Today we’d like to introduce you to James (Jesse) Conway.
Hi Jesse, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Steve and I both wrote out our personal stories and then the company story follows.
Steve
I was born and raised in Greenville, shaped by a multicultural upbringing with my mother from Mexico and my father from Germany. Growing up, our family traveled often, and those experiences opened my eyes to diverse cultures and landscapes. Over time, those early impressions inspired a passion for design and the way spaces can bring people and nature together.
I attended Shannon Forest before continuing my education at Clemson University, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in 2020 and my master’s degree in landscape architecture in 2022. My graduate thesis focused on how green roof designs can support migratory bird populations—a project that combined my love for ecology with my interest in innovative design.
After graduation, I moved to Atlanta to work with a landscape architecture firm, contributing to multifamily and mixed-use urban projects. My wife, Summer, who works in residential architecture, and I enjoyed the energy and pace of city life while building our careers.
Eventually, we decided to return to Greenville to start a family. Back home, I joined a design/build firm, where I gained valuable experience managing construction projects. While I appreciated the technical side of the work, I found myself missing the creative heart of the profession. That realization led me to seek opportunities more focused on design—the place where my skills, passion, and vision come together.
Jesse
I graduated from Hillcrest High School in 2000 and went on to earn a degree in physical education with a concentration in exercise science from the College of Charleston in 2005. Like many new graduates, I worked a handful of odd jobs, but one in particular set me on an unexpected path—Hyam’s Garden Center on James Island. There, under the guidance of George Hyam, a former Clemson offensive lineman, I found myself immersed in the world of plants. My job was in the “trees and shrubs” section, where I learned to identify species and guide customers through designing their yards. It was my first taste of how landscapes could tell a story.
But after a few months, I felt pulled toward something bigger. I joined the U.S. Army and trained at Fort Rucker, Alabama—“Mother Rucker” to those who’ve been there—learning to fly the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior reconnaissance helicopter. It was also where I met Betina, the woman who would become my wife on Valentine’s Day the following year, we were married in Las Vegas, with Elvis presiding over the ceremony.
After flight school, I had the honor of flying Kiowas over Afghanistan with the Banshees of Bravo Troop, 2-17 Cavalry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, based out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. My youngest daughter, Isabella, was born there in 2009. The Army also stationed me at Fort Stewart, Georgia—an assignment I jokingly call the “land of sand fleas and pine trees”—where I spent time flying a desk for the Third Infantry Division.
Eventually, I knew it was time to pivot. I returned to school at Clemson University to study landscape architecture, reconnecting with the passion I had first discovered at Hyam’s. After graduating, I launched a real estate photography business, earned my drone license, and dedicated myself to being a husband and father. Still, the pull toward landscape design remained strong. That passion led me back to the field and, as fate would have it, back to reconnecting with Steve—a partnership that would spark the next chapter of my career.
Nature’s Rhythm Design Studio
When Steve and I decided to launch our business, we didn’t waste any time. We filed the paperwork in November 2024, secured our office space by December, moved in January, and officially opened our doors in February 2025. In the midst of it all, Steve earned his license in landscape architecture, we built our website and social media presence, and created the systems and templates to fuel our future projects. It’s been a whirlwind, but every step has carried us closer to building the kind of design practice we envisioned—and so far, the momentum has been all positive.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would describe the road as an uphill gravel road. It has required a constant push, there have been some potholes, but we are going in the right direction. We jokingly say that the biggest pain in the neck has been getting on to Apple Maps.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Landscape design and landscape architecture are generally a combination of two components. Some describe it as art and science. One could use design and biology, or organization and ecology and make a justifiable argument as well. On a broader level though, we are problem solvers.
We listen to what our client’s say are their need and desires. We combine them with the weaknesses of the landscape to form the problem. Once the problem is formed, we start programming the design to solve the problem. When the program is complete, we can add the desired aesthetic on top, similar to the facade of a building.
A simple example;
Problem: Client Doe wants to be able to cool off in the summer by taking a dip in some refreshing water, but they have no water in their yard.
Solution: Put a pool in the backyard that is easily accessible from the back deck of the house that matches the existing Mediterranean aesthetic. We go with a rectangle pool with low waterfall and just the right amount of lighting. The hardscape around the pool is a creamy white, and is made of marble or porcelain. There are also fire features located at the two far corners, and white Adirondack chairs reclining on the lounge deck in six inches of water.
The typical business model for landscape design in South Carolina is the design/build model. This means the design team is pressed to get the design out the door and in the hands of the build team as quickly as possible so the build team always has work to do. Nature’s Rhythm is a design studio first. We will spend all the time necessary to get the client’s design exactly as they want it. Once the client is pleased with the design, we can reach out to our various landscape install partners to build their design. We offer construction administration (CA) services on the backend as well, if the client so chooses, where we represent the client during the install process, we resolve any unforeseen problems, and ensure the project is built or installed as planned.
What makes you happy?
In the context of our business we would say, happy clients make us happy. We provide a service to our clients and sometimes the only metric for success is the joy of the experience that is their new landscape which we often describe as an extension of their home.
Pricing:
- $150 per hour for design
- We estimate the number of design hours
- CA is 15% of the cost of the installation
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nr-ds.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natures_rhythm_design/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571443225752
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nature-s-rhythm-design-studio/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NaturesRhythmDesignStudio
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/natures-rhythm-design-studio-travelers-rest?osq=Nature%E2%80%99s+Rhythm+Design+Studio
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sEmY2e2jbshzoXpB6
