moment I knew that I to wanted too sprinkle sparkles on every project I was on making it into a dream come true . Now it was time to go to work. It wasn’t as easy as I thought . It would be good times and rough times .My determination never wavered though . Buisness grew fast and became overwhelming at times . Meeting so many people with different backgrounds and stories was just an added bonus. The happiness that I got from they’re smiles and tears made me determined to keep going . Being able to make it affordable for everyone really helped .When the pandemic came thats when my buisness really took off. Everyone was working from home and realized that they also wanted to see something beautiful when looking out there windows . High in demand I partnered with Hookem Upp lawn and landscape who at the time had been a household name. Taking me under his leadership he taught me everything that I needed to know . My buisness thrived at an all time high. From residential to commercial to big events and traveling to other cities. Years later having over 400 properties that we happily maintain was amazing. Made me want to go futher . So my dream didn’t stop there . March of 2026 I decided with prayer and my clients cheering me on . Happy to open up a full plant nursery in our beautiful Springfield community . Which is expected to open this July . The excitement is real a dream come true . Knowing im paving the way for little girls of all ethnics that love flowers and have the dream of one day having there own landscape company is a major flex for me . Fairytales Garden will be servicing Jacksonville and the surrounding areas .
Life has taught me that when life seems to be hard and gloomy . Plant a flower and watch it Bloom with love anf happiness 🧚🏽♀️🦋✨️
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Success isn’t easy. Definitely ups and downs . Having funding when my buisness starting growing was definitely a challenge. Because I wasn’t educated on how to properly give estimates I lost alot financially. Learning my clients personal desires to have particular plants and flowers was a challenge aswell. Trying to get them to understand why it was important to place certain plants in location was a major obstacle.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Im definitely proud of my designs. All my properties stand out from the rest. My creative side shows on all my projects . You will always know when ive been in a community.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Landscape is very risky . Learn the hard way. Putting my personal funds up for clients in the beginning it was a major issue . Delays in payments. Checks bouncing . So I change this . Now I require a deposit.
Pricing:
- Depends on location
- Design coverage
- Amount of materials installed
- Time spent in labor
Contact Info:
- Instagram: fairytale landscape
- Yelp: Fairytale Landscape
