We were lucky to catch up with Chris Brock recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

In 2011 I started my landscape architecture business, but it actually began out of necessity more than a grand plan.

At the time the economy was still recovering and jobs in the design and construction industry were scarce. To make things even more challenging, I was living high up in the mountains in Colorado, far from major cities where most landscape architecture work was happening.

So I took what felt like a pretty unconventional risk at the time—I decided to start my own practice and work remotely with clients.

Back then, the idea of remote work seemed almost crazy to people. Video calls weren’t common, and most design firms still believed you had to be physically in the same city as your clients and projects. But I realized that landscape design could actually work well remotely if I communicated clearly, used digital drawings, and collaborated closely with clients and contractors.

I began supporting established firms with production work as a freelancer, and then started working with clients across the United States and eventually even a few internationally. Starting the business forced me to be resourceful and creative—not just in design, but in how I ran the business and connected with people from a distance.

Looking back, it’s funny because what seemed like a strange and risky approach at the time—running a remote design business—is now completely normal. In many ways I was just trying to adapt to my circumstances, but it ended up shaping the way I built my career.

Chris, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a landscape architect with a focus on high-end residential gardens and luxury resorts. I started my own practice in 2011 during a tough economy, working remotely from the mountains of Colorado long before remote work was common. Over the years, I’ve helped clients across the U.S. and internationally create outdoor spaces that are not only beautiful, but functional and deeply personal.

Most of my work has been in luxury design—crafting gardens, outdoor living spaces, and immersive resort landscapes—but I’m increasingly moving into the ecological side of things, focusing on biodiversity, sustainability, and natural beautification. I help clients create landscapes that aren’t just visually striking—they thrive over time, support local ecosystems, and feel connected to nature.

What sets my work apart is the combination of high-end design and ecological sensitivity. I’m proud when a project becomes more than a garden—it becomes a space for people to live, play, and connect with nature, while also supporting a healthier environment.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I self-funded the business from the start. I certainly made mistakes and bought things I didn’t need at first, but overtime I’ve improved keeping things simple and lean—covering the basics like the software and hardware I needed to operate. By avoiding unnecessary overhead and scaling gradually, I was able to build the business on my own terms without taking on outside investment or debt.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I’m actually still in the early stages of building my audience on LinkedIn, so I don’t have a massive following yet—but that’s part of the story. I made the decision to start showing up consistently, sharing what I know about landscape architecture, plants, and creating more beautiful, ecologically rich outdoor spaces. Instead of trying to go viral, I’m focused on being useful and authentic, and letting the audience grow naturally over time.

For anyone just starting out, my biggest advice is to keep it simple and stay consistent. Share what you’re learning, what you’re working on, and what you genuinely care about. Don’t overthink it or wait until everything is perfect—just start posting. Over time, patterns emerge, your voice gets clearer, and the right audience begins to find you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chris-brock.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismbrock/

Image Credits

Images provided by Paradise Beach Resort – Nevis, BWI