Over the past decade, Solterra founder Dixie Speck, and husband Peter, have turned their passion for beautiful plants and the outdoors into a thriving landscaping business in Atlanta. Solterra's staff and crews currently include 30 full-time employees and 1 intern, serving more than 300 clients in Fulton, Cobb and DeKalb counties.
Many clients have worked with Solterra for years. Alan Baggett, an interior designer and owner of Wallpaper Plus, has known Dixie for so long that he isn't sure how they first met. The two quickly realized they share a philosophy of working closely with clients to create engaging surroundings combined with a focus on providing excellent customer service. They often refer clients to one another.
Alan says, "Solterra installs and maintains the container pots and landscaping around Wallpaper Plus. Those splashes of seasonal color and mix of plant textures add curb appeal that captures the attention of customers. I often hand out Dixie's business cards as a result of a customer's compliment of our entrance. In addition, Solterra created such eye-catching landscaping for my home in the Helmsley Place neighborhood that my neighbors starting asking for a referral. Seven years ago, our home owner's association voted to have Solterra take over the seasonal color and maintenance of our neighborhood entrance as they currently still do."
Being involved in the community has always been a priority. Solterra donates labor and materials to many causes and events including Leadership Sandy Springs' Volunteer for a Better Sandy Springs Day. This year, Solterra assisted at two site locations, North Springs Charter High School and Lake Forest Elementary. Mary Reid, the North Springs site co-captain said, "Solterra's generous contributions of straw and knowledgeable labor almost bring me to tears. There is no way we cou ld've accomplished all that we did without their help. Solterra's Jason Coultas was the perfect motivator and guide. North Springs is very grateful for the beautiful enhancements to our campus. This outdoor space affects how the students and staff feel and think about their jobs as they walk through the door."
The landscaping industry has seen advances in technology over the past decade. Solterra's CEO Dixie Speck says, "Solterra has embraced the advances in technology in ways that help us better serve our customers. In large cities like Atlanta, water conservation is critical. We now install smart irrigation systems linked to soil moisture sensors. The device is placed in the soil and sends a signal to the irrigation controller to stay off until the moisture level in the soil where the sensor is located has reached a level of dryness that creates a necessity to turn the irrigation back on."
Solterra also develops their own technology to assist clients.
Last year, the Solterra Landscape mobile app for smart phones and tablets was released. Dixie says, "Solterra's clients are busy Atlantans who enjoy the aesthetic and enhanced value a beautiful landscape adds to their home or business. When troubleshooting a problem, it is often true that a picture is worth a thousand words. The 'Photo Send' feature of the app can be used to identify a problem in a landscape or provide clarification to a phone conversation. In addition, our maintenance clients can choose to get notifications of freeze warnings, rain delays, and more through the app."
In addition to being Solterra's vice president and head of operations, Peter Speck developed a proprietary computer application for Solterra that links to GPS data through an automated interface, tracks the production of crews, and monitors efficiency. Peter says, "This helps every project deliver on time and on budget." He goes on to say, "We are problem solvers. I'm fascinated by the technical challenges involved in many of Solterra's projects. With my engineering background, I see solutions that others don't always see."
In recent years, highlights for Solterra include numerous awards for design and landscape management; being named a finalist by Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce for Small Business of the Year; creating featured gardens at The Next Cool Event and the Southeastern Flower Show; as well as designing and installing landscapes for the See-Thru House exhibit at multiple Spring and Fall Atlanta Home Show events. Dixie has been featured as an industry expert on radio and television interviews; contributes to industry blogs; completed the leadership training class with Leadership Sandy Springs; and was recently elected president for the 2014 Urban Ag Council board of directors.
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About Solterra Landscape: Owned and operated by a team of former corporate professionals with a passion for beautiful plants and the outdoors. Solterra Landscape's clientele include high-end residential and select commercial properties including townhome/condominium communities, neighborhood HOAs and private schools. Solterra is a full service landscape management company whose services include complete property maintenance, landscape design, plant and hardscape installation, seasonal color, irrigation, outdoor lighting, grading and drainage. Solterra Landscape has a free app for smart phones and tablets that can be downloaded from iTunes and the Google Play Store. www.solterralandscape.com
Photos and interviews available. Contact Solterra's CEO Dixie Speck, at 404-236-7557 or [email protected].