Wickstead Works – Systemising Success for Geelong’s High-End Landscaping Specialists
How Wickstead Works transformed from a “winging it” small operator to a process-driven, high-profit force redefining the boutique landscaping market
About the business
Wickstead Works is a family-owned landscaping and garden design business led by Ben and Christyaan Wickstead, serving Geelong, Torquay, Barwon Heads, and the Surf Coast. Known for breathtaking gardens and bespoke landscape construction, Wickstead Works has a reputation for craftsmanship, creative vision, and transforming outdoor spaces to fit their clients’ lifestyles.
Before working with Candour Strategy, the team operated on instinct rather than process. There were no formal quoting systems, no structured roles, and rapidly mounting headaches as client expectations, job sizes, and prospects grew.
Challenges
- No processes, systems, or reliable quoting framework—making profit margins unpredictable and inconsistent
- Unclear roles and accountability, especially as a husband-wife leadership team
- Struggling to stand out and win premium, boutique jobs in a competitive market
- Frequent “profit bleed” on projects due to inadequate terms, scope creep, and cost controls
- Blocked from larger tenders and government contracts due to operational gaps
“
I'd just about had enough of trying to make the business work, massive hours, unpaid invoices, it felt like a constant struggle. Now we are working with Geelongs premiere builders and seeing the reward for our hard work. It's nice to have a few hours back to live, too!
The Solution
Candour Strategy delivered a practical, business-changing strategy, introducing a quoting and margin-management system to protect profits, drafting watertight terms and conditions for project control, and positioning the brand to attract boutique, high-end clients. They supported team growth through recruitment and role clarity, and remained on-call for strategic input and accountability, helping Wickstead Works stay agile as opportunities and challenges arose.
90%
Revenue grew by over 90% within twelve months, driven by bigger, better-margin jobs
+
Wickstead Works now regularly wins state and government (school) landscaping tenders
18%
Operating margin improved by at least 18%—“profit bleed” is firmly under control
x2
Team headcount doubled, but stress and hours for the founders actually dropped
“
I'd just about had enough of trying to make the business work, massive hours, unpaid invoices, it felt like a constant struggle. Now we are working with Geelongs premiere builders and seeing the reward for our hard work. It's nice to have a few hours back to live, too!
What this means for you
Trying to “wing it” only works for so long. With the right systems, profit focus, and service positioning, even the busiest small operators can break into lucrative markets, secure their margins, and build a business that thrives and scales with clarity and control.