EP169: Pond Builder of The Stars with Steve Sandalis

The Pond Digger Podcast

Today’s guest, Steve Sandalis, has been crafting water features and landscapes for the stars of Hollywood for over 20 years. From Jeff Probst to Tom Brady, Steve has transformed countless celebrity backyards into works of natural art. Listen in as Steve discusses some of his most high-profile projects over the years and opens up about the challenges of working with celebrities and managing their expectations.

In this episode, they talk about:

• The story of how Steve started his career in the Pond industry

• Some of the celebrities Steve has worked with — Jeff Probst, Tom Brady, etc

• Working with difficult clients who have unrealistic expectations for their ponds

• Challenges Steve faced during the 2014-15 California drought and how he overcame it

• The importance of having the right plants and vegetation to make naturalistic ponds

• Steve’s experience working with Tom Brady on a landscaping project

• How Steve phase projects to fit within a client’s budget

• Discussing budget with clients to avoid overpromising and underdelivering

• The challenges of working with architects and their tendency to want to draw every single rock in a pond design

• Steve’s experience during the 2007 financial crisis

• The value of collaboration and friendship with other builders

Mentioned:

Mystic Water Gardens Website: https://www.mysticwatergardens.com/

Mystic Water Gardens on Ig: Mystic Water Gardens (@mysticwatergardens)

Links to resources:

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The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

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http://helixpondfiltration.com/

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