Sherman Contracting Company Profile

veryone in Julee Sherman's family is, as she says, "in the trades." Her grandfather, her parents, her husband's family—everyone, was involved in some aspect of construction from welders to architects, carpenters to brick layers.

Julee is no exception. She grew up immersed in construction and was around it all her life. She did try a stint as a real estate broker, but her love for the outdoors and her natural creativity drew her to landscape design.

She studied construction, interior design and landscape design in college. She was inspired to go into landscape design because, as she put it, "I love building things, that's second nature to me. And I think landscaping is the most rewarding thing a homeowner can do. I love helping them make it happen. When you can do something that gets them out in the yard, it's a life changing experience. I remember the first time I met with a client and saw the look on their face when we talked about what we were going to do. I knew right then, this was it. I love helping people get that great feeling."

Julee and her husband, Michael, are, in her words, outdoor, social people. They love a beautiful yard and spending time under the sky. They both believe that changing an ordinary backyard into a personal, private paradise can change a life.

"Every day when I meet with people I hope to show them the possibilities," said Julee. "I'm actually changing people's lives. They call asking about a traditional backyard and after we meet they have a whole new vision of what could be. I had a client that kept telling me that she and her husband weren't outdoor people. A year later I got a note from her telling me that every evening they sit in their yard to have a glass of wine. They were thanking me for making it happen."

When clients call Julee, she meets with them to learn what they are envisioning. Together they make a wish list and discuss budget, then "see what fits." Julee points out that not everything on the wish list needs to be done right away. Sometimes clients start with a basic plan and add to it each year, slowly turning their backyard into their dream paradise.

Julee has a full-time crew of 3 that have been with her for years. Each brings a different skill set and each shares Julee's passion for the work. "I don't want to have a large crew," she said, "because we work together better as a smaller group. Julee's 16-year-old son, Terex, helps out during the summer months (yet another member of the family growing up in and around the construction trade).

Julie said that when a couple decides to contact her company, the majority of first-time callers are wives, and the fact that Julee is female helps bridge the gap between initial questions and a final plan. "Usually the husband and wife have agreed that something has to be done to the yard," said Julee. "And usually they have preconceived notions. They're often thinking of regular, standard stuff. They imagine a boring construction guy or some crazy artist type. The wives are usually the ones that call. When I get there I burst all their preconceived ideas about landscape design and contractors. I involve the whole family. I don't tell them this is what I see, this is what you need to do. Instead, I listen to them, and we create it together.

Unlike some types of contracting work, landscape design incorporates as much artistic skill as it does construction know-how. Julee understands this and helps her clients expand their own vision to encompass the possibilities. She is very passionate and enthusiastic when she speaks of her work and the lives she has changed.

"I want to change peoples' worlds," she said. "I want to improve their lives. They don't have to go on vacation. When we're done they can step into a timeless paradise in their own yard; they could be at a resort or a cottage somewhere. They can have their little slice of paradise every day. My greatest satisfaction is when we're done and we have the ‘before' photos and we're comparing them to what we've done. I love to see their faces. It's like a ‘wow' moment every time. It's perfect, like a wedding day that's gone off without a hitch."

Julee says that if she won the lottery she would continue doing what she does every day. She loves meeting people, she loves discussing dreams and she loves making those dreams come true. She and her husband donate to local children's organizations, the Diabetes Foundation and do senior citizen volunteer work, as well as taking in foster children. For Julee, a woman who smiles and laughs easily, life is a grand adventure. "There's no ultimate goal," she said. "Every day gets better and better. I just want to continue creating, learning and helping people."



---Jim Brumm
Staff Writer
The Prime Buyer's Report