The Design Model That's Replacing Your In-House Designer

Derek Clelan went from filing bankruptcy at 24 to building one of the fastest-growing landscape design firms in the country — and he did it in just three years. In this conversation recorded live at LeanScapers in Cape Coral, Jeremiah sits down with Derek to unpack the origin story of Your Haven Design, how they completed 1,500 designs for over 400 contractors across the US, UK, and Canada in a single year, and why design isn't just a deliverable — it's a sales tool, an estimating tool, and a feedback loop all in one. They dig into Your Haven's membership model, how AI is creeping into the design workflow (without replacing the humans doing the actual work), and the bold plan to build a full Design Academy that trains and employs the next generation of landscape designers. If you're a contractor on the fence about adding design to your process, this one will settle it.