As a kid growing up, Wayne Jensen had a remarkable childhood learning first hand as he saw his parents newly purchased home and bare dirt backyard come to life through the magic of design. His parents enlisted the services of a landscape designer from their local nursery. He was a kindly gentleman who loved to teach and whenever he was on the job-site he would explain the how and why certain things needed to be done in such a way. Mr. Kelly made an impression on the young boy and as he played in the creeks around his neighborhood he would move boulders and make pools for the tadpoles to live in. He also learned the failures of not having the proper support for the tree forts he and his friends would build. So as he grew up he focused on learning more about structural engineering and architecture. Technical drawing and drafting became the inspiration for his studies and future college choices,but he still had a strong love for the outdoors. Realizing that being in front of a drafting table, in an office all day might not be the career choice he wanted to make. As he discussed the situation with his teacher and mentor Mr. Millen, a project was given to the young man to plot out the horticulture area at their school and create a scaled working drawing and blueprints. Measure and identify the buildings, sidewalks and major trees along with their botanical names. At that point horticulture became the second major and landscape architecture becomes an endeavor that will take him down roads he never thought possible.
Every freshman knows he has to get out there and get a job, so to start at the neighborhood nursery one has to start at the bottom on the loading dock and then climb their way up the ladder. Skillfully it was a quick promotion into the design office where he was reintroduced with Mr. Kelly as he shared his story and gained more insight into the wonders of designing.
As studies carry on and other designers are influencing his design aspects one in particular catches his eye. His name is Nick Williams and he is seen a lot in The Sunset Magazine. Unbeknownst to the young and upcoming designer Mr. Williams is the owner of a local construction company where Wayne was trying to get a job. As years continue on and schooling takes him to the beautiful College of the Redwoods learning more about construction and operating heavy equipment, avenues open up as he is hired on a huge movie ranch in Malibu.Ca. As years past and that project comes to an end, an advertisement is answered for a design / build company and Nick and Wayne collide again in a good way. They tell each other stories and a bond is connected, Wayne is hired and music is made. Over the years many beautiful creations are built and the love that was started as a young boy is realized as two kindred spirits who love their craft design and draw together and are still friends to this day. But the story goes on from there as Nick encourages Wayne to break out on his own to become that independent contractor that he has always wanted to be. Wayne passes the states contracting test with flying colors and Creekside Designs and Landscaping is born.
When you love what you do, you do a whole lot of it, and have a whole lot of fun along the way.