Houston District Blue Collar Small Business of the Year: Nicole Shah, Jen McDonald, Jill Oliver – Garden Girls
Combining diverse backgrounds, co-owners Nicole Shah, Jen McDonald, and Jill Oliver founded Garden Girls in 2022, proving it’s never too late to cultivate a new career. Together, they leverage their unique talents to transform outdoor spaces while inspiring clients to grow vegetables, herbs, flowers, and reconnect with nature.
Nicole Shah transitioned from a career in law to garden design, inspired by her West Virginia roots and a passion for sharing the joy of homegrown food. She uses her expertise to help clients connect with nature and bring their backyard visions to life. Jen McDonald, a self-taught garden designer from Napa Valley, brings a complementary skill set shaped by her background in pharmaceutical sales. In addition to designing gardens, Jen is an active media contributor, regularly offering gardening advice across television and print platforms. She was notably recognized on Season 1 of “Getting Down and Dirty with Martha” for impressing Martha Stewart. Jill Oliver represents four generations of Texas growers and beekeepers, making gardening a lifelong passion. Influenced by her father, Jill focuses on creating sustainable, biodiverse spaces that reflect the beauty and balance of working with nature.
Garden Girls has benefited significantly from mentorship provided by SBA Resource Partner SCORE Houston. Mentors Art O’Connor and Greg Helma have played a key role in helping the business reach its current level of success and continue to guide its trajectory for future growth.
Since its founding, Garden Girls has expanded its services beyond designing and installing raised bed gardens to offering full-scale landscape transformations. These services now include native and pollinator-friendly plantings, seating areas, and greenhouse installations. The company has experienced substantial growth, with a 246% increase in clients served in 2025 compared to 2022. Operationally, the business has scaled steadily. In 2022, Garden Girls launched with its three co-owners, one subcontracted crew, and three craftsmen producing specialized materials such as garden beds and trellises. By 2025, the company has grown to include two employees, three subcontracted crews, and five craftsmen, with plans to expand its workforce further. Garden Girls has also built a strong media presence, with features on the popular YouTube channel Homeworthy and consistent recognition in publications such as Martha Stewart and Real Simple. The company was also featured in the Summer 2024 edition of Milieu Magazine.
Due to their continued success, Garden Girls is the recipient of the 2026 Houston District Blue Collar Small Business of the Year award.