Five Minutes with Greenline Design, Inc.

Greenline Design, Inc.

Charlotte, NC

President and Lead Designer

Hugh Crump

In business

29 years

NCNLA Member

4 years

Services

Full-service landscape design

Favorite NCNLA benefits

Green & Growin’ and getting to know colleagues from across the state

Hugh Crump

How did you get into the business?

My entry into the industry was unconventional. After a few years of sales related jobs, I decided to go back to an occupation I enjoyed when I was younger. From as early as I can remember, I was the kid in the neighborhood mowing lawns and tending gardens.

When I was in high school, I worked part time during the school year and full time in the summer at Tar-Heel Natural Turf (later acquired by Budd Services). At the time they were among the largest commercial landscape management companies in the region, so I learned how a large operation was managed. I also saw that my interests could be a career.

When I found myself back in the world of lawn and landscape, I held several different jobs with smaller companies where I was exposed to a completely different way of business after having worked for a large company. After a couple of years of exploring different options, I decided this industry was what I loved and where I wanted to be.

When I started Greenline Design in 1991, I applied what I learned with the large corporate business and what I learned from the smaller, owner/operator businesses. We grew the company by always looking for the next new challenge. In the early years, we

Walkway

rarely turned down an opportunity, so we were able to expand our abilities and skills. We built a portfolio of work to reference that allowed us to gain higher profile opportunities.

What is a typical day like for you and your staff?

A typical day consists of client meetings, contractor meetings and site visits. Design implementation can range from a day to several months, all based on the size and scale of the project. With new construction projects, some designs take up to 2-3 years from start to finish. When working on existing properties it could be a simple consultation or a quick plan started and completed in a matter of hours. I coordinate with my office assistant to keep me on track with upcoming deadlines and responsibilities. My design assistant helps keep the projects progressing by providing feedback and necessary information.

What has been the most rewarding part of your career?

Several things come to mind; the first is that I love what I do. I have no desire to do anything other than landscape design, and I want to continually get better. Another huge reward is the amount of freedom that comes with the job.

Projects completed by Greenline Design.

Early in my career, I worked closely with a talented and charismatic designer named John Byrd. He shared advice that helped me be much more aware of details and scale. John was masterful and sought inspiration from a wide range of sources, including travel, publications and sometimes through simple observations of nature. He also had an impressive way of being brutally honest with his thoughts. I simply paid attention and learned as I saw his landscape designs evolve from an initial conversation to completion. John unfortunately passed away too soon, but he left a legacy of incredible gardens.

What is your company best known for?

Our work is approximately 85% residential and 15% commercial, so we are known for great residential projects and heavy use of many varieties of Boxwoods.

What issues are you concerned about as a company in the green industry?

This will come as no surprise to anyone when I state the obvious and say LABOR. Along the same lines, I am concerned about the small number of students pursuing horticultural related degrees and careers.

What have you gained from your involvement in the NCNLA?

The greatest takeaway from the association is having a better understanding of the industry by being able to talk to people in the industry on a regular basis. I have developed a strong sense of community within the industry on a state level since becoming involved. I am thankful to be a part of this industry.

What advice do you have for someone interested in or just starting out in the industry?

As an obnoxious teenager working part time at Tar-Heel Natural Turf, I once told my crew leader with high expectations for me that “for you this is a career, but for me it’s a summer job.” I am now embarrassed by that comment, but it is funny and a little bit ironic considering where I am now. If my old crew leader reads this, please accept my apologies, and thank you for teaching an obnoxious teenager a few things about a great industry.

I would advise someone interested in the field to just start. Then, focus on what you can do within the industry, not what you cannot do. Focus on being hardworking and dependable, and the rest will take care of itself.

I love what do. I have no desire to do anything other than landscape design, and I want to continually get better. Another huge reward is the amount of freedom that comes with the job.