Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Meddin.
Hi Lisa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Starting a business was never part of my original plan. In 2003, I founded Harmony Design in Williamsburg, VA, after working as an environmental educator for James City County. My role involved developing public-private partnerships to encourage water conservation and watershed stewardship, a mission that deeply resonated with me. To expand my expertise, I enrolled in the University of Richmond’s landscape design program, where I immersed myself in the study of plants, habitats, and sustainable water practices. Inspired by this new knowledge, I took a leap of faith and left my government job to embark on the entrepreneurial journey of building my own landscape design business.
Harmony Design flourished—until the 2008 recession hit. The economic downturn significantly impacted the building industry, forcing me to confront difficult choices. Ultimately, I decided to return to the West Coast, a place I had loved in my twenties. Portland’s vibrant culture and sense of community drew me in, but starting over wasn’t easy. For seven years, I juggled various roles while working toward my dream of relaunching Harmony Design.
In 2017, I saw an opportunity to reintroduce myself to the Portland market. Extensive research revealed a gap: there were few designers offering the timeless, formal landscape styles I had mastered on the East Coast. With that realization, Harmony Design Northwest was born. This rebranding marked a fresh start, blending my East Coast expertise with a modern, Pacific Northwest perspective.
What makes Harmony Design Northwest special is how it reflects my authentic self. As a highly sensitive person (HSP), I wanted to create a business rooted in empathy, compassion, and meaningful relationships. My design approach isn’t just about crafting beautiful outdoor spaces—it’s about deeply understanding my clients, their lives, and what they value most.
Clients tell me they choose Harmony Design Northwest not just for our designs but for the experience we create. I pride myself on fostering a collaborative, stress-free process where clients feel heard, respected, and confident that their vision will be brought to life with integrity and skill.
Building this business has been a journey of resilience and reinvention. Every challenge has shaped me, and every client inspires me. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue designing landscapes that enhance lives and bring harmony to outdoor spaces in the vibrant Portland community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The short answer is both yes and no. My journey as an entrepreneur has been a mixed bag of highs and lows.
When I founded Harmony Design in Williamsburg, VA, back in 2003, I had no formal business training and no roadmap for what lay ahead. What I did have was a deep passion for environmental stewardship and a desire to help others create outdoor spaces that brought joy and harmony into their lives. I faced my fears, asked for help, worked hard, networked, and built a business from scratch with no external funding other than a second mortgage.
But then the 2008 recession hit, and everything changed. The economic downturn devastated the building industry, making it nearly impossible to sustain my business in the same way. Those years were incredibly tough, both financially and emotionally. I had to make the difficult decision to close my business, sell my home and move to Portland to start fresh.
Rebuilding wasn’t easy. For seven years, I worked in jobs that didn’t align with my passions. While they paid the bills, they also deepened my resolve to relaunch my business. I spent those years refining my vision, conducting extensive market research and identifying trends in outdoor design preferences unique to the Pacific Northwest.
The relaunch in 2017 marked a turning point. By identifying a unique niche-classic, formal landscape styles enriched with a distinctly Pacific Northwest influence-I was able to carve out a place for myself in a competitive market. From there, things began to feel smoother. I leaned into my authentic self, embracing my values as a highly sensitive person (HSP) and building a business that allowed me to connect on a personal level with my clients.
Even then, challenges arose. Life is never static, and neither is business. In 2023 and 2024, I faced personal hurdles, including four ankle surgeries that left me unable to walk or drive for over a year. During that time, I relied heavily on my team and the systems I had put in place. Those challenges reinforced the importance of delegation, trust, and preparation.
What has remained consistent throughout the ups and downs is my commitment to keep going no matter what happens. The road has never been entirely smooth, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The twists and turns have shaped me into the business owner I am today and allowed me to create a company that truly reflects who I am and what I value.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Harmony Design Northwest, we specialize in creating personalized landscape designs that transform outdoor spaces into functional, beautiful extensions of our clients’ homes. Our work ranges from planting plans and outdoor living spaces to master plans for both urban and rural properties. Each design is tailored to reflect our clients’ unique needs, preferences and aspirations while honoring the inherent qualities of the site itelf.
