Monica Nagar

I really attribute my success to my family—it’s what keeps me grounded and motivated every day.

My parents divorced when I was young, and as the oldest sibling, I naturally stepped into a leadership role early on. Over time, my mom, sister, grandma, and I became our own little village—we call ourselves the “Sarasota crew.” We’re incredibly close, live near each other, and share everything from holidays to everyday life.

Along the way, I’ve also built deep friendships with women who have truly become like family. That support system means everything to me. We show up for each other, lift each other up, and celebrate each other’s wins. If something goes wrong, I know I have a circle of people who have my back no matter what.

It’s really my community of strong, supportive women—my family and my friends—that has shaped who I am. I feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by people who have supported me, challenged me, and helped me grow. I wouldn’t be where I am without them.

Never burn your bridges!

The biggest piece of advice I would give is to be patient with yourself and invest in your own growth—personally, not just professionally.

I’m a big believer in taking care of your mindset. Talk to someone, whether that’s a mentor, a coach, or even a therapist. Even if life feels great, there’s always value in checking in with yourself and continuing to grow. The more you understand yourself, the more confident and grounded you’ll be in your career.

I didn’t really start doing that kind of work until later in life, and I wish I had started sooner. In my 20s, I was just figuring things out like most people are—I didn’t fully understand my direction yet. But that’s okay. You don’t have to have it all figured out right away.

Another important thing I’ve learned is that it’s never too late to pivot or grow into something new. I’ve seen so many women go through major life changes and come out stronger, building incredible careers and lives for themselves. A chapter ending is not the end—it’s just a transition.

So give yourself grace, stay open to learning, and don’t be afraid to evolve. Everything you go through is shaping you into who you’re meant to become.

One of the biggest challenges in our field right now is balancing rising costs with increasing expectations. Communities want high-quality, responsive service and beautiful, well-maintained landscapes—but they’re also under pressure to manage tighter budgets. That creates a real need for transparency, communication, and creative solutions.

At the same time, that challenge is also a huge opportunity.

There’s a growing demand for partners—not just vendors—who truly understand the needs of boards, residents, and managers. My background as a Community Association Manager has really shaped how I approach this. I know firsthand how important it is to have a team that’s responsive, proactive, and easy to work with.

There’s also a big opportunity around sustainability—water management, plant selection, and long-term planning. Communities are starting to think more strategically about their landscapes, not just how they look today, but how they perform over time.

Overall, the industry is shifting toward stronger partnerships, better communication, and more thoughtful planning—and that’s a really exciting place to be.

I bring a relationship-driven, solutions-focused approach to my work. I value trust, communication, and being a true partner to the communities I serve. Grounded by a strong support system, I’m passionate about growth, resilience, and helping others succeed—both professionally and personally.