A Career Shaped by Craft
RockFence Capital didn’t begin as a London firm. Its roots go back to Georgia, where a small team of artisans built outdoor spaces with patience and precision. The early work was modest—stone patios, garden walls, and backyard retreats—but the approach was deliberate. “We wanted everything to feel like it belonged to the land,” they recall. That belief shaped their career from the start.
Moving Across the Atlantic
The biggest shift came when the business relocated to London. It was a bold move that tested both their skills and adaptability. The climate was new, the materials were different, and the style of outdoor design had its own rhythm. “In Georgia, we worked with wide lawns and Southern grasses. In London, we had to learn native stone and plants that could handle rain year-round,” they explain. The move forced them to innovate while holding onto their values.
Lessons from Early Mistakes
Not every step was smooth. In the early years, they made the mistake of taking on too many projects at once. At one point, five major builds ran simultaneously. Quality dipped, deadlines slipped, and stress mounted. “That was the wake-up call,” they admit. The lesson was simple: focus on fewer projects, deliver better results. Today, they rarely juggle more than two major sites.
The Value of Imperfection
RockFence Capital has become known for embracing imperfection in their designs. They see beauty in crooked stones, irregular walls, and weathered wood. One project featured reclaimed beams marked with nail holes and burn scars. Instead of hiding the flaws, they built them into the final design. The client loved it. “It felt authentic, like the material had lived a life before,” they said.
Hands-On Design in Practice
Touch remains central to their process. Materials aren’t just chosen from catalogues—they are handled, tested, and laid out before final use. For one project, they rejected an entire pallet of stone after running a hand across the surface. “It looked fine at first glance, but I knew it would crack under weight. You only catch that when you touch it,” they explain. This habit reduces costly mistakes and ensures each project lasts.
Why Native Landscaping Matters
In recent years, they’ve focused on sustainability, particularly native landscaping and reclaimed materials. Clients in London are asking for drought-resistant plants, local stone, and reused timber. The benefits go beyond looks. According to the Royal Horticultural Society, native gardens can support up to 60% more wildlife. Reclaimed stone can cut project waste by nearly a third. “It’s smart, it’s responsible, and it makes every space unique,” they say.
A Career Built on Adaptation
Their career shows how big ideas come to life through steady choices. The move from Georgia to London wasn’t just geographical—it was professional growth. The shift toward sustainable practices wasn’t a trend but a commitment. Even their embrace of imperfection became a guiding philosophy. Each decision added to their reputation as leaders in their field.
Advice for the Next Generation
When asked what they’d tell their younger selves, their answer is simple: take risks sooner. “We hesitated before moving to London, but that decision defined us. If I could go back, I’d tell myself to trust my skills and move faster.”
Their story isn’t about chasing quick wins. It’s about patience, adaptation, and respect for both craft and environment. “One stone at a time, one plant at a time—that’s how you build something that lasts.”
Founder Dinis Guarda
IntelligentHQ Your New Business Network.
IntelligentHQ is a Business network and an expert source for finance, capital markets and intelligence for thousands of global business professionals, startups, and companies.
We exist at the point of intersection between technology, social media, finance and innovation.
IntelligentHQ leverages innovation and scale of social digital technology, analytics, news, and distribution to create an unparalleled, full digital medium and social business networks spectrum.
IntelligentHQ is working hard, to become a trusted, and indispensable source of business news and analytics, within financial services and its associated supply chains and ecosystems
