Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Smith.
Hi Jordan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, first of all, thank you for this opportunity! My story is a bit zig-zaggy, and I didn’t find my way into landscape design until my 30s. In my 20s, I studied international relations and environmental policy at CSULB, worked in restaurants to support myself, and lived and traveled through the Bay Area, South America, Detroit, and Europe chasing a sense of purpose. I knew I was passionate about the intersection of people and the environment. I just didn’t yet know what my skills were or how to apply them in a way that felt meaningful.
Along the way, I discovered an aptitude for design and working with my hands. I taught myself carpentry and started building furniture and urban agriculture solutions with reclaimed materials. Over time I realized the landscape industry offered a way to make a dependable living while staying true to my passions and using my strengths.
During the pandemic, I moved to Austin and found work with a small design-build landscape company. I spent four years honing my skills as a designer, project manager, and business developer before returning to Southern California. When I got back, I decided I was ready to jump headfirst into entrepreneurship and started Sage Coast, a landscape design studio rooted in sustainability and focused on approachable, beautiful solutions for outdoor living.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Running a small business means wearing every hat: designer, project manager, marketer, bookkeeper. It’s equal parts creative and logistical, and the learning curve is constant. One of the biggest challenges is keeping new business coming in while actually doing the design work and providing high-quality service. I think that’s true for most businesses just starting out.
Also, I have so many ideas! I’m constantly waking up with a new service I could offer or a different marketing strategy to try. But as an entrepreneur, I know I need to focus. I have to keep building on what’s already working and wait to pursue the rest. That’s hard for me, but it’s also exciting. It gives me a lot to look forward to.
As you know, we’re big fans of Sage Coast. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
At Sage Coast, I offer custom landscape design with a focus on native and drought-tolerant plants, sustainable materials, and functional beauty. That includes 2D plans, 3D renderings, plant selection, and project oversight when it comes time to bring the design to life.
I’m also part of Long Beach’s Lawn-to-Garden program, which helps homeowners replace traditional lawns with low-water, environmentally friendly landscapes. It’s work that feels genuinely impactful. I’m helping my community save water, support pollinators, and create gardens that allow rain to soak back into the ground rather than running off into storm drains.
My favorite projects are the ones that solve a problem. Where a steep slope becomes a usable terrace. Where a harsh backyard turns into a cozy retreat. Where a lifeless front yard is transformed into a thriving, colorful ecosystem. At the end of the day, it’s about creating spaces that are not only beautiful, but truly useful. Ones that support the people who live there and the environment they’re part of.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about Long Beach is its diversity and the opportunity to collaborate with environmentally conscious people. Plus, the wide range of plants we can grow here allows for so much creativity in designing beautiful outdoor spaces.
As for what I’d like to see improved, I think every city has room to grow. Especially when it comes to creating more efficient systems and long-term sustainable solutions that benefit everyone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sagecoast.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sagecoast.co
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sagecoast.co
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sage-coast/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@socal.landscape.design
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sage-coast-long-beach
- Other: https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.SageCoast.151459893.html
