Have you ever driven past a stunning garden or a beautifully remodeled home and thought, 'I’d love to do that at my house'? Bob and Julie Mosby are happy to help you love your home both inside and out. As the owners of Kirkwood Home & Landscape + Julie's Garden Design, Bob and Julie are the creative minds behind some of the most beautiful lawns, gardens, and remodeled homes in Kirkwood. Not only are Bob and Julie talented entrepreneurs, but they are also one of the sweetest couples around. Their journey from hobbyists to business owners is as inspiring as the spaces they create.
The Organic Origins
The story of Kirkwood Home & Landscape + Julie's Garden Design is as organic as their gardens—no pun intended. Neither Bob nor Julie originally planned to own a business. Their venture began when friends noticed their exceptional gardening and remodeling skills.
"I have a friend who saw the gardens I had worked on in Eureka Springs and asked me to help with her garden," Julie recalls. Upon seeing the finished garden, Julie's friend encouraged her to turn her passion into a business. Julie initially hesitated: "I knew a lot about gardening but nothing about running a business. But I didn't let that stop me. I created an advertisement, and I got five clients that summer. The following summer, I had 15 clients." Julie's Garden Design grew as clients raved about her talent for creating beautiful gardens, whether in a front porch container or a picturesque backyard. "It is such a joy to be in the garden watching things sprout," said Julie.
Bob's entry into entrepreneurship followed a similar path: "I came home one day, and Julie said, 'Someone needs a ceiling fan installed.' I'm from a family of doers—we've remodeled homes, and my dad built our house. So, I said, 'I'll put up the ceiling fan.'" That small side job launched the beginning of what is now Kirkwood Home & Landscape.
Complementary Skills and Shared Vision
Bob and Julie bring different but complementary skills to their business. Bob specializes in home remodeling and outdoor hardscape, while Julie's green thumb makes every garden she touches brighter and more beautiful. Their combined expertise allows them to transform indoor and outdoor living spaces seamlessly. "We walk into a house together. Bob is great at visualizing an empty space," Julie says. "Many people get stuck while pulling a design idea together, but we have a natural knack for it." Bob adds, "Absolutely. We play to each other's strengths."
A Foundation of Shared History and Passion
Bob and Julie's backgrounds play a significant role in their business success. Julie's love for gardening was nurtured by her mother and great-grandmother on a farm in Southwest Missouri. She fondly remembers picking pansies and visiting an iris farm every Mother's Day. Julie moved from Jefferson City, MO, to Arkansas and finally to St. Louis in 1982.
Bob, a third-generation Kirkwood native, transitioned from a corporate career in computers to entrepreneurship. "Starting Kirkwood Home Projects was completely different from working in corporate America," said Bob. "Working on home projects allowed me to see tangible results every day, which was really gratifying," he shares. While Bob is happy to be a small business owner, he says his corporate background in finance has been invaluable to the Kirkwood Home & Landscape business.
A Thriving Business
Today, Kirkwood Home & Landscape + Julie's Garden Design is a flourishing business with 25 employees and a trusted name in the community. The company offers a unique blend of construction, hardscape, and garden design services. "We do room additions, kitchens, bathrooms, and major repairs," Bob explains. "Our gardening services include design, installation, and maintenance. Hardscape ties it together with retaining walls, patios, water control, outdoor lighting, and landscape."
Bob and Julie's client-centric approach sets Kirkwood Home & Landscape + Julie's Garden Design apart. "For a long time, we were the clients," Bob notes. “We've written checks for home remodeling and additions. Now that we've become the contractors, we immediately understand the client side.” Bob and Julie Mosby exemplify how talent, technique, and togetherness can create a thriving business. Kirkwood Home & Landscape + Julie's Garden, located at 255 E Monroe Ave in Kirkwood, is ready to help you love your home inside and out.
kirkwoodhomeandlandscape.com
"For a long time, we were the clients," Bob notes. “We've written checks for home remodeling and additions. Now that we've become the contractors, we immediately understand the client side."
"We walk into a house together. Bob is great at visualizing an empty space," Julie says. "Many people get stuck while pulling a design idea together, but we have a natural knack for it." Bob adds, "Absolutely. We play to each other's strengths."