10/08/2026
After gaining experience throughout high school at various landscaping jobs, Daniel Cornacchia earned his degree in landscape architecture from the University of Guelph in April 2019.
By then, his grandfather had retired; that pushed Cornacchia to take the leap and open Dancor Landscapes at 21. Like many start-ups, it began as a solo operation, relying on a pickup truck and basic tools.
“One of my first projects was removing and replacing 1,500 square feet of sod, which I did by hand with a shovel, my truck and a one-ton trailer.”
He continued to grow his reputation and eventually felt ready to tackle larger-scale design/build projects.
However, after deciding to relocate from Toronto to the Georgian Lakelands, Daniel decided to transition the business fully to design and project management.
At the same time, his girlfriend Madison Kohut was busy building her interior design studio, and the couple would often collaborate on professional projects. Moss and Oak Design Studio was born in 2025.
“When I started Dancor, I knew I should sign up for Landscape Ontario. The main reason was to take every course I could find to get my footing in the industry. Education and training are so important to give those just starting out the confidence to say ‘I can do this’ or ‘I was trained for this.’”
In January 2026, Daniel Cornacchia was presented with Landscape Ontario’s Young Entrepreneur Award at the annual Awards of Excellence Ceremony. He also became the chair of the Landscape Contractor Sector Group.
For young professionals looking to get involved, Cornacchia’s main advice is to remain coachable. He emphasizes the importance of not seeking recognition, but understanding the reality of the work and the various challenges that may arise. With that, credibility grows and will benefit the business more in the future.
Congratulations Daniel on this inspiring journey, and thank you for your dedication to the landscape trades 👏
