Mark Selles did not grow up planning to lead a landscape design firm. He simply loved the outdoors. As a child, he enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing, and building mechanical projects with his hands. He liked to understand how things worked. That curiosity never left him.
After attending Guido de Bres Christian High School, Mark carried his work ethic and faith into his career. Early on, he learned that experience is the best teacher. Some projects did not go as planned. Instead of stepping back, he leaned in. He studied. He refined his process. He built better systems for the next time.
Over the years, he became an award-winning landscape designer and now serves as Executive Director and Senior Landscape Designer at DeSignia Inc in Kannapolis, North Carolina. He also manages trucks and equipment, staying close to the practical side of the business.
Mark believes style should match the architecture of a home, not follow passing trends. He has written about how fashion fades but disciplined design lasts. His work blends structure, movement, and practical use. He measures success simply: a finished landscape that works well and leaves the client happy.
Outside of design, he holds a patent for a mower blade sharpener that sharpens three blades at once. It reflects how he thinks. Always improving. Always refining.
For Mark, character and craft go hand in hand.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day usually starts early. I review Google Calendar first thing. I do not plan too far ahead. A few weeks at a time works for me. I check site visits, client meetings, and team discussions. Most days include time in the field and time reviewing plans. I stay productive by focusing on one task at a time and finishing it well.
How do you bring ideas to life?
It starts with listening. I look at the architecture of the home and the land itself. I sketch concepts. Then I think through practical use. Walkways. Elevation. Water movement. I ask myself how the space will feel in five years, not just today.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I like seeing more interest in landscapes that attract birds and pollinators. It adds life and sound to a space. Landscaping should appeal to all five senses.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Submitting myself to continuing education. Recertification forces you to stay sharp.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Do not fear failure. Early mistakes taught me more than easy wins.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe most landscapes are overdesigned. Simplicity, done well, lasts longer than complexity.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Pay attention to details. Small oversights grow into big problems.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I pray. Then I talk with my team. Discussion brings clarity.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Quality over quantity. I never rush projects for volume. That builds long-term trust.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early on, I approved a design without fully understanding drainage flow. It caused extra work later. I learned to double-check site grading every time.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Offer seasonal landscape audits. Many properties need small adjustments before they need large redesigns.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Google Calendar. It keeps short-term goals clear and manageable.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I value practical engineering podcasts. They focus on systems and improvement, which applies to landscaping too.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I enjoyed a documentary on craftsmen. It reminded me that mastery takes time.
Key learnings
- Discipline and structure outlast trends in any industry.
- Failure becomes valuable when it leads to better systems.
- Simplicity, when executed well, creates lasting results.
- Continuing education prevents complacency and sharpens leadership.
- Attention to small details protects long-term outcomes.