Interview with Nick Abba: Director of Lux Landscapes
By John Corban
Lux Landscapes is a premium design, construction and maintenance business operating on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. I worked with Nick Abba in 2019 helping him improve his business. Nick has had great success and growth over the last six years. A few weeks ago, I invited Nick to chat with me and my group of clients on Zoom talking about various aspects of his business challenges and growth.
John: In 2019 you were going through some business challenges and reached out for help. What were your biggest issues1?
Nick: I had too many staff and no real understanding of costs, margins, overheads, or what I should be charging. I even had a project manager my business could not afford. You advised me to let him go and take on that role myself until we got the structure right. It was a tough conversation, but the right decision.
John: In our first six months of working together, what was your biggest breakthrough?
Nick: Definitely understanding my costs. I learned what I needed to charge, how to quote profitably, and how to track jobs so I could actually see net profit. That gave me confidence to increase my wage and grow.
John: How have sales been since Covid?
Nick: This year feels tougher; clients are more cautious about spending. It is harder to convince them than in past years.
John: Yet you have been winning the largest projects you have ever done?
Nick: Yes, we have been fortunate. We are finishing an 18-month Seaforth project worth over $1.5 million, plus a couple of others north of $1 million. Having long projects gives me stability and time to get the business organised. I have also hired a great project manager who now runs our major jobs.
John: What does he manage?
Nick: Sites, crews, subcontractors, scheduling, materials, and even maintenance.
John: How did you find him?
Nick: He responded to an ad. At the end of 2023 I was stretched thin on the tools, estimating, selling, and running the business, but did not have much confirmed work. Hiring him on a big salary felt risky, but it paid off.
John: Let us talk about leadership. Back in 2019 you were very friendly with your staff. How did you shift to being the leader?
Nick: At first, I felt guilty and wanted to stay ‘in the trenches’ with my mates, but I had to draw a line and manage them properly. That meant losing a few friends who could not accept the change, but it allowed me to reset. I hired new crew who did not see me as just a mate, and the results have been far better. Some of the scariest decisions have produced the best results.
John: Who manages your maintenance service?
Nick: My project manager does. He takes care of all the scheduling, client enquiries, and training of the maintenance crew. Invoicing is handled by the office.
John: Have you built a strong culture to retain good staff?
Nick: Yes. I support my team when it comes to family commitments, like staying home with sick kids, but I do not tolerate poor behaviour. I pay them well, and they love the variety and prestige of the gardens we build. That keeps them engaged.
John: What apps and systems do you rely on?
Nick: Your Excel quoting sheet John, is still my backbone. I integrate it with our project management software, and I use Xero, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
John: What helped you lift average job sizes from $80K to $250K?
Nick: Having a strong pipeline gave me space to focus on growth instead of worrying about the next job. Building a design team using subcontractors meant I stayed close to the client, almost guaranteeing the construction work. Relationships with builders, architects, designers, and clients have been crucial. Sitting down with clients to explain quotes and cost options has also been key.
John: Do you see Lux continuing to grow designing and building larger projects?
Nick: Absolutely. We are not at our maximum yet. Each year we are evolving, challenging ourselves, and designing and building bigger and more beautiful projects.
Conclusion
Nick Abba’s journey with Lux Landscapes shows how quickly a business can transform when its leader commits to understanding the numbers, building the right structure, and stepping fully into the role of manager. By embracing transparency, making tough leadership decisions, and investing in strong systems, Nick has taken Lux from small projects to multi-million dollar builds. His story proves that clarity, courage, and consistency are the foundations of sustainable growth in the landscaping industry.