On the QT | The Official Newsletter of GWA June - July 2017 | Page 15

When she had the opportunity to start a
radio show, it was in partnership with the
regional water management district. “When
you do a water conservation program, nobody
pays attention to you, so I said I wanted to do it
in the format of a gardening show. Everything
you deal with in gardening can be tied back to
water management anyway.” She still does the
show every week.
M AKE YO U R S EL F IN VA LUA B LE
“When I was teaching for the university,
the program was self-funded. We had seed
money for the first two years, and after that,
the program was self-funded. I spent the first
year going to council meetings, chamber of
commerce meetings, HOA meetings, and tried
to be of help to everyone. At the beginning of
the second year, I would go to the agencies,
ask them how I had helped them over the
past year. I would answer their questions and
give them reports.” Then, she said, when they
were really excited, I would say, “You need to
know I’m only going to be here one more year
unless you put money for my program in your
budgets.” She got all the funding she needed.
BE OPEN TO CH AN G E
In 2008, Teresa started her own landscape
business, Sustainable Horticultural Environ-
ments. She said that her career has flourished
because she hasn’t been afraid of change
and adding on other things. “While teaching
I was also doing the radio show. I was always
doing multiple kinds of jobs and positions
that I could fall back on. Multitasking isn’t for
everybody, but when times are tough, and
work isn’t plentiful for everyone, if you can do
this, you’ll be stable.”
Joining GWA allowed her to branch out
beyond the environmental world and into
the gardening world. “I would get inspiration
from other writers and gardeners and people
in the industry and bring it back to Florida to
improve my work and inspire others.”
NE T WO R K , N ET WO R K , N E T WO R K
“If I believe in something I will lead the
parade,” said Teresa. “I’m a big, big fan of
GWA. Participating has always presented
excellent opportunities for me.” Like many
members, she cites the benefit of the GWA
attorney as a big selling point. “I had been
dealing with someone threatening my
business for six weeks. The day after I wrote
to the GWA attorney, he sent a letter and the
problem was taken care of. I felt so secure
with the backing of that law firm behind me.”
She repays the benefits by telling every-
one she comes into contact with through
her workshops, radio show and other net-
“ While teaching I was also doing
the radio show. I was always do