Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Hartshorn.
Hi Chelsea, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started out thinking I would follow a fairly traditional path. I studied horticulture and assumed I’d spend my career designing landscapes for an established firm. Early on, I took a wide range of roles, from hands-on labor at a coal mine to installation work to design-build positions, which gave me a deep respect for what it takes to bring a landscape to life beyond the drawings.
When I eventually started my own landscape design studio, the focus was very much on the work itself. High-end residential landscapes, thoughtful planting, and creating spaces that felt personal to the people living in them. As the business grew, though, I learned something important about myself. While I genuinely love landscapes, I love people even more.
Working closely with homeowners showed me how personal this work really is. At the same time, I had the opportunity to collaborate with an incredible group of designers. Building a team of thoughtful, talented people and learning from them every day has become one of the most rewarding parts of my career. I’ve found that I’m at my best when I’m supporting others, creating systems that help them do great work, and growing alongside them.
My path hasn’t been linear. I’ve navigated running a growing business while raising a family, learning how to lead, and redefining what success looks like along the way. What has stayed consistent is my belief that good design starts with strong relationships. With clients, with collaborators, and within the team itself.
Today, my work is still rooted in landscape design, but it’s equally about building community through the work. Creating environments where people feel supported, heard, and proud of what they’re creating together has become just as important to me as the landscapes themselves if not more.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Starting and growing a business comes with a lot of uncertainty, especially in an industry where timelines, budgets, weather, and people are all moving parts. Early on, one of the biggest challenges was learning everything the hard way. Pricing mistakes, overcommitting, trying to do too much myself, and not knowing yet what kind of leader I wanted to be.
Another ongoing challenge has been learning how to balance ambition with real life. Running a business while raising young kids forces you to get clear on priorities very quickly. There were seasons where I felt pulled in too many directions and had to reassess what growth actually meant, not just financially, but personally and emotionally.
Building a team has been incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with responsibility. Learning how to support different personalities, communication styles, and growth paths has pushed me to grow just as much as anyone on the team. I’ve had to get comfortable asking for help, letting go of control, and trusting others.
Through all of it, the biggest lesson has been that challenges aren’t signs you’re doing something wrong. They’re often signals that it’s time to evolve. Every obstacle has shaped how I lead, how I work with clients, and how I build a business that’s more sustainable for everyone involved.
We’ve been impressed with Threadleaf Landscape Design, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Threadleaf is a residential landscape design studio focused on thoughtful, well-built outdoor spaces, but at its core, it’s a people-driven business. We work closely with homeowners, builders, and contractors to create landscapes that feel intentional, functional, and deeply connected to how people actually live.
What really sets Threadleaf apart is our team. We collaborate with an incredible group of designers, and a big part of our mission is creating flexibility and stability in an industry where those things are often hard to find. Landscape design can be demanding and unpredictable, and we’re intentional about building a structure that allows designers to do meaningful work while still having room to grow, learn, and maintain balance in their lives.
Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, we focus on mentorship, collaboration, and long-term relationships. Designers are supported not just creatively, but professionally, with systems and processes that make the work more sustainable. That focus carries through to our client relationships as well. We value clear communication, trust, and a collaborative process that results in better outcomes for everyone involved.
What I’m most proud of brand-wise is the culture we’re building. Threadleaf isn’t just about producing good designs. It’s about creating an environment where talented people can grow, feel supported, and continue learning, while delivering thoughtful landscapes that truly serve the people who use them.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something that might surprise people is how much I’m still learning, not just about business, but about life in general. From the outside, things can look established or figured out, but the truth is that some days I feel confident and clear, and other days I don’t. A lot of my growth has come from learning in real time, making mistakes, adjusting, and trying again.
What stays constant is my intention. I genuinely want to grow as a person, support my family, and build strong, meaningful relationships with the people I work with and care about. That mindset shows up in my work, but it also shapes how I approach leadership, balance, and what success actually means to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.threadleafdesign.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/threadleafdesign
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DjAitZYi6/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/threadleaf-landscape-design/
