With offices spanning Sydney to Dubai, Jamie Durie is not just a household name in Australian landscape design but a trusted voice we’ve watched transform from a smiling TV horticulturalist – on shows like Backyard Blitz, House Rules and Future House – to an international brand. Looking back at his business journey over the years, Jamie shares the lessons that have had the biggest impact on his outlook and success.
The power of "no"
"I used to say yes to everything. Now I’ve gotten better at saying no and that moves the needle in a better direction for me. If there are projects I don’t respect or see the ethics behind or projects that don’t align with my values, I just don’t take them on. And it’s better. It’s great. I’m happier."
Build passive value through licensing
"The best businesses I’ve had have been the ones that employ a business structure that’s built around passive income. My favourite is a licensing business, where I license my intellectual property: my thoughts, my designs... I can deploy that in an effective way that touches more people with less effort, resulting in recurring revenue."
Hire people smarter than you
"I’m a big picture sort of person but I need structure around me to help the flying saucers land. Partnering with diligent, organised, methodical people that quite often are smarter than myself, has helped me achieve a lot. I’m always looking to learn. So I think hiring people who are smarter than yourself is always a wise choice."
Consider your approach to business growth
"There was one point where I had design offices all over the world. I had 21 staff in Dubai. I had 52 staff in Sydney. I had another six in Melbourne, six in Singapore, a few in Los Angeles and I was constantly on a plane just trying to keep up with it all. Now, I’ve reduced the amount of staff I hire. I outsource a lot of things and my clients get more attention and more one-on-one value from me, directly."
Redefine success
"For me now, success is the luxury of time. You can’t buy time. If you can, build a business that gives you the time to reconnect with family and friends. If you want to thrive, you have to put time back into the people who love you and care for you."
Alongside fashion label founder Brittney Saunders and celebrity cook Adam Liaw, Jamie is lending his profile to spotlight a handful of CommBank business customers, helping elevate their stories and bring their work to a wider audience. Visit the Small business hub to learn more.