What does it take to turn a side hustle into a thriving national brand? In this episode of Small Business, Big Engine, host Grant Fisher sits down with Lindsay Burgess, better known as the Moss Boss, to talk about how she built Green Wallscapes, one of the largest preserved moss wall companies in the United States.
Lindsay’s journey didn’t start with a five-year business plan or a big round of funding. It started with a simple DIY project in her home and a few dollars a day in Etsy ads. Fast forward to today, and Green Wallscapes has completed more than 1,000 moss installations for clients across the U.S. and Canada, scaling from small custom logos to massive commercial projects covering thousands of square feet.
In this conversation, Lindsay shares the behind-the-scenes story of what it really takes to grow a creative business from scratch, including the struggles, mistakes, and systems that made the difference along the way.
You’ll hear about:
The origins of Green Wallscapes and how a passion project turned into a full-time business
What those early Etsy ads taught her about testing the market and building momentum
The tipping point where she had to hire help and why delegation became essential for survival
How she scaled operations from hand-gluing moss in her house to running a 2,500 sq ft studio with a team of nine
Why processes and documentation matter when every project is custom and no two client needs are alike
How supply chain challenges and tariffs tested the business and what she learned about resilience during those times
The culture shifts that come with building a team and why she chose quality people over chasing maximum scale
Balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood while rejecting the endless hustle culture
Her honest take on growth, money, and happiness - and why “bigger” isn’t always “better”
Throughout the episode, Lindsay is candid about the reality of scaling a niche creative business. She explains how her background in marketing and branding gave her an edge when selling to clients, why her team now goes through “moss school” to meet Green Wallscapes’ high standards, and how she’s reframed success to prioritize balance and sustainability.
This isn’t just a conversation about moss walls. It’s about entrepreneurship, leadership, and the evolving definition of success. Whether you’re a small business owner, a creative entrepreneur, or someone thinking about scaling your side hustle, Lindsay’s story will give you practical lessons and a fresh perspective on what it means to build something that lasts.
To learn more, visit greenwallscapes.com or follow @greenwallscapes on Instagram.
About Small Business, Big Engine
Hosted by Grant Fisher, Small Business, Big Engine explores the real stories of entrepreneurs, creators, and small business owners who are building powerful engines for growth. Each episode dives into the strategies, challenges, and lessons that shape their journey, giving you actionable insights to fuel your own business.
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