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Ever wonder why the people who design our outdoor spaces, build our patios, and maintain our landscapes rarely talk to each other? Angelique Robb did, and she decided to do something about it.

The founder of Synkd magazine joins Jay Rotonnelli to share her fascinating journey from petroleum engineering on oil rigs to revolutionizing how outdoor living professionals connect across specialized disciplines. Her unique background gave her perspective on an industry problem hiding in plain sight: fragmentation.

"We have all these silos," Angelique explains. "Landscape architecture is one, but erosion control is a whole discipline... green infrastructure... there are a lot of linkages, but we have all these different niches." This disconnection prevents professionals from delivering their best work and elevates those rare companies that can provide comprehensive solutions.

With 86% of landscape businesses having fewer than nine employees, most struggle to stay innovative while managing daily operations. These small companies rarely have time to attend conferences or research industry advancements. Synced aims to meet these professionals where they are—whether through print publications, digital content, podcasts, or regional events—to facilitate knowledge sharing across disciplines.

The conversation highlights how COVID accelerated consumer interest in outdoor living, creating opportunities for professionals who understand the difference between customer service and customer experience. "Now we talk about customer experience more than customer service because they're two different things," Jay notes. This evolution requires breaking down walls between specialists to deliver cohesive outdoor environments.

Angelique shares exciting news about Synkd's expansion plans, including events in New Orleans and Scottsdale in 2026, and invites listeners to connect directly with feedback about what would best serve their professional development. After all, as she puts it, "If we don't force ourselves together, we'll never come together naturally."

Ready to expand your professional network beyond your specialty? Connect with Angelique on LinkedIn or visit synkd.io to join a movement that's elevating the entire outdoor living industry through cross-disciplinary collaboration.