Some people know exactly what they want to do with their professional lives from a very young age. Others make the decision while in high school or while pursuing higher education. Christopher Dardarian took a different route than most but ended up exactly where he wanted to be in life. In the process he realized the dream of small business ownership and built a career around work he genuinely enjoys.
Before founding Stema Gardens, a Toronto-area landscape design/build company specializing in customized outdoor living spaces, Dardarian worked in construction finance, operated a busy downtown restaurant called The Bellevue, studied economics and horticulture, and spent some formative years working on permaculture farms throughout Latin America.
Throughout his adventurous professional journey, Chris has developed a broad understanding of business, design and project management. He has been fortunate to travel and work in different countries around the world learning new cultures and languages and discovering architecture, restaurants and stunning natural landscapes. This has helped him understand the many ways people interact with their spaces both indoors and outdoors.
These days, Christopher Dardarian brings together his accumulated experience to his work with Stema Gardens. He enjoys helping Greater Toronto Area homeowners transform their properties into beautiful, functional sanctuaries that are built to last. We were fortunate to speak with him about a collection of topics he is uniquely qualified to address. Our interview includes his diverse background, emergent trends in outdoor living, and the most important lessons he’s learned during his time building Stema Gardens.
You’ve had a unique path on route to entrepreneurship. What made you finally decide to launch Stema Gardens and concentrate on building a high-end landscaping business?
Christopher Dardarian: For me, it was really the combination of everything I had done in my career thus far that gave me the foundation to build a successful design/build landscape business. My time in construction finance taught me how to plan projects on a professional level, including proper budgeting and project management. The restaurant showed me the art of curating a memorable customer experience, the importance of design and presentation, and creating a unique dining room that people truly enjoy. My travels in Costa Rica and Guatemala exposed me to the rich ecology of the jungle and it’s where I learned about agriculture and my love for food came to be. My horticultural education at Niagara College strengthened my appreciation for plants, landscapes, and the role outdoor spaces play in our daily lives, while my education in economics became the foundation of good business practices, the core to any successful business.
I have come to realize that building a landscaping business has allowed me to bring these diverse experiences and interests together. It combines design, construction, horticulture and business in a way that few other industries can. I’ve always liked the idea of creating something of my own and Stema Gardens has allowed me to create a company centered around work that I genuinely enjoy.
What do clients value most when planning an outdoor project?
Christopher Dardarian: From my experience, most clients want an outdoor space that is an extension of their home rather than a separate space. While everyone has different visions for what that looks like, turning the yard into something more usable is a common theme and goal. They want to spend more time outdoors, entertain and create something beautiful that they can enjoy.
Some folks are focused on entertaining family and friends. Others want a quiet place to relax after a busy day, have a nice meal on the patio or read a good book under a shady tree. Some are thinking about a great place for their children to play in, while others tend to consider increasing the long-term value of their home.
When it comes to our role at Stema Gardens, clients appreciate the clarity that thoughtful design can bring. People tend to have a hard time visualizing what is possible in an outdoor space, and seeing a plan and discussing it in their yard helps them focus their ideas. They want a well-thought-out plan, realistic budgeting and good communication, all of which build confidence that the finished result will match their original intent. When those elements come together, we can view the project as a success.
What trends are shaping the future of outdoor living?
Christopher Dardarian: One of the biggest trends I’ve noticed is that homeowners increasingly view their outdoor spaces as an extension of their homes, not simply the land at the front, back and sides of their house that requires occasional maintenance. These days, people are investing in features that allow them to cook, entertain, relax and even exercise outside. We find that people are looking to extend the season and use their backyard year-round. They are asking for covered spaces, outdoor heaters and saunas particularly in our colder climate.
Another trend which we find to be positive is the interest in creating landscapes that are more natural and garden focused. My clients tend to be interested in spaces with gardens and ample softscape areas rather than large areas of hardscaping which lends itself to a relatively stark and unsoftened space.
People want durability and low maintenance. The challenge for designers like me is finding ways to combine these natural spaces with less maintenance. We use mass plantings like swaths of grass, drought tolerant planting and other strategies to keep the maintenance lower even for novice gardeners.
What advice would you give to any aspiring entrepreneurs in our readership?
Christopher Dardarian: A successful career path isn’t always linear, and you don’t always figure out what you love right out of university. All the experience you gather is relevant, even if it’s unclear how it helps you. It’s never too late to try something new or start a business, so stay positive and have faith that your path is unique to you regardless of how it might seem.
I would also encourage people to take the time to learn the fundamentals of business as well as the fundamentals of their chosen industry before launching a company. Understanding operations, budgeting, customer service, and project management is just as important as understanding the product or service you are offering.
Most importantly, be patient because building a business takes time. There are very few overnight successes, and I have never met an entrepreneur that hasn’t considered calling it quits along the way. Focus on doing good work, treating people well, and continuing to learn. If you do that consistently, opportunities tend to follow.
Comments are closed.