Advice to Those Just Starting Out

Reflections on winning Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2026 Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence - by Daniel Cornacchia, Moss & Oak Design Studio

Originally published in Landscape Ontario magazine. Republished with permission.

AWARDS are a strange thing.

They arrive with kind words, handshakes and a moment of reflection, but they don’t mark an ending. If anything, they create a pause, a chance to look back and recognize how many people, lessons and missteps it took to get here. Receiving the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award at the 2026 Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence ceremony on Jan. 6 has been an honour. Not because it signals that something has been “figured out,” but because it represents years of learning in an industry that rewards patience, humility and consistency more than quick wins.

I’m still early in my journey, and I’m still learning. That perspective matters, especially when offering advice to those just starting out. 

Learn the work before chasing the title

It’s tempting to rush toward ownership, leadership or recognition early on. But confidence doesn’t come from a title, it comes from understanding the work.

Spending time learning how things are built, installed, maintained and repaired creates a foundation that pays dividends later. Those early experiences shape how you make decisions, how you communicate with others and how you respond when challenges arise.

The more you understand the realities of the work, the more credibility you carry, especially with clients and contractors. 

Find mentors and stay coachable

No one builds a business alone, even if it sometimes looks that way from the outside.

One of the most valuable decisions I made early on was actively seeking mentors. I looked for people I respected not just for what they’d built, but for how they approached their work and relationships. Reaching out felt intimidating at first, and showing vulnerability never came easily, but I quickly realized that those living the life I aspired to build were often the most generous with their time.

Being coachable matters. For me, that meant asking better questions, letting go of the need to be right and staying open to what others had already learned the hard way.

Good mentors don’t point the way forward, they help you find it yourself. 

Reputation is built in the small moments

In this industry, your reputation starts forming long before you realize it:

• How you show up on site.

• How you treat suppliers and crews.

• How you handle mistakes or difficult conversations.

These moments shape how people remember you. Reliability, clear communication and respect go a long way, especially early in your career.

Your name becomes your brand before you ever intend it to. 

Be patient with the pace of growth

Growth rarely happens in a straight line. Early years can feel slow and uncertain, especially when you compare yourself to others who seem further ahead. But most meaningful progress happens quietly, through repetition, consistency and learning from experience.

Comparing your beginning to someone else's established career can distort your perspective. Everyone's path unfolds differently, and most success is built long before it becomes visible. 

Mistakes are part of the process

Mistakes are inevitable.

Whether it’s a project decision, a pricing error or saying yes when you should have said no — what matters most is how you respond. Taking responsibility, reflecting honestly and adjusting your approach turns mistakes into valuable lessons. Over time, those lessons shape better judgment and stronger confidence.

Mistakes don’t disqualify you, they teach you. 

Give back earlier than you think you should

You don’t need decades of experience to support someone else. If you’re a few steps ahead, you have something to offer. Sharing knowledge, offering encouragement or simply taking time to answer questions helps strengthen the industry as a whole.

Leadership isn’t about position, it’s about using what you’ve learned to help others move forward. 

Build something you’re proud of

Careers in this industry are built over time. Focus on doing work you’re proud of, treating people well and staying curious. Success looks different for everyone, but integrity and consistency tend to create opportunities you can’t always plan for.

If you commit to learning the work, valuing relationships and being patient with the process, the rest has a way of falling into place.

Moss & Oak Design Studio serves homeowners, builders, and architects across Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, the Blue Mountains, and Southern Georgian Bay, Ontario. To inquire about a project, visit mossandoak.ca/contact.