Ditching desk for dirt, this bricklayer's daughter became Business Person of the Year

Extended leave from the APS brought a moment of clarity for Sarah Bateman, who had been a career public servant from the tender age of 19.

While an outsider might see the transition from a stable desk job to CEO of In-Depth Landscape Construction as a leap, the daughter of a bricklayer feels right at home with her team of qualified tradies and enjoys the opportunity to get outside and work with a skilled team.

“My father owned his own bricklaying business and owns a few farms, so I have never been afraid of getting my hands dirty, showing I’m willing to jump in and do the hard yards and ensuring our team has what is required to complete our works,” she says.

Sarah began her APS career in data entry for Centrelink and climbed the ladder to the assistant director level.

During that time, she became a mother of three and also started helping her husband, a fellow public servant and qualified landscaper, with the behind-the-scenes bookwork for some casual landscaping jobs.

“I loved both jobs. On one hand, I enjoyed the project management I was doing for the APS, moving through the ranks and, of course, the stability that allowed me to have my children and return to work,” she says.

“On the other hand, we loved the idea of running our own business, the ability to set our own rules, the work, the clients and having the flexibility to spend more time with our boys.

“Doing both and parenting was unsustainable, however.”

The choice became clearer during some extended leave, and In-Depth Landscape Construction was born.

Sarah’s years of experience in customer service and project management in the APS came with her to the new business.

“Clients and staff engagement are my favourite aspects of the job. I love working with people to bring their visions to life, and working with our team members, mentoring and building them up … I often feel I’m not a mum of three, I’m a mum of 28,” she laughs.

“Some of our people have been with us from the beginning and watching them develop professionally has been a source of great pride.”

The business grew quickly, and it wasn’t long before Sarah faced her first major challenge.

Though still fresh-faced when COVID restrictions slammed the construction industry, In-Depth had a substantial number of staff to support.

The business has also weathered its fair share of scams and lost out to bankruptcies in the construction industry.

With all its challenges, however, Sarah has never regretted her decision.

“Even though these things are there and can easily knock you down, what matters is how you learn and grow from it and use it to strengthen your company to face the next challenge,” she says.

“Public service is a big safety net, but I don’t think I could go back. I love the challenges and how every day is different. And I love our team.

“Sometimes you just have to take those chances. It can be scary, but there are a lot of scarier things out there.”

This year, Sarah was named Business Person of the Year at the Canberra Region Local Business Awards.

She credits the win to her management philosophy.

“I’m about building people up and seeing what they’re capable of. I don’t like to dictate to them. If they have an idea, I’m happy to run with it and see how we can make it achievable,” she says.

“I also like being hands-on, not just sitting behind a desk handing out orders. I like to go out onto site, and the chance to tap into my roots as a brickie’s daughter.”

Keen to bring your vision for your outdoor living spaces to life? Contact In-Depth Landscape Construction.