Ever since meeting Mike Colwell from Group 48, I’ve wanted to feature him as one-to-watch on the blog. Since we’re officially launched, what better time is there? So sit back and enjoy my conversation with the proud owner of Deeply Rooted Designs!
Susan – Thanks for sitting down with me, Mike. Why don’t we get started with you explaining a bit more about your business?
Mike – Definitely … Deeply Rooted Designs was created as a means of connecting nature with people through an art-form utilizing Plants and Wood as the medium. Since beginning the process I have come across the understanding that it is truly an ART and something of uniqueness. There is a Japanese Art-form called ‘Niwaki’ that closely resembles my Living art with plants. The wood design is just an extension of this organic feeling as I try to restore and reclaim wood and extend its energy and purpose!
Susan – Sounds challenging and peaceful at the same time. Where did you learn your skills?
Mike - I have been learning and researching my skills and interest in the plant work, for a long time. I have worked at this with each property I have managed, including the property I live on now. The wood interest has been more recent, and really became a strong influence upon shopping with my father-in-law and obtaining my 1st chainsaw. From that point, I began to realize just how much impact I could offer in reclaiming and restoring wood that for the most part had started its life long before we existed!
Susan – Do you prefer the gardening aspect of your business or the artistry?
Mike – I love the part of gardening and working with plants. I have created garden spaces for people from scratch, and have enjoyed doing my whole property. Having said this, my true enjoyment is the artistry and accents. I ‘wood’ rather work on a specific focal point or specimen within a garden than the garden itself. I find that my preference is what I can create and the feeling people get from enjoying my work….sharing and saving Nature!
Susan – What materials do you work with more than anything else?
Mike – My main forms of medium for my business are established shrubs within gardens and properties, and older natural wood or mature green wood that requires someone to claim it and extend its life under new form.
Susan - What sets you apart from others?
Mike – The uniqueness of this business or art-form is in the time and patience. It is not just grabbing a trimmer or snips and cutting a plant back, or grabbing some tools and some wood and building something. I have realized recently that this business is based on the originality and true custom nature of my art. The end product is almost one of a kind, and personalized to the person I am working for, and the positive energy is passed on to my clients, for them to enjoy in its new form.
Susan – What’s the most interesting design someone has ever asked you to do?
Mike – For the most part, I have had people approach me and ask if I can solve a problem or find a solution for something that cause them stress. From my discussions and ‘Fact Find’, we derive something I can create that will address these issues and offer them some relief and enjoyment. I have recently created an elevated dog dish holder out of reclaimed driftwood. I have built a customized finished Deacon’s Bench for a couple getting married. As for the plants, I have a client that had a front property with 6 mature drying and overgrown evergreens. We decided to give them new life and focus. She now has 6 new art pieces, each with their own individual character and outlook, and a lot more garden potential for her property. Biggest of all, I just currently acquired, or rather saved, a 100year old Silver Maple from being mulched. I am looking for potential owners for these pieces (some 3’+ in diameter) to be created, and I am looking forward to sharing the beauty of this tree with as many people as interested.
Susan – Walk us through the process of a design. Do you start with a sketch?
Mike – Unless the project has a requested purpose then I usually start working on the plant or wood and the let the design happen from there. I like to make the designs as organic and natural as possible. Sometimes there are exterior influences like surrounding nature and landscape or even discussion with client. Usually the end result comes from what Mother Nature has already created, and I just find that as I work. There is a definite energy and feeling that happens throughout the creation, and sometimes I will leave a project temporarily if I do not have a sense of direction at some point along the way. I do a lot of research online with a lot of my projects, and I spend a lot of time looking around in my travels gathering ideas for future creations.
Susan – Has there ever been a request from a client that has sounded odd?
Mike – haha, when it comes to the beauty of nature and the organic energy realized by nature itself… I don’t think there is anything that would be odd! When I see how ‘odd’ nature creates, I look forward to the challenge of re-creating what nature has initiated!!
Susan – What would your dream project be?
Mike – I think this question is very tough to answer. One dream is that someone I do not know contacts me and offers me an income for something I create from the pure joy of the art itself.
Susan - Let’s switch the focus to OSEB and your business views for a bit. Everyone at the office loved the gift you presented for our 10th Anniversary. Thank you!
Now, what is the single-most important thing you learned from OSEB?
Mike – One of the biggest value moments was from my group itself. I gained affirmation and a sense of importance in what I do, and what I like to offer. I learned not to under-value myself, and start feeling confident in what I create.
Susan – What has been your proudest moment as a business owner so far?
Mike – I would have to say that the proudest moment has come from a comment I received, while handing someone MY brand new business card. The comment was something like this….oh, ‘Deeply Rooted Designs! Did I see you on Facebook? You have a business page there? I love some of your photos in your albums. Did you build that deacons bench, and you did those shrubs? Wow that is awesome!’
Susan – Excellent! Touching on that, how have you decided to advertise?
Mike – I have just recently finalized my logo and have business cards. Until this point, I have entered the Social Media world through LinkedIN and Facebook. This has become an eye opener to the power of connections and networking with people. As my business is more about the visual aspects, my website is next on the table. I will be creating a flyer for visual marketing, and have been creating more presence for my business through magazine features and possible radio awareness. It has become apparent that a void exists in this industry and that the market can bear an alliance with Deeply Rooted Designs. I welcome introductions with Landscapers, and Lawn Care companies to provide more service and reinforce positive relationships for their clients.
Susan – What is one piece of advice you would give OSEB students?
Mike – The biggest form of advice I would offer is that when you make the decision to start this process, you need to ask yourself- What would I like to be doing everyday when I wake up for work?… if this answer is the business you are looking at starting then continue. I say this because when you are drained, frustrated, tired, or become overwhelmed, it is also this same question you should ask yourself to remember why you started!!
Susan – Thanks so much, Mike … you’ve given people plenty to think about!!!
To reach Mike Colwell, visit his website and Facebook page. To read an excellent article he was the feature of, please head to East of the City or go directly HERE.
If you would like to be featured on the OSEB Durham blog, please contact Susan at susan@osebdurham.com
The post Spotlight On: Mike Colwell of Deeply Rooted Designs appeared first on Ontario Self Employment Benefit (OSEB).