We’re particularly known for blending the timeless elegance of classic East Coast landscape styles with the natural, creative spirit of the Pacific Northwest. We want our designs to bring harmony between homeowners and the space around their homes, creating spaces that reflect the owner’s and their home’s styles.
We also incorporate sustainable practices whenever possible, drawing from my background in environmental stewardship to recommend plants and designs that thrive in their local habitats.
I’m most proud of overcoming fear and self-doubt to build a business that genuinely reflects who I am and how I want to be in the world. As a highly sensitive person (HSP), I’ve designed Harmony Design Northwest to embody my personal and professional values: empathy, authenticity, and a commitment to creating meaningful relationships. It’s so rewarding to hear clients say they feel truly cared for throughout the design process. Knowing that we’ve helped someone bring their vision to life and that their outdoor space is now a source of joy and connection—it doesn’t get better than that.
I’m also incredibly proud of recognizing that I couldn’t do it all by myself. Shifting from a one-woman operation to a collaborative team model was a turning point. Today, Harmony Design Northwest partners with skilled designers and contractors, allowing us to offer clients a seamless, high-quality experience from concept to completion.
In a city with many talented designers, what truly sets Harmony Design Northwest apart is our approach. As a seasoned professional, I bring a unique perspective to landscape design, offering not just creative vision but also a deep understanding of the emotional and practical needs of homeowners, whatever their age or stage in life. We want our clients to know they’re not just hiring a designer; they’re partnering with a team who truly listens, respects their ideas, and works collaboratively to make their vision a reality.
Ultimately, my entrepreneurial journey has been about creating a legacy of harmony—between people and their outdoor spaces, between tradition and innovation, and between my values and the work I do every day.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
As a theater major and former actress, taking risks feels second nature—it’s an essential part of the industry. While I wouldn’t have always described myself as a natural risk-taker, I’ve learned to embrace the thrill of new challenges and trust the inner voice that urges me to take the leap.
I’ve taken so many risks in life that it’s hard to choose just one or two, but one of the biggest was leaving behind a budding acting career in San Francisco to pursue opportunities in Los Angeles. At the time, I was thriving in theater and begun to establish a solid reputation. Despite this, I felt a pull toward something bigger—a desire to break into film and television, even though I knew it would mean starting over in a highly competitive industry.
The decision wasn’t easy. San Francisco was a city where I felt comfortable and confident in my work, but I knew that if I didn’t take the leap, I might always wonder what could have been. Moving to Los Angeles was both exhilarating and terrifying. I entered a completely new environment, where the stakes were higher and the competition was fierce.
Soon after arriving, I landed one of the top agents in the city and suddenly was auditioning for commercials and TV roles, stepping into rooms with casting directors who could make or break my career. Each audition was a mix of excitement and fear, but I kept showing up, determined to give it my all. I had always told myself that if my acting career wasn’t sustaining me by age 30 I would give it up, and that’s exactly what happened.
Looking back, this risk taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and the importance of following your inner voice, even when the path ahead feels uncertain. While my career eventually took a different direction, the courage and determination I developed as an actress have stayed with me, shaping how I approach challenges in both my personal and professional life.
Over time, I’ve learned that even when risks don’t lead to immediate success, they often teach invaluable lessons that shape the next steps. For me, risk-taking is less about winning or losing and more about staying committed to moving forward, trusting the process, and being open to new possibilities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.harmonydesignnw.com
- Instagram: @harmonydesignnw
- Facebook: @harmonydesignnw
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisameddin/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@harmonydesignnorthwest
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/harmony-design-northwest-portland-2
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/harmonydesignnw/#
Image Credits
Photos by Lisa Meddin