You’re So Fly: Lydia Hastings

Tell us a little about your childhood in Virginia. What were some of your favorite interests, hobbies, or activities growing up?

I grew up in the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia, where the state park was quite literally my backyard. My childhood was spent exploring forests, wading through cold mountain streams, and learning the rhythms of the natural world.

I loved being outdoors. I learned to fly-fish for native brook trout in mountain creeks, train for cross-country races on root-covered trails, camped high in the mountains for days on end, and spent countless hours climbing boulders, paddling rivers, and exploring the landscapes that connect the mountains, the piedmont, and the Chesapeake Bay. My family also raised much of our own food on a small mountain farm, which gave me an early appreciation for the relationship between people and the land that sustains them.

Looking back, I didn’t yet know the names of all the plants, insects, and ecosystems around me—I simply knew that I felt at home in nature. Those experiences sparked a lifelong love of the outdoors and laid the foundation for the work I do today. They taught me not only how to enjoy the natural world, but also the importance of caring for it and being a good steward of the places we call home.

How did the idea for Fairnilee first come about, and what were some of the biggest challenges you faced turning that vision into reality?

The idea for Fairnilee was a long time in the making. I went to college without a clear picture of what I wanted to do and graduated with a degree in Nutrition. While I valued what I learned, I quickly realized I couldn’t imagine spending my days inside a hospital, disconnected from the outdoors.

After college, I packed up my car and headed west to the mountains of Colorado, where I worked in outdoor education. Those years were transformative. I learned not only about the landscapes around me and the forces that shaped them, but also about the individual plants, animals, birds, and insects that formed those ecosystems. When I eventually returned to the East Coast, I began seeing my childhood forests through a different lens. What I once thought of simply as “the woods” became a rich community of interconnected species, each playing a role in the health of the whole.

Over the next two decades, I continued studying the plants and ecosystems of the Mid-Atlantic region while gaining hands-on experience working with the land. Eventually, I realized I wanted to help others create and restore these ecological communities in their own yards. Fairnilee was born from that desire—to transform underutilized spaces into thriving habitats that support both people and wildlife.

One of the biggest challenges was simply taking the leap. Starting a business requires a certain amount of faith in myself and my vision. Building a client base, learning the business side of things, and wearing all the hats that come with entrepreneurship was a steep learning curve. But seeing landscapes come alive with native plants, pollinators, birds, and people reconnecting to the natural world has made every challenge worthwhile.

Looking back, what have been some of the most surprising outcomes or impacts of Fairnilee—either for you personally or for the people you serve?

One of the most surprising things I’ve learned is that the impact of a native garden often extends far beyond the plants themselves.

When I first started Fairnilee, I was focused on the ecological benefits—creating habitat, supporting pollinators, improving soil health, and helping restore pieces of the natural landscape. What I didn’t expect was how quickly people would begin to form a deeper connection with their own land.

The name Fairnilee comes from an old Scottish word meaning “Fairy’s Field.” When I chose that name, I was thinking about the kind of landscapes I wanted to create—places that feel alive again. Not just beautiful gardens, but spaces where birds return, butterflies appear, fireflies drift through the evening, and people rediscover a sense of wonder in the natural world around them.

Clients often tell me about the birds they’ve noticed for the first time, the excitement of seeing a favorite plant bloom, or the joy of watching pollinators return to their yard. Many begin asking questions about the ecology of their property and become active stewards of the spaces around them. Watching that transformation has been incredibly rewarding.

Personally, Fairnilee has reinforced something I have believed since childhood: people care about what they understand and love. If I can help someone see their yard not as a collection of plants but as part of a living ecosystem, then the impact reaches far beyond any one garden. Those small changes ripple outward into neighborhoods, communities, and the broader landscape.

The greatest surprise has been realizing that I’m not simply installing gardens—I’m helping people build a relationship with the natural world right outside their door.

How has your experience at Flywheel Coworking influenced Fairnilee’s growth and supported your business goals?

Fairnilee is currently a company of one, which means I wear every hat in the business. On any given day, I might be communicating with clients, creating designs, sourcing materials, installing gardens, maintaining landscapes, managing invoices, or planning future growth. While I love the variety and independence that comes with running my own business, it can also be isolating at times.

One of the greatest benefits of Flywheel has been the sense of community. Being surrounded by other entrepreneurs and small business owners reminds me that many of the challenges I face are not unique to me. Whether it’s managing growth, navigating uncertainty, or simply figuring out how to balance all the responsibilities that come with running a business, there is a shared understanding among the people here.

Flywheel has given me the opportunity to learn from others who are building businesses of their own, celebrate successes together, and gain perspective during the inevitable challenges. It has helped me feel connected to something larger than my own day-to-day work and has provided a supportive environment where both Fairnilee and I can continue to grow.
As someone whose work is centered around creating healthy, interconnected ecosystems, I appreciate being part of a community that fosters those same qualities among people and businesses.